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Happily, more and more of us are back to our traveling ways — international tourism has returned to or even surpassed pre-pandemic levels. And of course, traveling internationally still, as always, requires a little more planning to ensure a smooth arrival and processing at ports of entry.
The requirements for international travel can be sometimes tricky to navigate. Changing rules for some destinations means we can’t rely on our memory of how things were done on our last trip, and determining what documentation you will need for a getaway abroad requires some homework.
Passports
What you need to know before your next global getaway
Still the prevailing requirement for international travel, passports must now often be accompanied by other forms of digital identification at international borders. Image credit: Global Residence Index/Unsplash
By Deanna Murphy | Published July 10, 2025
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Naturally, the first step toward a visit to any foreign country comes with a passport. But for American travelers, a lot has changed with that little blue book. For starters, U.S. passports received a significant tech upgrade in 2021, when the next generation passport book debuted enhanced security features including a thick plastic data page with a laser-engraved black and white photo and an alpha-numeric passport number. Older versions will still work until they expire so there’s no need to rush out to renew yours if you still have plenty of time — and pages — left on your current passport.
Passports • Electronic Entry Systems • Visas
in this article
Electronic Entry Systems
Passports
Visas
Though it’s a good idea to have plenty of pages at the ready on your passport, the growing use of electronic entry systems and biometrics are also impacting how travelers are processed at international borders, sometimes eliminating stamps altogether. Australia’s SmartGate system and New Zealand’s eGate, for instance, have eliminated passport stamping, as have similar programs in Singapore, Israel, Hong Kong and Macau, as well as some airports in Mexico. Nostalgic travelers who wish to have stamps as mementos of their visit can still request stamps in some locations.
ETA
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), already in place in countries including Australia, New Zealand, and most recently, the United Kingdom is for visitors from visa-exempt countries including the United States. (Canada uses an ETA system as well, but U.S. citizens are exempt.) The nominal fees for an ETA vary by country and applications must be processed in advance, with approval generally received within a matter of days, though there can be exceptions based on your application, so plan accordingly. Once granted, an ETA will be valid for one year in Australia, or two years for ETAs issued for travel to New Zealand or the UK.
EES Coming October 2025
A significant development in the use of electronic entry systems is the upcoming implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) in October 2025, which will be activated in 29 countries in Europe. These include 25 of the 27 countries that comprise the European Union as well as four non-EU nations, together known as the Schengen Area:
Notably, though they are member of the EU, Ireland and Cyprus are not currently slated to utilize EES.
The EES will use biometric data to register travelers as they enter and exit the external border of the Schengen Area — eliminating manual passport stamping. There won’t be anything additional you need to do prior to traveling once it’s activated, but you should be aware that your initial entry will require the collection of biometric data (fingerprints and photo) once the program is in use.
ETIAS Coming Late 2026 Following activation of EES, the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is slated to take effect in late 2026 in the countries listed above using EES with the addition of Cyprus. Unlike EES, the ETIAS is a pre-travel screening system, digitally linked to your passport, that will be an entry requirement for visa-exempt travelers (including Americans) to these countries. Also unlike EES, this will require a little more advance work. Applications can be completed by travelers online or via a mobile app and may be approved in as little time as a few minutes, though it may take longer if more information is requested. The good news is that once approved, the authorization is valid for three years (or until your current passport expires).
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Electronic Entry Systems
A visa is an additional document that must still be accompanied by a passport. The process of obtaining a visa can be far more involved and may even include sending your physical passport along with other required documents in the process like ticket confirmations, itineraries, or even a letter from your host, such as for Americans applying for a Chinese visa. A growing number of countries offer electronic visas (e-visas), a convenient and often faster alternative to the traditional visa. Check to see if the country you’re planning to visit requires a visa and be sure to give yourself plenty of time for processing.
Should you find that you need a visa stat, you have a few options. If there is true urgency, such as an unforeseen circumstance or emergency, you may request an expedited visa though the US Department of State, though approval isn’t guaranteed. However, there are multiple credible external organizations that can facilitate an expedited visa for an additional fee, such as CIBT and RushMyPassport.com. Check with membership organizations like AAA or AARP for exclusive rates on these services, as the additional fees do add up. Still, if your destination is calling and your travel timing flexibility is limited, this is an excellent option that takes out the guesswork and allows you to track the progress of your visa for a more worry-free process.
For more information on traveling internationally, U.S. travelers should visit the U.S. Department of State’s website for up-to-the-minute guidance and resources.
Visas
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Page Requirements
Speaking of pages, frequent travelers likely know that the U.S. Department of State discontinued adding page inserts to valid passports to accommodate extra stamps in 2016. Now, if you run out of blank pages in your passport book, you’ll have to renew the passport altogether, regardless of when it’s due to expire. If you’re an avid traveler and anticipate numerous trips over the course of your next passport’s lifespan (five years when issued to kids up to age 15; ten years for people 16 and older), you may request a larger passport book — 52 pages, rather than the standard 28-page book — when you apply or renew at no extra charge.
Depending on where you plan to go, this option might be worth your passport being a little thicker in your luggage. Requirements for blank pages in your passport vary for travel by country, with some, like Madagascar, requiring at least three pages, and many other popular destinations like Germany, Italy, and Portugal requiring two. If you don’t have the requisite number of blank pages, you may not even be allowed to board your flight.
Expiration Date Limitations
Another key element to pay attention to is the expiration date of your passport relative to your travel dates. Many countries require your passport to be valid for a certain period beyond your planned departure date, simply to account for possible issues that may impact your travel. These requirements vary by destination, from none at all to up to six months. Be sure to check the U.S. Department of State’s “Learn About Your Destination” page to see what the restrictions are for wherever you may be planning to travel to save yourself any surprises.
If your passport has less tread left but you’ve got the itch to travel, Hong Kong and Macau have only a one-month requirement. Or head to Chile, where your passport is only required to be valid for the duration of your stay. But still, it’s advisable to follow the 6-month rule. If you somehow manage to be in possession of a passport that expires abroad, you’ll have to visit a U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for a new one.
To Know
Page Requirements
Speaking of pages, frequent travelers likely know that the U.S. Department of State discontinued adding page inserts to valid passports to accommodate extra stamps in 2016. Now, if you run out of blank pages in your passport book, you’ll have to renew the passport altogether, regardless of when it’s due to expire. If you’re an avid traveler and anticipate numerous trips over the course of your next passport’s lifespan (five years when issued to kids up to age 15; ten years for people 16 and older), you may request a larger passport book — 52 pages, rather than the standard 28-page book — when you apply or renew at no extra charge.
Depending on where you plan to go, this option might be worth your passport being a little thicker in your luggage. Requirements for blank pages in your passport vary for travel by country, with some, like Madagascar, requiring at least three pages, and many other popular destinations like Germany, Italy, and Portugal requiring two. If you don’t have the requisite number of blank pages, you may not even be allowed to board your flight.
Expiration Date Limitations
Another key element to pay attention to is the expiration date of your passport relative to your travel dates. Many countries require your passport to be valid for a certain period beyond your planned departure date, simply to account for possible issues that may impact your travel. These requirements vary by destination, from none at all to up to six months. Be sure to check the U.S. Department of State’s “Learn About Your Destination” page to see what the restrictions are for wherever you may be planning to travel to save yourself any surprises.
If your passport has less tread left but you’ve got the itch to travel, Hong Kong and Macau have only a one-month requirement. Or head to Chile, where your passport is only required to be valid for the duration of your stay. But still, it’s advisable to follow the 6-month rule. If you somehow manage to be in possession of a passport that expires abroad, you’ll have to visit a U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for a new one.
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