Electronic visa explained

An electronic visa (E-Visa) and an electronic travel authorization (ETA, also styled eTA) are digital travel permits commonly required in conjunction with a valid passport for entry into specific jurisdictions. These electronic travel documents have gained prominence in the modern era of digital connectivity and streamlined travel processes.

Background

Beginning in the 2000s many countries introduced e-visas and electronic travel authorisations (ETAs) as an alternative to traditional visas. An ETA is a kind of pre-arrival registration, which may or may not be officially classified as a visa depending on the issuing jurisdiction, required for foreign travellers who are exempted from obtaining a full visa. In contrast to the procedures that typically apply in regard to proper visas, per which the traveller normally has no recourse if rejected, if an ETA is rejected the traveller can choose to apply for a visa instead. In contrast, an e-visa is simply a visa that travellers can apply for and receive online without visiting the issuing state's consular mission or visa agency.

Differences Between eVisa and eTA

Electronic Visa (eVisa) and Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) are digital travel documents that enable travelers to gain entry into foreign countries. Despite their apparent similarities, these two forms of travel authorization exhibit notable distinctions:

Issuing

Limit and validity

Multiple entries

Usage

The following jurisdictions require certain categories of international travellers to hold an ETA or e-visa to clear border controls upon arrival, if they don't need a visa:

An electronic visa (e-Visa or eVisa) or Electronic travel authorization (or ETA) is stored in a computer and is linked to the passport number so no label, sticker, or stamp is placed in the passport before travel. The application is done over the internet, and the receipt acts as a visa, which can be printed or stored on a mobile device.

These lists are not exhaustive. Some countries may have more detailed classifications of some of these categories reflecting the nuances of their respective geographies, social conditions, economies, international treaties, etc.

CountryModeUniversal eligibilityVoA alternativeRef.
Pre-approval[21]
eVisa[22]
eVisa[23]
eVisa (called ETA)[24]
eVisa[25]
ETA[26]
eVisa[27]
eVisa[28]
eVisa[29]
eVisa[30]
eVisa[31]
eVisa[32]
eVisa[33]
eVisa[34]
eVisa[35]
eVisa[36]
Pre-approval[37]
ETA/eVisa[38] [39]
eVisa[40]
IraneVisa[41]
eVisa[42]
eVisa[43]
eVisa[44]
eVisa[45]
eVisa[46]
eVisa[47]
eVisa[48]
eVisa[49]
eVisa[50]
eVisa[51] [52]
ETA[53]
Pre-approval[54]
eVisa[55]
eVisa/ETA[56]
eVisa[57]
ETA[58]
eVisa[59]
eVisa[60]
ETA[61]
eVisa[62]
eVisa
eVisa[63]
eVisa[64]
eVisa[65]
eVisa[66]
eVisa[67]
eVisa[68]
eVisa[69]
eVisa[70]
ETA[71]
ETA[72]
eVisa[73]
eVisa[74]
eVisa[75]
eVisa[76]
eVisa/Pre-approval[77] /[78]
eVisa[79]
eVisa[80]
eVisa[81]
EVW[82]
eVisa[83]
eVisa[84]
eVisa[85]
eVisa[86]

Russia maintains an eVisa program for visitors from certain countries arriving to Russian Far East, Saint Petersburg, Leningrad Region and Kaliningrad Region.[87] And will introduce a single electronic visa from 1 January 2021.[88]

Future introduction

Authorities of Brazil,[89] Belarus,[90] Chad,[91] Republic of the Congo,[92] Democratic Republic of the Congo,[93] Equatorial Guinea,[94] Ghana,[95] Kazakhstan,[96] Liberia,[97] South Africa,[98] and Tunisia[99] have announced plans to introduce electronic visas in the future.

Notes and References

  1. https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index/about The Henley Passport Index – Methodology
  2. Web site: Fact Sheet 53 – Australia's Entry System for Visitors . Department of Immigration and Border Protection. 30 August 2015. 17 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150817235342/http://www.border.gov.au/about/corporate/information/fact-sheets/53entry-system. dead.
  3. Web site: PricewaterhouseCoopers. Policy study on an EU Electronic System for travel Authorization (EU ESTA) – Annexes: Introduction of the ETA, eVisitor and eVisa systems . 25 September 2013.
  4. Web site: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) . https://web.archive.org/web/20130927084216/http://www.southkorea.embassy.gov.au/seol/FAQ_601.html#Q1. 27 September 2013. Australian Embassy, Republic of Korea . 25 September 2013. dead.
  5. Web site: Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601). Department of Immigration and Border Protection. 30 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20171212173727/http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/601-. 12 December 2017. dead.
  6. Web site: eVisitor (subclass 651). Department of Immigration and Border Protection. 30 August 2015. 10 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171210123027/http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/651-. dead.
  7. Web site: eVisitor: Frequently asked questions for clients What is eVisitor?. spotidoc.com. 31 March 2018.
  8. http://allafrica.com/stories/201403071100.html East Africa: Single Visa to Boost East Regional Tourism
  9. Web site: East African Tourist Visa . Official website of the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control of Uganda. . 25 June 2024 .
  10. http://immigration.go.ke/visa-section/ Visa and exemption services
  11. Web site: Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) . Directorate of Immigration & Citizen Services . 2024-06-25 .
  12. Web site: Electronic Travel Authority . immigration.govt.nz. 2 July 2019. 22 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190722210017/https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/news-notifications/electronic-travel-authority. dead.
  13. Web site: Seychelles Electronic Border System - Official Government Website . 2024-01-15 . seychelles.govtas.com . en.
  14. Web site: Online Visa Application. www.eta.gov.lk.
  15. Web site: Qatar launches Electronic Travel Authorisation System. 14 September 2017.
  16. Web site: Qatar. 28 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170628080618/http://www.qatarvisaservice.com/Qatar-Online/QROnline/VisaCategoryAndPricingDetails/DisplayVisaCategoryAndPricingDetails#no-back . 28 June 2017 .
  17. Web site: FAQS . 31 October 2021 . 15 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181215212138/https://qatar.vfsevisa.com/Qatar-Online/QROnline/VisaCategoryAndPricingDetails/Faq#7 . dead .
  18. Web site: UK electronic visa waiver introduced for Oman, Qatar and UAE. GOV.UK.
  19. Web site: Ninian. Wilson . How MPs voted on amendments by Lords to Nationality and Borders Bill . The National. 22 March 2022 .
  20. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20220320104444/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-and-borders-bill-electronic-travel-authorisation-factsheet/nationality-and-borders-bill-electronic-travel-authorisation-factsheet . 25 February 2022 . Nationality and Borders Bill: Electronic Travel Authorisation factsheet . Gov.uk. 2022-03-20 . live.
  21. Web site: SME e-Visa. www.smevisa.gov.ao.
  22. Web site: Visa Application . fr . Evisa.immigration.gov.ag . 1980-01-01 . 2022-03-09.
  23. Web site: eVisa Issuance System . Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.
  24. https://chong.cancilleria.gob.ar/en/content/visa-application-form-requirements CONSULATE GENERAL IN HONG KONG
  25. Web site: Ascension Island eVisa - Welcome to Ascension Island E-Visa Application. www.ascension-visas.com.
  26. Web site: Home. www.abf.gov.au.
  27. Web site: The Electronic Visa System of Azerbaijan Republic. evisa.gov.az.
  28. Web site: Bahrain Visa Online Application . Evisa.gov.bh . 2014-06-30 . 15 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230115184727/https://www.evisa.gov.bh/ . dead .
  29. Web site: Accueil e-visa. evisa.gouv.bj.
  30. Web site: eVisa. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140728202347/http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh/. 2014-07-28.
  31. Web site: eVisa. www.evisa.gouv.dj.
  32. Web site: Egypt e-Visa Portal . . . 3 December 2017 .
  33. Web site: Ethiopian eVISA. www.evisa.gov.et.
  34. Web site: Gabon e-Visa. Direction Générale de la Documentation et de l'Immigration.
  35. Web site: Georgia e-VISA Portal. www.evisa.gov.ge.
  36. Web site: Guinea Visa. www.paf.gov.gn.
  37. Web site: Electronic Visa Application System - Guinea Bissau. www.rgb-visa.com. 13 November 2022. 31 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190531143420/https://www.rgb-visa.com/. dead.
  38. Web site: Pre-arrival Registration for Indian Nationals Immigration Department. www.immd.gov.hk.
  39. Web site: Online Application for Entry for Visit / Transit in Hong Kong . GovHK . 19 February 2023.
  40. Web site: Indian e-Visa. indianvisaonline.gov.in.
  41. Web site: IR-IRAN Electronic Visa (Iran eVisa) Application - Ministry of Foreign Affairs. e_visa.mfa.ir.
  42. Web site: Energie – SNEDAI GROUPE. www.snedai.com. 13 November 2022. 22 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170422220203/http://www.snedai.com/en/. dead.
  43. Web site: JAPAN eVISA. www.evisa.mofa.go.jp.
  44. Web site: evisa.go.ke - Republic of Kenya Electronic Visa System. evisa.go.ke.
  45. Web site: You are being redirected.... evisa.moi.gov.kw.
  46. Web site: e-VISA. evisa.e-gov.kg.
  47. Web site: Lao Visa Online | Lao eVisa Authorization Application .
  48. Web site: visa lesotho tourism documents travel evisalesotho.com. 24 December 2014. Lesotho E-Visa.
  49. Web site: eVisa Welcome to the eService of Tourism, Immigration and Emigration. www.evisamada.gov.mg. 13 November 2022. 25 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225065119/https://www.evisamada.gov.mg/en/. dead.
  50. Web site: Malawi e-Visa System Malawi Visa Online The Official e-Visa Application Portal of Malawi Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services. evisa.gov.mw.
  51. Web site: Official Malaysia Visa. www.windowmalaysia.my. 13 November 2022. 19 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160819074226/http://www.windowmalaysia.my/evisa/evisa.jsp. dead.
  52. Web site: Official Malaysia Visa .
  53. Web site: Sistema de Autorización Electrónica (SAE). Instituto Nacional de. Migración. gob.mx.
  54. Web site: Mongolia Immigration Agency. gov.mn.
  55. Web site: Montserrat Online Visa Application :: Government of Montserrat :: Home. www.immigration.ms.
  56. Web site: Accès Maroc. www.acces-maroc.ma.
  57. https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/ Myanmar eVisa
  58. Web site: Information about: NZeTA Immigration New Zealand. www.immigration.govt.nz. 2021-02-06.
  59. Web site: The Nigeria Immigration Service. portal.immigration.gov.ng. 13 November 2022. 27 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180627172845/https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/visa/freshVisa. dead.
  60. Web site: Home - Evisa. evisa.rop.gov.om.
  61. Web site: Pakistan Online Visa System - Government of Pakistan.
  62. Web site: eVisa. evisa.ica.gov.pg.
  63. Web site: Russia to offer simplified E-Visas to 53 countries, including Nordic neighbours. 2021-01-01. The Independent Barents Observer. en.
  64. Web site: HOME. www.migration.gov.rw. 13 November 2022. 21 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190521204844/https://www.migration.gov.rw/index.php?id=2. dead.
  65. Web site: St. Helena eVisa - Welcome to St. Helena E-Visa Application. evisa.sainthelena.gov.sh. 13 November 2022. 14 May 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200514071008/https://evisa.sainthelena.gov.sh/. dead.
  66. Main Page. Scholarpedia. 1. 2. 1. 2006SchpJ...1....1I. Izhikevich. Eugene. 2006. 10.4249/scholarpedia.1. free.
  67. Web site: e-Visa STP. www.smf.st.
  68. Web site: Saudi eVisa The Official website for Tourist Visa to Saudi Arabia. visa.visitsaudi.com.
  69. https://save.ica.gov.sg/ Submission of Application for Visa Electronically (SAVE)
  70. Web site: evisa.gov.ss - Apply for a South Sudan e-Visa online. www.evisa.gov.ss.
  71. Web site: Online Visa Application . Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka. 2016-07-12.
  72. Web site: Seychelles Electronic Border System - Official Government Website . 2024-01-15 . seychelles.govtas.com . en.
  73. Web site: Suriname E-Visa VFS Global Official partner of the Government of Suriname. suriname.vfsevisa.com. 13 November 2022. 2 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190502211716/https://suriname.vfsevisa.com/suriname/online/home/who-can-apply-for-eVisa. dead.
  74. Web site: Online visa application form . visawebapp.boca.gov.tw.
  75. Web site: Tajikistan e-Visa. www.evisa.tj.
  76. Web site: Tanzania eVisa - Welcome . eservices.immigration.go.tz.
  77. Web site: Visa On Arrival. extranet.immigration.go.th.
  78. Web site: Official Website of Thailand Electronic Visa . 2022-09-06 . www.thaievisa.go.th.
  79. Web site: Electronic Visa Application System - Republic of Tukey - Ministry of Foreign Affairs. evisa.gov.tr.
  80. Web site: Uganda e-Visa. visas.immigration.go.ug.
  81. Web site: e-Visa - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. mfa.gov.ua.
  82. Web site: Get an electronic visa waiver to enter the UK. GOV.UK.
  83. Web site: VisaClient2.
  84. Web site: Vietnam evisa - National portal on Immigration. Vietnam Immigration Department.
  85. Web site: e-Services Zambia Immigration Department. evisa.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm.
  86. Web site: eVisa Zimbabwe. www.evisa.gov.zw.
  87. Web site: E-visa. electronic-visa.kdmid.ru.
  88. Web site: Госдума ввела электронные визы для въезда в РФ. 2021-01-01. Российская газета. 21 July 2020 . ru.
  89. Web site: eVisa .
  90. Web site: 25 July 2019 . Belarus MFA suggests introducing e-visas for nationals of third countries . eng.belta.by.
  91. Web site: Alwihda . Info . Le Tchad lance le visa électronique pour les voyageurs . Alwihda Info - Actualités TCHAD, Afrique, International.
  92. Web site: Mballa . Destin . 1 May 2019 . Congo: Le visa touristique bientôt électronique .
  93. Web site: 4 September 2019 . La RDC annonce " l'identification biométrique " de la population . La Libre Afrique.
  94. Web site: Meeting at Ministry for Culture on Tourist Visa Online National Office - Official Web Page of the Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20201127053716/https://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com/noticia.php?id=12270&lang=en . 27 November 2020 . 13 November 2022 . www.guineaecuatorialpress.com.
  95. Web site: Bawumia e-Visa Coming . Modern Ghana.
  96. Web site: Abugaliyeva . Meruyert . 28 April 2018 . Kazakhstan to start issuing e-visas in July .
  97. Web site: Liberia: Un e-Visa pour aider le développement touristique du pays . TourMaG.com.
  98. Web site: Electronic visas to be piloted in South Africa . businesstech.co.za.
  99. Web site: Manager . African . 11 July 2017 . Le visa électronique fait son apparition fin 2017/début 2018 - African Manager .
  100. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/QANDA_22_2583 Questions and Answers – Visa Digitalisation: Visa travel to the EU becomes easier
  101. Web site: eVisa rollout begins with immigration documents replaced by 2025 . Home Office.
  102. Web site: Digital Visa Authorization (DVA) Proof of Concept . Department of State.