We would like to inform you about two important updates that may affect students travelling abroad.

• New Entry/Exit System (EES) – Schengen Area

From 12 October 2025, the Entry/Exit System (EES) will come into effect across 29 European countries. It will register non-EU nationals each time they enter or leave the Schengen Area, replacing the manual passport stamping process.

What this means for you:

• All students travelling any Schengen country will have their entry and exit recorded digitally.
• Travellers should allow additional time at the border for registration, which may include fingerprinting and a facial image.
• Please ensure your passport and visa/travel documents are valid and ready for inspection.

We recommend checking with your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date country-specific information. For further details, please visit the official EU website

• ESTA Fee Increase – United States

The ESTA fee for travellers applying under the Visa Waiver Programme increased from US$21 to US$40 on 30 September 2025.

• The US$40 total fee includes a US$10 processing fee and a US$30 authorisation fee (charged upon approval).
• If your application is denied, only the US$10 processing fee will apply.

For more details, please visit the official ESTA website here