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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.
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.
This article possibly contains original research .(February 2024) |
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:
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.
Country | Mode | Universal eligibility | VoA alternative | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Angola | Pre-approval | X | X | [24] |
Antigua and Barbuda | eVisa | ✓ | X | [25] |
Armenia | eVisa | X | ✓ | [26] |
Argentina | eVisa (called ETA) | X | X | [27] |
Ascension Island | eVisa | ✓ | X | [28] |
Australia | ETA | X | X | [29] |
Azerbaijan | eVisa | X | partial | [30] |
Bahrain | eVisa | X | partial | [31] |
Benin | eVisa | ✓ | X | [32] |
Cambodia | eVisa | X | ✓ | [33] |
Djibouti | eVisa | ✓ | ✓ | [34] |
Egypt | eVisa | X | partial | [35] |
Ethiopia | eVisa | ✓ | partial | [36] |
Gabon | eVisa | ✓ | partial | [37] |
Georgia | eVisa | X | X | [38] |
Guinea | eVisa | ✓ | X | [39] |
Guinea-Bissau | Pre-approval | ✓ | ✓ | [40] |
Hong Kong | ETA/eVisa | ✓ | X | [41] [42] |
India | eVisa | X | partial | [43] |
Iran | eVisa | X | ✓ | [44] |
Ivory Coast | eVisa | ✓ | X | [45] |
Japan | eVisa | X | ✓ | [46] |
Kenya | eVisa | X | ✓ | [47] |
Kuwait | eVisa | X | ✓ | [48] |
Kyrgyzstan | eVisa | ✓ | partial | [49] |
Laos | eVisa | X | ✓ | [50] |
Lesotho | eVisa | ✓ | X | [51] |
Madagascar | eVisa | ✓ | ✓ | [52] |
Malawi | eVisa | ✓ | ✓ | [53] |
Malaysia | eVisa | X | ✓ | [54] [55] |
Mexico | ETA | X | X | [56] |
Mongolia | Pre-approval | X | partial | [57] |
Montserrat | eVisa | ✓ | X | [58] |
Morocco | eVisa/ETA | X | partial | [59] |
Myanmar | eVisa | X | partial | [60] |
New Zealand | ETA | X | X | [61] |
Nigeria | eVisa | X | partial | [62] |
Oman | eVisa | X | ✓ | [63] |
Pakistan | ETA | X | X | [64] |
Papua New Guinea | eVisa | X | ✓ | [65] |
Qatar | eVisa | ✓ | ✓ | |
Russia | eVisa | X | X | [66] |
Rwanda | eVisa | ✓ | ✓ | [67] |
Saint Helena | eVisa | ✓ | X | [68] |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | eVisa | ✓ | X | [69] |
São Tomé and Príncipe | eVisa | ✓ | X | [70] |
Saudi Arabia | eVisa | X | ✓ | [71] |
Singapore | eVisa | X | X | [72] |
South Sudan | eVisa | ✓ | X | [73] |
Sri Lanka | ETA | X | ✓ | [74] |
Seychelles | ETA | ✓ | X | [75] |
Suriname | eVisa | ✓ | X | [76] |
Taiwan | eVisa | X | partial | [77] |
Tajikistan | eVisa | X | X | [78] |
Tanzania | eVisa | ✓ | ✓ | [79] |
Thailand | eVisa/Pre-approval | X | ✓ | [80] / [81] |
Turkey | eVisa | X | X | [82] |
Uganda | eVisa | X | ✓ | [83] |
Ukraine | eVisa | X | X | [84] |
United Kingdom | EVW | X | X | [85] |
Uzbekistan | eVisa | X | X | [86] |
Vietnam | eVisa | X | X | [87] |
Zambia | eVisa | ✓ | partial | [88] |
Zimbabwe | eVisa | ✓ | partial | [89] |
Russia maintains an eVisa program for visitors from certain countries arriving to Russian Far East, Saint Petersburg, Leningrad Region and Kaliningrad Region. [90] And will introduce a single electronic visa from 1 January 2021. [91]
Authorities of Brazil, [92] Belarus, [93] Chad, [94] Republic of the Congo, [95] Democratic Republic of the Congo, [96] Equatorial Guinea, [97] Ghana, [98] Kazakhstan, [99] Liberia, [100] South Africa, [101] and Tunisia [102] have announced plans to introduce electronic visas in the future.
The visa policy of Australia deals with the requirements that a foreign national wishing to enter Australia must meet to obtain a visa, which is a permit to travel, to enter and remain in the country. A visa may also entitle the visa holder to other privileges, such as a right to work, study, etc. and may be subject to conditions.
The visa policy of Canada requires that any foreign citizen wishing to enter Canada must obtain a temporary resident visa from one of the Canadian diplomatic missions unless they hold a passport issued by one of the 53 eligible visa-exempt countries and territories or proof of permanent residence in Canada or the United States.
Visa requirements for Romanian citizens are the administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other territories affecting citizens of Romania. As of January 2024, Romanian citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 179 countries and territories, ranking the Romanian passport 13th in terms of travel freedom, according to the Henley Passport Index.
Visa requirements for Pakistani citizens are the requirements by other countries to obtain a visa before entry on an ordinary Pakistani Passport.
Visa requirements for Kuwaiti citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Kuwait. As of 9 January 2024, Kuwaiti citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 103 countries and territories, ranking the Kuwaiti passport 55th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
Visa requirements for Belizean citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Belize. As of 11 January 2022, Belizean citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 101 countries and territories, ranking the Belizean passport 52nd overall, and last among Central American countries, in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
Visa requirements for Bulgarian citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Bulgaria. As of 9 January 2024, Bulgarian citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 179 countries and territories, ranking the Bulgarian passport 13th overall in terms of travel freedom, according to the Henley & Partners Passport Index.
Visa requirements for Cypriot citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Cyprus.
Visa requirements for Slovak citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Slovakia. As of January 2024, Slovak citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 186 countries and territories, ranking the Slovak passport 9th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
The visa policy of the United Kingdom is the policy by which His Majesty's Government determines visa requirements for visitors to the United Kingdom, and the Crown dependencies of Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man and those seeking to work, study or reside there.
The visa policy of Singapore deals with the requirements a traveller must meet to enter Singapore. A foreign national, depending on their country of origin, must meet certain requirements to obtain a visa, which is a permit to travel, to enter and remain in the country. A visa may also entitle the visa holder to other privileges, such as a right to work, study, etc. and may be subject to conditions.
All visitors to Sri Lanka must obtain a visa, either on arrival to Sri Lanka or in advance. Most visitors entering for tourism purposes are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in order to receive a visa on arrival, unless they are exempt from obtaining one. However, nationals of some countries must obtain a visa in advance instead of an ETA before being allowed to enter Sri Lanka. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.
Visitors to Pakistan typically must obtain a visa from one of the Pakistani diplomatic missions. Pakistani missions abroad offer various categories of visas, with some travelers eligible for visa on arrival if traveling as part of a group tour, or for business.
Pakistan also offers electronic visa application and electronic travel authorization for issuance of visa on arrival.
Kenya has abolished visa requirements for all foreign visitors from 1 January 2024, and instead implemented an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system.
Visa requirements for Andorra citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Andorra. As of 11 January 2024, Andorran citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 172 countries and territories, ranking the Andorran passport 19th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
Visa requirements for European Union citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other countries placed on citizens of the European Union. They differ among countries. The European Union has achieved full reciprocity with certain countries.
Visa requirements for Maltese citizens are administrative entry restrictions imposed by the authorities of foreign states on citizens of Malta. As of January 2024, Maltese citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 190 countries and territories, ranking the Maltese passport 5th in the world (tied with Greek, and Swiss passports in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
The British Overseas Territories maintain their own entry requirements different from the visa policy of the United Kingdom. As a general rule, British citizens do not have automatic right of abode in these territories.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a planned electronic authorisation system of the European Union for visa-exempt visitors travelling to the Schengen Area, as well as Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania.
The United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a Home Office electronic system that is used to pre-check people travelling to the United Kingdom.
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