Session Details Page | International Bar Association

IBA Annual Conference Copenhagen 2026

4 Oct - 9 Oct 2026

Session information

The rise of automated travel authorisation systems: navigating the global shift to digital borders

Thursday 8 October (1115 - 1230)

Committee(s)

Immigration and Nationality Law Committee (Lead)

Description

This session will compare the US ESTA, the EU’s ETIAS, and the UK ETA systems – examining their scope, implementation challenges, and interoperability. It will explore legal, privacy, and human rights concerns associated with data collection, risk scoring, and algorithmic decision-making in traveller screening. Finally, it will discuss the impact on mobility, visa-free travel, and global business travellers of the implementation of these programmes in the EU, UK, US and several other countries.

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