Planning International Meetings? 5 New Changes Regarding Travel Documents 

These 5 recent developments regarding travel documents will affect international air travel in 2025. Be sure to communicate these changes to your attendees early and often.

Here’s what’s new:

1. Online Passport Renewal is Here

In September 2024, online passport renewal became available in the U.S. Now, instead of printing a paper application and mailing it with a check, your attendees can renew their passports securely online if they meet certain requirements.

2. Use of Digital ID Credentials Growing

Mobile-based IDs are becoming more common with major airlines and border agencies for security screenings. The use of digital IDs is still intermittent, but eventually will speed up processing.

3. ETA Now in Effect for Travel to the U.K.

Non-Europeans now need an ETA to travel to the U.K. An ETA is not a visa; it is a digital permission to travel that, once granted, is digitally linked to an individual’s passport. ETAs permit multiple journeys and last for 2 years, or until the passport expires.

4. Visa-Free Zones Are Expanding

Programs like the Digital Nomad Visa are expanding, as are visa-waiver agreements between nations. It’s important to keep up to date and communicate these changes to attendees. 

5. ETIAS is Coming Soon

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is not a visa; it is more accurately referred to as a visa waiver. Rolling out in 2025, this system will allow visa-free access to pre-screened individuals into EU and Schengen member countries once they fill out the online application, share personal details and have their applications checked against EU security databases.

Remember that the key to avoiding last-minute crises are early planning and communication. Make attendees aware of the changes that will impact their travel far in advance, and set early deadlines for them to confirm that they have complied.