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The newly updated European Travel Information and Authorization System, also called ETIAS Netherlands for short, will take the place of the current visa-free travel system throughout Europe’s Schengen zone beginning in 2025.
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ETIAS (short for the European Travel Information and Authorization System) is a brand-new visa waiver system that will become a prerequisite for all international arrivals from eligible countries as of 2025. This program was created by the European Union starting in 2016. The ETIAS Netherlands visa waiver system will change the way that Canadians and numerous other foreign citizens travel to the Netherlands. Once the new system launches in 2025, an electronic Netherlands ETIAS approval will be mandatory for all Canadian citizens prior to their departure for one of the 26 Schengen countries in Europe. The online ETIAS application is not a difficult or complicated process. In most cases, it will take 10 minutes or less to complete and submit the ETIAS application. Many travelers are wondering why the European Union has replaced its current visa-free travel policy. To put it simply, the updated ETIAS system was primarily designed to strengthen border safety and security throughout the Schengen area for local residents and international travelers alike. It is also meant to curtail crime, minimize health-related travel risks, and fight illegal immigration and terrorism.
Canadian citizens who are traveling to the Netherlands with a pre-approved ETIAS travel authorization will not have to bother with going to an embassy or consulate, which would be the case if they had to apply for a standard visa. Instead, travelers can apply for their ETIAS Netherlands visa waiver through an online platform, which has been designed to be much easier than the current Schengen visa application process. To fill out the online application, travelers will need to have their valid biometric passport on hand, which cannot expire sooner than three months from the intended arrival date in the Netherlands. In some situations, the official reviewing the application may request further information. However, unless something about the application seems strange, additional documents will not usually be required. Travelers should also keep in mind that an ETIAS approval does not necessarily guarantee anyone entry into the Netherlands or any other Schengen country. If anything appears to be “off” at the checkpoint, a border official can prohibit entry, even for travelers with a valid ETIAS visa waiver.
The ETIAS visa waiver system is not intended to make international travel more complicated. The online application process will only take 10 minutes or less for most people. Usually, the approval or rejection notice will be delivered via email within 24 hours of submitting an ETIAS application.
Upon approval, travelers are free to enter any Schengen country for a stay of up to 90 days in a 180-day period. The ETIAS visa waiver remains valid for three years after the approval date, as long as the passport remains valid. ETIAS Netherlands approval is directly linked to the specific passport or travel document used for the application. Therefore, travelers will have to submit another ETIAS Netherlands application after getting a new passport. If an ETIAS application gets denied, there may or may not be an opportunity to appeal the decision, depending on the rejection reason. This new travel authorization structure will change the visa process for millions of foreign visitors heading to the Netherlands, including those who are traveling from Canada. Prior to 2025, Canadian travelers will only need a valid biometric passport when arriving in the Netherlands for a visit of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. But, when the new ETIAS visa waiver process becomes a requirement in 2025, citizens from Canada will need to apply for pre-authorization before entering the Netherlands or any other country in Europe’s Schengen zone.
Canadian citizens applying for the ETIAS visa waiver Netherlands will appreciate the efficiency of the process. This new system will be smooth and user friendly. Applicants will submit their basic personal and contact information along with a few relevant details about their travel history, any existing criminal record, and other safety-related questions. If everything checks out, European security officials will quickly process and approve the application. If something seems irregular, the officials can request additional information and supporting documents. Less frequently, they might require an in-person interview.
Above all, the ETIAS travel authorization process is primarily a border security measure. As soon as the new ETIAS program goes live in 2025, Canadian citizens will have to follow the same pre-authorization procedures as other non-Schengen based travelers. You can rest assured that all of the information gathered by and stored on the ETIAS Netherlands network gets collected and processed according to the strictest of online security standards to ensure protection of everyone’s personal data.
Various events over the past few decades have sensitized the Schengen countries to threats of crime and terrorism. As a result of attacks across Europe since 2015, it is clear that the Netherlands is not invulnerable to the potential risks posed by disturbed and radicalized individuals. The new ETIAS Netherlands travel authorization process will serve as a pre-screening tool to protect Schengen citizens against possible incoming threats. Each application will get carefully evaluated. If an applicant’s risk level is too high, the border officials will refuse entry.
Over the past several years, illegal immigration has become more of a problem in Europe’s Schengen area. Illegal immigration has been linked to human exploitation, organized crime, over-population, and wage disparity. ETIAS Netherlands should make it easier for border officials to identify and keep track of international travelers, thus reducing the risk of illegal immigration.
The ETIAS Netherlands visa waiver process will become the new standard across all 26 Schengen countries. With a consistent policy, travelers will know what to expect and the entire procedure will be more streamlined. It’s beneficial for border officials, too. Those traveling to multiple Schengen countries will get pre-screened and approved before arriving at their initial destination.
For example, imagine a tourist who arrives in the Netherlands and then continues on to Germany. They will be approved for entry into the Netherlands using the same application process as a tourist traveling exclusively to Germany. This consistency will provide an uncomplicated experience for both travelers and border officials alike.
Travelers from Canada, along with those from other visa-exempt countries, will be required to submit an electronic ETIAS application Netherlands before traveling to any country in the Schengen area of Europe. Argentina, Brazil, Japan, and the United States are among the other countries affected by the border policy change. Here is a list of all 60 countries whose citizens will need to submit online ETIAS applications before traveling to the Netherlands:
Albania
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Brunei
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Georgia
Grenada
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
Israel
Japan
Kiribati
Macao
Northern Macedonia
Malaysia
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Montenegro
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent
St. Vincent
Serbia
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Korea
Taiwan
Timor Leste
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Uruguay
Ukraine
UAE
Vanuatu
Venezuela
United Kingdom
United StatesCanadian travelers will only have to fill out an ETIAS application for travel to or through one of the 26 countries in Europe’s Schengen area. When visiting a European country outside the Schengen zone, like Ireland or the United Kingdom, ETIAS Netherlands approval is not required. Canadian citizens will need to submit an ETIAS application before departure to any of the following countries:
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Sweden
Spain
Switzerland
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Romania
Monaco
San Marino
Vatican
Can’t find what you are looking for on our site?
No problem! Our Customer Service team is here for you and happy to help.
Yes, all citizens from Canada will need to apply online through ETIAS when it becomes mandatory in 2025. The ETIAS visa waiver will replace the current system for all short-term travel in the Schengen zone from 2025 and onward. Travelers can expect an initial grace period of at least six months to help international tourists and border officials adapt to the new process. Nonetheless, it’s best for everyone to go ahead and complete the online application form once the new ETIAS Netherlands program launches in 2025. Be sure to allow at least 96 hours (four days) for application processing before your intended departure date.
The ETIAS application is a very simple travel form. Canadian citizens will submit a short online application. It shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes for most people to fill it out. The ETIAS Netherlands covers the applicant’s basic personal and contact information along with a set of security questions.
At this time, a paper copy of one’s COVID vaccination certificate or EU Digital COVID Certificate is mandatory for all travelers entering the Netherlands from outside the European Union, in accordance with the EU Entry Ban. Proof of vaccination within the past 270 days or receipt of a booster dose is the current requirement at the time of writing. However, travelers must keep in mind that policies and procedures related to the COVID-19 pandemic can change quickly. Always follow up on the current travel regulations prior to your departure.
In case you run into any issues during your stay in the Netherlands, the Canadian Embassy can help. The Canadian Embassy in the Netherlands is located in The Hague.