All these new travel requirements, all these anagrams starting with an ‘E’! Things are getting a little confusing. Here’s our breakdown to help you understand the difference.
ETIAS, ESTA and ETA are pre-travel checks to make sure you’re allowed to enter the country; EES tracks when and where you enter and leave once you’re there.
At a glance
| ETIAS | EES | ETA | ESTA | |
| Region | Schengen area* | Schengen area* | Various, including UK & Canada | USA |
| Who it affects | Visa-free travelers to Schengen | All non-EU travelers to Schengen | Visa-free travelers to ETA countries | Visa-free travelers to the USA |
| What it’s for | Pre-screen travelers for security | Record entry/exit digitally | Pre-screen travelers for security | Determines eligibility for someone to visit the USA |
| When is it done | Before travel | On entering the country | Before travel | Before travel |
IMPORTANT: Note that none of these is a visa. If you require a visa for travel, you will still need to apply for one before you can proceed.
*Schengen: The Schengen Area includes 26 countries that have no internal border checks between them. It covers most EU countries and a few non-EU ones, such as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
ETA for UK – ACTIVE FROM 08 JANUARY 2025
- Stands for: Electronic Travel Authorisation
- Countries covered: United Kingdom (note that other countries, like Canada, also have ETAs).
- In a nutshell: ETA is a like “visa waiver” and is done BEFORE you can travel. For security reasons, it screens travellers who don’t need visas to enter the UK – much like the ETIAS (see below).
- How long is it valid: An approved ETA will allow you to stay in the UK for up to 6 months. It will be valid for 2 years. You will be allowed to make multiple entries during that period.
- Who does it affect: People visiting the United Kingdom without a visa, including those from the USA, Europe, Australia and Canada. If you require a visa to enter the UK, you will still need a visa but you won’t need an ETA too.
- Do I need to pay something: Yes, there is a fee (info at link below).
- When does it start: 08 January 2025. From 02 April 2025, EU citizens will need one.
- More information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta
(Note that other countries also have ETAs so ensure you research if your destination requires one.)
How will it work:
- Apply: A few days before your journey, you apply for the ETA. It is estimated that it will take 72 hours for approval, but could take longer, so allow enough time.
- Pay: You will need to pay a fee before the process can continue.
- Travel: Once you have an approved ETA, you can travel.
ETIAS for Schengen
- Stands for: European Travel Information and Authorisation System
- Countries covered: Countries in the Schengen Area. (Note that other countries, such as Ireland, Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia may join later.)
- In a nutshell: ETIAS is something you do BEFORE you travel. It is to check if you’re allowed to enter the country to which you’re travelling – like a pre-approval. It checks things like criminal record or a history of overstaying. Once you’re approved, you can visit the countries that are part of the system without having to do paperwork at the border. It is not a visa.
- How long is it valid: The ESTIA covers short stays (up to 90 days in a 180-day period). Once approved, your ESTIA will be valid for up to 3 years OR your passport expires, whichever comes first.
- What is the purpose: To screen people before arrival to improve security and ensure they’re allowed to enter.
- Who does it affect: People from visa-exempt countries travelling to the Schengen area, such as the USA, Canada, Australia, and the UK.
- Do I need to pay something: Yes, there will be a small fee for most people.
- When does it start: It is not yet confirmed but is likely to be mid- to end-2025.
- More information: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en
How will it work:
- Apply: You will apply online before you travel.
- Approval: You then need to wait for approval. If you are approved, you may visit the countries in the ETIAS system (Schengen area).
- Linked: The ETIAS is linked to your passport and is valid for 3 months or until your passport expires.
EES for Schengen
- Stands for: Entry and Exit System
- Countries covered: Schengen areas (same as ETIAS)
- In a nutshell: EES is something you do when you enter a country – like a passport stamp, but digital. It’s an automated electronic way to help countries keep track of who is coming into and leaving them, like clocking in at work. The idea is to try and reduce people who overstay their visa allowances.
- How long is it valid: The EES only tracks your movements, so there’s no validity as such.
- Who does it affect: All non-EU citizens, whether you have a Schengen visa or are visa-exempt. This includes people with a British passport.
- Do I need to pay something: At this stage, there is no cost; it’s just an automated way to keep track of people entering a country.
- When does it start: It was supposed to start in November 2024, but has been postponed. It is currently estimated to go live some time in 2025.
- More information: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en
How will it work:
- Passport: You arrive at the border of a European country and scan your passport.
- Details: The EES will record passport type, number, and biometric information (fingerprints, facial scans), and the date and time you entered the country.
- Tracking: The system now knows when you arrived and when you leave, so it can track how long you were there. If you stay too long, the EES will notice and alert border officers.
Note that, when it is first implemented, EES is likely to cause delays at borders, so calculate this into your travel plans.
ESTA for USA
- Stands for: Electronic System for Travel Authorization
- Countries covered: United States of America
- In a nutshell: ESTA checks your eligibility to travel to the United States if you are a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) country or other eligible national. It is not a visa and it does not determine or guarantee whether you can actually enter the USA – this is done by US Customs and Border Protection officers.
- How long is it valid: It is for people visiting the USA for 90 days or less, and an approved ESTA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, you change your name or gender, your country of citizenship changes, or your responses to any of the questions on the ESTA application have changed.
- Who does it affect: Citizens or eligible nationals of a Visa Waiver Program country visiting for 90 days or less. If you require a visa to enter the USA, you will still need a visa.
- Do I need to pay something: Yes, there is a fee.
- When does it start: It has been in place since 2008.
- More information: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta
PLEASE NOTE: the above is a quick guide to assist you in understanding these terms. The information is correct at time of writing (08 January 2025) but is subject to change at any time. This is not an exhaustive list. Other countries not mentioned may also have their own systems so ALWAYS check what the requirements are to travel to any country.
British TIPS cannot be responsible for travellers denied entry due to legal requirements not having been met. Note that, even if there is a validity period, this can be rescinded by the country due to non-compliance.
