Heightened tensions with Iran prompt advisories elsewhere in the world

Increased tensions between Iran and the United States following the American airstrike that killed Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani has prompted a series of new advisories and Twitter updates from the U.S. State Department for multiple areas in the Middle East and beyond. U.S. citizens have been advised to suspend travel to Iran and Iraq. Newly issued advice urging travelers to exercise increased caution due to heighten tensions applies to countries including Bahrain, Burkina Faso, Georgia, India, Italy, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mali, Morocco, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, and United Arab Emirates.

Travelers can stay abreast of the latest travel advisory updates by following the U.S. State Department’s Twitter feed at https://twitter.com/travelgov?lang=en.  The State Department also offers a convenient quick glance overview of current advisories on its map at https://travelmaps.state.gov/TSGMap/. Links to full advisory details can be found at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

International travel documents: what you need to know for 2020

There are several important updates regarding documentation requirements that travelers should be aware of as 2020 gets underway.

Real ID: The final implementation date for Real ID is quickly approaching. Citizens who plan to fly domestically in the United States starting this fall will need to have a REAL ID compliant form of identification by Oct. 1, 2020. Valid identification includes a compliant state issued driver’s license or ID, Passport, DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST), U.S. Department of Defense ID or a handful of other specific government-issued documents.

As most travelers currently rely on their driver’s license or state-issued ID card for air travel, it is important to verify that you have a REAL ID compliant version of this documentation. Look for a gold star on it. While most states are now issuing REAL ID compliant identification, applicants should note that many still also offer the option of getting a traditional license or ID, which is typically cheaper and doesn’t require as much documentation. However, these will not be accepted by TSA agents for travel after Oct. 1, 2020.  Newly issued traditional ID cards with have “Not for Federal Purposes” printed on them.  If you still need to obtain Real ID compliant identification, you should apply early to avoid delays. Check with your local department of motor vehicles for additional information.

Global Entry: U.S. Customs and Border Patrol said that its backlog for Global Entry renewals has grown to 350,000 applications. Thus, the CBP has said that those who have submitted their renewal request before it expired and are still waiting for final approval will now have a full year of extended benefits while the application is still being processed. For travelers who are applying for Global Entry for the first time, or for those who let their original membership expire before filling a renewal application, it is recommended that you submit your request at least six months in advance.

ETIAS: Later this year, U.S. citizens will need to begin applying for a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) approval for travel to any of the 26 Schengen zone countries starting Jan. 1 2021. The ETIAS is similar to the ESTA program launched in the United States in 2010. To apply, U.S. citizens will need to provide some basic information and must have a valid passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended stay. A small fee applies. Once approved, an ETIS is valid for three years or when the holder’s passport expires, whichever is first and is valid for stays 90 days or less. For more information on ETIAS, please visit https://www.etias.us/etias-us-citizens/.