AMERICANS won’t be able to travel abroad to select countries if they don’t have a particular document by the time they leave.
Not only are passports required for US citizens to travel abroad, but they will also need a newly required travel authorization to enter specific countries.
GettyNew travel restrictions could delay your next trip abroad[/caption] GettyThe required travel authorization will be digitally linked to your passport[/caption]Visitors from the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand will need a new travel authorization to enter the United Kingdom.
The Electronic Travel Authorization came into effect on January 8 and is required even for travelers who are just passing through the country.
Travelers can apply online through the UK government’s official website or the UK ETA app.
According to the app, most applicants will receive a decision in hours, but it can take as long as three days.
The government did note that it may take longer than three days, so it’s better to apply sooner rather than later.
The ETA is valid for two years and costs a £16 application fee.
American citizens who have dual UK citizenship or who already have a visa to visit the country don’t need to worry about applying for the ETA.
EUROPEAN CHANGES
As of now, travelers aren’t required to have authorization to enter Europe; however, that will also change relatively soon.
In 2026, Americans must apply for the European Travel Information and Authorization Systems.
The long-awaited ETIAS was originally meant to be enforced in 2025, but now officials are saying it will be implemented in mid- to late 2026.
The ETIAS will operate similarly to the ETA.
Travelers can apply online and then receive an email stating whether the authorization was successful.
The authorization will be digitally linked to your passport and will expire after three years, or until your passport expires if that comes first.
Americans planning on traveling to both the UK and Europe will need to apply for the ETA and ETIAS once the ETIAS rolls out.
DOMESTIC CHANGES
Big travel changes are happening domestically, too.
New automatic refunds for flyers
Passengers of any airline will now get automatic cash refunds for canceled or significantly delayed flights.
The new rule by the Department of Transportation requires airlines to automatically refund passengers is their flight is canceled or delayed by more than three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.
The refunds are applied if travelers “do not accept the significantly changed flight, rebooking on an alternative flight, or alternative compensation,” the DOT said.
Passengers will also get automatic refunds if they have significantly delayed baggage returns or if ancillary services aren’t provided.
If the customer bought their ticket on a credit card, the refunds are set to come within seven business days.
Passengers who bought their tickets with another form of payment will get their money back within 20 calendar days.
As of May 7, all Americans must have a Real ID to travel within the United States.
Americans are frantically rushing to the DMV to change their licenses to a Real ID to prevent any delays at the airport.
Applying for the Real ID varies by state, but all applicants can start online by providing their information and social security number.
After applying, citizens may need to visit a DMV to verify their identity and answer a few questions.
Only Americans over the age of 18 will need to show a Real ID or use a passport while traveling domestically.
A star inside a circle in the upper right corner of the document will confirm that the ID is a Real ID.
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