Visiting Europe in 2025/2026? Do You Need an e-Visa? | ETIAS

If you hold a CARICOM passport you can travel visa-free to the Schengen zone for a period of 90 days.

As such, currently, as a holder of a CARICOM passport, you only need to book your flight and hop on the plane to your destination within the Schengen Zone.

However, this is soon changing and you will be required to apply for an ETIAS (the European Travel Information and Authorisation System). The system was due to be launched in 2025 but has now been pushed to 2026.

Here is Everything You Need to Know about ETIAS.

Once the program is implemented, travellers who do not need a visa to visit EU member countries will require an ETIAS. This means all visa-exempt travellers visiting EU member countries for business, tourism, medical or transit purposes would need to apply for this.

Quick Points:

Launch: Mid 2025 ( Now 2026)

Eligibility: Travellers from visa-exempt countries

Application: Online prior to travel.

Fee/Cost: 7 euro. (Persons under the age of 18 or over the age of 70 are not required to pay the fee)

Process: Takes a few minutes for most or up to 3 days where additional checks are required. In some instances, if additional documentation is required it can take up to four weeks before a decision is made. If an application is denied, the applicant will receive a reason for the status.

Validity: ETIAS is valid for 3 years or until the date of the applicant's passport expiry.

NB. ETIAS does not guarantee entry into the EU. Immigration/border control can deny a traveller entry.

Find out more information here on the official ETAIS website.