New requirements to travel to Europe

[DrRoy]

We were just told by Ireland that we need no visa to visit next year.

 

[brett]

The USA scans most visitors’ fingerprints on entry I believe. No big deal.

https://simpleflying.com/us-airports-fingerprints-guide/

We have had it done multiple times in various countries. Simple and very fast.

You place your finger tips on a small reader while the officer is reviewing your passport. It is a non event.

I went ahead of my spouse the last time we went through passport control in Bangkok. I was able to look back into the passport offiicer's cubicle and view the screen. I could see my spouse's passport pages on his screen. I could not read it. What I could tell was there was a lot more data on the the screen than there was on the basic passport information page and extended Thai visa.

Not certain what it was....perhaps a listing of the past times that she had been through passport control in various countries. I have to assume that other electronically connected countries have access to the same data when one presents a passport.

 

[sengsational]

Not concerned in the least. Just by swiping our passports and with their interaction, communication, and
co-ordination with other jurisdictions they will automatically have far more data about us that than ever will from our credit card.

But if you have a fake passport, now you have to align a payment method with the identity on the passport. If the "not concerned" of us have a bunch of data that includes all the passport tracking and biometrics plus a banking trail, and that looks a certain way, the bad guys will have a little harder time making the screen that comes up for the border control officer look "right". That's what I meant by "another form of ID."

 

[brett]

But if you have a fake passport, now you have to align a payment method with the identity on the passport. If the "not concerned" of us have a bunch of data that includes all the passport tracking and biometrics plus a banking trail, and that looks a certain way, the bad guys will have a little harder time making the screen that comes up for the border control officer look "right". That's what I meant by "another form of ID."

It is of no consequence to us. Our view is simple. When we are guests in a country we have to conform to their entry regulations, their laws.

We either show our passport or we are not admitted as a guest. Simple as that. Same for Visa requirements in a number of countries we regularly visit.

What is the choice? Fret over a minute possibility, stay home and not travel, or continue to travel and enjoy other countries in the manner that we do.

 

[brett]

I read today that it is on hold until 2025. Technical issues.

 

[braumeister]

For those planning European travel next year, I found a very good explanation of the new rules on the Rick Steves site:
What Are ETA and ETIAS, Europe’s New Visa-Waiver Programs?

 

[MC Rider]

Sounds like a big hassle going to Europe. I can see the attraction though.

I'm thinking there are lots of destinations I can drive to right in California but have not seen. Places that people from all over the world fly and pay big bucks to see. I think I will just do driving trips. I don't need no stinking passport, if I'm not leaving the USA.

 

[jim584672]

Brits also will need this. The power of Brexit never ceases.

 

[anethum]

For those planning European travel next year, I found a very good explanation of the new rules on the Rick Steves site:
What Are ETA and ETIAS, Europe’s New Visa-Waiver Programs?

From the link: "The UK requires a fee for each ETA applicant, but for the ETIAS the fee is waived for those under 18 or above 70 years old."
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ETIAS will be required of Canadians & Americans to enter most of Europe. BTW, EU & UK citizens (and citizens of many other "developed" countries) have had to get similar visa-waiver authorizations to enter the USA & Canada for many years. The USA program is called "ESTA", the Canadian program is called "eTA".

 

[audreyh1]

Sounds like a big hassle going to Europe. I can see the attraction though.

I'm thinking there are lots of destinations I can drive to right in California but have not seen. Places that people from all over the world fly and pay big bucks to see. I think I will just do driving trips. I don't need no stinking passport, if I'm not leaving the USA.

Sounds very minor to me.

 

[brett]

It is a way to pay for IT related security systems.

Australia has had it for a number of years. Not a big deal as long as one sticks to the Gov't site and does not fall the private site.

Takes minutes to complete. eVisa back in minutes.

Argentina has been the same for years.

I believe Canada is going that way.

I expect that it will approach being universal in the next few years.

We have been in a number of countries where our photos and our fingerprints are taken digitally as we enter. I expect this to increase as well.


We travel fairly frequently. Complete non issue for us. In fact, our impression on our past few trips to Australia is that it serves to speed the entry process.

 

[tulak]

Agree, not a big deal. Helps cover the costs of running and screening people entering country without a visa.

The US has been doing this for years with ESTA.

 

[Blue Poles]

We are traveling to Paris at the end of January 2025. It looks like ETIAS for the EU is still not taking applications at this time, so no worries about that.

However, we are transiting through Heathrow airport, and we do need to get the United Kingdom ETA.

Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

What an ETA is, who can get one and how to apply before coming to the UK.

www.gov.uk

I just did this through the ETA app on my phone, it's a fairly simple process. It requires a photo of my passport, a couple of photos of my face (selfies from the phone), and a scan of the chip in the passport. This required me to hold the phone next to my passport. I assume it used the NFC reader on my phone, I don't know how it would work if you don't have an NFC capable phone. And in my case, it read the chip only when I held the phone to the back of my passport, I had tried several times holding the phone next to the front.

Cost was a bit over $13. It was approved in about 5 minutes.

 

[Sunset]

We are traveling to Paris at the end of January 2025. It looks like ETIAS for the EU is still not taking applications at this time, so no worries about that.

However, we are transiting through Heathrow airport, and we do need to get the United Kingdom ETA.

Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

What an ETA is, who can get one and how to apply before coming to the UK.

www.gov.uk

I just did this through the ETA app on my phone, it's a fairly simple process. It requires a photo of my passport, a couple of photos of my face (selfies from the phone), and a scan of the chip in the passport. This required me to hold the phone next to my passport. I assume it used the NFC reader on my phone, I don't know how it would work if you don't have an NFC capable phone. And in my case, it read the chip only when I held the phone to the back of my passport, I had tried several times holding the phone next to the front.

Cost was a bit over $13.

I just checked, my old main phone does not have NFC.

I wonder if I can simply borrow a phone, as I'm sure some spouses don't both have NFC capable phones.

 

[audreyh1]

We are traveling to Paris at the end of January 2025. It looks like ETIAS for the EU is still not taking applications at this time, so no worries about that.

However, we are transiting through Heathrow airport, and we do need to get the United Kingdom ETA.

Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

What an ETA is, who can get one and how to apply before coming to the UK.

www.gov.uk

I just did this through the ETA app on my phone, it's a fairly simple process. It requires a photo of my passport, a couple of photos of my face (selfies from the phone), and a scan of the chip in the passport. This required me to hold the phone next to my passport. I assume it used the NFC reader on my phone, I don't know how it would work if you don't have an NFC capable phone. And in my case, it read the chip only when I held the phone to the back of my passport, I had tried several times holding the phone next to the front.

Cost was a bit over $13. It was approved in about 5 minutes.

I looked it up recently because we are traveling to Europe in April. As far as I can tell it’s not going to be up and running by then either. Maybe summer of 2025.

 

[braumeister]

I just checked, my old main phone does not have NFC.

I wonder if I can simply borrow a phone, as I'm sure some spouses don't both have NFC capable phones.

You don't have to use the app; you can apply online.

 

[timbervest]

I assume this is for entry to the EU -- once you get it for a trip visiting several countries in the EU does this cover all?

 

[audreyh1]

I assume this is for entry to the EU -- once you get it for a trip visiting several countries in the EU does this cover all?

Yes, when traveling to Europe from outside the Schengen area there is only one passport control/customs entry as long as you stay inside the countries making up the Schengen area most of which have land borders. And one final exit when leaving the area.

Schengen Area - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[JoeWras]

I just checked, my old main phone does not have NFC.

I wonder if I can simply borrow a phone, as I'm sure some spouses don't both have NFC capable phones.

I used to be a fan of the super cheap Androids which don't have NFC.

After now having a phone with NFC, I'm seeing it sneak into our lives more and more. Although there are still work-arounds for those who don't have phones with NFC, I'm coming to the conclusion that it is going to become a required feature soon, in the next few years or so. Or, the work around will become so much of a pain. Therefore, any new phone I buy will have it.

OH! And since this is a travel forum, don't forget eSIM capability for your next phone. It was really helpful to have eSIMs for our Europe travel last summer.

 

[grasshopper]

Yes a phone with eSIM and NFC is a big help. Google Wallet can store your passport now.

 

[Blue Poles]

I just checked, my old main phone does not have NFC.

I wonder if I can simply borrow a phone, as I'm sure some spouses don't both have NFC capable phones.

The phone you use for the app doesn't need to be your phone. One of the first things they ask for is your email address. They email a six digit code to you to enter in the app, so you need access to your email, but it doesn't have to be emailed to the phone you are using for the app. Once you have the ETA, the app can be deleted.

The app also had an option if your passport does not have the biometric chip. I didn't use that option, so I can't say how that works, but it seems that NFC wouldn't be needed in that case. I imagine it would extend the approval time from a few minutes to a few days.

 

[brett]

Issues like this have never once made us reconsider our travel plans. In the past we have paid visa fees to Argentina, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Turkey and a few others over the past 14 yeasrs. The ETA fees have been around for quite some time.

My only surprise is that many countries have taken so long to initiate them.

The cost of these visas, or the ETA type fees are, IMHO, inconsequential to anyone's overall travel budget.

 

[Blue Poles]

I agree it's not a big deal. I posted about the UK ETA for two reasons. First, it's a new requirement as of 08 January 2025, so a heads up for anyone not aware. Second, it's required even if you are not entering the UK but only transiting through the airport. We are only changing planes in London on our way to Paris, not even leaving the terminal. That was a bit of a surprise to me, but it's taken care of. And it's good for two years.

 

[BigNick]

I agree it's not a big deal. I posted about the UK ETA for two reasons. First, it's a new requirement as of 08 January 2025, so a heads up for anyone not aware. Second, it's required even if you are not entering the UK but only transiting through the airport. We are only changing planes in London on our way to Paris, not even leaving the terminal. That was a bit of a surprise to me, but it's taken care of. And it's good for two years.

After complaints from the airlines, the requirement for the UK ETA has now been removed for transit passengers. Although quite what happens if your connecting flight is cancelled and you need a hotel landside is not clear. Maybe they arrange a UK ETA for you. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[frank05]

You apply for Global Entry and they take your fingerprints.