From paper to phone: how technology and consumers are changing the face of border management

Not long ago, travelers had to book embassy appointments weeks—or even months—in advance, stand in long queues, and wait for a physical visa to be pasted into their passport. The process was slow and frustrating. Thankfully, this paper heavy, manual data-entry process began to evolve in the late 1990s and early 2000s with the introduction of new IT systems that enabled digital transformation across border agencies. These systems paved the way for more streamlined, automated processes, making it easier to issue, verify, and process visas. While biometric ePassports contributed to secure identification, it was the advancement in IT infrastructure that truly transformed how people entered and exited countries. During this time, many countries also began shifting away from traditional visas towards digital eVisas.

eVisas simplify the process of applying for the right to travel by optimizing the data collection and verification process, making it quicker and easier to apply for, pay for, and obtain a decision.

Around the same time, another innovation emerged: Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs). Some countries began requiring travelers—even those who didn’t need a visa to obtain ETA and pre-approval before boarding. Meanwhile, travelers who require a visa must apply for an eVisa.

Of course, ePassports, eVisas and ETAs didn’t just appear overnight. Their roots and technological lineage go back to the 1920s, when the idea of a worldwide passport was first mooted. More recently, Malaysia introduced the world’s inaugural electronic passport in 1998, and SITA developed the first ETA system. Since then, new technologies like biometrics and self-service touchscreen machines have built on this legacy of innovation.

A lineage of technological innovation

For a quick spin through time, check out our decade-by-decade overview of some noteworthy technologies that continue to shape how we travel today.

ETAs are a great example of how a relatively new innovation is rooted in the progress made by other technological developments. The creation of ePassports and the use of biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial recognition for verification purposes, have been key milestones in the evolution of ETAs. Secure digital payment systems, which enable people to pay for ETAs online, are essential to the process, as are cloud-based networks and secure messaging systems that handle massive volumes of data every second. Meanwhile, advanced data analytics work behind the scenes to help governments identify potential risks at their borders.

Similarly, consistent advancements in mobile phone technology since the 1980s - including the arrival of smartphones and a growing catalogue of Apps from 2000s - kick-started the Travel Authorization evolution with the arrival of Mobile Travel Authorizations (MTAs). Today, MTAs are a valuable tool for officials and travelers alike.

With all these technologies, it’s hardly surprising that today’s travelers actively choose to streamline their travel experience using digital solutions and increasingly favor using their trusted smartphone across the entire journey, from booking and boarding to border control. SITA projects that 68% of all air passengers in 2025 will be digital travelers.

The future of travel – and travelers – is digital

The days of traveling to an embassy to apply for a traditional visa are over. Research from Allied Business Intelligence tells us that today’s travelers, both young and older, want more control over their journeys.  In 2023, ePassports accounted for approximately 87% of all passports in circulation globally, with over 1 billion issued, a figure expected to rise to 92% by 2027. More than half of travelers already use digital ID verification on their phones, and another 33% are open to the idea.

With mobile smartphone penetration now at around 71% globally – and even higher in regions like North America and Europe – consumers are setting the agenda about when, where and how they use technology to make their lives easier. It’s hardly surprising, therefore, that 85% of airlines in the world are using artificial intelligence (AI) for virtual agents and chatbots to service customer needs instantaneously. This is also the reason why airports and airlines are adding more layers of biometric self-service touchpoints along the travel journey, so travelers can plan and execute trips on their terms.

Helping governments to get in step

Fortunately, governments around the world are realizing that using the very manual pen, paper and stamp approach to travel authorizations and border control is protracted, ineffective and out of step with the needs of travelers. Just look at the wave of countries now requiring an ETA to enter. The United Kingdom’s mandatory ETA requirements came into force for all European Union (EU) citizens from April 2025, in line with similar ETA systems in the likes of Canada, Australia, South Korea, Mexico and New Zealand. In the United States, the automated system granting digital permission to travel is known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, and in the EU it’s the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which is set to launch in 2026. All are ETAs that give governments pre-travel insights into the people looking to cross into their countries.

Armed with vital information about passengers, their travel movements, payment methods and end-to-end journey information, governments and border officials can pick up potential red flags and conduct essential security cross-checks in advance of travel. This means that undesirable individuals can be stopped before they even step foot in the country.

A clear next step in the evolution of travel authorization comes with adding another layer to this net of protection in the form of solutions like SITA’s Mobile Travel Authorization (MTA). MTA technology enables users to access an app on their smartphone from which they can securely handle the end-to-end process of applying for an eVisa or ETA, from biometric enrolment and passport scans, to secure payment, data encryption, notifications and status updates. All these personal verification steps can now be completed using a simple smartphone device, cutting out the possibility of human error and streamlining the application process for travelers. What this solution enables is the interconnected end-to-end journey from pre-clearance at home to checks through the airport and passing through the border control at the destination country.

For governments this means:

• Streamlined passenger data gathering that allows for all documents to be submitted remotely from a passenger’s home. By cutting out the need for in-person visits, this reduces the workload of embassy staff, improves security within embassies, and cuts out the need for manual data entry by border security officials.
• Pre-travel clearance can be completed before travelers even leave their homes. Airlines can be automatically informed of this status with a simple board/no-board message, thereby cutting out the complexity and additional costs associated with removing an unwanted traveler at the arrival border after the plane has already landed.
• Low-risk travelers experience a smoother entry-and-exit process, helping to bolster a country’s reputation for tourists and business travelers alike. Slicker systems also allow border security staff to keep laser-focused on high-risk situations.
• While the costs associated with applying for an ETA, for instance, is minimal, the process does provide an income stream for governments to cover some border administration costs. However, there are other financial gains to be had. Digitizing the travel process also opens the door to new and unique ways to improve the traveler experience. For instance, the Caribbean island nation of Aruba’s approach streamlines border crossings in order to free up more time for pleasurable retail or dining, and other income-generating tourism activities.

Ultimately, by tapping into digital travel solutions and authorization methods, governments can ensure better security outcomes and more efficient border control processes. By harnessing the ever-evolving power of technology, today’s national borders are safer, smarter and more streamlined than ever before.

To find out more, visit SITA Electronic Travel Authorization and SITA eVisa