TODAY'S DESK · NOVEMBER 9, 2026
Entry rules, verified, before you book.
What changed, who it affects and when it takes effect. Every rule is stamped with the date we last checked it and links to the government page it came from.
ALERT ETIAS is not in operation. The EU isn't taking applications and has set no start date. Any website charging you for an "ETIAS" today is not official. Read the brief →
Status board
ALL TRACKERS →EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
Fully operational since April 10, 2026. Fingerprints and a facial image are taken at your first crossing.
Not in operationEU ETIAS travel authorization
No start date. The EU says it will announce one several months ahead. Planned fee: €20. Don't pay any website for an ETIAS now.
Live · £20UK Electronic Travel Authorisation
Required for most visa-exempt visitors, including EU citizens (Irish citizens exempt).
Live · $40.62US ESTA
For Visa Waiver Program citizens. Fee changes each year with inflation.
Live · CAN$7Canada eTA
For visa-exempt air travelers, except US citizens.
Live · AUD 20 / freeAustralia ETA / eVisitor
ETA through the Australian ETA app; eVisitor free for European passports.
Rule changes
NEWEST FIRSTUNITED STATES
US ESTA fee rises to $40.62
An annual inflation adjustment under the 2025 budget law (H.R. 1) lifts the approved-ESTA fee from $40.27 to $40.62, and the fee for a denied application to $10.62. ESTAs approved earlier stay valid.
SOURCE: DHS notice in the Federal Register, Oct 1, 2026 (91 FR 62534)
SCHENGEN AREA
EU Entry/Exit System is fully operational
After a phased start on Oct 12, 2025, the EES now registers every non-EU short-stay visitor at the external borders of 29 European countries: name, travel-document data, fingerprints and a facial image, plus each entry and exit. It replaces passport stamping.
SOURCE: European Commission
UNITED KINGDOM
UK ETA now costs £20
The UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation fee rose from £16 to £20. GOV.UK now lists the cost as £20 per person, including children.
SOURCE: GOV.UK
UNITED STATES
ESTA fee adjusted to $40.27
The first annual inflation adjustment took the ESTA fee from $40 to $40.27.
SOURCE: Official ESTA site (CBP)
SCHENGEN AREA
EES phased launch begins
The European Commission set Oct 12, 2025 as the start of the Entry/Exit System's progressive rollout at Schengen external borders.
SOURCE: European Commission
UNITED STATES
ESTA fee nearly doubles to $40
The ESTA fee rose from $21 to $40 under the 2025 budget law (H.R. 1).
SOURCE: Official ESTA site (CBP)