Tuvalu
Tuvalu Passport Holders required to hold a valid ETIAS for short term visits to 34 Countries across Europe
ETIAS for Tuvalu citizens in brief
Tuvalu Passport Holders required to hold a valid ETIAS for short term visits to 34 Countries across Europe
ETIAS required for business, leisure, transit and medical treatment journeys
Duration of stay in the ETIAS Countries combined must never exceed 90 days out of every 6 months.
ETIAS application to be submitted electronically only
ETIAS and Visa Waiver rights
The approval of ETIAS System Protocol that took place in 2016 has established that Citizens of Tuvalu will keep being granted Visa Waiver rights to European Union and Schengen Area even after the inception of ETIAS System itself. As a direct consequence Tuvalu Nationals will, from early 2025, need to obtain an ETIAS Visa Waiver for short term visits to the ETIAS Member Countries.
The only allowed travel purposes covered by ETIAS are Commerce/Trade, Leisure, Transit and Medical Treatment. Tuvalu Nationals willing to study, work or reunite with their family in an ETIAS country will still be required to apply for a specific Consular Visa at the relevant Embassy or Consulate of the Country they wish to visit.
Even though ETIAS is not fit for long term study and family reunion, ETIAS Visa Waiver can be used by citizens of the State of Tuvalu for short term study programs and family visits respectively if the stay in the ETIAS Area in its entirety will not pass the threshold of 90 days within 6 months.
More details on ETIAS eligibility criteria and exceptions are available here.Visa Waiver application protocol
The ETIAS Visa Waiver application for Tuvalu passport holder must be carried out electronically and the outcome as well will be notified electronically through an e-mail sent to the account of each passenger usually within 72 hours.
The ETIAS application process for Citizens of Tuvalu is uncomplicated to deal with and requires no more than ten minutes to be completed by each candidate.
Minors too are required to have an ETIAS of their own and must therefore submit their data in the application form through the support of an adult.
The required data include:- personal information such as full name and surname, birthplace, birth country, birth date
- planned travel to EU related information
- contact details
- background questions
- eligibility questions
additional information about ETIAS security check and clearance can be read here.
ETIAS issue timings and validity
In most cases ETIAS application outcome will be available, and sent via e-mail, within 72 hours from the application time. It is therefore absolutely preferable that each Tuvalu voyager, including minors through the assistance of a parent or legal guardian, submit their application at least 3 days before their planned departure towards Europe.
Once approval is received ETIAS for Tuvalu Nationals is valid for 3 years and allows for multiple journeys to the EU/Schengen Area. In case of passport expiring in less than three years from the Visa Waiver issue date the validity of ETIAS shall be matched with the passport one. Still while travelling on a valid ETIAS the passport itself must have a minimum of 3 months of remaining validity for the entire stay in the Schengen Area.Supplementary documents and disclaimer
It must be pointed out that ETIAS Visa Waiver does not automatically constitute a certainty that Tuvalu visitors will be allowed to enter EU. The ultimate ruling on this matter is indeed solely responsibility of Border Control Officers.
To this extent travelers coming from Tuvalu might be required to provide supporting documents like:- return ticket to origin country
- onward ticket to another country not belonging to ETIAS Area
- proof of sufficient funds
- travel health insurance
To avoid concerns while at the EU Border Control it is important that all data inputted in the ETIAS Application form are correct and truthful.
It is therefore recommended that all applicants double check all their data before submitting the application since even a small mistake could cause problems upon arrival in Europe.