Citizens of Paraguay will soon need to register with ETIAS before going to Europe.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System is being introduced in 2022. People from visa-waiver countries, including Paraguay, will be required to apply.
ETIAS is not a visa. It is a travel authorisation or visa waiver similar to the US ESTA or the Canadian eTA.
ETIAS has been developed to strengthen Schengen borders and make Europe even safer for residents and visitors.
Paraguayans can find everything they need to know about the new ETIAS visa waiver on this page.
Will Paraguayan citizens need a visa for Europe?
No, citizens of Paraguay do not need a visa to enter Europe.
Paraguayan passport holders can stay in the European Schengen Area for up to 90 days for tourism or business. They may also transit through an airport in the Schengen zone without a visa.
However, from 2022, Paraguayan citizens will need to apply for ETIAS to travel to any of the 26 nations in the Schengen Area.
ETIAS will allow Paraguayans to continue enjoying short, visa-free stays in Europe.
To stay in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days per 180-day period, or for other purposes, a visa is required to enter Europe.
What documents do Paraguayan nationals need to obtain ETIAS?
European Union authorities have created a simple set of ETIAS visa waiver requirements for Paraguayan citizens. ETIAS applicants must have:
- Valid Paraguayan passport
- Email address
- Debit or credit card
As ETIAS is not a visa, there are no supporting document requirements for most travellers.
The same passport must be used to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver and travel from Paraguay to Europe.
The ETIAS application process for Paraguayan Citizens
Paraguayans will soon be able to apply for the new European travel permit online. The electronic form is quick to complete and required just a few basic details, including:
- Full name
- Date of birth and place of birth
- Citizenship
- Gender
- Home address
- Valid email address
- Passport number and date of issue/expiration
Paraguayans also need to give some travel details including the expected port of entry and their reason for visiting.
Before submitting the request for review, applicants are advised to revise the form and make sure all the information is correct and accurate.
At the end of the application, visitors will pay the processing fee with a debit or credit card. They can then submit the ETIAS form for review.
How long does it take to get ETIAS visa waiver from Paraguay?
ETIAS applications for Paraguayans will be fast and efficient. Information is automatically cross-checked against international security databases including Interpol and the Schengen Information System (SIS).
Provided nothing is flagged up, the application will be approved at this stage. It may take up to 3 working days.
In the unlikely event that there is a hit in one of the databases, the form will be reviewed manually by ETIAS officials. A decision must be reached in 2 weeks.
As the approved ETIAS visa waiver is valid for 3 years, Paraguayans are advised to apply as soon as they know their travel plans.
Travel to Europe from Paraguay
Once the ETIAS has been approved it will be linked to the Paraguay passport and an email notification will be sent to the applicant.
Schengen officials will verify the authorisation when the passport is scanned at the border. ETAS does not guarantee entry, the final decision lies with border officials.
As there are no internal checkpoints between the 26 Schengen states, Paraguayans can visit any of the countries in the region without applying for additional permits.
This means that the same ETIAS can be used for multiple trips to Europe for 3 years or until the passport expires. The total stay in the Schengen Area must not exceed 90 days per 180-day period.
Why do Paraguayan citizens need ETIAS?
Travellers from all visa-waiver countries will need ETIAS to visit Europe.
The new system is being introduced to increase safety and security across the European Union. Foreign nationals without a visa will now be screened before departure.
This way, any potential threats can be detected and prevented from reaching Europe. European destinations such as France, Germany, and Spain will be even safer for visitors and locals.
ETIAS for Paraguayans is not available yet. The visa waiver programme will be launched towards the end of 2022.