Happy New Year and Welcome to 2025! We both made it another year!
As we step into the new year, the tourism landscape is evolving significantly—mostly for the better! To help you stay informed and prepared, we’ve compiled the most notable changes impacting travel, particularly for the destinations we offer. While these updates are exciting, policies can shift quickly, so we encourage you to stay updated by tuning into our weekly livestream, “Imagine That,” on YouTube and Facebook. Want to catch the latest episode discussing the updates below?
Watch it on YouTube:
Let’s Talk About Israel
The most common question in the Christian travel community has been: Is Israel open? The answer is YES!
Following the conflict of late 2023, Israel has had its ups and downs, but as of January 2025, we have groups actively traveling to the Holy Land, with many more scheduled for February and March. While restrictions in northern areas like Caesarea Philippi, Tel Dan, and the Golan Heights impacted visits last year, all these sites are now open to tourists beginning January 2025 (and we have groups there now!)
From January to June, expect shorter lines at iconic sites such as the Church of the Nativity, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Western Wall, and the Garden Tomb. Crowds are expected to return to normal levels by summer, but for now, it’s a prime time to visit without the usual hustle and bustle.
Additionally, 2025 brings new and renovated accommodations in Israel, with hotel inspections underway to ensure your comfort. Even with the introduction of Israel’s new ETA-IL travel visa, tourism momentum is strong, and we’re thrilled to see the Holy Land flourishing once again!
The Jubilee Year
For 2025, the Jubilee Year holds special significance for both the Catholic Church and Jewish tradition.
- In the Jewish faith, the Jubilee Year (every 50 years) marks the forgiveness of debts and freedom for slaves.
- For Catholics, the Jubilee Year (every 25 years) emphasizes repentance, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal.
While Israel will see some Jubilee-related travel, the focal point will be Rome, Italy, as millions of pilgrims visit the Vatican. Pope Francis will ceremoniously unlock the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica—a profound moment for Catholics worldwide.
If you’re planning to visit Rome, act fast! Space is filling up quickly. With over 32 million visitors expected, Rome’s streets will be bustling. For perspective, that’s like filling Michigan Stadium 297 times! If you’re interested in our 2025 Italy programs or Rome extensions, limited spots remain, so don’t wait to secure your place.
Travel Authorization Access (Visas)
To close things out, we’ll wrap up with new travel requirements for the United Kingdom, countries of the European Union, as well as Israel. As much as we’d love to see one universal system, we know that simply isn’t possible. Ultimately, due to a growing border crisis overseas, many countries have voted to institute these new travel authorization programs, and they’ve got some interesting abbreviations (albeit, a bit confusing) but we’ll break it down for you.
The United Kingdom – ETA
The United Kingdom will launch its Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) program on January 8, 2025. This new requirement applies to all visitors from North America (including the United States, Canada, and Mexico), who must complete their ETA application before traveling. Failure to obtain the ETA in advance may result in denied entry to the UK.
Uniquely, this program extends to layovers, meaning even if you’re only transiting through airports like London Heathrow (LHR), you’ll need an approved ETA. The requirement covers travel to England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, ensuring compliance is essential for all forms of entry.
Your ETA will be valid for up to 2 years, or until your passport expires (whichever comes first) and allow for stays of up to 6 months at a time when visiting family and friends, on business, or short-term studies. To apply, be prepared to provide:
- Your passport
- A photo of yourself
- And a way to pay (credit or debit card, Apply Pay, or Google Pay)
As of January 7th, 2025, the current application cost is £10 GBP, or approximately $13 USD, and you can apply directly online: United Kingdom ETA Application
The European Union – ETIAS
The European Union’s European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is set to roll out in 2025, but its implementation is tied to the Entry/Exit System (EES), which is slightly behind schedule. The EES, originally expected in late 2024, is now projected to launch in the first quarter of 2025. Once EES is live, ETIAS will follow approximately six months later, meaning the earliest ETIAS start date could be June or July 2025—giving you plenty of time to prepare.
ETIAS will apply to visitors of 30 European countries, including popular destinations like Greece, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Belgium. This system will enhance border security while streamlining entry processes for short-term stays across the EU. EITAS requires that all residents of North America obtain their visa prior to travel.
Your ETIAS will be valid for up to 3 years, or until your passport expires (whichever comes first) and allow for stays of up to 90 days at a time within a 180 day period. To apply, be prepared to provide:
- Your passport
- A photo of yourself
- Purpose & duration of your stay
- And a way to pay (credit or debit card)*
- *Applicants under 18 or over 70 years of age pay no fee!
As of January 7th, 2025, the current application cost is €7 EUR, or approximately $8 USD, and your can apply directly online: European Union ETIAS Application
Israel – ETA-IL
Israel’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL), introduced on January 1, 2025, is the country’s new visa system, replacing the traditional B2 visa. This requirement now applies to all travelers from North America visiting the Holy Land.
For the past six months, ETA-IL operated as a free pilot program and has now fully launched as one of the most advanced systems in the world. Similar to CLEAR or TSA PreCheck in the U.S., the process is streamlined: upon arrival, travelers simply approach a kiosk, take a quick photo, and proceed—making entry both efficient and convenient.
Your ETA-IL will be valid for up to 2 years, or until your passport expires (whichever comes first) and allow for stays of up to 90 days at a time with no limit on the number of annual visits currently. To apply, be prepared to provide:
- Your passport
- And a way to pay (credit or debit card)
As of January 7th, 2025, the current application cost is ₪25 NIS, or approximately $7 USD, and your can apply directly online: Israel ETA-IL Application
What You Need to Know
While many of these programs provide instant approval or rejection upon submission, we strongly recommend applying at least 30 days in advance. This allows ample time to address any potential issues, such as errors in your application, payment processing problems, or unexpected delays. Preparing early ensures a smooth process and gives you peace of mind before your trip.
If you have upcoming travel impacted by these requirements, don’t hesitate to contact our team for guidance.
We’re excited about what this year has in store and can’t wait to serve you on your next journey. Happy travels!