Global Entry provides expedited U.S. customs and immigration clearance when you return from international travel. It also includes TSA PreCheck, which means faster security screening at U.S. airports on your way out.
If you travel internationally more than once a year, it’s worth the investment. The application involves a background check and an in-person interview, so plan ahead. Approval can take several weeks to a few months depending on demand.
If you already have Global Entry, make sure your Known Traveler Number (KTN) is linked to your airline reservations so your PreCheck status appears on your boarding pass.
Travel Documents & Entry
The documents and registrations that keep your journey smooth from check-in to arrival. Most of this is straightforward, but the details matter; especially the ones that are easy to overlook.
Passports
Most countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates, with at least two 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 somewhere accessible; your phone, a secure cloud folder, or your email. If your physical passport is ever lost or stolen, that copy makes the replacement process significantly faster at a U.S. consulate.
Visas
Visa requirements depend entirely on your destination. U.S. citizens can visit most of Europe, much of the Caribbean, and parts of South America and Asia without a visa for short stays. Other countries, including India, Australia, parts of Southeast Asia, and several African nations require a visa or electronic travel authorization arranged in advance.
For Europe specifically, U.S. citizens can visit the Schengen Area (which includes France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, Portugal, and most of Western Europe) without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The UK, Ireland, and Turkey have their own entry rules outside this framework.
I’ll flag visa requirements during the design process for any destination on your itinerary. If you want to check independently, the State Department’s country-by-country guide is the most reliable source.
Visa Processing Through CIBT or ItsEasy
Some destinations require a visa before arrival, and the application process can involve consulate appointments, specific documentation, and processing timelines that shift without much notice. I recommend CIBT Visas or ItsEasy for clients who need visa or expedited passport services. Their teams review every application against current entry requirements, manage the consulate submission, and track your documents through the process. If your itinerary includes countries that require advance visas, I'll flag that early in the design process and connect you with CIBT so nothing delays your departure. You can learn more or start an application at cibtvisas.com. or itseasy
ETIAS and EES: What U.S. Travelers Need to Know Before Visiting Europe
As of April 10, 2026, the European Union requires all non-EU travelers, including US citizens, to register biometrically when entering the Schengen Area. This replaces the old 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 that stays on file for three years. On subsequent trips to Europe within that window, the process is considerably 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 continue to stamp passports manually.
The UK is outside the EU and operates its own border system.
The Travel to Europe app
The EU has released an official mobile app called Travel to Europe, available 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 you arrive. Using it in advance can meaningfully shorten your time at the border.
A few things to know. The app does not replace the in-person border interview, and it does not skip the biometric capture on your first entry. It streamlines the process rather than bypassing it. Availability is also still expanding. As of 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 yet supported, you'll go through the standard process at the border.
I'll let you know if the app becomes available for your specific point of entry before you travel.
What this means for your journey
Plan for an additional 45 to 60 minutes at your first point of entry into the Schengen Area. Once you're through that initial border, you won't go through EES again as you move between Schengen countries by train, car, or internal flight.
The system activates again when you depart Europe, so arrive at the airport earlier than you normally would on your return. Three hours before an intercontinental departure is a good baseline.
Before you travel
Make sure your passport is in good physical condition. Damaged or heavily worn passports can interfere with the biometric scan. If yours is showing wear, renew before you travel.
Keep the address of your first property and your return flight details accessible without needing to unlock an app.
If you hold a current US passport, it's biometric by default. This lets you use self-service kiosks at airports where they're available, which speeds things along considerably.
What about ETIAS?
ETIAS is a separate pre-travel authorization the EU plans to roll out later in 2026. It isn't required for any travel this year. When it launches, it will cost around €7, be valid for three years, and take most applicants only a few minutes online. I'll update clients directly when a firm launch date is announced.
Questions
If anything about your specific itinerary raises a question, reach out. Border processes are still settling into rhythm across Europe, and I'm tracking developments closely.
UK ETA: What U.S. Travelers Need to Know Before Visiting England
If you're planning a trip to England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, you now need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you travel. This requirement has been in effect for U.S. citizens since January 2025, and as of February 25, 2026, it is fully enforced. Airlines are required to verify your ETA before boarding, and travelers without one will not be allowed on their flight.
The system works similarly to the U.S. ESTA that international visitors use to enter the States. It's not a visa. It's a digital pre-clearance linked to your passport.
What it costs
The ETA fee is £20 as of April 2026 (approximately $25 USD). Every traveler needs their own ETA, including children and infants.
How long it lasts
The ETA is valid for multiple entries over two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. You do not need to reapply for each trip during that window. If you renew your passport, you will need a new ETA.
What the application involves
You can apply through the official UK ETA app (available on iPhone and Android) or online at GOV.UK. The process takes about 10 minutes. You'll need your passport, a payment method, and access to your email. The app will ask you to scan your passport, take a photo, and answer some background questions. Most applicants get an automatic decision within minutes, but the government advises submitting your application at least three working days before travel in case a manual review is needed.
What it covers
The UK ETA allows you to visit the United Kingdom, Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man for stays of up to six months for tourism, visiting family, business, or short-term study. It does not permit you to work or live in the UK.
Who doesn't need one
British and Irish citizens are exempt, including dual citizens holding a valid British or Irish passport. If you already hold a UK visa or have settled or pre-settled status, you also do not need an ETA.
Important: the UK is separate from Europe's Schengen system
The United Kingdom is not part of the Schengen Area and is not covered by the upcoming ETIAS system. If your itinerary includes both the UK and continental Europe, you will need two separate authorizations: a UK ETA for England (already required) and an ETIAS for Schengen countries (launching late 2026). Time spent in the UK does not count toward your 90-day Schengen limit.
A note about Ireland
Ireland has its own immigration system and does not require an ETA or ETIAS. However, if your trip includes both Ireland and Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK), you technically still need a UK ETA for the Northern Ireland portion, even though there are no border checks between the two.
A warning about unofficial websites
Several third-party websites charge inflated fees to process UK ETA applications. The only official channels are the UK Government website and the UK ETA app. Any site charging significantly more than £20 is not an official source.
What this means for your trip planning
If you're traveling to England in 2026 or beyond, your UK ETA is something I'll flag during your pre-departure preparation. It's quick, it's inexpensive, and once it's done, you're covered for two years of travel. Just make sure to apply using the same passport you'll be traveling with.
STEP Enrollment
STEP is a free service from the U.S. State Department that registers your trip with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. If something happens like a natural disaster, political unrest, a family emergency back home, 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 countries and have a direct line to consular support if you need it.
U.S. Embassies & Consulates
Before you leave, save the contact information for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in each country on your itinerary. You’ll likely never need it, but if you do, a lost passport, a medical emergency, a legal question; you’ll be glad you have it immediately accessible rather than trying to search for it under stress.
Your itinerary in Tern includes emergency contacts specific to your trip. This is a general resource for looking up any embassy or consulate worldwide.
TSA Pre-Check & Touchless ID
TSA has introduced an optional upgrade within the PreCheck program called Touchless ID. It uses facial comparison technology to verify your identity at security; no need to present a physical ID or boarding pass at the checkpoint. You simply look into a camera at a dedicated lane, and the system matches your photo against your passport on file.
The entire process takes roughly ten seconds.
Touchless ID is expanding rapidly and is expected to be available at 65 U.S. airports by spring 2026, including Phoenix Sky Harbor. It is currently offered on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.
How to Enroll
Enrollment is a one-time process through your airline. You will need:
→ An active TSA PreCheck membership with a valid Known Traveler Number (KTN)
→ A valid U.S. passport on file with your airline
→ An airline loyalty account (SkyMiles, Rapid Rewards, MileagePlus, AAdvantage, or Mileage Plan)
Log into your airline’s app or website, navigate to your profile, and look for the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID opt-in. Once enrolled, a Touchless ID indicator will appear on your mobile boarding pass when flying through a participating airport.
At the Airport
→ Look for the dedicated “TSA PreCheck Touchless ID” lane at security
→ Show your mobile boarding pass to the airport ambassador at the lane entrance
→ Look briefly into the camera. Verification takes seconds
→ Proceed to screening
Privacy
The program is entirely opt-in. TSA states that your photo and personal data are deleted within 24 hours of your scheduled departure. Images are not used for law enforcement or surveillance and are not shared with other entities. You may 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 will need it for other purposes throughout your trip. Think of Touchless ID as a faster lane, not a replacement for your documents.