There are quite a few travel updates within international travel that are coming up soon or are already being implemented. So, without wasting time, let’s jump into it.

Global Entry

Starting October 1^st, 2024, the Global entry fee/renewal fee is going up from $100 to $120.

Global Entry is a travel enhancement that helps get your through customs quicker for international travel (if the city you’re flying to/from has Global Entry). It also includes TSA-Precheck and is good for five years. For more information on the fee update, visit U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

If you’re seeing this before October 1^st, definitely consider applying now to save $20.

ETIAS 

ETIAS (European Travel Information Authorization System) is a travel authorization being implemented when visiting most countries in Europe, 30 to be exact, for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. It will be linked to your passport for up to 3 years or until the passport expires (whichever comes first). It is set launch in the first half of 2025, possibly in May. The say it’s not a visa but you will have to pay $8 USD to apply and for it cover 3 years. Find out more information on the Travel Europe website.
 

Entry/Exit System (EES)

Europe

While on the topic of Europe, I wanted to share their soon-to-be updated entry and exist system (EES) for non-EU nationals. It will use digital biometrics by collecting your fingerprints and face scan when you enter. It will be connected to your passport and when you leave, all they have to do is scan your face (or ask to scan your finger). Like ETIAS, this will also be good for three years. It is to improve efficiency when going through customs. The only downside for me is that it would take away the need for passport stamps. You may be able to still ask for a stamp, though.  This will be implemented on November 10^th, 2024. For more information on Europe’s EES, visit the Travel Europe website.

Update as of Oct. 12, 2024: According to Reuters, the date of this launch is being pushed back due to IT issues and a new date has yet to be chosen.

Japan

Japan, more specifically Tokyo has a similar system called Face Express. This is a check-in facial recognition system in the Tokyo Airports (Haneda and Narita). The benefit is to avoid having to take out your passport and boarding pass multiple times. There is also a separate line in TSA specifically for people who signed up with Face Express so you get through airport security quicker. At Narita Airport, there is a self-check in kiosk. Japan Airlines’ site has more information on Face Express.

STEP Update

If you’re currently enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts for an upcoming trip out of the country, re-enroll because the system has been updated! You will most likely get an email from the country alerts you have set-up to re-enroll but just in case you missed, re-enroll to make sure you getting alerts moving forward. You can enroll on the U.S. Department of State website.

Prohibited or Restricted Items

Cancun, Mexico

You may have heard this talked about on the news or have seen on social media but recently, Mexico had a change on what can and can’t be brought with you on a flight out of the country. You’re only allowed 1 laptop or tablet. If you bring more than one or even one of each you’ll be fined upwards of $500 when attempting to return to the U.S. Visit Mexico’s Consulate website.
 

Update as of Oct.12, 2024: Governor of Quintana Roo (Cancun) has announced that the multi-electronic rule and fee has been removed. Please see TravelPulse’s post for more information.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean recently added a common helpful travel item to their prohibited items list: a multi-plug outlet. It used to be that you couldn’t bring on power strips/outlets that had a surge protector on it but now it seems it doesn’t matter if it has a surge protector or not.

A lot of people are of courses not happy about this, me included. This is mainly because cruise ship staterooms don’t typically have a lot of outlets, so the multi-plug outlet helps if you have a lot electronics that need to be charged or if your sharing a room with multiple people like your family or friends.

This change is most likely due to safety reasons, but I still hope they find ways to add more outlets to the stateroom.

See Royal Caribbean’s website to know what other items they prohibit.

What updates are you excited about (or which ones surprised you)? Let me know in the comments!