Brunei (Commonwealth Union)_ As per the Schengen Visa Information website, beginning next year, all citizens of Brunei will be required to obtain the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) before entering any European Union or Schengen member country. At present, Bruneian citizens can travel to the Schengen zone without a visa or prior authorization, similar to the American ESTA system.
However, from 2024, an ETIAS will be mandatory for Bruneian citizens visiting the 30 countries within the Schengen zone, including countries such as Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Additionally, Bruneian citizens will also require an ETIAS to enter the European microstates of Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City, which share open borders with Schengen countries.
To obtain an ETIAS, Bruneian citizens between the ages of 18 and 70 will need to pay a fee of EUR7 (equivalent to BND10.30). Minors and passengers above 70 years old can get the ETIAS free of charge. The fee is paid during the application process and is the only fee required. Accordingly, the ETIAS will be linked to the passenger’s passport and remain valid for three years or until the passport expires. With an ETIAS, Bruneian citizens are allowed to stay in Europe for a maximum of 90 days within an 80-day duration. The ETIAS allows for multiple trips to Europe during its three-year validity.
The ETIAS keeps track of those who enter and exit the Schengen Zone. It is important to note that the ETIAS is not a visa requirement and does not promise entry upon arrival. Border guards will still conduct regular checks on passports and other relevant documents to confirm that travelers meet the necessary entry requirements. The Schengen Zone comprises 27 European countries that have terminated passport and border control at their mutual borders. In order to register for an ETIAS, the public will need to access the ETIAS website or use the mobile application, which will be launched once the ETIAS becomes operational.
In addition to citizens of Brunei, citizens of 58 other countries and territories, including Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, South Korea, the United States, and Canada, will also be required to register for this document. The ETIAS was introduced by the European Commission in November 2016 and enacted in September 2018 with the aim of enhancing the security of EU member states by collecting data and keeping track of travelers who are currently visiting the region visa-free. According to the ETIAS website, its purpose is to identify individuals who may pose security threats before they enter the Schengen area.
