The universal travel pass is a new scheme that allows you to use the same visa-free travel document in all of the Schengen Area countries. The scheme is currently being trialed by three European countries – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – with plans for other nations to join in soon.
STEP 1
From the airport terminal, you can download the app on your phone and purchase the travel pass. Before trying to get through immigration, make sure that you have downloaded the app on your phone so that it is ready in case you need to scan an entry ticket at immigration. If you are traveling with a family member, they will also need to download this app and purchase an entry ticket as well.
Download a pass before you travel
The best way to make sure you can access your pass is to download it in advance of your trip, and store it on your phone. If you’re staying at a hotel, ask how this process works—it may be different from what we describe here.
If you don’t have Wi-Fi access, look for another location where there is free Wi-Fi and use that instead (such as an airport terminal). You may need to call or email customer service for help with this process if there isn’t anyone available who can help do it for you in person.
STEP 2
You can download your pass on your phone, but you’ll need to be able to use it at the border. It’s important to have all of the following with you:
- A thermometer
- Your passport
- Your phone with the travel pass downloaded
For the moment, you’ll need to download the pass on your mobile phone – not your computer.
This can be done by downloading a QR code reader for free from your app store (Google Play, Apple Store). Once you have a QR code reader installed and running on your phone or tablet, go to one of our partner travel pass providers’ websites and search for “travel passes” or “rail passes” as appropriate. Find out which passes are available in each country and then click/tap on the appropriate links to be taken through to download pages where you can begin purchase (the page title will usually say something like “Buy now”). Once there, download links will appear above all other content within that section of the page: simply click/tap this link using your mobile device’s browser!
STEP 3
- To prove that you have a valid pass, at the immigration counter:
- Show your passport and the QR code to an official
- If you don’t have a thermometer, but want to use the ad-free version of Travel Pass, please contact us
When you arrive at immigration, you’ll be asked for your passport and the QR code, which is displayed on your phone.
After you’ve completed the application process and received your QR code, you’ll be asked to have your temperature taken. This is standard procedure at all airports. The temperature reading is used to confirm that you’re fit to travel.
You’ll also need to bring a thermometer with you, as well as any other equipment required by Qatar Airways or other airlines (such as oxygen masks).
STEP 4
Taking your temperature is the final step before you can get through TSA and onto your flight. To do this, take a thermometer approved by the World Health Organization and insert it into your mouth.
The device should be placed under your tongue for at least one full minute before being removed. You’ll then see an image that indicates whether or not you have a fever—and if so, how high of one.
You’ll also be asked to have your temperature taken so make sure that you bring a thermometer with you.
You will need to take your temperature before you travel and when arriving at the airport.
The universal travel pass is currently only available as an app on mobile phones. Eventually it will be available for computers.
You can download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. For more information, please click here and then click on ‘Get Started’.
The app allows you to purchase your universal travel pass and display it on your mobile device once you have purchased and activated it.
You can use the app to show it to immigration officials when entering a country that has adopted this system of entry, but note that not all countries have adopted this system yet.
