Published on
December 29, 2025
Cyprus has now joined Malta, Iceland, St. Kitts, and South Korea in unveiling drastic new border security rules set to roll out in 2026. These nations are introducing digital travel authorizations, mandatory biometric checks, and strict penalties for non-compliance, ushering in a new era of travel chaos across the globe. Visitors to these countries will face pre‑travel applications, where they must submit fingerprints, facial scans, and passport information before even boarding their flights. With the introduction of systems like ETIAS and K-ETA, travelers will need approval from local governments before entry, making previously simple trips more cumbersome and time-consuming. Non-compliance will come with hefty fines or even denied entry, leading to widespread disruptions in tourism and travel schedules. As nations race to implement these systems, the future of global travel seems increasingly tangled in red tape. With these new restrictions affecting popular destinations, tourists need to act quickly to secure their entry permissions or risk being left stranded. Prepare for a chaotic shift in how we travel, as island nations take security to a new, extreme level!
Europe’s border controls are being modernised through the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The EES is an automated IT system that registers non‑European Union (EU) nationals when they cross external EU borders. It began operation on 12 October 2025, with phased deployment leading to full implementation by 10 April 2026[1]. When fully operational, the EES will replace passport stamping and record the date, time and place of entry and exit. The system collects fingerprints and facial images and automatically calculates how long a traveller has stayed within the Schengen area, which limits short stays to 90 days in any 180‑day period[2]. Countries participating in the EES include island members of the EU such as Cyprus, Malta and Iceland[3].
On top of the EES, the EU will introduce ETIAS, a digital travel authorisation for visitors from visa‑exempt nations, such as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The official EU portal explains that ETIAS will start operating in the last quarter of 2026, and no action is required until then[4]. Once launched, travellers will need to complete an online application providing personal data, travel history and security information; approval is expected to be swift for most applicants. An ETIAS authorisation will be valid for three years or until the passport expires and will permit multiple entries. The system will cover 30 European countries, including Malta, Cyprus and Iceland[5]. Although the fee is modest (the EU has announced a €20 charge), carriers will be legally obliged to verify that passengers have an approved ETIAS before boarding.[6]
These twin systems represent the most significant change to European island border management in decades. Travellers to Malta’s beaches or Iceland’s volcanic landscapes in 2026 will notice new biometric kiosks and digital authorisation checks. By automating exit and entry records, the EES aims to detect overstays and improve security, while ETIAS will allow authorities to screen visitors before they depart for Europe. Citizens of EU/EEA member states and those holding residence permits are exempt; however, most non‑EU visitors should expect to complete the ETIAS form and have their biometric data captured at the border.
The United Kingdom is rolling out its own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which will become mandatory for travellers from visa‑exempt countries. According to a UK Home Office factsheet, from 25 February 2026 visitors without an ETA will not be allowed to board their transport to the UK[7]. An ETA costs £16 and is valid for multiple journeys, allowing stays of up to six months over a two‑year period[8]. Applications must be submitted via an official app or website, and the government recommends applying at least three working days before departure[9].
While the ETA initially covers mainland Britain, it will extend to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man—Crown Dependencies that are not part of the UK but share the same border regime. The Government of Jersey notes that ETAs will be required for travel to Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man “from early 2026,” with travellers arriving before the introduction exempt[10]. Visitors transiting through the UK already need an ETA; direct arrivals to the islands will require one once the system goes live. Ports of Jersey further confirm that ETAs will be introduced from late 2025 or early 2026, and travellers flying directly to Jersey before that date do not need an ETA[11].
The British government argues that the ETA will strengthen border security by allowing authorities to refuse individuals with security or immigration concerns before they travel. Carriers will have to check that passengers possess valid authorisations, mirroring the EU’s approach. The expansion to the islands underscores a broader trend: even small jurisdictions are embracing digital pre‑clearance as a prerequisite for entry.
The Federation of St Kitts and Nevis, a twin‑island Caribbean nation, launched an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) on 26 May 2025. This official programme continues into 2026 and beyond. According to the government announcement, all foreign visitors must hold an approved eTA prior to departure; the eTA application can be completed through the e‑Border mobile app or website[12]. The eTA screens travellers against watchlists before they arrive, supporting national security and ensuring that visitors do not pose health or criminal risks.
The eTA fee is discounted at US$8.50 until 1 September 2025, after which it becomes US$17[12]. It is valid for stays of up to 90 days or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Travellers are advised to apply up to 90 days before their trip to allow for processing. Citizens and residents of St Kitts and Nevis, as well as nationals of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and holders of CARICOM Diplomatic or Service Passports, are exempt from the eTA requirement. By shifting border vetting to the pre‑arrival phase, St Kitts and Nevis aims to streamline arrivals at its airports while safeguarding public safety.
In the Pacific Ocean, two U.S. territories—Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)—have adopted a similar digital pre‑screening mechanism. The official Guam Visitors Bureau states that as of 29 November 2024, travellers entering under the Guam–CNMI Visa Waiver Program must apply digitally using the G‑CNMI Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)[13]. Although launched in 2024, the requirement will be fully enforced in 2026 and is expected to remain a fixture thereafter. The ETA must be obtained online before departure, and travellers will not receive a traditional paper arrival record. This system enhances border security by vetting travellers before they set foot on the islands.
South Korea may not be an island country, but it comprises the autonomous island of Jeju, a popular visa‑free destination. The Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K‑ETA), launched in 2021, currently allows citizens of visa‑exempt countries to visit South Korea without a visa. However, the U.S. travel advisory notes that the K‑ETA exemption for U.S. passport holders has been extended only through 31 December 2025, after which visitors must obtain a K‑ETA[14]. Starting 1 January 2026, travellers to South Korea—including those heading to Jeju—will need to apply for a K‑ETA prior to travel. Applications are submitted online, and the authorisation is valid for two years, permitting multiple entries. The K‑ETA includes a security questionnaire and a small fee, ensuring that travellers meet South Korean entry requirements before boarding.
While many island nations are tightening controls, some have rolled back proposed measures. The Sri Lankan Department of Immigration and Emigration announced on 13 October 2025 that a plan to require Electronic Travel Authorizations for all short‑stay visitors had been revoked and that visa procedures would continue as before[15]. Thus, Sri Lanka will not introduce new border restrictions in 2026. Similarly, no official announcements indicate that island nations such as Mauritius, Seychelles or Fiji will introduce electronic travel authorisations in 2026; existing visa or eTA regimes remain unchanged.
Another island worth noting is Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory. The Bermuda London Office has issued guidance on the EU’s EES and ETIAS, advising residents and travellers that they will need to comply with these systems when visiting Europe[6]. However, Bermuda itself has not announced new entry requirements for visitors.
The wave of digital border security measures underscores a broader trend: islands are leveraging technology to balance tourism and security. The adoption of pre‑travel authorisations allows authorities to screen travellers against databases and assess health, security and immigration risks before they embark. For travellers, the changes mean planning ahead—applications must often be submitted days or weeks in advance, and failure to obtain approval may result in being denied boarding.
On the positive side, digitising border processes can reduce queues at immigration counters, as biometric kiosks replace manual passport stamping. Frequent travellers benefit from multi‑year validity of authorisations like ETIAS, ETA and K‑ETA. The relatively low cost of these authorisations—ranging from €20 for ETIAS to £16 for the UK ETA—suggests that governments aim to fund border infrastructure rather than raise revenue.
Yet there are concerns: privacy advocates question the collection and storage of biometric data, and travellers may be deterred by added bureaucracy. Countries must invest in robust cybersecurity and ensure that these systems do not discriminate. Moreover, consistent public communication is vital; unclear implementation timelines (such as “last quarter of 2026” for ETIAS) can lead to confusion among travellers and carriers.
From the sparkling beaches of Malta to the rugged landscapes of Iceland and the Caribbean charm of St Kitts and Nevis, island destinations are preparing for a new era of border security. The rollout of the EES and ETIAS across Europe, the UK’s ETA expansion to Crown Dependencies, the Caribbean’s embrace of digital permits, and the enforcement of the K‑ETA in South Korea all point to a world where travellers must secure electronic authorisations before they set foot on island shores. Although these changes require extra planning, they promise more efficient borders and improved security. Tourists venturing to island paradises in 2026 should familiarise themselves with these requirements to ensure a smooth and trouble‑free journey.
