Considering how easily you can score dirt cheap flights to Europe these days, the prospect of booking a last-minute jaunt overseas isn't as far-fetched as it may have once seemed. However, taking a last-minute Eurotrip is about to get considerably more complicated, because Americans will soon need to apply for a visa in order to visit many European countries.
Starting on January 1, 2021, Americans will need a special visa in order to visit 22 different European countries, per new guidelines just issued by the European Commission, a body that oversees the day-to-day business of the European Union. These new visas, known as the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), will be enforced in an effort to improve border security. Any travelers who haven't applied for and been granted a valid ETIAS before their trip will not be allowed to board a plane or cruise ship bound for any of the countries where they're required, according to a report by Travel & Leisure. 
Fortunately, the application process for these new visas seems pretty simple, and once you have one, it's valid for three years. To get one you'll just need to fill out an online application and answer a series of "biometric, travel, and security-related questions." The approval process will take about four days, and you'll get the visa (as long as you're approved) via email. 
While not every country in Europe will require Americans to have a valid ETIAS visa to visit, some of the most popular destinations, including France, Germany, Spain, and Italy, will. Here's a full list of the 22 countries that will enforce them.
• Austria
• Belgium
• Luxembourg
• Netherlands
• Germany
• France
• Spain
• Portugal
• Sweden
• Finland
• Denmark
• Lithuania
• Latvia
• Estonia
• Poland
• Slovakia
• Hungary
• Slovenia
• Italy
• Greece
• Czech Republic
• Malta
In addition to filling out the online application, you'll also need to have a valid passport and a credit or debit card to get an ETIAS visa. There will be a fee involved as well, but it's not clear how much they'll be just yet. Also, if for some reason your visa is denied, you will have the opportunity to appeal it. 
So, if you've been dreaming of pulling off a quick last-minute weekend trip to Paris, you may want to get on that before 2021

SOURCE
Thrillist.

is good. let them experience what others are experiencing in applying for their own visa.

Interesting!...This does not require the US applicants visiting those European countries embassies.

I guess those European countries are trying to reciprocate to and similar the US ESTA visa waivers requirement they are using to travel to the US.

The US will respond to them very soon.

banom:
is good. let them experience what others are experiencing in applying for their own visa.

As you have read. You can apply online. You don't need to physically go to the embassy as it is obtained in other countries.

Beautyaddy:
Interesting!...This does not require the US applicants visiting those European countries embassies.

I guess those European countries are trying to reciprocate to and similar the US ESTA visa waivers requirement they are using to travel to the US.

The US will respond to them very soon.

OH YEAH. The US will certainly reciprocate the gesture.

banom:
is good. let them experience what others are experiencing in applying for their own visa.

idiots. what makes them think they are number one? Thank God my darling Austria is among.

gottliebglobal:
OH YEAH. The US will certainly reciprocate the gesture.

USA started with ESTA

Good. USA will respond the same and needs to adjust their visa waiver program, long overdue.

Ugosample:


USA started with ESTA

ESTA is not a Visa. It is a registration process to ascertain eligibility under the Visa Waiver program.
Don't get it twisted.

Ugosample:


USA started with ESTA

This is not true!

It was Australia that started with the ETA in 1996.

Beautyaddy:

This is not true!
It was Australia that started with the ETA in 1996.

I'm taking between USA and Europe
bilateral relations

Most Americans won't care honestly.

Ugosample:


I'm taking between USA and Europe

bilateral relations

Ok. But there is also bilateral relationship between Australia and the US...the same way it goes between UK and the US.

maternal:
Most Americans won't care honestly.

Lol!...why do you say that?

I don't think that is true.

Beautyaddy:


Lol!...why do you say that?

I don't think that is true.

I would tend to agree that most won't care if it works as advertised. Its a very simple online process that should take like 10 minutes or less, just like getting a tourist card to for example the Dominican Republic. Fill in your information, enter a cc number, hit send and you're approved in minutes. I have seen people fill out their US ESTA at Heathrow airport last minute at the checkin counter and get instantaneous approval. Not a big deal.

Beautyaddy:


Lol!...why do you say that?

I don't think that is true.

Most Americans don't even have a passport. Only business officials or adventurous oyibo will do all this.

maternal:


Most Americans don't even have a passport. Only business officials or adventurous oyibo will do all this.

Lol!...that is not entirely true.

And most of the "adventurous oyinbos" are Americans.

However, I do kind of agree that most African Americans might fall into that category of not having a US passport.

Beautyaddy:


Lol!...that is not entirely true.

And most of the "adventurous oyinbos" are Americans.

However, I do kind of agree that most African Americans might fall into that category of not having a US passport.

Maternal is right. Majority of Americans do not have passports. The stats are approximately 36% of the population have passports (compared to about 60% in Canada and 75% British). The average American does not leave the country and is uninterested about anything outside America. In fact, it is not difficult to meet Americans who have not even left their state. I kid you not. I know quite a few middle aged folks who have never left their state of residence.

The US needs to take several seats. They are always responding and reciprocating; reminds me of a child constantly throwing temper tantrums.

Beautyaddy:
Interesting!...This does not require the US applicants visiting those European countries embassies.

I guess those European countries are trying to reciprocate to and similar the US ESTA visa waivers requirement they are using to travel to the US.

The US will respond to them very soon.

Mancala:


Maternal is right. Majority of Americans do not have passports. The stats are approximately 36% of the population have passports (compared to about 60% in Canada and 75% British). The average American does not leave the country and is uninterested about anything outside America. In fact, it is not difficult to meet Americans who have not even left their state. I kid you not. I know quite a few middle aged folks who have never left their state of residence.

Hmmm...interesting.


Anyone knows why that is the case?

Exactly! Because most of them don’t travel.

maternal:
Most Americans won't care honestly.

No really, most Americans won’t care. Yes there are the adventurous ones, but they are very few. I think the Brits travel more than Americans (I could be wrong here)

Beautyaddy:


Lol!...that is not entirely true.

And most of the "adventurous oyinbos" are Americans.

However, I do kind of agree that most African Americans might fall into that category of not having a US passport.

Bracha:
No really, most Americans won’t care. Yes there are the adventurous ones, but they are very few. I think the Brits travel more than Americans (I could be wrong here)

You're kind of right.

One of the reasons might be due to the reason that in the UK they have more paid vacations days than the US.

Ah.. I see

Beautyaddy:


You're kind of right.

One of the reasons might be due to the reason that in the UK they have more paid vacations days than the US.

Beautyaddy:


Hmmm...interesting.


Anyone knows why that is the case?

Everything you need, especially in America, is in North America. Going to see Queen Eliza or old buildings with narrow streets just doesn't get North Americans excited.

Bracha:
Exactly! Because most of them don’t travel.

That's my point.

maternal:


Everything you need, especially in America, is in North America. Going to see Queen Eliza or old buildings with narrow streets just doesn't get North Americans excited.

Lol!!

Most Americans not travelling to Europe/UK for vacation is basically because of distance and cost of air ticket.Same thing applies to Brits too,majority of their vacations are in Europe because of proximity.Just very few rich and adventurous amongst them go to North America and Asia for vacation.

Beautyaddy:


Hmmm...interesting.


Anyone knows why that is the case?

Its the American way of life, LOL,.... Life Begins and Ends in America! Its almost like eveything you need is here, you don't need to go anywhere. If you live here and you want to experience another country, just go to another region. For example, for people in the Midwest or NorthEast, the South, Texas and West Coast (California especially) are totally different countries. In Miami, you can take a walk down the street and not hear a word of English

But I noticed that this lack of interest is changing with the younger generation. They are travelling more and wanting to experience the world more than their parents

maternal:
Most Americans won't care honestly.

most Americans dont own an international passport

This should have been in front page ffs... Smh for Moderator