Holders of Montenegrin passports who have been entitled to travel to Schengen without visas, will have to ask for the permission to enter European zone without border controls, starting from 2021.
Deputy editor-in-chief of ScnhengenVisaInfo, Mr Granit Sadiku, says that travel permission, known as ETIAS, will apply in countries whose citizens will be allowed to travel to Schnegen zone, starting from 1 January 2021.
“ETIAS is an online scheme whose main goal is to follow the visitors and allow entrance only to those who meet the requirements established by visa-free agreements with third countries”, Mr Sadiku says.
The permission will enable its holder to travel to through Schengen area.
The scheme was supposed to enter into force in January 2020, but the EU decided to delay the decision, so that EU-LISA can have enough time to establish the system .
Why will Montenegrins need ETIAS?
Following the conclusion of the agreements on visa reliefs and readmission netween Montenegro and the EU, visa liberalization came for Montenegirn citizens came into force on 19 December 2009.
Mr Sadiku stresses that ETIAS will refer to citizens of the third visa-free countries, including Montenegro, and reminds that EU has been planning to establish that system since 2016, with the aim of increasing safety of its citizens.
Applying for ETIAS: Procedure and other details
When ETIAS comes into force, every passenger who intends to enter some Schengen country will have to submit travel application.
“For the first six months, ETIAS is optional, and after it will be mandatory. Montenegrin people must have stable Internet connection and enough funds to pay the fee (€7)”, Mr Sadiku says.
Fake ETIAS sites
Mr Sadiku says that a special website for application will be created.
“There are many sites claiming to be official web presentation of ETIAS. But they are actually fake”, he warns.
Application form contains simple questions – first and last name of the applicant, dater and place of birth, sex, data about the passport and citizenship, e-address and phone number.
Quick confirmation
Before submitting, candidates aged between 18 and 70, must pay the fee.
“Once the passenger clicks to submit the application, his/her application will be checked in the EU database. If the systems containing data don’t find any irregularities concerning the applicant, ETIAS will be confirmed in a matter of several minutes”, Mr Sadiku says.
Four-day deadline for the complaint in case of rejection
“Every passenger whose application has been rejected has 96 hours to lodge a complaint, processing of which might take a month. If the applicant is rejected again – he/she will have to submit the application for regular Schengen visa”, Mr Sadiku points out.
