A major transformation in international mobility is underway, reshaping how businesses engage talent and relocate personnel across borders. With the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system now in force and the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS rolling out, companies face a new era of digitalised, regulated cross-border access.

These systems mark a shift away from traditional passport stamping and visa-free assumptions, replacing them with pre-travel authorisation, biometric tracking, and centralised monitoring. For businesses that depend on short-term travel, project-based placements, or contractor mobility, these changes introduce operational, compliance, and planning challenges that demand immediate attention.

The UK ETA: digital clearance required before entry

The UK’s ETA system is a mandatory electronic pre-authorisation for travellers from visa-exempt countries, including EU member states, the USA, Canada, Australia, and others.

• Who needs it? All non-visa nationals, excluding British and Irish citizens

• Purpose: Business visits, short-term training, client meetings (not work visas)

• Application: Online or via mobile app

• Fee & validity: £10, valid for two years or until passport expiry

Business implications

Even short visits now require advance clearance. Recruiters, consultants, and employers sending non-UK personnel into the country must ensure they apply for and secure ETA approval before travel. This adds new timeline, cost, and administrative considerations, particularly for companies accustomed to last-minute deployments or rotating international teams.

The EU’s EES and ETIAS: Schengen compliance reimagined

Entry/Exit System (EES)

EES is an automated border management platform that records the entry, exit, and length of stay for non-EU travellers entering the Schengen Area. It replaces traditional passport stamping with biometric identification and digital tracking.

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)

ETIAS is the EU’s new pre-travel authorisation for visa-exempt nationals, including UK citizens visiting the Schengen Zone. Although not a visa, it is a mandatory clearance linked to the traveller’s passport.

• Use case: Business, tourism, and short-term professional activities (up to 90 days in any 180-day period)

• Status: Final implementation phase, with active rollout expected imminently across all member states

• Validity: Three years, or until the traveller’s passport expires

Business implications

Companies placing UK-based personnel in Europe for consulting, technical work, or short-term support must now plan for ETIAS approval timelines and closely monitor the 90/180-day rule across the entire Schengen region.

EES will administer stay limits digitally, making non-compliance more detectable and enforceable. The era of informal, flexible short-term travel is ending.

Risks for employers and recruiters

These systems are not merely formalities. They represent enforceable frameworks with the potential to delay operations or expose businesses to legal risk. Key challenges include:

• Authorisation mismatches: ETA and ETIAS do not permit paid employment. Using them for work-based assignments may breach immigration law.

• Overstay penalties: EES automates the counting of days spent in Schengen countries. Workers moving between jurisdictions may unknowingly exceed stay limits.

• Disrupted project timelines: Denied entries due to missing authorisations can result in project delays, contract breaches, or reputational risk.

Prepare your workforce for the digital border era

The introduction of the UK ETA, EU ETIAS, and EES signals a permanent shift in how global mobility is regulated. These systems reflect the increasing use of automation, data sharing, and pre-clearance in travel, all of which place greater responsibility on businesses to plan, document, and comply.

Companies that move early to adapt their internal travel protocols, educate their workforce, and partner with compliance experts will be best positioned to thrive in this new landscape.

Should you need tailored advice on cross-border hiring, contractor mobility, or regulatory compliance, Contact Access Financial to speak with one of our experts.