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The extra step you’ll need to take before flying to Europe next year

The EU has a new travel authorization program, ETIAS, set to roll out in 2024 that will affect travelers across the globe.

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Travelers to Europe from many countries, including the US, will soon be required to apply for a travel authorization known as ETIAS, or the European Travel Information and Authorization System, to visit destinations like France, Italy, and Spain, as well as 27 other European countries .

For years, US citizens have been able to travel to many European countries for short visits without any prior travel authorization, but that will change when the new policy goes into effect — likely sometime in 2024. The EU has attempted for years to get some manner of travel authorization on the books for travelers from countries where a visa isn’t required to enter EU nations, without success.

The new system is best thought of as a database to track who’s authorized to enter European countries, rather than as a visa. The authorization, once given, is valid for three years and permits short trips — 90 days or fewer at a given time. Longer stays, like for school or work, already require visas.

Though it may seem like a major change for Americans and citizens of other countries that currently have visa-free entry to European countries, the US has its own authorization system, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA . Citizens and eligible residents of certain countries — mostly in Europe, but also including South Korea, Brunei, Chile, and Japan — don’t have to have a visa for shorter visits to the US, but they do need ESTA authorization. Visa holders don’t require ESTA authorization, because obtaining a visa requires much more information from travelers and an interview at a consulate.

Why is ETIAS going into effect?

According to a memo released by the European Commission, “ETIAS will be a largely automated IT system created to identify any security or irregular migratory risks posed by visa-exempt visitors travelling to the Schengen area, whilst at the same time facilitate crossing borders for the vast majority of travellers who do not pose such risks.” The Schengen area is a group of 27 European countries — 23 of the 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, and Liechtenstein — which allow travel between them without internal border controls.

The system has been in the works for several years, according to NPR , and the European Commission introduced the idea in 2016 . The US version, ESTA, went into effect in 2008.

ESTA has a mandate to prevent terrorist crime through its tie to the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015. That legislation barred nationals of North Korea, Iraq, Sudan, and Iran who also held nationality in an ESTA-eligible country from the program; anyone who traveled to those countries, Libya, Somalia, Syria, or Yemen after March 1, 2011, is also ineligible for ESTA, even if they would otherwise meet the eligibility criteria.

ETIAS is also ostensibly a tool to help prevent crime, irregular migration, and public health threats, according to FRONTEX , Europe’s border security force. Irregular migration to Europe from countries including Egypt, Pakistan, Syria, and Tunisia has trended upward in the past two years in particular due to political instability, economic and environmental crisis, and conflict. The most high-profile cases of irregular migration occur via human trafficking operations and small vessels, but other methods of irregular migration, including via plane and land crossings, occur as well.

ETIAS is aimed at reducing or preventing serious crimes, which according to EUROPOL include human trafficking, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling, as well as terrorist crimes. The 2018 European Parliament legislation establishing ETIAS suggests creating a watchlist which “shall consist of data related to persons who are suspected of having committed or taken part in a terrorist offence or other serious criminal offence or persons regarding whom there are factual indications or reasonable grounds, based on an overall assessment of the person, to believe that they will commit a terrorist offence or other serious criminal offence.” Essentially, based on the metrics established under the legislation, a person can be denied authorization if the relevant authorities — EUROPOL and member states — believe that an applicant might commit terrorism or another serious crime.

An official EU memo states that ETIAS applications will be checked against “ EU information systems for borders and security, ” though it doesn’t specify which systems. An EU press release from 2016 identifies “the Visa Information System (VIS), Europol data, the Schengen Information System (SIS), Eurodac and the European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS)” as databases to be used in the ETIAS verification process.

Though the idea for ETIAS was introduced years ago, getting all the members of the European Parliament to find a system they could agree on was challenging, Dan Hamilton, a senior non-resident fellow for foreign policy at the Brookings Institution, told NPR .

“Another part of it is simply the pace of the way this parliament and European commission works,” he said. “They’re ending their term and pushing through a lot of these directives because parliamentary elections happen next June.”

What does it mean for travelers?

The ETIAS website isn’t yet active, so it’s impossible to know the requirements for the authorization or see the form travelers will have to fill out. However, according to an official memo about the ETIAS program , the only documentation travelers will require is a valid passport that expires no less than three months after your intended travel date. Only travelers between the ages of 18 and 70 need to apply.

As the memo states, the ETIAS authorization isn’t the same as a visa:

An ETIAS travel authorisation does not reintroduce visa-like obligations. There is no need to go to a consulate to make an application, no biometric data is collected and significantly less information is gathered than during a visa application procedure. Whereas, as a general rule, a Schengen visa procedure can take up to 15 days, and can in some cases be extended up to 30 or 60 days, the online ETIAS application only takes a few minutes to fill in.

The application will cost 7 euros — about $7.70 per the typical exchange rate — and will apply to travelers from dozens of different countries , including Singapore, New Zealand, Brazil, Israel, Australia, Japan, and the UK.

Although it’s recommended to apply at least a month in advance of travel, all advisory information from the EU claims that the application and approval process will take just a few minutes, so it’s still possible to make emergency travel work with the new system. “Only in very exceptional cases, could the ETIAS procedure take up to 30 days,” according to the official memo on the system .

The authorization is good for a period of three years — “significantly longer than the validity of a Schengen visa,” as the memo points out, and “will be valid for an unlimited number of entries.”

Although the official memo estimates that 95 percent of applications will be approved, rejected applicants will be told the reason for their rejection — and will be able to appeal or apply again. However, ETIAS approval isn’t a guaranteed entry into a given country; border guards still have the final say.

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• About ETIAS
• ETIAS Fundamental Rights Guidance Board
• ETIAS Central Unit

Since mid-2025, people from more than 60 visa-free countries will need to get a travel authorisation before coming to Europe for a brief stay. The authorisation will be processed through the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).

ETIAS will further strengthen Europe’s internal security by carrying pre-travel screening of visa-free travellers to determine whether they pose a security, illegal immigration, or public health risk.

The entire ETIAS ecosystem is complex and consists of the ETIAS Central Unit hosted by Frontex, ETIAS National Units located in 30 European countries, and the large-scale information system developed and maintained by eu-LISA.

How it will work

Before travelling  

Citizens of over 60 visa-free countries will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation before heading to any of the 30 European countries shown below. 

The ETIAS system will check the information provided by the applicant with data already stored in other EU systems such as the Schengen Information System (SIS), Visa Information System (VIS) and Entry/Exit System (EES). If the application raises any concerns, it will be reviewed by the ETIAS Central Unit and sent to the relevant ETIAS National Unit for final decision.

It is expected that most applications (about 97%) will be approved automatically within minutes. The remaining 3% will be reviewed manually by the ETIAS Central Unit and the National Units.

Travellers who do not have a valid travel authorisation will be refused boarding by the carrier (for example, an airline, bus or ferry company).

At the border

When a visa-free traveller arrives at a border of one of the 30 European countries requiring ETIAS, border guards will scan their travel document data electronically and register them in the EES, triggering a query to ETIAS. If the traveller has a valid travel authorisation, they will be able to cross the border if all other entry conditions are also fulfilled. 

More information about what ETIAS means for travellers from visa-free countries can be found on the official ETIAS website . 

The role of Frontex in ETIAS

Frontex plays an important role in establishing and managing ETIAS by hosting the ETIAS Central Unit, which will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to handle ETIAS applications and help travellers and carriers.

The ETIAS Central Unit is also responsible for identifying risks, risk indicators and screening rules. These will be used to assess travellers in terms of illegal immigration, security and high epidemic risks. The Unit’s responsibilities also include managing the content of the official ETIAS website, as well as ensuring that the information stored in the system is accurate and up to date.

Fundamental rights and ETIAS

The protection of fundamental rights is at the core of all ETIAS operations. 

The ETIAS Fundamental Rights Guidance Board has been set up to assess the impact of processing applications and the screening rules on fundamental rights.

The Guidance Board is composed of representatives of the Frontex Fundamental Rights Office, the Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights of Frontex, the European Data Protection Supervisor, the European Data Protection Board, and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. 

As an independent advisory body, the Fundamental Rights Guidance Board will regularly carry out evaluations and make recommendations to the ETIAS Screening Board regarding its work, particularly regarding privacy, data protection and non-discrimination. The ETIAS Central Unit will consult the opinion of the ETIAS Screening Board to ensure that risk screening is carried out in full respect for fundamental rights.

New requirements for Americans traveling to Europe postponed until 2025

Visitors who now travel visa-free will need to get approval prior to departure.

Americans eyed upcoming travel to European destinations slightly differently due to news of a requirement that was set to start in 2024 for U.S. passport holders. But now, EU officials have postponed the European Travel Information and Authorisation System ( ETIAS ) launch until spring of 2025.

SchengenVisaInfo.com, a website dedicated to the world's largest visa-free zone where 27 European countries abolished their internal borders known as the Schengen Area, first reported that an EU official confirmed ETIAS won't go live until May 2025, "due to continued delays with the introduction of the related Entry-Exit System (EES), which needs to be operational before ETIAS can be implemented."

An official for the European Union did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.

What to know about ETIAS for US travelers

If you previously traveled to Europe without a visa, you will now need to apply for authorization through the ETIAS , before visiting.

Today, American travelers have visa-free access to 184 global destinations, according to the Henley Passport Index . And while the U.S. passport is currently ranked eighth-most powerful passport to own, that could be set to shift when the European Union adds its new documentation requirements for U.S. visitors.

The application form, which will be available on the official ETIAS website as well as a mobile application, has a fee of 7 euros or $7.79 U.S. dollars. All communication is done by email.

Once you are approved for travel, the authorization entitles visitors to stay in European countries that require ETIAS for up to 90 days within any 180-day period and travelers must be in possession of a valid ETIAS during their entire stay.

MORE: New warning issued for rebooking air travel after delays, cancellations

According to ETIAS, most applications should be processed within minutes, but in case an application takes longer, decisions will be sent within four days or up to 14 days if the applicant is asked to provide additional documentation.

The European Union encourages travelers to apply for an ETIAS authorization "well in advance of your planned journey."

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Confirmation of application submission will be sent on email with a unique number that is needed for future reference.

Upon receiving ETIAS travel authorization, travelers are to ensure that their name, passport number and other information is correct because any mistake will prevent them from crossing the border.

If an application is refused, the email will include the reasons for the decision along with information about how to appeal.

ETIAS travel authorization is valid for three years, according to the EU, or until the travel document you used in your application expires, whichever comes first.

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The ETIAS authorization is linked to a person's travel document -- such as a U.S. passport -- and both documents will be needed to board a flight, bus or ship to enter any of the European countries that require ETIAS.

Similar to international border requirements with a passport, the ETIAS authorization doesn't guarantee automatic right of entry. "Border guards will verify that you meet the entry conditions" and anyone who does not meet the conditions "will be refused entry," according to the EU.

Click here to learn more about the process from the European Union.

An earlier version of this story was originally published on July 21, 2023.

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Starting in 2024, US citizens traveling to 30 European countries (most of western Europe except for the UK, see list below), will need to get pre-approval from the EU authorities before traveling.

What is it:  This pre-approval, which will be obtained through  ETIAS  (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is not technically a visa. It will not require travelers to submit applications to an embassy or consulate or get a sticker or stamp in their passports. Rather, it will be a pre-travel clearance that is very similar to existing programs used by other countries to screen visa-free travelers, such as:

• United States – ESTA ( Electronic System for Travel Authorization )
• Canada – eTA ( Electronic Travel Authorization )
• Australia – ETA ( Electronic Travel Authority, Subclass 601 )
• India – eVisa ( Electronic Visas )

How is it transmitted: Once approved, ETIAS authorization will be electronically linked to a traveler’s passport, with no need for the traveler to print the confirmation or carry any additional documents. Airline staff and immigration inspectors will be able to confirm your ETIAS authorization electronically through the ETIAS system.

When does it take effect:  As of the date of this writing, ETIAS is  not yet live . It is expected to go live sometime in 2024, but that could be delayed. Rollout was originally scheduled for early 2022 and has already been delayed 4 times. As of this writing, EU authorities have not yet announced an official launch date.

What are other key features:  The new system will feature the following elements:

• Online application
• Processing time of less than 96 hours in most cases, with some approvals issued within minutes.
• Approvals valid for 3 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

Once the new ETIAS system is in force, it will be one more thing to add to your European travel to-do list – make sure your passport is valid, get your ETIAS approval, book your tickets, rent your car, and pack your bag. Additional information about the program is available through the official ETIAS website at  https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en .

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Table of Contents

What is ETIAS?

When is the estimated etias start date, is etias approval required for u.s. citizens, which destinations will require an etias application for entry, what are the etias requirements, how much does etias cost, what happens after you apply for etias, how long does etias approval last, etias, recapped.

One benefit U.S travelers to Europe have long enjoyed is a visa waiver, as many countries have allowed Americans to visit for of up to 90 days for tourism without a visa.

However, starting in 2025, U.S. travelers will have to go through a few more steps to visit much of Europe.

More than two dozen countries will soon require visitors from the U.S., United Kingdom and many other visa-exempt countries to apply for a pre-travel authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, commonly known as “ETIAS.”

Here’s what you should know about ETIAS.

ETIAS is a travel security program set to launch in 2025 for travelers from visa-exempt countries to enter the Schengen Area. Affected travelers include U.S. citizens.

The program is being implemented as a method of protecting the region’s borders. It requires an online application and fee, and approval is needed for all short-term stays including vacations and business trips.

Though not a visa, it is an additional clearance step for visitors to the region. An ETIAS approval allows you to visit the included countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

» Learn more: Visa vs. passport: What’s the difference?

According to the European Commission’s latest update in October 2023, ETIAS is set to launch at some point in the first half of 2025, though an exact date has yet to be announced. The program has already been delayed multiple times in the past, so an official start date is still to be determined.

ETIAS is required for travelers from visa waiver countries — those whose citizens can enter the Schengen area without needing to apply for a visa — which includes the U.S.

Along with ETIAS for U.S. citizens, those from 59 other countries will also need to apply to visit Europe. These countries include, but aren’t limited to, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.

A full list of countries that will require ETIAS approval to visit Europe is located on the official ETIAS webpage .

» Learn more: How to save money on international flights

If you’re headed to one of the countries listed below, you’ll need to fill out an ETIAS application prior to traveling.

Czech Republic.

Liechtenstein. 

Luxembourg.

Netherlands. 

Switzerland.

Travelers to the United Kingdom and Ireland will not need authorization through ETIAS to enter.

Once the program has launched, the ETIAS application can be completed online. You’ll need to fill out an application on the program’s official website or mobile app.

» Learn more: How to choose a credit card for Europe travel

You’ll be asked to provide personal information like your name, date and place of birth, nationality, address, parents’ names, email address, phone number and passport number.

The application may also ask questions about your level of education or occupation as well as details about your trip and what you intend to do while traveling. Finally, you’ll need to disclose any past criminal convictions and/or travels to war or conflict zones.

The application fee for ETIAS is expected to be 7 euros, which is about $8.

Applicants under the age of 18 or over the age of 70 will be exempt from the fee, as will family members of EU citizens.

» Learn more: The cheapest business class awards to Europe

Once you pay the fee and submit your application, you’ll get an email confirming the submission. This email will include your unique ETIAS application number — keep this handy.

Once you are given your ETIAS application number, verify that all information you submitted is correct — if it’s not, you could run into problems at the border.

Soon after, you’ll likely receive another email informing your approval status. Most decisions come within minutes of submitting your application.

Even after you receive an approval, you’ll still have to go through passport control upon arrival in your destination country and meet all other entry requirements. You’ll also need to carry the same passport and/or travel document you used for your ETIAS application.

What if I am not approved?

There is a chance you’ll be asked to submit additional documentation or even attend an interview rather than approved. In that case, it could take up to 30 days to receive a decision, so it’s best to submit your application well in advance of your trip.

Once your ETIAS application is approved, it’s valid for three years or until your passport’s expiration date, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you’ll need to re-apply with your new passport information.

» Learn more: How to stretch your dollar on a European vacation

Starting in 2025, U.S. travelers will need to apply online and pay a fee to visit much of Europe through a new program called ETIAS.

Once the program begins, you’ll be able to submit an application online. If it’s approved, it will be valid for three years or until your passport expires. You’ll be able to use the approval to visit any ETIAS-eligible country for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

What you need to apply

Find out what travel documents can be used to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation. Learn about what information needs to be included in the application form and how much it costs to apply.

• ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications are collected at this point.

When filling out the application, you will need to have your travel document and a payment card at hand. You will also be asked to provide your personal information. You can apply using the official ETIAS website or the official ETIAS mobile app.

Travel documents

To apply, you will need a valid travel document to which a visa may be affixed.

Your travel document should not expire in less than three months and it should not be older than 10 years. If your document expires sooner, check here to know how it affects your travel.

A travel document which does not comply with international standards may be rejected during the application process. It may also pose problems when a carrier verifies your travel authorisation prior to boarding. If you have any doubt about whether your travel document entitles you to cross the borders of the European countries requiring ETIAS (and to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation), please check the European Council’s website and the lists the European Commission has published here and here .

Not all travel documents are accepted for ETIAS

Specific requirements apply to travel documents issued by some countries and special administrative regions, entities and territorial authorities that are not recognised as states by at least one European country requiring ETIAS. These requirements have an impact on whether holders of such travel documents are required to have an ETIAS or are obliged to apply for a visa to enter any of these European countries .

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro If you hold a biometric passport, you can apply for ETIAS travel authorisation. If you hold any other type of passport, you will need a visa to enter any of the European countries requiring ETIAS.

Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine If you hold a biometric passport issued by the respective country authorities in line with standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), you can apply for ETIAS travel authorisation. If you hold any other type of passport, you will need a visa to enter any of the European countries requiring ETIAS.

Serbia If you hold a biometric passport, you can apply for ETIAS travel authorisation. If you hold any other type of passport, or you hold a passport issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate (‘Koordinaciona uprava’), you will need a visa to enter any of the European countries requiring ETIAS.

Hong Kong S.A.R. If you hold a 'Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’ passport, you can apply for ETIAS travel authorisation. If you hold any other type of passport, you will need a visa to enter any of the European countries requiring ETIAS.

Macao S.A.R. If you hold a ‘Região Administrativa Especial de Macau’ passport you can apply for ETIAS travel authorisation. If you hold any other type of passport, you will need a visa to enter any of the European countries requiring ETIAS.

Taiwan If you hold a passport issued by Taiwan which includes an identity card number, you can apply for ETIAS travel authorisation. If you hold any other type of passport, you will need a visa to enter any of the European countries requiring ETIAS.

Information

When filling out the application, you will be asked to provide the following information:

• Personal information including your name(s), surname, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parents’ first names, email address and phone number;
• Travel document details;
• Details about your level of education and current occupation;
• Details about your intended travel and stay in any of the countries requiring ETIAS;
• Details about any criminal convictions, any past travels to war or conflict zones, and whether you have recently been subject of a decision requiring you to leave the territory of any country.

You will need to declare that the data you submit and the statements you make are correct. You will also need to confirm that you understand the entry conditions to the territories of the European countries requiring ETIAS and that you may be requested to provide the relevant supporting documents each time you cross the external border.

If someone is submitting the application on your behalf, that person will have to provide their surname, first name(s), the name and contact details of the organisation or firm (if applicable), as well as information on their relationship to you and a confirmation that this person and you have signed the declaration of representation .

Applications for minors (under 18 years of age) have to be submitted by a person exercising permanent or temporary parental authority or legal guardianship.

Application fee

You will need a payment card to cover the EUR 7 fee. You can use a variety of online payment options to pay the fee.

Applicants who are under 18 or above 70 years of age are exempt from this payment. Also exempt are family members of EU citizens or of non-EU nationals who have the right to move freely throughout the European Union.

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Everything you Need to Know about the ETIAS Travel Authorization – New Visa Waiver for Europe

Angel Castellanos Last Updated: October 25, 2023

The last three years have brought some new procedures in travel. The new visa waiver ETIAS Travel Authorization is a new required step for those wishing to visit Europe. This article explains everything you need to know about the New Visa Waiver for Europe – ETIAS Travel Authorization starting in 2025. The good news is that the fee is nominal, and it only takes minutes to apply and receive the authorization.

Pro Tip : We have all the information you could need in regard to the new ETIAS Travel Authorization on this page, so best to bookmark this page so it’s easy to find later on. You can find all of our travel tips in our Europe Travel Blog .

October 2023 Update: At the end of October 2023 EU officials announced delays to the new Entry/Exit System (EES) would push back the implementation of ETIAS until May 2025. Further delays are possible, so be sure to bookmark this page and check back for future updates.

Suppose you are one of 1.4 billion people from the USA, Canada, UK, or any of the 60 countries that can travel to Europe visa-free. In that case, starting in May 2025, obtaining new authorization to enter Europe (30 countries at the time of publication) will be necessary. The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will begin in May 2025. Without an ETIAS travel authorization, you cannot board your vessel (aircraft, ship, bus, or train) to reach your European destination.

Who will need the new Visa Waiver ETIAS Travel Authorization?

How long is the travel authorization valid for, which countries will require this new etias travel authorization, how do you apply for the etias travel authorization, how long will it take to get approval for the travel authorization, do i need to bring a copy of the travel authorization with me.

All travelers with visa-free passports to Europe must apply for the new EITAS Authorisation.

Minors will also need the EITAS Authorisation. A permanent or temporary parental authority or legal guardian must submit children’s applications.

The authorization is valid for up to three years, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

A valid ETIAS travel authorization does not guarantee the right of entry.

The list excludes Ireland, but there are 30 countries in Europe for which you will need this new authorization: AUSTRIA • BELGIUM • BULGARIA • CROATIA • CYPRUS • CZECH REPUBLIC • DENMARK • ESTONIA • FINLAND • FRANCE • GERMANY • GREECE • HUNGARY • ICELAND • ITALY • LATVIA • LIECHTENSTEIN • LITHUANIA • LUXEMBOURG • MALTA • NETHERLANDS • NORWAY • POLAND • PORTUGAL • ROMANIA • SLOVAKIA • SLOVENIA • SPAIN • SWEDEN • SWITZERLAND

All applications will be handled throughout the ETIAS website and app. Currently, the ETIAS website and app are not taking applications.

To apply, you need a valid passport with at least three months of validity and not older than ten years. You can apply once the website and app start taking applications in 2024.

The application takes minutes and is much shorter than a traditional visa application. The application via the ETIAS website or app will collect details of your passport and personal information during the application process.

Since the ETIAS authorization is linked to your passport, ensure your passport details are the same as those in your ETIAS authorization application.

Approval time can vary, but most applications will be processed within minutes. It may take up to 14-30 days for approval if an interview or further documentation is needed.

You will receive one email stating they received your application. The next email will determine your authorization status.

The fee is 7€ and is free for those under 18 and over 70. The average cost of a tourist visa for US passport holders for all the countries where US passport holders need visas is $150

The new ETIAS travel authorization to Europe will electronically be part of your passport. A physical copy is not necessary for entrance and passport clearance. Travelers should save and screenshot emails and authorization information just in case.

About Angel Castellanos

Angel Castellanos, www.AngelsTravelLounge.com , is a multi-media travel expert and travel journalist that has appeared on BBC News, Los Angeles Times, Fox News, ABC, NBC, CBS, Univision, Frommers Radio, USA Today. Angel is also an acclaimed speaker appearing as a featured travel expert with the Travel & Adventure Show and New York Times Travel Show. 80+ Countries, 5 Continents and counting. He's passionate about travel to Europe, especially to Italy & France, countries he's visited every year of his adult life.

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European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

Starting in 2025, visa-exempt travelers from over 60 countries who wish to travel to or through Schengen area countries will have to obtain an  ETIAS  (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) travel authorization before they travel. ETIAS authorization will work something like the U.S.  ESTA  (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) program that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

ETIAS is not yet implemented. Therefore, you cannot yet apply for ETIAS authorization. Once implemented, an ETIAS authorization will cost € 7, and will be valid for three years.  

The ETIAS program impacts only individuals who are eligible to enter visa-free to one of the ETIAS countries for a purpose permissible under the visa-free travel rules. It does not impose new visa requirements, but does add a requirement to have a valid ETIAS authorization before embarking on their trip. Individuals who currently require a visa to enter one of these countries for a specific purpose will continue to need the proper Schengen visa.

To determine if you will need to apply for ETIAS, ask the following three questions:

• Where am I traveling to or through?
• How long will I be there?
• Does my home country allow for visa-free travel into the Schengen Area (for under 90 days)?

Travel Under 90 Days for Business or Tourism

ETIAS is required for citizens of countries that are not in the European Union but whose citizens can enter the European Union's Schengen Area for up to 90 days for business or tourism purposes without needing a visa. It does not impose new visa requirements, but does add a requirement to have a valid ETIAS authorization before embarking on their trip.

Transit through the Schengen Area

Visa-free travelers (for tourism, work, study, etc.) whose trips will require them to transit through one of the countries requiring ETIAS will have to have a valid ETIAS authorization for transit purposes, even if they will only be making a change of airplane and never leave the international area of the airport.

Here is the  list of countries , including the United States, that are not in the European Union but whose citizens can enter the European Union's Schengen Zone for up to 90 days for business or tourism purposes without needing a visa, but who will have to obtain an ETIAS authorization once that requirement is implemented:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• El Salvador
• Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (S.A.R.) of the People’s Republic of China)
• Macao Special Administrative Region (S.A.R.) of the People’s Republic of China)
• Marshall Islands
• New Zealand
• North Macedonia
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent
• Solomon Islands
• South Korea
• Taiwan (** Entities and Territorial Authorities that are not recognised as states by at least one Member State.
• Timor Leste (East Timor)
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom. The  ETIAS website says: "I'm a British Citizen: Do I Need ETIAS? Yes, now that Brexit is finalised, the UK is no longer a part of the EU. Even though British citizens can still enter visa-free in other EU countries, they will require to register for ETIAS when it's made active."
• United States of America
• Vanuatu (This applies only to holders of Vanuatu passports issued before 25 May 2015. Holders of passports issued as of 25 May 2015, or later must apply for a Schengen Visa.)

The European countries that will require non-EU, visa-free travelers to receive ETIAS authorization upon entry:

• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Switzerland

*These countries are not yet a part of the Schengen agreement but aspire to join soon, and will also require an ETIAS authorization prior to entry.

ETIAS will also be required by individuals from countries subject to the ETIAS requirement to visit these "micro-states," which are de facto part of the Schengen Area:

• Vatican City

Visa-free travelers to the United States (for tourism, work, study, etc.) whose trips will require them to transit through one of the countries requiring ETIAS will have to have a valid ETIAS authorization for transit purposes, even if they will only be making a change of airplane and never leave the international area of the airport.

ETIAS will cost €7 for each application. The fees are applicable to adults between the ages of 18 and 70. Minors and older travelers (aged 70+) will not have to pay any fees. Immediately after you complete the payment, the ETIAS authorization will start processing.

The ETIAS fee can be paid online through a valid credit or debit card. All you need to do is enter your credit or debit card details and proceed with the payment.

Upon payment, the application will be processed within minutes, and you will receive a decision on your application status.

If I am traveling to multiple European countries, do I need to list them all?

The first time you enter the EU after applying for an ETIAS, you must enter through the first country you stated in your application. Suppose you were planning to visit Germany, Belgium, and Austria, and in your application, you stated that the first country you will visit is Germany. In that case, you must enter Germany before you visit Belgium and Austria. After that, you can visit any other country in the Schengen Zone for 90 days. This applies to subsequent trips in the future (within three years ETIAS will be valid).

If I’m studying abroad in France using a French visa, and I want to travel by train to Italy, do I need to apply for ETIAS?

No. ETIAS is intended solely for visa-free/waiver travel and, as such, if someone has a valid national visa for a country that requires ETIAS, they would not need ETIAS to enter another Schengen area country.

New requirements for Americans traveling to Europe postponed until 2025

Americans eyed upcoming travel to European destinations slightly differently due to news of a requirement that was set to start in 2024 for U.S. passport holders. But now, EU officials have postponed the European Travel Information and Authorisation System ( ETIAS ) launch until spring of 2025.

SchengenVisaInfo.com, a website dedicated to the world's largest visa-free zone where 27 European countries abolished their internal borders known as the Schengen Area, first reported that an EU official confirmed ETIAS won't go live until May 2025, "due to continued delays with the introduction of the related Entry-Exit System (EES), which needs to be operational before ETIAS can be implemented."

An official for the European Union did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.

What to know about ETIAS for US travelers

If you previously traveled to Europe without a visa, you will now need to apply for authorization through the ETIAS , before visiting.

Today, American travelers have visa-free access to 184 global destinations, according to the Henley Passport Index . And while the U.S. passport is currently ranked eighth-most powerful passport to own, that could be set to shift when the European Union adds its new documentation requirements for U.S. visitors.

The application form, which will be available on the official ETIAS website as well as a mobile application, has a fee of 7 euros or $7.79 U.S. dollars. All communication is done by email.

Once you are approved for travel, the authorization entitles visitors to stay in European countries that require ETIAS for up to 90 days within any 180-day period and travelers must be in possession of a valid ETIAS during their entire stay.

MORE: New warning issued for rebooking air travel after delays, cancellations

According to ETIAS, most applications should be processed within minutes, but in case an application takes longer, decisions will be sent within four days or up to 14 days if the applicant is asked to provide additional documentation.

The European Union encourages travelers to apply for an ETIAS authorization "well in advance of your planned journey."

Confirmation of application submission will be sent on email with a unique number that is needed for future reference.

Upon receiving ETIAS travel authorization, travelers are to ensure that their name, passport number and other information is correct because any mistake will prevent them from crossing the border.

If an application is refused, the email will include the reasons for the decision along with information about how to appeal.

ETIAS travel authorization is valid for three years, according to the EU, or until the travel document you used in your application expires, whichever comes first.

MORE: European heat wave breaking records with little relief in sight

The ETIAS authorization is linked to a person's travel document -- such as a U.S. passport -- and both documents will be needed to board a flight, bus or ship to enter any of the European countries that require ETIAS.

Similar to international border requirements with a passport, the ETIAS authorization doesn't guarantee automatic right of entry. "Border guards will verify that you meet the entry conditions" and anyone who does not meet the conditions "will be refused entry," according to the EU.

Click here to learn more about the process from the European Union.

An earlier version of this story was originally published on July 21, 2023.

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Commission offers 35,500 DiscoverEU free travel passes to young people

Starting this summer, thousands of young people will once again travel around Europe by train for free thanks to the latest call of the DiscoverEU programme. Today at 12:00 CET during the  European Youth Week  buzzing with  activities , the Commission launched the latest DiscoverEU application round. It will end on Tuesday 30 April at 12:00 CET.

In total, 35,500 travel passes are available. To get one, young people born between 1 July 2005 and 30 June 2006 can do a quiz with five questions about the EU and one additional question on the  European Youth Portal . Successful applicants will get a free rail pass to travel in Europe for up to 30 days between 1 July 2024 and 30 September 2025.

The call is open to applicants from the European Union and countries associated to the  Erasmus+ programme  including Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Türkiye. Ticket holders can plan their own routes or be inspired by existing ones. For example, they can discover a  route  launched last year, which focuses on cities and places making the European Union ‘beautiful, sustainable and inclusive' in line with the principles of the  New European Bauhaus .

Participants can also benefit from the  DiscoverEU Culture Route  an initiative of the 2022 European Year of Youth that combines various cultural destinations including architecture, music, fine art, theatre, fashion and design. Participants can visit the  European Capitals of Culture  which are on the  UNESCO World Heritage List ,   European Heritage Label  sites, or  Access City Award  label locations, which are cities that have gone above and beyond to become more accessible to everyone.

DiscoverEU is much more than just a ticket. Participants will also receive a  discount card  with over 40,000 discount possibilities on public transport, culture, accommodation, food, sports and other services in eligible countries. Additionally,  Erasmus+ National Agencies  organise pre-departure information meetings, and national agencies across all Erasmus+ countries prepare  DiscoverEU Meet-ups , learning programmes lasting from one to three days.

Social inclusion is a top priority of the Erasmus+ programme, so participants with disabilities or health issues receive support on their journeys. Since October 2022, the Erasmus+ National Agencies have implemented the  DiscoverEU Inclusion Action , allowing organisations working with young people with fewer opportunities to apply for a grant. This action provides extra support to participants, such as extra funding and the possibility to travel with accompanying persons. More than 250 projects have been awarded by the Erasmus+ National Agencies since the first call in October 2022, and two calls of the Inclusion Action are taking place in this year.

While DiscoverEU encourages sustainable travel by rail,  special arrangements  are available for young people from outermost regions, Overseas Counties and Territories, remote areas and islands.

The Commission launched  DiscoverEU  in June 2018 following a preparatory action from the European Parliament. It is integrated into the  Erasmus+ programme 2021-2027 .

Since 2018, more than 1 million candidates have applied for 284,000 available travel passes. According to the latest post-travel survey, 72% of candidates declared it to be the first time travelling out of their country of residence by train. For many, it was also the first time they travelled without parents or accompanying adults, and the majority indicated an increased sense of independence. Over two-thirds said that they would not have been able to finance their travel pass without DiscoverEU.

The DiscoverEU experience has given young people a better understanding of other cultures as well as European history and improved their foreign language skills. Participants are invited to become DiscoverEU Ambassadors to champion the initiative. The  # DiscoverEU Official group  has more than 96,000 members where young travellers can contact each other to share experiences and tips.

To apply, eligible candidates need to complete a multiple-choice quiz on general knowledge about the European Union and other EU initiatives targeting young people. The Commission will rank applicants on the basis of their responses. The Commission will offer travel passes to applicants following their ranking up to the limit of available tickets.

For More Information

European Youth Portal

DiscoverEU is a fantastic opportunity for young people who want to explore Europe, discover places and meet new people. I am happy to launch this spring application round during the exciting European Youth Week. I wish the best of luck to all applicants!

Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth

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ETIAS, the electronic travel Authorisation for Europe

All the latest news, requirements, facts and information on the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). Everything you need to know about ETIAS.

This website does not belong to, nor is it affiliated with, the EU. The official website of the European Union is europa.eu.

Travellers planning a trip to Europe need to know about ETIAS.

At etiasvisa.com, we're experts in European travel . Our aim is to make this new entry requirement easy to understand. On this site, travellers can find out all about the ETIAS start date, application process, and more. Get ready for ETIAS with etiasvisa.com .

What is the ETIAS Visa Waiver?

ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System . The main goal of ETIAS for Europe is to identify possible threats or risks associated with visitors travelling to any of the Schengen Area countries. ETIAS protects and strengthens Europe’s borders.

The ETIAS travel authorisation will be needed to enter a Schengen member country by air, land or sea . From 2025, visitors that do not need a visa to enter Europe will be able to register with ETIAS. ETIAS will become a mandatory entry requirement.

Visa-exempt non-EU citizens need to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver when visiting the Schengen zone. There are no internal borders between Schengen member countries.

ETIAS is an electronic travel authorisation, not a visa

ETIAS is a travel authorisation for non-EU nationals who do not need a visa for the Schengen Area. ETIAS is not a European visa .

Nationals of more than 50 non-European countries are exempt from applying for a visa to visit the Schengen Area for up to 90 days .

The ETIAS visa waiver has been developed so that travellers from these countries can continue to enter visa-free , while at the same time improving border management and security across Europe.

Visa-exempt visitors will soon be required to register for the new electronic travel authorisation, also known as a visa waiver, to cross an external Schengen border.

Countries whose citizens require ETIAS for Europe

There are more than 50 eligible countries that will be required to submit an online ETIAS application . Citizens of these countries can travel to Europe without a visa. The ETIAS for Europe is a system that will pre-screen travellers before they board a plane. All information provided on the ETIAS application will be closely examined and checked against security databases.

The ETIAS visa waiver will be valid for short-term stays and for business or leisure purposes. It can also be used to study for up to 90 days.

People who wish to stay long-term or work in Europe need to apply for a visa.

Once approved, an ETIAS can be used for 3 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

The EU decided to implement ETIAS to improve security in the Schengen Area . By obtaining a travel authorisation, visa-free travellers will still undergo a security check prior to their arrival in the EU.

• ETIAS eligible countries
• ETIAS countries
• Schengen eligible countries

ETIAS ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• El Salvador
• North Macedonia
• Marshall Islands
• New Zealand
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent
• Solomon Islands
• South Korea
• Timor Leste
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

ETIAS COUNTRIES

• Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Switzerland

Countries in Europe that will require an ETIAS

ETIAS will be required to travel to the Schengen Area countries plus Cyprus , which is in the process of joining the Schengen Area.

Citizens of the EU travelling in the Schengen Area can do it with either their national identity card or passport, and are not subject to any other type of border control at their mutual borders.

*IMPORTANT: Special conditions apply to Ukrainian nationals at this time. The information on this page is not currently applicable to displaced Ukrainians in EU Member States.

ETIAS: How does it work?

ETIAS works by screening passengers arriving in the Schengen Area from third countries.

To protect against potential threats and ensure the integrity of Schengen’s external borders, data will be collected and assessed before passengers travel to Europe.

Which security databases does ETIAS check?

Information submitted through an ETIAS visa waiver application is automatically cross-referenced against several criminal , travel and informational databases.

The following systems are consulted:

• Schengen Information System (SIS)
• Visa Information System (VIS)
• ETIAS Watchlist
• Entry/Exit System (EES)
• European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS)

If there is an alert in any of the systems, the application is reviewed manually by the ETIAS National Unit responsible. An interview may be required in fewer than 0.1% of cases. The application is then approved or denied.

THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF THE ETIAS REGULATION

These are the key principles established by the European Union. ETIAS should be:

• Affordable : Applicants will have to pay a reasonable one-off fee using a credit or debit card to submit the online application.
• Fast and simple : Completing the application should not take more than 10 minutes and automatic approval will be given in over 95% of cases.
• Effective : All the information provided will be cross-checked against numerous EU data systems including Europol and Interpol.
• Clear and fair : When authorisation is refused, the applicant will need to be informed about the decision within 96 hours. Applicants will always have the right to appeal refusals.

WHEN DOES EU ETIAS BECOME OBLIGATORY?

ETIAS was first proposed in 2016 by the European Commission and formally established in September 2018 by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

ETIAS will be operational from 2025. The exact start date has not yet been announced. This site is updated regularly to reflect the latest updates from the EU.

Read the latest news about ETIAS

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What we know about unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S.

The unauthorized immigrant population in the United States reached 10.5 million in 2021, according to new Pew Research Center estimates. That was a modest increase over 2019 but nearly identical to 2017.

The number of unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S. in 2021 remained below its peak of 12.2 million in 2007. It was about the same size as in 2004 and lower than every year from 2005 to 2015.

The new estimates do not reflect changes that have occurred since apprehensions and expulsions of migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border started increasing in March 2021 . Migrant encounters at the border have since reached historic highs .

Pew Research Center undertook this research to understand ongoing changes in the size and characteristics of the unauthorized immigrant population in the United States. The Center has published estimates of the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population for more than two decades. The estimates presented in this research are the Center’s latest, adding new and updated annual estimates for 2017 through 2021.

Center estimates of the unauthorized immigrant population use a “residual method.” It is similar to methods used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Immigration Statistics and nongovernmental organizations, including the Center for Migration Studies and the Migration Policy Institute . Those organizations’ estimates are generally consistent with ours. Our estimates also align with official U.S. data sources, including birth records, school enrollment figures and tax data, as well as Mexican censuses and surveys.

Our “residual” method for estimating the nation’s unauthorized immigrant population includes these steps:

• Estimate the total number of immigrants living in the country in a particular year using data from U.S. censuses and government surveys such as the American Community Survey and the Current Population Survey.
• Estimate the number of immigrants living in the U.S. legally using official counts of immigrant and refugee admissions together with other demographic data (for example, death and out-migration rates).
• Subtract our estimate of lawful immigrants from our estimate of the total immigrant population . This provides an initial estimate of the unauthorized immigrant population .

Our final estimate of the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population, as well as estimates for lawful immigrants, includes an upward adjustment. We do this because censuses and surveys tend to miss some people . Undercounts for immigrants, especially unauthorized immigrants, tend to be higher than for other groups. (Our 1990 estimate comes from work by Robert Warren and John Robert Warren; details can be found here .)

The term “unauthorized immigrant” reflects standard and customary usage by many academic researchers and policy analysts. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Immigration Statistics also generally uses it. The term means the same thing as undocumented immigrants, illegal immigrants and illegal aliens.

For more details on how we produced our estimates, read the Methodology section of our November 2018 report on unauthorized immigrants.

The unauthorized immigrant population includes any immigrants not in the following groups:

• Immigrants admitted for lawful residence (i.e., green card admissions)
• People admitted formally as refugees
• People granted asylum
• Former unauthorized immigrants granted legal residence under the 1985 Immigration Reform and Control Act
• Immigrants admitted under any of categories 1-4 who have become naturalized U.S. citizens
• Individuals admitted as lawful temporary residents under specific visa categories

Read the Methodology section of our November 2018 report on unauthorized immigrants for more details.

Pew Research Center’s estimate of unauthorized immigrants includes more than 2 million immigrants who have temporary permission to be in the United States. (Some also have permission to work in the country.) These immigrants account for about 20% of our national estimate of 10.5 million unauthorized immigrants for 2021.

Although these immigrants have permission to be in the country, they could be subject to deportation if government policy changes. Other organizations and the federal government also include these immigrants in their estimates of the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population.

Immigrants can receive temporary permission to be in the U.S. through the following ways:

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

In 2021, there were about 500,000 unauthorized immigrants with Temporary Protected Status . This status provides protection from removal or deportation to individuals who cannot safely return to their country because of civil unrest, violence or natural disaster.

Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) is a similar program that grants protection from removal. The number of immigrants with DED is much smaller than the number with TPS.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is a program that offers protection from deportation to individuals who were brought to the U.S. as children before June 15, 2007. As of the end of 2021, there were slightly more than 600,000 DACA beneficiaries , largely immigrants from Mexico.

Asylum applicants

Individuals who have applied for asylum but are awaiting a ruling are not legal residents yet but cannot be deported. There are two types of asylum claims, defensive and affirmative .

Defensive asylum applications are generally filed by individuals facing deportation or removal from the U.S. These are processed by the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review. At the end of 2021, there were almost 600,000 applications pending.

Affirmative asylum claims are made by individuals already in the U.S. who are not in the process of being deported or removed. These claims are handled by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). At the end of 2021, more than 400,000 applications for affirmative asylum were pending, some covering more than one applicant.

Here are key findings about how the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population changed from 2017 to 2021:

• The most common country of birth for unauthorized immigrants is Mexico. However, the population of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico dropped by 900,000 from 2017 to 2021 , to 4.1 million.
• There were increases in unauthorized immigrants from nearly every other region of the world – Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.
• Among U.S. states, only Florida and Washington saw increases to their unauthorized immigrant populations , while California and Nevada saw decreases. In all other states, unauthorized immigrant populations were unchanged.
• 4.6% of U.S. workers in 2021 were unauthorized immigrants , virtually identical to the share in 2017.

Trends in the U.S. immigrant population

The U.S. foreign-born population was 14.1% of the nation’s population in 2021. That was very slightly higher than in the last five years but below the record high of 14.8% in 1890.

As of 2021, the nation’s 10.5 million unauthorized immigrants represented about 3% of the total U.S. population and 22% of the foreign-born population. These shares were among the lowest since the 1990s.

Between 2007 and 2021, the unauthorized immigrant population decreased by 1.75 million, or 14%.

Meanwhile, the lawful immigrant population grew by more than 8 million, a 29% increase, and the number of naturalized U.S. citizens grew by 49%. In 2021, naturalized citizens accounted for about half (49%) of all immigrants in the country.

Where unauthorized immigrants come from

Unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S. come from many parts of the world, with Mexico being the most common origin country.

The origin countries for unauthorized immigrants have changed since the population peaked in 2007, before the Great Recession slowed immigration. Here are some highlights of those changes:

The number of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico living in the U.S. (4.1 million in 2021) was the lowest since the 1990s. Mexico accounted for 39% of the nation’s unauthorized immigrants in 2021, by far the smallest share on record .

The decrease in unauthorized immigrants from Mexico reflects several factors:

• A broader decline in migration from Mexico to the U.S.
• Mexican immigrants to the U.S. continuing to return to Mexico
• Expanded opportunities for lawful immigration from Mexico and other countries, especially for temporary agricultural workers.

The rest of the world

The total number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. from countries other than Mexico has grown rapidly. In 2021, this population was 6.4 million, up by 900,000 from 2017.

Almost every region in the world had a notable increase in the number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. from 2007 to 2021. The largest increases were from Central America (240,000) and South and East Asia (180,000).

After Mexico, the countries of origin with the largest unauthorized immigrant populations in the U.S. in 2021 were:

• El Salvador (800,000)
• India (725,000)
• Guatemala (700,000)
• Honduras (525,000)

India, Guatemala and Honduras all saw increases from 2017.

The Northern Triangle

Three Central American countries – El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala – together represented 2.0 million unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. in 2021, or almost 20% of the total. The unauthorized immigrant population from the Northern Triangle grew by about 250,000 from 2017 and about 700,000 from 2007.

Other origin countries

Venezuela was the country of birth for 190,000 U.S. unauthorized immigrants in 2021. This population saw particularly fast growth, from 130,000 in 2017 and 55,000 in 2007.

Among countries with the largest numbers of U.S. unauthorized immigrants, India, Brazil, Canada and former Soviet Union countries all experienced growth from 2017 to 2021.

Some origin countries with significant unauthorized immigrant populations showed no change, notably China (375,000) and the Dominican Republic (230,000).

Detailed table: Unauthorized immigrant population by region and selected country of birth (and margins of error), 1990-2021 (Excel)

U.S. states of residence of unauthorized immigrants

The unauthorized immigrant population in most U.S. states stayed steady from 2017 to 2021. However, four states saw significant changes:

• Florida (+80,000)
• Washington (+60,000)
• California (-150,000)
• Nevada (-25,000)

States with the most unauthorized immigrants

The six states with the largest unauthorized immigrant populations in 2021 were:

• California (1.9 million)
• Texas (1.6 million)
• Florida (900,000)
• New York (600,000)
• New Jersey (450,000)
• Illinois (400,000)

These states have consistently had the most unauthorized immigrants since 1990 and earlier .

At the same time, the unauthorized immigrant population has become less geographically concentrated. In 2021, these six states were home to 56% of the nation’s unauthorized immigrants, down from 80% in 1990.

Detailed table: Unauthorized immigrant population for states (and margins of error), 1990-2021 (Excel)

Detailed table: Unauthorized immigrants and characteristics for states, 2021 (Excel)

Unauthorized immigrants in the labor force

The share of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. workforce was slightly less than 5% in 2021, compared with 3% of the total U.S. population.

Demographics help explain the difference: The unauthorized immigrant population includes relatively few children or elderly adults, groups that tend not to be in the labor force.

Overall, about 7.8 million unauthorized immigrants were in the U.S. labor force in 2021. That was up slightly from 2019 but smaller than every year from 2007 through 2015.

Detailed table: Unauthorized immigrants in the labor force for states, 2021 (Excel)

Here are some additional findings about unauthorized immigrants as a share of the workforce nationwide and in certain states:

• Since 2003, unauthorized immigrants have made up 4.4% to 5.4% of all U.S. workers, a relatively narrow range.
• Fewer than 1% of workers in Maine, Montana, Vermont and West Virginia in 2021 were unauthorized immigrants.
• Nevada (9%) and Texas (8%) had the highest shares of unauthorized immigrants in the workforce.
• Immigrant Populations
• Immigration Issues
• Unauthorized Immigration

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