All About Visas and the new UK ETA and European EES and ETIAS

There have been various articles in the news regarding the new ETA form the UK, and upcoming requirements in Europe for the EES and ETIAS. If all that alphabet soup makes your head spin, it seems like a good time to discuss how these systems affect you and how they differ from regular visas, so that inspires this week’s article…
Understanding Modern Travel Requirements: Visas, ETAs, and European Entry Systems

In an increasingly interconnected world, international travel requirements are evolving. Traditional visas are being supplemented or replaced by electronic systems designed to enhance security and streamline border processes.
With various reports of new travel requirements and inaccurate use of the word visa, we’ll explore the differences between traditional visas, the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), and the European Union’s upcoming Entry/Exit System (EES) and European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
Traditional Visas

A visa is an official document or endorsement in a passport that allows the holder to enter, leave, or stay in a country for a specified period.
The traditional visa process has a number of requirements:
1. Application: Travelers must complete a detailed application form, providing personal information, travel dates, and purpose of visit.
2. Documentation: Supporting documents such as passport copies, photographs, proof of accommodation, and return tickets are typically required.
3. Submission: Applications are submitted to online government agencies, embassies, consulates, or through authorized visa agencies.

4. Processing: Authorities review the application, which can take several days to weeks.
5. Issuance: If approved, a visa sticker is placed in the passport, or an approval letter is issued for visa-on-arrival.
6. Fee: Applicants pay a visa fee, which varies based on the type and duration of stay.
The traditional visa allows countries to thoroughly vet visitors before granting entry permission. This process involves significant paperwork and time, but many countries do offer electronic Visa online applications, so not as many require in-person visits to diplomatic missions.
US passport holders can currently travel to 186 countries and territories without a visa or with visa-on-arrival.
This privilege makes the US passport one of the most powerful travel documents globally. Some notable countries offering visa-free access to US citizens include:

• Most European countries (can stay 90 days within a 180-day period)
• Japan (90 days)
• South Korea (90 days)
• Argentina (90 days)
• Brazil (90 days)
Despite the extensive visa-free access, several countries still require US citizens to obtain visas. Some notable examples include Vietnam, China, India and Russia.

Several countries offer visa-on-arrival (VOA) or similar simplified visa processes for US citizens, such as Egypt, Cambodia, Jordan and Indonesia.
For US citizens, the best resource to determine visa requirements is the Travel.State.Gov website where you can enter the name of the specific country:
The UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

The UK has introduced the ETA system as a more streamlined approach for visa-exempt travelers. Key features of the UK ETA include:
• From January 8, 2025, The UK ETA applies to most non-European travelers, including those from the US, Canada, and Australia.
• Application process: The ETA can be easily applied for through the UK ETA mobile app or online portal.
• Requirements: Applicants need to provide passport details, a digital photo, and pay a non-refundable fee of £10 (rumored to be increasing to £16 soon).
• Processing time: Typically, approval is granted within a few hours, though it can take up to 72 hours.

• Validity: An ETA is valid for multiple entries over two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
The UK ETA represents a middle ground between visa-free travel and traditional visas, offering enhanced security screening with minimal hassle for travelers.
I applied for my UK ETA, and it took 14 minutes from start to finish, and my approval arrived a minute after I submitted. You’ll need to download the app to your cellphone and have your passport handy.
European Union’s New Entry Systems: EES and ETIAS

The European Union is preparing to launch two new systems to manage non-EU travelers: the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
First, let’s be clear – these programs are on the horizon, but they are not yet in practice, so no action is yet needed. Once they are in effect, the application process will be relatively simple. So, while there’s been various articles about these programs that make them seem like a sizeable change,
each will be an easy ‘to-do’ on your travel planning list.
Entry/Exit System (EES)
The EES is an automated IT system for registering travelers from non-EU countries each time they cross an EU external border.
Key aspects include:

• Purpose: To register entry and exit data and refusal of entry data of non-EU nationals crossing the external borders of EU countries
• Implementation: Expected to be operational by the end of 2025, with a gradual 180-day introduction period
• Process: Travelers will have their biometric data (facial image and fingerprints) collected at border crossings.
• Data storage: Information will be stored for three years and linked to passport data.
• No pre-application: Unlike ETIAS, travelers do not need to apply for EES in advance; registration occurs at the border.
European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)

ETIAS is a pre-travel authorization system for visa-exempt travelers entering the Schengen Area. Key features include:
• Launch date: Scheduled for implementation in May 2025, though further delays are possible.
• Eligibility: Required for citizens of countries that currently have visa-free access to the Schengen Area (so it applies to US citizens).
• Application process: Online application to be completed before travel.
• Requirements: Applicants must provide personal information, passport details, and answer security questions
• Fee: €7 for travelers aged 18-70; free for those under 18 or over 70
• Processing time: Most applications (95%) will receive a decision within minutes, though some may take up to 96 hours.
• Validity: An approved ETIAS is valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first
Will Both EES and ETIAS Be Required?

Yes, once fully implemented, both systems will be required for eligible travelers:
1. EES will be mandatory for all non-EU nationals entering the Schengen Area, regardless of whether they need a visa or are visa-exempt.
2. ETIAS will be required specifically for visa-exempt travelers from eligible countries.
Travelers will need to complete the ETIAS application before their trip, and then have their information registered in the EES upon arrival at the Schengen border.
Conclusion
The landscape of international travel is changing rapidly, with electronic systems supplementing traditional visas. The UK’s ETA and the EU’s upcoming EES and ETIAS represent a shift towards more efficient, technology-driven border management. While these systems aim to enhance security and streamline the travel process, they also introduce new requirements for travelers. I’ll make sure to keep you informed about these evolving entry requirements so you can plan accordingly. As we move towards 2025 and beyond, travelers can expect a more digital-centric approach to border crossings, with biometric data and pre-travel authorizations becoming the norm rather than the exception. While adapting to these new systems may require some adjustment, they promise to make international travel more secure and, ultimately, more efficient for both travelers and border authorities.