Across the globe, new entry requirements and immigration programs are coming online that will make international travel safer. Find everything you need to know about these three new programs in this blog post.
At a Glance
Click the links below, or scroll down, for full details.
Europe's new Entry-Exit System is a biometric-based border crossing system that was implemented in stages starting in October of 2025, and is now fully operational as of April, 2026. This system requires all American travelers to any of the 29 countries in Europe's Schengen area (which includes all European countries except the U.K., Ireland, and Cyprus) to submit to a biometric scan, either at an automated kiosk or by a passport control officer.
During the check-in process, travelers answer a few questions about their trip, have their photo taken, and have their fingerprints digitally scanned. Then travelers will be directed to a passport control officer who will perform a final verification before allowing entry.
Upon leaving the Schengen area (either for the return trip to the United States or when continuing onward for further travel), travelers will need to use a kiosk or speak to a passport control officer to log their exit date and verify their identity.
One of the purposes of the EES is to ensure that travelers do not stay within the Schengen area longer than 90 days in any 180-day period, so please note that in any personal travel plans you make around an Odysseys tour.
The EES is in place in the Schengen area in Europe, which includes 29 European countries. The only European countries not part of Schengen (and thus not subject to EES) are the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Cyprus. Americans traveling to the United Kingdom do need to obtain an ETA (more on that below).
All American travelers with trips planned to Europe (aside from the countries mentioned above) will need to go through the EES system upon arrival and departure from the Schengen area.
If you are connecting through a Schengen airport to a non-Schengen destination: In this instance, if you do not go through Passport Control in the Schengen airport, you will not need to go through EES.
In an ideal travel world, visitors to the Schengen area will find an open kiosk, enter their biometric and travel data, and continue on their way in just a few minutes. Many Odysseys guests and employees have reported this to be the case, and have encountered minimal issues while using EES.
However, as of late April, 2026, there are reports of EES-related delays from some European airports (notably Amsterdam, Lisbon, and Frankfurt). These delays can vary based on time of day, volume of arriving flights, and staffing levels. While disruptions have occurred, many travelers continue to pass through without delays.
Practically, we recommend that travelers take the following measures when planning a trip to Europe:
While we are happy to assist in this situation, we recommend continuing to work directly with airline staff, as they are best positioned to rebook and confirm your travel arrangements in real time.
The European Union Travel to Europe website provides full context on the EES system.
ETA stands for Electronic Travel Authorization — a security measure that all all visa-exempt foreign visitors (including U.S. citizens) must apply for and obtain before traveling to certain destinations.
Several nations require ETAs for visiting travelers — see the list below for applicable destinations and the tours that visit these countries.
All non-visa travelers from visa-exempt countries will need to obtain an ETA prior to entry into any of the above countries. The U.S. is included in this list.
You can apply via smartphone app for some ETAs, and online for others. A full breakdown is below.
United Kingdom
Australia
New Zealand
Kenya
Application should take no more than 20 minutes, the automated assessment process will start immediately after the application is submitted, and approved travelers will receive confirmation within three business days.
Fees for each application range from $20 to $72 per person.
Your ETA is digitally linked to your passport, so you do not need to bring any physical documents with you, though we recommend printing a copy of your email confirmation to bring with you. Upon arrival at a border crossing point, the passport control agent will be able to electronically read the travel document data after scanning your passport.
ETA requirements are unique and vary by destination, but typically include the same basic information: full name, date of birth, country of citizenship, passport information, phone number, email address, travel details, and a photograph for identification purposes.
We recommend you obtain an ETA 60-75 days before your departure date (and 45-60 days for Kenya). Although many ETAs are approved within three business days, this allows ample time for any processing delays while still allowing you to input your flight information into the application.
ETAs for the United Kingdom and New Zealand are valid for two years from the date of issue, the Australian ETA is valid for one year from the date of issue, and Kenya's ETA is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System, a new travel authorization database that the European Union is expected to implement in late 2026. This program will require all travelers from the U.S. to obtain an authorization (not a visa) prior to their trip.
According to a European Commission press release:
"The ETIAS authorization is not a visa. Nationals of visa liberalization countries will continue to travel the EU without a visa but will simply be required to obtain a travel authorization via ETIAS prior to their travel … An ETIAS travel authorization does not reintroduce visa-like obligations. There is no need to go to a consulate to make an application … and significantly less information is gathered than during a visa application procedure."
The ETIAS is expected to be implemented in late 2026. If you have reserved a tour that will be impacted by the implementation of ETIAS, we will contact you in advance of your tour date to ensure you have sufficient time to apply for an ETIAS. We will also update this post when the official launch date is announced.
The ETIAS will be required for all travelers visiting countries within the European Union and Schengen Area:
All non-visa travelers from visa-exempt countries will need to obtain ETIAS authorization prior to entry into any of the above European countries. The U.S. is included in this list. For a full list of visa-exempt countries, click here.
First, you will complete an online application via a dedicated website or mobile app. This application is expected to take 10–20 minutes to complete. The automated assessment process will start immediately after the application is submitted, and the vast majority of applicants (expected to be more than 95%) will be approved within minutes. You'll receive an email with confirmation of your ETIAS submission, and after approval, you'll receive an email response confirming your travel authorization.
The application process will include a fee of 7EUR for travelers between ages 18 and 70. Travelers outside this age range will not need to pay the fee (but will still need to complete the application).
Your ETIAS authorization is digitally linked to your passport, so you do not need to bring any physical documents with you (though printing your authorization email just to be safe is never a bad idea). Upon arrival at a border crossing point, the passport control agent will be able to electronically read the travel document data after scanning your passport.
The ETIAS will require such information as biometric data (e.g., name, gender, date of birth, etc.), passport information, health information, criminal record, and previous EU immigration history, if applicable (see a full list of requirements here).
More details on application requirements can be found here.
The application website has not been made public yet. Once it goes live, we recommend you apply at least several weeks before your trip as a precaution (although to reiterate, some 95% of authorizations will be approved and available to print within minutes).
The EU recommends applying before you book any travel accommodations or transportation as a safety measure, in case additional information is needed for your authorization.
Your ETIAS will be valid for multiple entries over a period of three years or until the date of your passport expiry, whichever is sooner. A valid ETIAS entitles you to stay in the applicable countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Find answers to more ETIAS questions on the European Union's website here.
Share your great adventures with us on social media. Tag your pictures with #myodyssey and they may be featured on our website!
By using this website you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy.
