32 More Countries Will Stop Stamping Passports In 2026

Share The Article

There is a specific sound every traveler knows.

The heavy thud of the rubber stamp hitting the ink pad, followed by the crisp crunch of it landing on a fresh page of your passport. For decades, that sound has been the universal “welcome” to a new adventure. It’s a souvenir that money can’t buy—a messy, sometimes smudged proof that you were there.

But if you are sentimental about your passport pages, I have bad news: The ink is running dry.

In 2026, the global shift toward biometric borders is hitting hyper-drive. We aren’t just talking about one or two tech-savvy nations anymore. We are talking about entire continents. Based on the latest confirmed timelines, 32 more countries are scheduled to ditch physical stamps for good (or drastically reduce them) this year.

Here is where you won’t be getting a souvenir ink stamp in 2026.

Mexico (Tourist Destinations)

If you are heading south for a margarita, you’ve likely noticed the chaos of the Mexican immigration hall is… surprisingly efficient lately.

Mexico has been aggressively phasing out the physical FMM (Multiple Immigration Form)—that annoying paper slip you used to have to guard with your life. In 2026, this digital transformation is solidifying at major tourist hubs.

At Cancun (CUN), Los Cabos (SJD), Mexico City (AICM) and Puerto Vallarta (PVR) physical stamps are being replaced by high-speed E-Gates for eligible travelers (including Americans and Canadians).

• How it works: You scan your passport, the gate snaps a photo, and you are through.
• The Receipt: Instead of a stamp in your book, you often get a printed receipt or a digital record linked to your passport.

While you can still request a stamp at some manual booths, the default “fast track” for tourists is now 100% ink-free.

United Kingdom

The UK’s shift away from stamps is more of a gradual extinction than a sudden stop.

With the expansion of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system in 2026, the UK border force is pushing nearly all eligible visitors (including Americans) toward eGates.

If you use an eGate (which you should, unless you love waiting in lines), you do not get a stamp.

This becomes even more rigid starting February 25, 2026, when the ETA becomes mandatory for all non-visa nationals. The digital authorization replaces the need for a border officer to physically check and stamp your book.

• If you use an eGate (which you should, unless you love waiting in lines), you do not get a stamp.
• This becomes even more rigid in 2026 as the ETA becomes mandatory for all non-visa nationals. The digital authorization replaces the need for a border officer to physically check and stamp your book.

Singapore

Singapore has always been living in the future, so it’s no surprise they are leading the charge here. In fact, they are practically eliminating the need for a passport at all in some terminals.

Starting January 30, 2026, Singapore is implementing strict “No-Boarding Directives.“

What does that mean? Simply put, the “border” is moving to your departure gate. Singapore will now check your status before you even get on the plane. If you aren’t digitally cleared to enter, the airline won’t let you board.

The Trade-Off: Because the hard work is done upstream, the arrival process is practically magic. The days of flipping through passport pages at Changi Airport are over. Most travelers now breeze through automated lanes that use iris and facial recognition to grant entry. No stamp, no questions, just efficiency.

The “Big 29”: The Schengen Zone (Europe)

This is the massive one. After years of delays, false starts, and “will they, won’t they” rumors, the European Union is finally pulling the plug on physical stamps.

The new Entry/Exit System (EES) began its phased rollout in late 2025, but April 10, 2026, is the date circled on every border guard’s calendar. By this deadline, the system is scheduled to be fully operational across all 29 Schengen countries.

Instead of a stamp, your entry will be recorded digitally. You will scan your passport at a self-service kiosk, provide a fingerprint and facial scan, and the “stamp” will be a digital entry in a massive EU database.

The “Visa” Confusion This new digital border is also paving the way for the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System). With stamps disappearing and rules tightening, millions of Americans are unsure if they will be allowed entry under the new system.

Don’t guess. Before you book your European summer trip, use our ETIAS Checker Tool to see exactly where you stand. It takes seconds and clears up the confusion instantly.

The Bottom Line: Frictionless vs. Strict

Look, I get it. There is something romantic about a cluttered passport page. It tells the story of your life. But let’s be real about the upside: speed. E-gates take 30 seconds. A manual stamp takes minutes (or hours in line).

However, “frictionless” does not mean “rule-free.” In fact, digital borders are stricter than humans. A computer won’t let you slide if your passport expires in 5 months instead of 6, or if you don’t have the right digital authorization on file.

Stay Ahead of the Rules:

• Check Your Docs: Use our Entry Rules Checker to ensure your passport and visas are valid for your specific destination.
• Stay Safe: Worried about unrest or safety ratings? Run a quick search on our Travel Advisory Checker.