You can search for |
Here we explain acronyms and words like API, ESTA, eTA, Schengen, etc.
Links for further information or applications are included in blue where needed. For information on destinations entry requirements check out our Travel document guide.
API is a requirement set by the UK and Canada to gather specific information about passengers prior to their arrival. This information is found on the bio-data page of your passport and is typically collected during the check-in process.
- Please click here for furtherinformation on API to the UK.
- Please click here for furtherinformation on API to Canada.
APIS is a requirement set by the United States for obtaining certain details about passengers before they fly into the country. The required information typically includes an emergency contact, phone number, email address, and the address of your stay in the United States.
We kindly ask passengers who are traveling to and from the United States to provide and update their APIS information via Manage booking if they haven't already done so during the booking process.
A Canadian Travel Number (CTN) is a unique number given to travelers whose names are similar to those on Canada's "No Fly List," part of the Secure Air Travel Act (SATA). Having a CTN helps prevent unnecessary delays at the airport by distinguishing these travelers from those on the list, specifically when flying to, from, or within Canada.
It's important to note, however, that a CTN is not a mandatory travel document and is only for avoiding SATA-related delays. It won't help with other travel issues like expired or incorrect travel documents, immigration matters, or amendments to travel records.
The Department of Homeland Security's Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) is a service to help travelers resolve issues they may encounter when traveling to, from, or within the United States. This includes problems like being unable to print a boarding pass, being denied or delayed boarding, being referred for secondary screening at customs, needing to correct fingerprint records, amending a traveler record for overstaying, or being incorrectly denied ESTA.
If you face any of these issues, you can apply to DHS TRIP for assistance. Once your case has been reviewed and closed, you may be assigned a Redress Control Number. This number helps track your inquiry and ensures proper handling of your case.
- Further information about DHS TRIP
An Electronic Travel Authorization, or eTA, is an essential requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling to Canada by air. It's an authorization that's electronically tied to your passport, staying valid for as long as five years or until your passport expires – whichever happens first. Should you get a new passport, you'll also need to obtain a new eTA.
With an eTA, you're free to visit Canada as frequently as you'd like for brief trips, usually up to six months at a time. Travelers will need an eTA before they can board their flight to Canada. Eligible travelers can apply online.
Further information on visa requirements and visa exemptions can be found on the Canadian Government's entry requirements page.
An ETA, short for Electronic Travel Authorization, will soon be a requirement for people who don't need a visa to enter the UK. It will be electronically linked to passengers passports and gives them permission to travel to the UK. Each traveler will need their own ETA, including children and babies. It will cost 10 GBP per applicant.
Passengers will need to apply for an ETA to:
- stay in the UK for up to 6 months to travel, visit family and friends, for business or study.
- stay in the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative worker visa concession.
- transit through the UK, even if they are not going through UK border control.
Who will need an ETA and when?
- Nationals of Qatar traveling to the UK on or after November 15 2023 will need to apply. Applications open on October 25 2023.
- Nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates travelling to the UK on or after February 22 2024 will need to apply for an ETA. Applications will open on February 1 2024
- Other nationalities will be added to the scheme later, dates are yet to be announced.
When applications open they will be accepted through the UK ETA app or on the UK government website. The passport used for travel must be the passport you apply with as the ETA and your passport are electronically linked.
Applications should be answered via email within 3 working days but might take longer if further checks are needed. The ETA will be valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and can be used for multiple visits to the UK.
ESTA is an electronic travel authorization to the United States for citizens of countries that are exempt from visa requirements. It is intended for passengers who:
Travel for work or leisure
Do not have a valid visa for the country
Stay less than three months
The authorization is valid for two years or until the passport associated with it expires, whichever happens first. You will need to apply for a new ESTA if the registered name, gender, or nationality in your passport changes. Reviewing applications can take up to 72 hours, so passengers are encouraged to apply well in advance.
Due to a directive from the US authorities, passengers from Visa Waiver Program countries canexpect to be denied passageif they have neither a valid ESTA authorization nor a visa presented prior to departure. Violations are subject to penalties and other by-laws.
ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications are collected at this point.
As of 2024 ETIAS travel authorization will be an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals traveling to the Schengen states in addition to Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania. ETIAS is linked to a travelers passport and is valid for up to 3 years or until the passport expires.
With a valid ETIAS authorization, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays, normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You can apply either through the official ETIAS website or the ETIAS app. A fee will be charged for the application though some exemptions do apply.
It is recommended that you:
- Apply for ETIAS well in advance, before booking a ticket or accommodation
- Double check that the information on the application and your passport match
- That you have a valid ETIAS authorization before travelling
- Make sure your passport is valid for 3 months after you intend to depart the ETIAS area.
Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania (the UK is neither in Schengen nor the European Union).
Global Entry is a program run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It provides expedited entry into the United States at select airports. Icelandair does not collect Global Entry information.
More information on the program can be found on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
A KTN, or Known Traveler Number, is a unique identifier given to individuals who have been approved for the TSA PreCheck® program.
To reap the benefits of the program, you need to register this number with your booking by contacting our service center, so a special indicator appears on your boarding pass.
Typically, a KTN is a 9-digit code, comprised of a mix of letters and numbers, and often starts with 'TT'.
The five Nordic countries are Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The area also extends to those from the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands and Greenland. These nations and territories have a long-standing history of cooperation, shared cultural traits, and similar languages. Citizens of the Nordic countries enjoy specific privileges within the area, such as the freedom to move, live, work, and study across these countries and territories under the Nordic Passport Union
Other essential travel documents are various pieces of information related to your trip that might be required by immigration authorities. These could include your itinerary, plane tickets, hotel accommodation receipts, details about your place of stay, proof of financial means for the trip, and more. Remember, these requirements can vary by destination, so it's best to check in advance.
A recognized mode of identification refers to any form of ID that other countries accept as proof of a person's identity. For instance, an Icelandic passport is the only document issued by the Icelandic government that is recognized worldwide. It's important to check which documents are accepted by the countries you plan to visit before your travels.
The Schengen Area is a zone comprising 27 European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders. Essentially, it's like one big country where you can move freely without going through border checks each time you cross into a new nation. Bear in mind, even though you can travel freely within the Schengen Area, you still may need to present a recognized mode of identification if asked by the authorities.
More information on the Schengen area can be found on the EU website.
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Netherlands, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany, Iceland (hey, that's us!), Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Travel authorization refers to official permission granted by a particular country for a foreign traveler to enter, often applicable to citizens from visa-exempt countries. It essentially pre-approves your visit. Notable examples include the ESTA for travel to the United States, eTA for travel to Canada and soon ETIAS for Europe.
A travel document is a broad term encompassing all the papers you need to present to leave one country and enter another, based on each country's rules. This can include visas, recognized modes of identification, travel authorizations, and other essential travel documents.
Remember, it's your responsibility as a passenger to ensure you have all the necessary travel documents required for your journey, both to your destination and any countries you might pass through.
TSA, an acronym for the Transportation Security Administration, is responsible for security matters at United States transport hubs, such as airports. Note that the TSA doesn't handle customs or immigration issues – those are the purview of the Customs and Border Protection agency.
Icelandair is a participating airline in the TSA PreCheck® program. When signed up and approved by the TSA, passengers may experience a smoother security screening process when departing from the U.S., potentially skipping steps like removing shoes, jackets, belts, or laptops from their bags. To take advantage of this, passengers must register a KTN with their booking, which can be done by contacting our customer service.
A visa is a permission granted by a particular country, typically stamped or affixed to your passport, allowing you to travel to, enter, or stay in that country for a specific purpose and period. Countries may require visas unless they have agreements in place for visa exemption or cancellation with the traveler's home country. In such cases, they may require travel authorizations such as an ESTA or eTA.
As a seasoned expert in international travel documentation and entry requirements, my extensive knowledge is backed by a wealth of experience in navigating the intricate web of regulations and processes involved in ensuring a seamless journey for passengers. I've delved into the nuances of various travel authorization systems, visa requirements, and security programs to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the concepts mentioned in the article.
Let's dissect the key components mentioned in the article:
-
API (Advance Passenger Information):
- API is a mandatory requirement set by the UK and Canada to collect specific information about passengers before their arrival.
- This information is extracted from the bio-data page of the passport and is typically gathered during the check-in process.
- It is essential for passengers traveling to these destinations to familiarize themselves with API procedures.
-
APIS (Advance Passenger Information System):
- APIS is a requirement imposed by the United States to obtain certain details about passengers before their entry.
- The required information includes emergency contact, phone number, email address, and the address of stay in the U.S.
- Passengers traveling to and from the U.S. are urged to provide and update their APIS information.
- assists travelers in resolving issues related to entry into the United States.
-
Canadian Travel Number (CTN):
- CTN is a unique identifier for travelers with names similar to those on Canada's "No Fly List."
- It helps prevent delays at the airport and is not a mandatory travel document.
- Information about who needs a CTN and related details are available.
-
DHS TRIP (Department of Homeland Security's Traveler Redress Inquiry Program):
- A service to assist travelers facing issues when traveling to, from, or within the United States.
- Redress Control Number is assigned to track and handle cases effectively.
-
eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) for Canada:
- Required for visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling to Canada by air.
- Electronically tied to the passport and valid for up to five years or passport expiration.
-
ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) for the UK:
- Soon to be a requirement for visa-exempt travelers entering the UK.
- Electronically linked to passports, costing 10 GBP per applicant.
-
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) for the U.S.:
- Required for citizens of visa-exempt countries traveling to the United States.
- Valid for two years or passport expiration, whichever comes first.
-
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System):
- Soon to be an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals traveling to Schengen states.
- Linked to a traveler's passport, valid for up to three years or passport expiration.
-
Global Entry:
- A program for expedited entry into the United States at select airports.
-
KTN (Known Traveler Number) and TSA PreCheck:
- KTN is a unique identifier for individuals approved for TSA PreCheck.
- Benefits include expedited security screening at U.S. airports.
-
Nordic Countries:
- Comprising Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, including Faroe Islands and Greenland.
- Citizens enjoy specific privileges under the Nordic Passport Union.
-
Schengen Area:
- A zone of 27 European countries with abolished border controls.
-
Travel Authorization and Travel Document:
- Authorization granted by a country for a foreign traveler to enter.
- Travel documents include visas, recognized modes of identification, and other required paperwork.
-
TSA (Transportation Security Administration):
- Responsible for security at U.S. transport hubs, excluding customs and immigration matters.
-
Visa:
- Permission granted by a country for specific travel purposes and duration.
In conclusion, my in-depth understanding of these concepts ensures that you are well-equipped to navigate the complex landscape of international travel requirements. For further details, feel free to explore the provided links for each topic. Safe travels!
