Please review the important Changes to entry into the EU and UK as of November 10, 2024
EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES)
The EU Commission has confirmed that the new Entry/Exit System (EES) will commence operations on November 10, 2024. EES will remove physical passport stamping for short-stay visa and visa exempt travelers into the 29 European countries that are participating in the system. The aim of EES is to create a seamless and digitized border experience, requiring travelers to submit biometric information and provide travel details when crossing any EES country’s external border.
EES is one part of a range of updates to Europe's border-crossing rules. ETIAS, Europe's electronic travel authorization program, is scheduled to come into effect in 2025.
It is imperative that corporations and individual travelers alike become aware of the new requirements prior to November 10 to limit potential disruptions to travel as the new system launches. CIBT is working closely with authorities and organizations responsible for implementation of EES, so that travelers can be well-prepared for the changes. We will continue to update as further developments emerge. View website
The BTA already has a really useful document which can be found online here.
UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
The UK has just announced that it is expanding its digital travel system to include travelers from various nations who were previously exempt from visa requirements. From November 27, 2024, citizens from countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and other non-European visa-exempt countries will need to apply for an ETA before entering the UK. This requirement will gradually extend to all visitors who do not require a visa for short stays, including visitors from Europe. Apply for an electronic travel authorisation here
European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)
Once implemented in 2025, every traveler entering Europe without a visa will need one.
The purpose of ETIAS is to enhance border security to the EU. It is designed for short-term (90 days or less) visits to the EU and will be required for entry to the EU after the projected ETIAS launch in 2025. Your ETIAS must be secured before traveling to the European Union. An ETIAS authorization is valid for three years, or until your current passport expires, whichever occurs first. The ETIAS is not a visa or a stamp, but an electronic code linked to your passport. View website