The rules are changing when it comes to international travel vidas. Do Americans need visas to visit Europe? Do Europeans need visas to visit America? Who needs a visa to visit the United Kingdom? Here’s what you need to know.
Updated February 2026
European Travel Visas
What is the ETIAS Visa?
In 2024, the European Union announced the launch of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) in conjunction with a new passport stamp-free, all-digital European Entry/Exit System (EES). Once the EES launches, the ETIAS program will go into effect, requiring an application process for a number of foreign travelers. Both the ETIAS and the United Kingdom’s ETA are travel permissions, not visas, and do not replace the current short-stay visa-exempt tourist agreements in place.
What Does This Mean for American Travelers?
As of October 2025, American travelers going to Europe will enter the EU via the EES. This means that fingerprints, passport information, facial image, and entry and departure dates will be recorded upon entry. This portion of the EES system is free and does not require further action on behalf of the traveler.
When Will ETIAS Start?
Great question. At publishing, the ETIAS process is expected to start in late 2026. At that point, Americans will then need to fill out an online application prior to traveling to any one of these 30 countries or the United Kingdom for a fee of €20. An approval (or denial) email will then be sent to the applicant. Read on for more about the ETIAS application process.
If you’re from one of the dozens of other visa-exempt nations like the US, including the UK, Australia, Canada, Mexico or Brazil, you’ll also need an ETIAS permission to enter Europe. Check your country’s status here.
The Good News About the ETIAS System
Once you have your ETIAS travel authorisation, it’s good for three years or until the travel document you used to apply (likely your passport) expires. That means you only have to apply once every three years, maximum, which is handy if you travel back and forth frequently. The best news, and most important, is that the ETIAS system is designed to streamline border controls and keep everyone safe and accounted for.
How Soon Should I Apply for Travel Authorization?
The EU recommends you apply for your ETIAS “well in advance of your planned journey,” but doesn’t get more specific. Most applications will be processed within minutes but some decisions may take up to four days. If you’re invited to an interview or have your application denied and would like to appeal, you’ll need to allow time for that process.
Where Can I Go With My ETIAS Approval?
Now for the fun part. The ETIAS travel permission grants access to 30 stunning European destinations (Pssst, you actually don’t need the ETIAS to visit Ireland or Malta!) Otherwise, you can ferry hop in the Baltics, hit the slopes in the Dolomites, and soak up Spain’s sunny Mediterranean skies at your leisure with your ETIAS at hand. Plus, at the stroke of midnight this year, Romania and Bulgaria joined the EU’s borderless Schengen Zone, making it easier than ever to explore these delightful Eastern European destinations.
Travel Permissions for the UK
What is the ETA Program?
The United Kingdom requires most travelers, including Americans, to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to travel. Irish citizens and legal residents of the UK and Ireland are exempt from applying for ETAs. Check to see if you need an ETA here.
Similar to the ETIAS, this is a one-time permission good for several years once approved. The UK ETA app is now live, making the process “quick and simple. Most applicants currently get an automatic decision in minutes when applying,” according to the official government website. The cost for an ETA is £16.
Visas for Travel to America
What is ESTA & Who Needs It?
Citizens of dozens of visa waiver program countries are permitted to visit the United States for a period of up to 90 days with a valid passport and an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Technically speaking, ESTA is not a visa. This program and the EES system are reciprocal protocals between US and EU nations, respectively. The ESTA application costs $40.27.
The Visa Integrity Fee
If you’re not a VWP citizen, you’ll need to apply for a nonimmagrant visa depending on the nature of your visit. Each of these visas has a specific fee. A new Visa Integrity Fee was announced in 2025 as part of updated immigration policies, which would require an addition $250 fee to be paid in addition to the individual visa fee. At publishing, implementation of the Visa Integrity Fee remains unclear.
Do I Need a Visa to Attend the 2026 World Cup?
Whether or not you need a visa to attend one of the 2026 World Cup games in the United States depends on which category you fall into from the above information as either a VWP citizen or a nonimmigrant visa applicant.
