We went on a Baltic cruise about ten years ago, before the current unpleasantness. Passport control at St Pete’s was horrendous. The staff appeared to be deliberately going as slow as possible.
We had been briefed and carried nothing we didn’t need on the one day we were there, but they examined every passport as if they could identify a spy or something.
Once past the barriers, everyone was friendly and helpful. It is an amazing place with far too many treasures to see in one day, even with a guide.
Yes, countries I’ve visited that have this electronic travel authorization requirement include the UK and Australia. Japan has a similar system but when I went there a few years ago but it wasn’t absolutely required. Maybe now it is. Europe is implementing it later this year.
The US and Canada also have this system but as a US citizen I haven’t needed to use them.
My understanding – and having flown international flights into ORD twice – is that “prime time” for international arrivals is in the late afternoon/early evening, and that tends to lead to longer lines.