Guest blog by Live and Invest Overseas
Do you have the right technology for your next trip abroad? As processes of international travel become increasingly digitized, having an up-to-date smartphone with the ability to connect to the internet and download apps might soon become as essential to international travel as your passport.
Live And Invest Overseas Co-Founder Lief Simon found this on his most recent trip to Panama, a country that he’s been traveling to and from regularly for the past 26 years. Prior to arrival, he was asked to fill out a customs declaration form digitally for the first time and present this as a QR code to the immigration officer. The trouble was that he didn’t have an email app on his phone, so he had no way of receiving the necessary QR code. Luckily, the digitization of Panama’s immigration processes is new, so he was able to enter the country the old-fashioned way . . . but the old-fashioned way could soon be phased out, and other countries may not be as lenient.
More and more countries are automating how they monitor border crossings and introducing electronic travel authorization systems. The EU, for example, will launch its Entry/Exit System (EES) on November 10, 2024. While this won’t require you to have a smartphone, you will need to grapple with technology before your trip by pre-registering your details. The EES will replace traditional passport stamps by capturing your biometric data (using facial recognition technology, fingerprinting, etc.), as well as your name, date of birth, and travel details, and logging this in a centralized system.
It’s not just immigration that’s going digital; airlines have also made tech a requirement for their customers. Some airlines will charge a fee if you don’t check in online in advance (which you generally can’t do from the airport without a smartphone handy). Other airlines require you to download their associated app to be able to watch shows or buy food and drinks during your flight. These systems have been introduced in the name of efficiency, but they often cause headaches for travelers—particularly technologically challenged ones. It pays to do some research about the policies of the airline you’re traveling with and the country you’re visiting before your trip.
Want more tips like this? Visit the Live and Invest Overseas website.
David Popowich and Faisal Karmali are Investment Advisors with CIBC Wood Gundy in Calgary. The views of David Popowich and Faisal Karmali do not necessarily reflect those of CIBC World Markets Inc.
This information, including any opinion, is based on various sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed and is subject to change.
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