apparently US (and Canadian) citizens will be required to have a Visa to enter EU starting in early 2024...probably won't have effect on travel to SXM, but it could be an issue for travel to SBH and other French islands...also most likely no effect on driving into French side of SXM, but could be for those that fly or boat into the French side...application is a totally online process, costs 7€, and is good for 3 years


<<EU Visa Required starting in 2024>>

Not an actual VISA.
"ETIAS is not a visa in the traditional sense; it only requires a quick online application, with approval delivered via email. In order to receive authorization, visitors must fill out an online form providing details about their basic biographical information, travel plans and travel history, as well as other security questions."

I just read about this today. I got the impression it would not have any effect on islands in the Caribbean, but it will be interesting to find out for sure.

grade A, sir, grade A

This European travel authorization for Americans/Canadians is a direct response(retaliation?) to what the Americans and Canadians introduced years ago, which is the ESTA program. The European one is less data-invasive and 1/3 of the price of the ESTA and equal in price to the Canadian ETA.

Addendum: The airlines love these additional authorizations. This is because they have a bond to return people denied entry at the border at their cost; which they then attempt to recoup from those they've returned. The travel authorisation weeds out a certain number of travellers who will be denied entry and who will probably not pay the full-fare one-way return ticket price that the airlines charge.

understandable