IATA Survey: Entry Rules Deter Travellers Despite Tech Adoption

Traveller Deterrence by Complex Entry Rules

Complex immigration requirements discouraged 43% of air passengers from visiting certain destinations, an increase from 33% in 2025, according to the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) 2026 Global Passenger Survey.

This global poll, which gathered over 10,000 responses from more than 200 countries, reveals a growing barrier to travel even as passengers increasingly embrace digital solutions. The survey found that 58% of respondents had used biometric identification during airport procedures over the past year, while 49% had utilised artificial intelligence (AI) for trip planning. Despite this adoption of technology, complicated entry processes remain a significant obstacle for many.

Digital Tools Gain Traction for Smoother Journeys

The IATA survey details a clear preference for digital tools to streamline travel. Biometric identification use at airports rose from 50% in 2025 to 58% this year, with 78% of travellers expressing a willingness to share biometric data to bypass repeated document checks. Furthermore, 84% of passengers are interested in using digital passports for online check-in.

AI is also becoming a mainstream planning tool, with 21% using it to search for flights, 19% for cheaper fares, and 17% for travel inspiration.

IATA's Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security, Nick Careen, stated that governments can assist by simplifying entry requirements, removing duplicate checks, and accelerating the issuance and acceptance of secure digital travel credentials.

Asia-Pacific Travellers Highly Affected by Entry Barriers

The impact of immigration requirements varies significantly by region. The survey indicates that travellers from Africa were most likely to be deterred from a destination by entry rules, at 52%, with Asia-Pacific travellers following closely at 49%. In contrast, North American passengers were the least affected, at 35%.

Regional differences also extend to technology adoption: the Middle East recorded the highest use of AI for trip planning at 72%, compared with Europe's 35%. North America led in biometric use at 63%, while Europe had the lowest at 47%.

IATA noted that while over 100 countries now issue electronic visas, inconsistencies in verification processes continue to complicate international travel.

Kazakhstan Advances Digital Entry with QazETA

In a move towards simplifying entry, Kazakhstan is implementing a new electronic travel authorisation system, QazETA, for foreign nationals from 85 visa-free countries. The system begins its phased rollout on 1 November 2026 at Aktau International Airport and four land border crossings, expanding to Astana and Almaty airports in January 2027.

Authorisation will become mandatory for eligible travellers from 1 July 2027, requiring electronic application at least 72 hours before arrival, though it will be issued free of charge.

Kazakhstan's Deputy Transport Minister Talgat Lastaev also announced on 20 October that the country plans to introduce biometric passenger check-in systems in the first half of 2027, with a phased rollout later that year.

Asia-Pacific Governments Urged to Standardise Digital Travel

Given that 49% of Asia-Pacific travellers are deterred by complex entry requirements, as reported by IATA, there is a clear imperative for governments in the region to act. IATA's call for common standards for digital travel credentials could significantly reduce this barrier.

For instance, adopting a harmonised framework for secure digital passports or standardising online visa application processes, which 60% of global travellers prefer over in-person embassy visits, could unlock substantial travel growth.

Asian governments, particularly those aiming to boost tourism, could collaborate on a regional initiative to implement such standards by 2027, drawing lessons from Kazakhstan’s QazETA system and its phased rollout.