Travel Documents & Entry
The documents and registrations that make your journey from check-in to arrival easier. Most of this is simple, but the details matter, especially the ones easy to overlook.
Not everything here applies to every trip. If you're heading to Europe, focus on Passports and EES. Add the UK ETA section if England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland is on your itinerary. I'll flag exactly what your specific journey requires as I design it, so think of this as background, not a to-do list.
Passports
Most countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates and to have at least 2 blank pages for entry stamps. Check yours now, not a month before departure, when renewal timelines can create real problems.
If your passport is within a year of expiring, consider renewing early. Current processing times vary, and expedited service adds cost but buys peace of mind.
Make a digital copy of your passport photo page and store it in a place you can access: your phone, a secure cloud folder, or your email. If your physical passport is ever lost or stolen, that copy speeds up the replacement process at a U.S. consulate.
Traveling to Europe (Schengen & Beyond)
ETIAS is a separate pre-travel authorization the EU plans to roll out in 2026. It is not required for travel this year. When it launches, it will cost about €7, be valid for three years, and take most applicants only a few minutes online. I will update clients directly when a firm launch date is announced.
Questions
If anything about your itinerary raises a question, reach out. Border processes are still settling across Europe, and I am tracking developments closely.
What about ETIAS?
As of April 10, 2026, the European Union requires all non-EU travelers, including U.S. citizens, to register biometrically when entering the Schengen Area. This replaces the passport stamp system.
What happens at the border
The first time you enter any Schengen country, a border officer or self-service kiosk will capture four fingerprints and a facial image, scan your passport, and ask a few standard questions about your trip.
This creates a digital record on file for three years. On subsequent trips within that time, the process is faster, since your biometrics are already logged. Children under 12 have their photo taken but are not fingerprinted.
Which countries are included
All 29 Schengen countries participate, including France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Austria, the Czech Republic, Greece, the Netherlands, and the Nordic countries. Ireland and Cyprus are EU members but not part of Schengen, so they still stamp passports manually. The UK is outside the EU and operates its own border system.
What are the Schengen Countries?
The Travel to Europe app
The EU has released an official mobile app called Travel to Europe, free on the Apple App Store and Google Play. It lets you pre-load your passport data, take a selfie for facial recognition, and complete the entry questionnaire up to 72 hours before arrival. Using it in advance can shorten your time at the border.
A few things to know. The app does not replace the in-person border interview or skip biometric capture on your first entry. It streamlines the process rather than bypassing it. Availability is still expanding. At launch, it's functional in Portugal and Sweden, with other countries coming online through 2026. If your first Schengen entry is at an airport where the app isn't supported, you'll go through the standard border process. I'll let you know if the app is available for your entry point before you travel.
What this means for your journey
Plan for an additional 45 to 60 minutes at your first entry into the Schengen Area. After that, you won't go through EES again when moving between Schengen countries by train, car, or internal flight.
The system activates again when you depart Europe, so arrive at the airport earlier than usual. Three hours before an intercontinental departure is a good baseline.
Before you travel
Make sure your passport is in good condition. Damaged or worn passports can interfere with the biometric scan, so renew it before you go if it shows wear.
Keep the address of your first hotel and your return flight details accessible without needing to unlock an app.
If you hold a current U.S. passport, it's biometric by default. That lets you use self-service kiosks at airports where they're available, which speeds things along considerably.
Visas
Visa Processing Through CIBT or ItsEasy
Some countries require a visa before you arrive, and the process can include consulate visits, paperwork, and changing timelines. If you need a visa or faster passport, I suggest using CIBT Visas or ItsEasy. Their teams check your application to ensure it meets the latest entry rules, handle consulate paperwork, and track your documents. If your trip includes places needing advance visas, I will let you know early and connect you with the right service to keep your travel plans on track. You can find more information or start your application at CIBT Visas or ItsEasy.
Visa rules vary depending on where you are going. U.S. citizens can travel to most of Europe, much of the Caribbean, and some areas in South America and Asia for short visits without needing a visa. However, countries such as India, Australia, parts of Southeast Asia, and several African countries require you to obtain a visa or an electronic travel authorization before you travel.
In Europe, U.S. citizens can visit the Schengen Area—which covers France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, Portugal, and most of Western Europe—without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The UK, Ireland, and Turkey have different entry rules.
As I plan your trip, I’ll let you know about any visa requirements for each destination. If you’d like to look them up yourself, the State Department’s country-by-country guide is a great resource.
Traveling to the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
If you’re heading to England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, you’ll need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you go. This rule started for U.S. citizens in January 2025 and is fully enforced from February 25, 2026. Airlines will check your ETA before you board, and you won’t be allowed to fly without it.
The ETA works a lot like the U.S. ESTA that visitors use to enter the United States. It isn’t a visa, but a digital pre-clearance connected to your passport.
What it costs
As of April 2026, the ETA costs £20 (about $25 USD). Each traveler, including children and infants, needs their own ETA.
How long does it last
Your ETA lets you enter the UK as many times as you want for two years, or until your passport expires—whichever happens first. You don’t have to reapply for each trip during that time. If you get a new passport, you’ll need a new ETA.
What the application involves
You can apply for your ETA using the official UK ETA app (on iPhone or Android) or online at GOV.UK. It takes about 10 minutes. Have your passport, a way to pay, and your email ready. The app will ask you to scan your passport, take your own photo, and answer a few background questions. Most people get a decision in minutes, but it’s best to apply at least three working days before you travel in case your application needs extra review.
What it covers
With a UK ETA, you can visit the United Kingdom, Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man for up to six months. You can go for tourism, to visit family, for business, or for short-term study. The ETA does not let you work or live in the UK.
Who doesn't need one
British and Irish citizens don’t need an ETA, including dual citizens with a valid British or Irish passport. If you already have a UK visa or settled or pre-settled status, you don’t need an ETA either.
Important: the UK is separate from Europe's Schengen system
The United Kingdom isn’t in the Schengen Area and isn’t covered by the new ETIAS system. If you’re visiting both the UK and continental Europe, you’ll need two separate authorizations: a UK ETA for the UK and an ETIAS for Schengen countries (starting late 2026). Time in the UK doesn’t count toward your 90-day Schengen limit.
A note about Ireland
Ireland has its own immigration rules and doesn’t require an ETA or ETIAS. But if you’re visiting both Ireland and Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK), you still need a UK ETA for the Northern Ireland part of your trip, even though there aren’t any border checks.
A warning about unofficial websites
Some third-party websites charge much higher fees to process UK ETA applications. Only the UK Government website and the UK ETA app are official. If a site charges more than £20, it’s not an official source.
STEP Enrollment
STEP is a free service from the U.S. State Department that lets you register your trip with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. If there's a natural disaster, political unrest, or a family emergency, the embassy can reach you and provide assistance.
Registration takes a few minutes and is worth doing for any international trip. You'll receive safety updates for your destination and a direct line to consular support if you ever need it.
U.S. Embassies & Consulates
Before your trip, make sure to save the contact details for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in every country you plan to visit. You probably won't need them, but if you lose your passport, have a medical emergency, or need legal help, you'll be relieved to have the information ready instead of scrambling to find it in a stressful moment.
Your Tern itinerary already lists emergency contacts for your trip. If you need to find any embassy or consulate anywhere in the world, this resource can help.
TSA PreCheck, Touchless ID & Global Entry
Three programs can make your time in U.S. airports faster, on both ends of an international trip. Here's what each one does and who it's worth for.
TSA PreCheck
PreCheck speeds up security screening at U.S. airports. You keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on and leave laptops and liquids in your bag. It is a five-year membership with a short application and quick in-person appointment. If most of your flying is domestic, this is the one that matters most.
Global Entry
Global Entry speeds up customs and immigration clearance when you return to the U.S. from international travel, where the longest lines tend to be. It includes TSA PreCheck, so you are covered both ways. If you travel internationally more than once a year, it is the better investment. The application involves a background check and an in-person interview. Approval can take several weeks to a few months, so apply well ahead of your trip.
If you already have Global Entry, make sure your Known Traveler Number (KTN) is linked to each airline reservation so your PreCheck status appears on your boarding pass.
Touchless ID
Touchless ID is an optional upgrade within PreCheck that uses facial comparison to verify your identity at security without handing over a physical ID or boarding pass. You look briefly into a camera at a dedicated lane, and the system matches your photo against your passport on file. The whole step takes about ten seconds.
It's expanding quickly and is expected to reach 65 U.S. airports by spring 2026, including Phoenix Sky Harbor. It's currently offered on American, Alaska, Delta, Southwest, and United.
Enrolling: Enrollment is a one-time process through your airline. You need an active PreCheck membership with a valid KTN, a U.S. passport on file, and an airline loyalty account. Log in to your airline's app, go to your profile, and look for the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID opt-in. Once enrolled, a Touchless ID indicator appears on your mobile boarding pass when you fly through a participating airport.
At the airport: Look for the dedicated Touchless ID lane, show your mobile boarding pass to the ambassador at the entrance, look briefly into the camera, then proceed to screening.
Privacy: The program is entirely opt-in. TSA states your photo and personal data are deleted within 24 hours of your scheduled departure, and images are not used for law enforcement or shared with outside entities. You can opt out at any time.
● A note from Rachel: Even with Touchless ID, always carry a physical ID when you travel. TSA officers may still request it, and you'll need it elsewhere on your trip. Think of Touchless ID as a faster lane, not a replacement for your documents.
