New Domestic and International Travel Requirements in 2025

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• REAL ID Requirement for Domestic Travel:

  • Starting May 7, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will enforce the use of REAL ID for domestic flights and access to some federal facilities.
  • U.S. travelers must update their identification to a REAL ID-compliant card to board domestic flights.

• Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for the UK:

  • Beginning January 8, 2025, travelers to the UK, including U.S. and European visitors, will need to register for an ETA.
  • The ETA costs approximately $13, is valid for two years, and allows multiple entries into the UK.
  • The ETA is not a visa and does not replace any existing visa requirements.
  • Travelers can apply for the ETA via the UK government’s website or the ETA app.

• European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS):

  • Expected to launch in May 2025 (after multiple delays).
  • U.S. passport holders must apply for ETIAS authorization to travel to participating EU countries for short-term stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period).
  • The ETIAS is valid for three years or until the associated passport expires.
  • Travelers must reapply for ETIAS if their passport expires before the ETIAS authorization ends.

• New Airline Passenger Protections:

  • Federal regulations now ensure automatic refunds for canceled or significantly delayed flights if the passenger opts out of a rebooking.
  • Key traveler rights include:
    • Refunds for delayed bags: over 12 hours for domestic and 15–30 hours for international flights.
    • Refunds for nonfunctional ancillary services (e.g., WiFi).
    • 24/7 live customer service support from airlines.
  • Significant delays are now clearly defined across airlines for consistency.