Brussels: The European Union has indefinitely postponed the launch of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which was originally scheduled to become operational in 2021 before encountering a series of delays. The decision means that visa-exempt travelers to Europe will not, for the time being, be required to obtain an ETIAS travel authorization before their trip.

According to Emirates News Agency, the latest official information published on the system's website states that ETIAS is 'currently not in operation', and no applications for travel authorizations are being collected. The website further indicated that the EU will announce the specific launch date 'several months' before ETIAS goes live.

The change comes just weeks after reports suggested that the system's launch had been pushed back to 2027. ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization system designed to require nationals of visa-exempt countries to obtain prior authorization before traveling to participating European countries. It is similar in principle to the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and Canada's Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).