Key Takeaways
• UK requires ETA from visa-exempt countries since January 8, 2025, costing £10 with three days processing.
• US enforces travel bans from 12 countries and partial bans for 7 others starting June 9, 2025.
• EU plans EES start in October 2025 and ETIAS delayed until late 2026 for visa-free travelers.
The world of international travel is changing fast in 2025. Many countries—including the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, Japan 🇯🇵, Canada 🇨🇦, United States 🇺🇸, Spain 🇪🇸, Singapore 🇸🇬, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, and the United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪—are now using or expanding digital systems called Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). These systems require travelers to get online approval before they can enter or even pass through a country. This move is meant to make travel safer and smoother, but it also means travelers need to plan more carefully than ever before.
What Is an Electronic Travel Authorization?
An Electronic Travel Authorization, or ETA, is a digital permission that travelers must get before they leave for certain countries. It’s not a visa, but it’s also not just a stamp at the airport. Instead, travelers fill out an online form, pay a fee, and wait for approval—usually within a few days. Once approved, the ETA is linked to the traveler’s passport and checked by airlines and border officials before they let you board or enter the country.
The main goal of these systems is to check travelers before they arrive, making it easier to spot security risks and manage who comes into the country. At the same time, ETAs are supposed to make things faster and simpler for most people, since the process is done online and often takes less time than getting a traditional visa.
The United Kingdom’s New ETA System
The United Kingdom 🇬🇧 started its own Electronic Travel Authorization system on January 8, 2025. Now, travelers from countries that don’t need a visa to visit the UK must apply for an ETA before they travel. This includes people coming for tourism, business, or just passing through on their way to another country.
Key facts about the UK ETA:
- Who needs it? Travelers from visa-exempt countries (countries whose citizens don’t need a visa for short visits).
- How much does it cost? £10 (about $12.75).
- How long does it take? Up to three working days to process.
- How do you apply? Online, before you travel.
- Is it mandatory? Yes, for all eligible travelers.
If you don’t have an approved ETA, you won’t be allowed to board your flight or enter the United Kingdom. This new rule is part of a larger trend, as more countries move toward digital travel checks.
For more details and to apply, travelers can visit the official UK government ETA page.
Europe’s Digital Border Changes
The European Union is also making big changes to how it manages its borders. Two major systems are coming soon:
- Entry/Exit System (EES): Set to start in October 2025, this system will record when travelers enter and leave the Schengen Area (a group of 29 European countries with open borders between them).
- European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS): Now delayed until the last quarter of 2026, ETIAS will require travelers from visa-exempt countries to get digital approval before visiting the Schengen Area or Cyprus for short stays.
When ETIAS starts, it will work much like the UK’s ETA. Travelers will need to fill out an online form, pay a fee, and wait for approval before they can travel. This will affect millions of people who visit Europe for business, tourism, or to see family.
Japan’s Expanded eVISA System
Japan 🇯🇵 has also made big changes to its travel rules. As of May 23, 2025, Japan’s eVISA system lets people from ten countries—including Australia 🇦🇺, Brazil 🇧🇷, Cambodia 🇰🇭, Canada 🇨🇦, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, Singapore 🇸🇬, South Africa 🇿🇦, Taiwan 🇹🇼, United Kingdom 🇬🇧, and the United States 🇺🇸—apply for short-term tourist visas online.
Japan has also set up special ways for people from China 🇨🇳, Vietnam 🇻🇳, Hong Kong 🇭🇰, India 🇮🇳, Indonesia 🇮🇩, Macau 🇲🇴, Mongolia 🇲🇳, South Korea 🇰🇷, and the United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪 to apply through approved agencies.
This move is meant to make visiting Japan easier and faster, especially as the country welcomes more tourists and business travelers.
The United States Tightens Travel Rules
While many countries are making it easier to get travel approval online, the United States 🇺🇸 has taken a different approach in 2025. On June 4, 2025, President Trump signed a proclamation that puts strict new travel bans in place.
Here’s what’s changing:
- Full travel ban: People from 12 countries (Afghanistan 🇦🇫, Burma (Myanmar) 🇲🇲, Chad 🇹🇩, Republic of Congo 🇨🇬, Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶, Eritrea 🇪🇷, Haiti 🇭🇹, Iran 🇮🇷, Libya 🇱🇾, Somalia 🇸🇴, Sudan 🇸🇩, and Yemen 🇾🇪) cannot enter the United States at all, whether they want to immigrate or just visit.
- Partial travel ban: People from 7 other countries (Burundi 🇧🇮, Cuba 🇨🇺, Laos 🇱🇦, Sierra Leone 🇸🇱, Togo 🇹🇬, Turkmenistan 🇹🇲, and Venezuela 🇻🇪) are banned from getting certain types of visas, like tourist, student, and exchange visitor visas.
These bans started on June 9, 2025. The government says the bans are needed for national security and public safety, pointing to problems with identity checks and sharing information in the affected countries.
There are some exceptions, such as for diplomats, special immigrant visas, adoption cases, and close family members with strong proof of their relationship.
Other Countries Moving to ETA Systems
2025 is being called “The Year of the ETA” because so many countries are rolling out or improving digital travel systems. Here’s a quick look at what’s happening around the world:
- United Kingdom 🇬🇧: ETA system fully in place since January 8, 2025.
- European Union: EES starts October 2025; ETIAS delayed to late 2026.
- Israel 🇮🇱: ETA-IL system started January 1, 2025.
- Belarus 🇧🇾: e-Visa system launching March 2025.
- Thailand 🇹🇭: Planning to launch an ETA system in 2025.
- South Korea 🇰🇷: K-ETA system for business travelers coming by the end of 2025.
- Australia 🇦🇺: Upgrading its Electronic Travel Authority with new features.
This global shift means that travelers can expect to deal with digital travel approvals for most international trips in the near future.
What Travelers Need to Do Now
With so many countries using Electronic Travel Authorization systems, travelers must change how they prepare for trips. The days of just booking a flight and packing a bag are over. Now, travelers need to:
- Check ETA requirements for each country they plan to visit or pass through.
- Apply online for the right travel authorization, giving personal and travel details.
- Pay the required fee (for example, £10 for the UK ETA).
- Wait for approval, which can take up to three working days or longer in some cases.
- Make sure they have approval before leaving, since airlines and border officials will check for it.
If you don’t have the right ETA, you might not be allowed to board your flight or could be turned away at the border. This can ruin travel plans and cause big problems, especially for business travelers or people with tight schedules.
Impact on Business Travelers and Companies
For companies that send employees abroad, these new rules mean more work and more risk. Global mobility managers—the people who handle international assignments—must:
- Keep track of ETA rules for every country employees visit.
- Make sure employees apply for and get approval before traveling.
- Plan extra time for the application process.
- Monitor expiration dates and renewal needs for ETAs.
- Have backup plans in case someone is denied entry or approval is delayed.
If a company doesn’t follow these steps, employees could miss important meetings, lose business deals, or even damage the company’s reputation. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the rise of ETA systems is forcing companies to rethink how they manage international travel and compliance.
Why Are Countries Moving to ETA Systems?
Governments say Electronic Travel Authorization systems help them:
- Screen travelers before they arrive, making it easier to spot security risks.
- Collect more information about who is coming and why.
- Speed up border checks for most travelers, since much of the work is done ahead of time.
- Reduce paperwork and make the process more efficient.
At the same time, these systems can make travel easier for people who qualify, since they don’t have to visit embassies or wait for paper visas. But for some, especially those from countries with stricter rules, it can mean more hurdles and longer waits.
The Future: Even More Digital Travel
Looking ahead, the European Union is planning an “EU Digital Travel application” that would let people use digital versions of their passports and ID cards when crossing borders. This system, expected by 2030, would create digital travel credentials for both EU and non-EU citizens. The goal is to make border checks even faster and safer, especially as the number of travelers keeps growing—almost 600 million border crossings were recorded at EU borders in 2023.
This move is part of the EU’s larger plan to digitize more government services and make travel smoother for everyone. Since 2021, the Schengen strategy has focused on making border checks more digital and less dependent on paper documents.
What Does This Mean for Travelers?
For anyone planning international travel in 2025 and beyond, the main message is clear: plan ahead. Here’s what you should do:
- Check the official government website of your destination for the latest ETA or e-visa rules.
- Apply early—don’t wait until the last minute.
- Double-check your approval before you travel.
- Keep digital and printed copies of your ETA or approval, just in case.
- Be ready for changes, as rules can shift quickly.
For official information on Electronic Travel Authorization systems and other travel requirements, travelers can visit the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Travel Centre, which provides up-to-date details for every country.
Stakeholder Implications
Travelers: Must adjust to new digital requirements, plan further in advance, and stay informed about changing rules.
Business travelers and companies: Need to build new processes for tracking and managing ETAs, with more focus on compliance and risk management.
Governments: Gain better control over who enters their countries, but must also invest in secure, user-friendly digital systems.
Travel industry (airlines, hotels, tour operators): Must update their systems to check for ETAs and help customers understand the new requirements.
Real-World Scenarios
- A family from Canada 🇨🇦 planning a summer vacation to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧: They must apply for a UK ETA online, pay the fee, and wait for approval before booking flights.
- A business traveler from Singapore 🇸🇬 with meetings in Europe: Needs to check both the UK ETA and, when ETIAS starts, the European Union’s requirements, applying for each separately.
- A student from Brazil 🇧🇷 accepted to a Japanese university: Can now apply for a short-term eVISA online, making the process faster and easier.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The move toward Electronic Travel Authorization systems is changing the way people travel around the world. While these systems can make travel safer and more efficient, they also mean more planning and paperwork for travelers. As more countries adopt digital pre-screening, it’s important to stay up to date, apply early, and keep all your documents ready.
If you’re planning international travel in 2025, start by checking the ETA or e-visa requirements for your destination. Apply online as soon as possible, and make sure you have approval before you leave. For the latest updates, always use official government websites or trusted sources like VisaVerge.com.
By staying informed and prepared, you can avoid surprises and enjoy smoother, safer international travel in this new digital age.
Learn Today
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) → A digital permission required before travel, linking to passports, facilitating pre-arrival security checks.
Schengen Area → A European zone of 29 countries with open borders allowing free movement without passport checks.
European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) → An upcoming European digital system requiring online travel approval for visa-exempt visitors.
Entry/Exit System (EES) → EU system recording travelers’ entry and exit dates in the Schengen Area starting October 2025.
eVISA → An electronic visa allowing online applications for short-term visits without visiting an embassy.
This Article in a Nutshell
In 2025, many countries use Electronic Travel Authorization systems requiring pre-travel online approval. The UK leads with mandatory ETAs, while the US tightens travel bans. Europe rolls out new digital border controls. Travelers must plan ahead to comply with changing international travel rules and avoid entry denial.
— By VisaVerge.com
