- IATA calls for standardised eVisa verification
- Over 100 countries issuing eVisas
- iAPI systems show compliance rates up to 20 times higher
- Fewer than 30 countries operate iAPI systems
- ICAO Digital Travel Authorization provides standardised proof
The International Air Transport Association has called for a more efficient system of eVisa verification as airlines face complexity in confirming digital travel authorisations. While travellers benefit from the simplicity of eVisa issuance, airlines suffer from the complexity of verification. Proof that an eVisa has been issued might take the form of an email, PDF or QR code. It might require a website query or a direct connection to a government database. In some cases, it is just a manual verification of a supporting document.
IATA’s Control Authorities Working Group has published best practices for issuing and verifying digital authorisations to travel building on work at ICAO. Two mechanisms are central to this approach. The first is interactive Advance Passenger Information where during check-in the airline sends passenger information electronically to the destination government and receives a real-time response. Airlines report documentation compliance rates up to 20 times higher for countries with comprehensive iAPI systems than for those relying on manual checks. However, fewer than 30 countries currently operate iAPI systems. The second mechanism is the ICAO Digital Travel Authorization which provides standardised, digitally signed proof that an electronic authorization has been issued.
With over 100 countries issuing eVisas, a more efficient system of verification is needed. Governments have made progress in digitising visa applications and approvals but verification needs to catch up.
Harry Grewal, IATA Director Airports, Infrastructure and Customer Experience, shared: “Governments have made considerable progress in digitizing visa applications and approvals. Verification now needs to catch up. The question should no longer simply be: How do we issue a visa digitally? It must also be: How will an airline on the other side of the world know that it is valid?”
