Find out what’s new with visas and travel regulations and incorporate them into your travel programmes.
Travel to Europe
The launch of the EU’s much-delayed Entry-Exit System (EES) will take place on 10 November.
Nationals from outside the European Union will have to go through an EES when travelling to the EU member states.
This will be an automated IT system for registering travellers from third countries (outside of the EU or Schengen Zone), each time they cross an EU external border.
The systems will capture biometric data. This includes fingerprints and facial images and register names, place and date of entry and exit. And they will also monitor if the traveller is staying within the rules of the Schengen visa entry and exit rules. Non-EU passport holders can only stay 90 days within 180 in the Schengen area. Longer stays will require different visas depending on where they are travelling to and from.
ETIAS
The delay of the EES had also pushed back the introduction of the European Travel and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is now expected to be rolled out in the first half of 2025.
Travel to the UK
Nationals from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia can now apply for the UK’s ETA scheme. Qatari nationals have been eligible to apply since October 2023. Other nationals will be onboarded to the scheme throughout 2024. Check here to keep updated.
Travel to Brazil
Brazil has postponed the requirement for entry visas for passport holders from the US, Australia and Canada until 10 April 2025.
Travel to Thailand
Thailand has extended its visa exemption for UK visitors to 60 days. The new visa extension of 60 days also includes an option to further lengthen visitors’ stays to 90 days.
Travel to Honduras
From August 2024, British nationals will require a visa to enter Honduras.
Digital nomad visa updates
Digital nomad visas to Thailand, South Korea and Japan are now available, while Taiwan is set to introduce one soon.
