Latest progress on travel documents will impact international air travel in 2025. Be sure to communicate these changes to attendees early and often.
Here is something new:
- Online passport updates are here
In September 2024, online renewal online renewal is now available in the United States, rather than printing paper applications and mailing a check, your attendees can safely renew their passports online if certain requirements are met.
- Grow with digital ID credentials
Mobile-based IDs are becoming increasingly common in the safety screening of major airlines and border agencies. The use of digital IDs is still intermittent, but will eventually speed up processing.
- ETA is now effective to travel to the UK
Now, non-Europeans need ETA to come to the UK, and ETA is not a visa. This is a digital license that once granted, it has a digital link to the personal passport. The ETA allows multiple trips for 2 years or until the passport expires.
- Visa-free zone is expanding
Programs like digital nomadic visas are expanding, and visa agreements between countries are expanding. It is important to stay up to date and communicate these changes to attendees.
- Etias is coming soon
The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIA) is not a visa; it is more accurately called a visa exemption. The system will be launched in 2025 and once an online application is filled out, individuals who share personal details and check the EU security database will be allowed to enter EU and Schengen member states once they are filled out.
Remember that the key to avoiding last-minute crisis is early planning and communication. Make attendees aware of changes that will affect their travel and set early deadlines for them to confirm that they have complied.
