Passport control - Read the rules

Israel beats Europe with new travel regulations.

Starting 1 August, foreign passport holders travelling to Israel must apply for a mandatory ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization), valid for two years or until the passport expires, with applications processed within 72 hours.  The cost is 25NIS or just over £5 sterling.

That is the good news but it is no surprise to find that the EU’s new Entry-Exit System (EES) has once again been delayed – and is now set to be introduced in November, a month after the previously announced October rollout.

EES has already suffered a series of delays, which has also put back the introduction of the related European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) for non-EU visitors until mid-2025.

EES is essentially a biometric system for registering travellers from non-EU countries, including the UK, when they cross the EU’s external border. It will apply to both short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt travellers.  How this applies to cruise ships on day visits remains to be seen.  Some ports are very relaxed at the present time (Scandinavia), but others less so (France).

EES needs to be introduced before the EU can launch ETIAS, which will require visitors from third countries to pay a €7 fee for an electronic authorisation that lasts for up to three years.

With Eurostar the cross-border rail operator is working to install some 50 electronic kiosks at St Pancras station in London ahead of the EES launch.

A new standard British passport costs £88.50 and one should allow for three weeks by post although it can take longer if they need to interview you.

In an emergency there are passport offices in Belfast, Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Newport and Peterborough.  The London office is now located at Warehouse K, 2 Western Gateway just a short walk from Custom House station.  Visit by appointment only.  The cost is from £207.50.

www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently

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