ETIAS Visa Waiver For Travelers From Hong Kong

Hong Kongers will be disappointed to hear of the EUs new visa waiver plans. The EU has taken inspiration from the USA and other nations in the global north, who have cracked down on travel into their territory without organising entrance rights. Their ETIAS (European Travel Information Authorisation System) visa waiver will be launched in 2023 to most of the nations whose citizens may currently visit without a visa. Hong Kong is one of the planned 60 nations.

Short-term travel without a visa is simply too dangerous for the EU to extend it to any outsiders anymore. The world has been struggling for peace for a long time, but the dream world without conflict still sits far away from all of us. The world today is a more dangerous place than ever. In this situation, every traveller must be treated as a potential threat by their destination nation.

Read more: What is ETIAS?

With the ETIAS visa in place, the EU will be able to keep track of the Hong Kongers entering the Schengen area. With this data, EU border agencies can cross-reference travellers data with Interpol databases, hopefully keeping those who might harm Europeans out of Europe.

The ETIAS visa waiver is aimed at all Hong Kongers who want to make a short-term trip into the Schengen Area for less than 90 days. This applies regardless of the age or social status of the Hong Konger. However, some will get a concession on the application fee, such as minors and older adults.

The ETIAS visa waiver is only required if a Hong Konger is visiting the Schengen area for a short period of less than 90 days. That does not mean Hong Kongers are free to travel for the longer period without documentation. They will have to arrange a long-term visa and residency permits relevant for their purpose of travel.

Some Hong Kongers may also consider a standard visa if their application for an ETIAS visa is unsuccessful, although it will likely be difficult for them to get hold of one if the EU has decided they are not appropriate for travel.

Hong Kongers will also need to remember that many European nations are not part of the Schengen area. This includes nations in the EU like Ireland, and nations outside of the EU like Russia and Britain.

The ETIAS visa gives Hong Kongers the right to visit all the nations listed below.

The nations above include all the Schengen states, and the micro-states that are unofficially part of the area. Micro-states like San Marino are not signatories of the Schengen agreement, but they are autonomous territories inside of Schengen states.

Hong Konger's must prepare thoroughly for their ETIAS visa application, compiling documentation and answers to the questions on the ETIAS visa application. The required documentation is...

The question subjects are...

Hong Kongers must be careful that they include only legitimate documents and include only truthful answers in their application. The discovery of forgeries or falsified information will lead to rejection and may make it harder for the Hong Konger to enter the EU at a later date.

Once their application has been approved, Hong Kongers can make their planned journey into the EU any time with three years. Hong Kongers can begin preparations, booking flights and hotels that are consistent with their itinerary.

Read more: Check if my ETIAS is still valid?

Hong Kongers may appeal if they disagree with the rejection of their application. The appeal will usually be met with a request for more documentation, so that whatever caused the rejection can be cleared up.

Hong Kongers are granted 96 hours to send the EU the requested extra information or documentation supply the requested documentation. The Hong Konger must be patient after this because the receiving nation may take up to four weeks to come back with an answer. Because of this potential delay, it will be wise for Hong Kongers to send their application off long before their planned travels.