The travel industry is in a state of expansion and innovation, bringing with it new technological advancements and electronic efficiencies for travelers both abroad and at home. This is especially true for international journeys, which have their own unique set of requirements.
For those responsible for managing their organization’s corporate travel program, there are several changes expected in 2025 that may shift the way business travelers enter and exit foreign markets. While some of these anticipated developments do not have a confirmed launch date yet, we recommend bookmarking this post as a future resource, which we will continue to update as timelines develop and new policies roll out.
Here are the changes travelers can expect in the coming months:
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
The United Kingdom is expanding its digital travel system and has implemented a new authorization called the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Citizens from countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, and other non-European visa-exempt countries will need to apply for an ETA.
The ETA grants permission to enter the UK for short term visits, and all non-European nationalities will require an ETA to travel to (or via) the UK. The portal to request an ETA opens on November 27, 2024. On or after that date, the ETA application is completed online and costs £10. Applicants will usually receive a decision within 3 working days, and once approved it is valid for 2 years.
Beginning January 8, 2025, the UK will be enforcing the ETA. Additional information can be found on the UK’s website.
Entry/Exit System (EES)
The European Union will be implementing an Entry/Exit System (EES), a new border automation process for short-stay visa & visa-exempt travelers.
The aim of EES is to create a seamless and digitized border experience, and it is a different process than in the past. When a traveler arrives at an EU border, a passport control officer will scan their fingerprints and take a photo of their face. This information will be recorded digitally, and passports will no longer need to be stamped.
Most recently targeted for a launch date of November 10, 2024, the system is still being tested and has been temporarily delayed. The commission is now predicting a phased rollout approach, reporting it is due to start in 2025.
Additional information can be found on the EU’s website.
European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)
The European Travel Information and Authorization System is an electronic document linked to a traveler’s passport, and it will be a new entry requirement for visa-exempt individuals traveling to any of these 30 European countries. A valid ETIAS authorization allows visitors to enter those countries as often as needed for short-term stays. As a general rule, travelers who meet all of the following criteria will need an ETIAS authorization:
- The traveler is not an EU national
- The traveler is a citizen of a non-European visa-exempt country (such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and many others)
- The traveler does not have a residence permit issued by any of the European countries requiring ETIAS
ETIAS is not yet in effect, and it is expected to be operational six months after EES. Once it launches, the authorization will be completed online and will cost €7 (although it is free for applicants under 18 or over 70 years of age). The application will usually be processed within minutes, but it may take up to 4 working days. Once approved it is valid for 3 years or until the travel document used in the application (like a passport) expires, whichever comes first.
Additional information can be found on the EU’s website.
Looking Forward
ETA, EES, and ETIAS are new developments for international travelers, and all three aim to streamline the European entry process with added layers of safety and efficiency.
While these changes abroad are on track for next year, the U.S. also has plans for its own technological advancements. One such example comes from Delta Air Lines, which has expanded its Digital ID facial-recognition identification service that uses biometric matching to allow customers to move through security without the need for an agent-facilitated document check.
Meanwhile, the United States’ much-delayed REAL ID will now likely debut in a phased approach. While the most recent deadline date of May 7, 2025 is technically not being extended at this time, TSA will not be fully enforcing REAL ID until May of 2027.
Those who manage travel for their organization have the responsibility of staying informed on both domestic and foreign developments, but you do not have to do so alone. Direct Travel will continue to update this post as timelines develop, so we recommend travel managers and business travelers save this as a resource for the future.
For more information or assistance with travel updates, Direct Travel is here as your trusted partner.
