ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is based on a similar visa waiver system used by the United States called the ESTA, and the eTA systems used by Canada and Australia. The ETIAS was originally proposed in 2016. The development of the system was sped up because of terrorist attacks in France and Belgium and the need for improved security measures for entering the region, which includes the Schengen countries, as well as those of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and European microstates with open borders. The purpose of the system is to gather information on travellers who currently are travelling visa-free to the European Union and ensure individuals posing security concerns are identified before they are permitted travel to Schengen countries. The main goal for the E.U. is to improve the external and internal security of E.U. citizens by having a centralised system to issue travel authorisations to E.U. visitors and monitor their travels within the Schengen zone.