Entry Rules Now Talk Four in Ten Travelers Out of a Trip

Immigration paperwork is now doing real damage to travel demand, according to the International Air Transport Association’s 2026 Global Passenger Survey, released on 28 October in Macao. Some 43 percent of respondents said entry requirements had discouraged them from visiting a destination, up from 33 percent in 2025. Among those put off, 53 percent pointed to the complexity of the process, while 17 percent each cited privacy concerns and cost.

The survey drew more than 10,000 responses from over 200 countries, and it measures what travelers say rather than what every airport offers. The pressure was strongest in Africa, where 52 percent reported being deterred. Travelers also want the process moved online: 60 percent prefer applying for a visa digitally rather than at an embassy, and 86 percent would likely submit immigration details before departure.

The same survey shows how quickly technology is becoming part of the trip. Forty-nine percent of respondents have used AI for travel planning, most often to find flights to a specific place, compare prices or generate destination ideas. Meanwhile 58 percent met biometric processes at an airport in the past year, 87 percent of those people were satisfied, and 78 percent would share biometric data to avoid repeatedly showing documents.

IATA’s Nick Careen used the findings to call for common standards so airlines can verify electronic visas efficiently. More than 100 countries now issue eVisas, but inconsistent checks make them harder to use than they should be. For travelers, the lesson is practical: check entry requirements early, and apply online well before the trip rather than at the airport.

Sources: IATA, Travel PR News