If you’re catching a flight this year, you better make sure you’re up to date on all of the changes TSA is implementing in 2025. From AI technologies to visa requirements and standardized federal IDs, here are five air travel rules coming in 2025.
1. REAL ID
REAL IDs will be necessary to board any domestic flight, enter some federal facilities, access military bases and nuclear power plants after May 7th, 2025. The ruling was devised under the REAL ID Act to streamline a security standard for state-issued IDs.
However, you may not need a REAL ID if you have one of these REAL ID-compliant documents.
🗓️ May 7th, 2025
2. EES (Entry/Exit Systems)
Though not TSA, this ruling could impact U.S. travelers abroad. The European Union is set to implement the EES (Entry/Exit System) later this year to register the entrances of non-nationals through an automated IT system. EES will utilize biometric data and fingerprints to track travelers’ short stay movements. EES is different from ETIAS. To understand how they differ, you can learn more here.
🗓️ October 2025
3. Global Entry price increase
The price of Global Entry has increased since 2024, jumping from $100 to its current $120 fee. Global Entry is just one of the DHS’s Trusted Traveler Programs that expedite the international arrival process. TSA PreCheck is included within this fee.
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4. New visa rulings
Various countries have launched new visa requirements for U.S. citizens including Brazil, the United Kingdom, and soon, 30 other European countries.
In order to enter the U.K., American travelers now need an ETA (electronic travel authorization). Brazil has just re-instated a visa requirement, making an eVisa necessary for U.S. citizens after nearly six years of visa-free travel. And come next year, ETIAS is set to launch, requiring Americans obtain a special travel authorization for 30 European countries.
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5. AI in airport security
JFK’s Terminal 4 has already started implementing certain AI technologies to advance safety and efficiency efforts. The specific technology comes from Australian company, Beonic, to monitor passenger movement throughout the airport.
“Beonic’s technology has been instrumental in reducing wait times at US Customs and Border Protection, improving safety, and enhancing the overall passenger experience. The ability to monitor dwell times and passenger movement in real-time is unlocking new use cases across retail, lounges, and beyond,” shared Steve Tukavkin, Vice President of IT; Digital at JFKIAT
These implementations intend to reduce queue times, enhance resource allocation and improve synergy between TSA, Customs and airlines.
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