After the United Kingdom, Thailand, and many more countries rolled out their ETAs, or Electronic Travel Authorizations, impacting millions of travelers, yet another popular destination is jumping on the bandwagon and making traveling a tad more bureaucratic than it should be.
It seems ETAs, eVisas, entry permits, call it what you want, are truly the gift—or curse?—that just keep on giving…
From May 26, all foreigners flying to the Caribbean paradise that is Saint Kitts and Nevis, including U.S. passport holders, will be subject to a new ETA requirement. This means that unless you’ve been pre-approved to travel, you won’t even be allowed to board your flight.
New Digital Permit Required For Saint Kitts And Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis is one of the trendiest destinations for Americans seeking some relaxation in the sun, regardless of season:
It has a more off-path appeal than places like Cancun and Punta Cana, yet it boasts the same luxury amenities and tropical beaches. Its safety levels are comparable to Europe’s, at least where the State Department’s travel warnings are concerned, and overall, it’s just a stress-free getaway:
Americans have never needed visas to fly to Saint Kitts and Nevis, or get off a cruise ship when it’s part of a multi-island itinerary, and in general, they’ve been allowed to stay for a total of 90 days without applying for any sort of permit.
From now on, this is no longer the case:
After announcing last year that a Saint Kitts and Nevis ETA was in the cards, Prime Minister Terrance Drew officially debuted the new border policy this week, describing it as a ‘modernization effort’.
Now, the tiny archipelago-nation will be part of an ever-expanding of countries to enforce Electronic Travel Authorizations.
What Is An ETA?
In case you have no idea what an ETA is, think of it as an eVisa, though authorities will insist it’s far from being one.
Terminology aside, you’re generally not allowed to visit unless you hold a valid ETA for an ETA-requiring country, and if you do attempt to, you’ll be systematically turned away at the border: that’s already the case in the U.K., and soon enough, a host of other European countries.
Contrary to regular visas, however, ETAs are simple to obtain. They usually involve filling out an online form, answering a series of security questions about your private life and travel plans, and finally paying a small processing fee.
They’re usually issued in digital form, either as an email or a PDF, and they have varying validity periods, from a single entry to 2–5 years of multiple entries.
How About The Saint Kitts And Nevis ETA?
As for the Saint Kitts and Nevis ETA, it will apply to all current visa-free travelers, including United States citizens, and it will involve 5 easy steps:
- Applicants must either visit www.knatravelform.kn or download the ‘St Kitts and Nevis e-Border’ app on their phones, available on iOS or Android
- They must fill out the online form, providing all the requested information
- Next, it will be time to upload all the relevant documents pertaining to your travel, as indicated
- Finally, they must pay the ETA fee
The fee has been set at $17, but those applying before September 1, 2025 will get a 50% discount.
Unless your passport is flagged for some reason or you’re deemed ineligible to travel to Saint Kitts and Nevis, your approved ETA will be sent to the email address you provided at the time of the application within the following hours or days.
There are exceptions to the ETA requirement, so if you belong to any of the categories below, you don’t need a travel authorization to travel to Saint Kitts and Nevis:
- You’re also a citizen or resident of Saint Kitts and Nevis
- You’re a citizen or resident of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)
- You’re a citizen or resident in a Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nation
Flying abroad soon?
Keep up to date with all the latest entry requirements changes across different countries here.
Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
