The BIG Travel Advisories You Need To Know

Travel

Oct 2

Written By Andrea | Good Midlife Travels

travel advisory, passport tips, good travel tips

2025 Has Jetted in major, BIG, ‘DO Not Pass TSA’, travel Advisories!

If you’re traveling internationally or needing a new passport soon, take 2-minutes {pink button #1} or 11-minutes {pink button #2} to watch these videos or take a read of this 3-minute blog post for travel advisory updates.

4 Travel Advisories

All The Passport Goods

1 👉🏼 This travel advisory went into affect on January 8, 2025

The ETA {Electronic Travel Authorization} must be applied and paid before entering the UK {England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland}.

A lot more travelers want to explore our big ball of awesomeness and it’s starting to take it’s tole. Literally now taking a tole-tax on our wallets.

The ETA is attached to your passport and you must have it to enter England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Also, if you even pass through customs in London to another country you need to have the ETA.

Only go through their OFFICIAL WEBSITE or app for all the details prior to your trip.

With all of these new authorizations many websites are trying to cash in and charge a hefty fee for 5-minutes worth of work.

What to know for the ETA::

Apply on the official website / app
Apply in advance of your trip {give at least 3-days}
Have your passport with you {not a copy}
A way to pay the fee £16 {about $21 USD} + good email address
Good for 2-years {unless your passport expires sooner}

Travel Advisory 2 & 3 👉🏼 EES & ETIAS for European countries

The EES is the European Union’s Entry/Exit System.

The EES begins October 12, 2025 and the ETIAS is slated to begin in late 2026.

No application or fees YET, but it will be jetting our to travelers soon.

With the EES is a new automated system rolling out through 29 Schengen European Union countries. The days of stamped passports are vanishing like my sweet tea on a hot summer day.😞 I’m going to miss my stamps.

Non-EU citizens will be identified by fingerprints and facial recognition, along with travel documentation before being allowed into one of the 29 countries for a short stay {90 days or less}

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ETIAS👉🏼 What To Know::

Following the complete implementation of the EES, the ETIAS will begin {late 2026}.

Apply for the ETIAS {use the official website/app only}
Apply a month in advance {to keep stress-levels low}
Have Your Passport with you {need an email too}
Pay the fee online {20 EURO, about $23 USD}
Valid for 3 years {or until passport expires - whichever comes first}

The ETIAS {European Travel Information and Authorization System} is the first step into allowing you entrance into the European Union countries.

Many visitors will receive an authorization quickly, but there’s a chance that additional documentation will be requested, and for that reason apply well in advance to be sure you get approved before you take flight {or set sail} over the friendly seas.

And #4 👉🏼 Real ID

The Real ID is used for US residents flying domestically and started May 7, 2025.

I know how we all love visiting the DMV, but you need a new drivers license to be compliant {or fly with your passport around the states}.

What To Know For The Real ID::

Real ID is for the state residents with a driver’s license
Each state has its version of Real ID or “Enhanced Driver License”
Most states have a STAR ⭐️ in the upper right corner
If you don’t have a Real ID you’ll need your passport to fly within the US
Look up your state’s requirements for the documents to bring to the DMV

If you DO NOT HAVE a Real ID it will say, “Federal Limits Apply”

Travel Advisories For Efficient {Safer} Travels

A few extra hurdles to jump through starting this year, so be sure to plan ahead so you’re not the one waving goodbye to all your friends/family as they board the flight to Naples, Venice, Spain or France without you. 😫

Countries are wanting to see, control, and track how many tourists are come through their borders and cut down on terrorist activities.

I’ve also noticed how much FASTER it is to go through customs today with the new technology. We got through Venice customs in under 12 minutes last trip!

P.S. Living in the United States I write mostly about international travel over the big blue waters away from the U.S. But in case the U.S. is international travel for you… We have travel authorizations too.

No one is exempt from travel hoop jumping today😊

If you’re reading this from outside the United States, this one’s for you…

The U.S. has ESTA {Electronic System for Travel Authorization}.

Need to apply for ESTA?

General ‘Know Before You Visit’ the U.S.