It’s official: the era of low-bureaucracy, passport-only travel is over. More and more, countries are tightening border controls and enforcing new regulations that will see travelers jump through some more hoops before being able to fly.
We’ve seen it earlier this year with the United Kingdom, which rolled out an Electronic Travel Authorization system, and it will soon be followed by the European Union as a whole in 2026.
The much-dreaded digital permits (or ETAs) are quickly becoming the norm, so it was only a matter of time before they reached our side of the pond. We just didn’t think this typically-relaxed Caribbean island-nation would be the first to hop on the new trend:
More Bureaucracy For Travelers Heading To Saint Kitts And Nevis
As of this week, Saint Kitts and Nevis has started requiring U.S. passengers, as well as all foreign travelers who, up until now, did not require a visa to enter, a pre-approved ETA before departure.
This marks the first Caribbean state to hop on the ETA bandwagon, which has swept the globe in recent years.
In case you don’t travel as regularly and this acronym means nothing to you, think of it as a mandatory document you must apply for before you head to the airport. It usually involves completing a form, uploading your biometric information, and paying a small (or sometimes, not that small) fee.
The price can vary, from around $20, as is the case with the U.K., to over a hundred New Zealand dollars, if you’re a U.S. passport holder applying to enter New Zealand, but how much does the new Saint Kitts and Nevis ETA cost?
How Does The Saint Kitts And Nevis ETA Work?
As authorities have confirmed, the Saint Kitts and Nevis ETA will cost $17, but those applying until September 1, 2025 can get it at a discounted rate of $8.50. Better get to it, then.
Applications can be made directly through the country’s e-Border app, available on your App Store or Google Play, or via the official website.
Visitors are encouraged to use the official app, as it has the added benefit of the Fast-Track Arrival: if your ETA application is processed on e-Border, you may qualify to use the nonstop ‘Facial Biometric Corridor’ that opened in Robert L. Bradshaw Airport (SKB) on June 2.
Effectively, this means you can step out of the plane and walk straight past security, with either minimal or zero on-arrival procedures to be completed.
The Permit Is Incredibly Easy To Apply For
We won’t sugarcoat it, and we’re sure you’ve grown tired of travel publications painting out ETAs as a good thing. If you’re asking us, we would love to see the rollback of this additional paperwork, but at least it’s fairly easy to apply.
Compared to other ETAs in the market, which feature lengthy forms and extensive security questioning, Saint Kitts and Nevis takes around five minutes to complete.
You’ll be asked to provide basic travel details, upload your passport information, and pay the fee. Once it is approved, you will receive an email from e-Border informing you of your successful application. This may happen within only a few minutes of applying, up to a few days.
That’s why it is important to apply in advance, not in the taxi on the way to the airport. Once again, unless you have an ETA, you won’t be allowed to board your flight to Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Stay Up To Date With Travel And Entry Regulations
ETAs can be obtained up to 90 days before travel, and they remain valid for 90 days upon issue, or until a traveler’s passport expires, if it’s due to run out of days before that.
We know, it’s a complex world of ever-changing travel rules and entry regulations, and keeping up with the latest border shake-ups can be daunting.
That’s why we launched the TOP Entry Requirement Checker, where you can just type in the name of your destination and verify what documentation must be prepared in advance as an American citizen. Check it for yourself here.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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