ETIAS for Nicaraguans
Europe''s travel authorisation for Nicaraguan Citizens
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Travellers from Nicaragua will soon need to apply for a new European travel authorisation, ETIAS, to visit the Schengen Area. The ETIAS, meaning European Travel Information and Authorisation System, will be fully implemented by 2026 . The aim is to improve EU border management and security.
With the new ETIAS visa waiver, Nicaraguan passport holders will be able to visit all of the Schengen member states. These are the 23 EU countries as well as 4 non-EU countries that are currently part of the Schengen territory — Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
ETIAS REQUIRED
ETIAS PERMITS NICARAGUANS TO TRAVEL TO ALL SCHENGEN MEMBER STATES FROM [CONTENT-INJECT PATH="/DATE" /]:
- EU Schengen
- Non-EU Schengen States
- Non-Schengen EU States
MICRO-STATES DE FACTO PART OF SCHENGEN AREA:
- Monaco
- San Marino
- Vatican City
ETIAS REQUIREMENTS FOR CITIZENS OF NICARAGUA
Nicaraguans visiting the Schengen Area for tourism or business for up to 90 days do not need a European visa.
However, Schengen member countries are implementing new systems to strengthen border control. Tourists and business travellers will need to get an ETIAS visa waiver for Nicaraguans to travel to Schengen territory.
To get an ETIAS visa waiver for Europe, eligible applicants will need to meet the requirements. ETIAS requirements for Nicaraguans include:
- Passport administered by the Nicaraguan authorities
- Credit or debit card to pay the ETIAS fee online
- Active email address to be notified when ETIAS is approved
The passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from the Schengen Area.
HOW TO APPLY FOR ETIAS FOR NICARAGUANS
To apply for the European visa waiver for Nicaraguans, travellers will need to complete the ETIAS application form.
The form will ask for basic personal information as well as standard travel details and passport data.
QUESTIONS ON THE ETIAS APPLICATION FORM INCLUDE:
- Name and surname
- Nationality
- Date, location and country of birth
- Residential address
- Telephone number
- Email address
- Passport number, issue date, and expiry date
- First content of entry
Nicaraguan citizens will also need to answer some basic security questions regarding immigration history in order to comply with European law. Questions may be about the following subjects:
- Criminal recent history
- Employment history
- Travel to conflict areas
- Previous travels to Europe
The answers to the above questions will be cross-referenced against international criminal and informational databases to ensure that the information provided is correct and matches the Schengen security standards.
Most applications will be processed and approved quickly. The applicant will be notified by email once the ETIAS has been approved.
Travellers from Nicaragua will be advised to apply for ETIAS as soon as possible before their trip to Europe in case of any unexpected processing delays.
TRAVELLING FROM NICARAGUA TO EUROPE
With the approved ETIAS, Nicaraguan nationals will be able to visit the Schengen Area for up to 90 days for permitted activities. The same ETIAS authorisation is valid across the Schengen zone, Nicaraguans will not need a separate travel authorisation for each country they will visit during the trip to Europe.
By pre-screening visa-exempt travellers, ETIAS will improve security and strengthen external Schengen borders. Thanks to the new travel authorisation system, European destinations such as France, Italy, and Spain will be even safer for Nicaraguan tourists.
This visa waiver will allow Nicaraguan citizens to go to any of the EU countries included in the programme. Multiple visits during the 3 years validity of the travel authorisation or until the corresponding passport expires, are permitted.
All visa-exempt travellers from non-EU countries, inclusing Nicaragua, will need to apply for the travel authorisation. ETIAS is not a visa but will be a mandatory entry document. The ETIAS will be verified when the Nicaraguan passport is scanned at the external Schengen border.
Border control officers and immigration authorities may ask for further documentation proving that the traveller intends to stay within the Schengen area for a limited time. Further documents required at the border may include:
- A return ticket as evidence of the traveller’s plan to leave Europe
- Proof of onward travel
- Financial information proving that the Nicaraguan traveller can support themselves during their stay in Europe
Please note that obtaining an ETIAS authorisation does not guarantee entry into the Schengen territory. The final decision is up to the European authorities.
ETIAS for Nicaraguans - FAQ
What Happens If I’m Denied the ETIAS Visa Waiver and Hold a Nicaraguan Passport? Toggle faqs
Most ETIAS applications are expected to be successful. Nicaraguans whose ETIAS request is denied will need to apply for a visa to travel to Europe. If you’re refused a ETIAS visa waiver, you can check your eligibility for other European visas (like the full visitor visa) and make an application.
What is the ETIAS Validity for Nicaraguans citizens? Toggle faqs
An individual ETIAS visa waiver is valid for 3 years. A valid ETIAS allows its holder to visit Europe for short-term stays only. Once you’re granted a ETIAS visa waiver for Europe, you’ll be able to stay within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days at a time within a 6-month period.
Your ETIAS authorisation is directly linked to the Nicaraguan passport you’ve used during your application. This means that if your passport expires, you’ll need to apply for a new ETIAS visa waiver even if it's been less than 3 years since you applied.
Can Nicaraguans Work in Europe with a ETIAS Authorisation? Toggle faqs
The ETIAS visa waiver is issued for tourism, business, studying short-term, and transit purposes. It’s not a work permit and does not allow its holder to work within the Schengen area.
If you enter the Schengen Area with an ETIAS visa waiver and start working, you will have broken the conditions of your ETIAS authorisation. Consequences of not respecting the terms of your travel authorisation document may result in your ETIAS being revoked. You may also be prevented from applying for ETIAS and other travel authorisations for Europe in the future.
This doesn’t mean that Nicaraguan citizens can’t work within the Schengen territory. If you hold a Nicaraguan passport and wish to seek employment in Europe, you may have access to a work visa, depending on your specific circumstances and the immigration policies of the European country you with to relocate to.
Can I Apply for ETIAS from Nicaragua? Toggle faqs
ETIAS is an electronic travel authorisation. That means that the ETIAS applications can be completed entirely online. As long as you have access to a computer or laptop and a reliable internet connection, you will be able to apply fo ETIAS from anywhere in the world.
You will also need to have your passport at hand as well as an active email address and a valid debit or credit card to pay the ETIAS application fee. The application is designed to only take minutes and automatic processing will be fast. However, it’s advisable to apply at least a few days before departure.
What Happens If Nicaraguans Stay in Europe for Longer than 90 Days with ETIAS? Toggle faqs
ETIAS is a temporary travel authorisation and should not be used as a pathway to longer permits or residency. This means that the European authorities are expecting all ETIAS holders (including Nicaraguans) to respect the terms of their travel authorisation and leave the Schengen area before each 90-day period is up and / or before the ETIAS visa waiver expires. Border control officers may ask you for proof of your plans to leave Europe upon arrival — this could be a return airline ticket, for example.
If you are a Nicaraguan citizens holding an ETIAS and think you won’t be able to leave the Schengen territory before your 90 days are up, you must obtain a visa that allows you to stay in Europe for a longer period of time.
You can also contact your Embassy or Consulate for visa information for Nicaraguan citizens. If you don’t take action and let your ETIAS permit expires, you may face fines and even deportation.