IATA calls for standardised eVisa checks

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for greater standardisation in electronic visa verification as airlines struggle to authenticate a growing range of digital documents.

More than 100 countries now issue eVisas, but proof may arrive as an email, PDF or QR code. Verification can involve checking a government website, connecting to a national database or manually examining supporting documents.

“While travellers benefit from the simplicity of eVisa issuance, airlines suffer from the complexity of verification,” said Harry Grewal (pictured), IATA Director Airports, Infrastructure and Customer Experience, in an IATA opinion piece.

Airlines must confirm that international passengers hold the documents needed to enter their destination, including at any transit points. Accepting someone without the correct documentation can result in fines and removal costs averaging US$9,000, according to IATA.

The challenge is particularly acute for check-in agents, who must understand the entry requirements and verification methods used by countries worldwide.

“The solution lies in standardisation,” Grewal said.

IATA’s Control Authorities Working Group has published best-practice guidance for issuing and verifying non-physical travel authorisations, building on work by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The guidance centres on two existing mechanisms. The first is interactive Advance Passenger Information (iAPI), which enables an airline to send passenger data electronically to the destination government during check-in. The government then provides an immediate response confirming whether the traveller meets the requirements for the journey.

According to IATA, airlines have reported documentation compliance rates up to 20 times higher in countries with comprehensive iAPI systems than in those relying on manual checks. However, fewer than 30 countries currently operate the technology.

The second mechanism is the ICAO Digital Travel Authorization (DTA). It provides standardised, digitally signed evidence that an electronic authorisation has been issued, giving airlines information in a consistent and verifiable format.

The two mechanisms could operate together. iAPI would allow airlines to check a passenger’s status directly with a government in real time, while a DTA could provide authenticated proof when an iAPI check is unavailable.

Grewal acknowledged that national security considerations mean universal adoption will take time. He nevertheless urged governments to align existing visa confirmations with international standards, integrate verification into airline check-in systems and consult carriers before introducing new programmes.

Adopting common standards would not affect governments’ authority to determine visa requirements or decide who may enter their territory, he added. However, verification must now catch up with the progress already made in digitising visa applications and approvals.

Image: LinkedIn/Harry Grewal