Planning international trips becomes more complex as countries update their entry requirements. From biometric scanning to digital arrival cards, these modifications will have an impact on how we cross borders in 2026. Understanding these new rules now can save you headaches, delays and unexpected costs when traveling next year.
The EU’s biometric input / output system finally launches
Say goodbye to passport stamps at European borders! From October 2025, the EU’s digital entry / exit system will transform the way EU citizens are entering the Schengen area. The system captures your facial scan and fingerprints instead of the traditional ink stamp. During early implementation, you could feel both digital registration and stamps as the border authorities pass to the new system. Expect longer waiting times in airports, ferry terminals and stations, especially during travel seasons. Plan additional time at border control points – from at least three hours before international flights were recommended. The good news? Once saved, future entries should be smoother because your biometric data stays in the system for three years.
Etias costs jump at € 20 for travelers concerned about the budget
European adventures will cost a little more at the end of 2026. The European costs of the information and authorization system (ETIA) tripled from 7 to 20 € originally. This electronic travel permit becomes compulsory for visitors of more than 60 countries exempt by Visa, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan. Valid for three years or until your passport expires, Etias authorizes several entries with stays up to 90 days over a period of 180 days. Families traveling with children should take into account this additional cost in their budgets – everyone, whatever their age, needs their own authorization. Apply online at least 96 hours before departure to avoid last -minute stress. Most approvals pass in a few minutes, but some applications may require additional processing time.
The program expanded without visa from China opens up new opportunities
The Tourism Renaissance strategy of China is to take steam with access without visa now extended to citizens of 75 countries. The program allows stays of up to 30 days without the paperwork and the costs previously required. Azerbaijan joined the growing list in July 2025, which makes China more accessible than ever. Business travelers can take advantage of the extended 240 hour transit policy without visa, allowing up to 10 days of stay during failures. This policy now covers travelers in 55 countries, which makes business trips fast or prolonged stops much easier to organize. Timing could not be better to explore the less known destinations of China beyond Beijing and Shanghai. Second level cities like Chengdu, Xi’an and Hangzhou are preparing for an increase in international visitors with improved English signaling and tourism infrastructure.
The compulsory digital arrival card replaces paper forms
Paper forms are the story in Thailand from May 2025. The digital arrival card in Thailand (TDAC) becomes compulsory for all foreign visitors, regardless of the way you enter the country. Complete this form online within 72 hours before arrival, arriving by plane, cruise ship or crossing. Airlines will check your TDAC completion before boarding, similar to the way they check the visas now. The digital system aims to reduce processing deadlines and eliminate frantic jamming to fill the forms during your flight. Save the QR code generated after submission to your phone and take a screenshot as a backup. Immigration agents will analyze this code on arrival. Pro advice: The official Thailand TDAC website is the only legitimate platform: third-party services billed with unnecessary costs for this free government service.
The all-in-one digital declaration of Indonesia simplifies the entry
Indonesia rationalizes entry procedures with its new “All Indonesia” digital declaration system. From September 2025 in Bali, Jakarta and Surabaya, then expanding on a national scale by October, this unified system replaces several forms of paper previously necessary for customs, health, immigration and quarantine declarations. Remember that the tourist withdrawal of 150,000 IDR (~ $ 14) remains in force in parallel with this digital change. In addition, the $ 50 electronic visa on arrival must be obtained at least 48 hours before traveling through official government portals, not last minute at the airport. Complete the two requirements before departure to avoid delays or refuse boarding. The single QR code generated after completing the digital declaration serves as a passport to a more fluid entry, potentially reducing the immigration processing time in two during the advanced tourist seasons.