w:electronic visa

{{More|Visa waiver}}

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 full conventional visas, according to which the traveller normally has no further recourse if rejected, if an ETA application 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 needing a passport stamp or equivalent.

eTAs are usually assessed automatically within an hour but typically must be obtained prior to travel. eTAs can usually be submitted without needing further documents.{{Cite web |title=About the Henley Passport Index |url=https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index/about |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=Henley & Partners |language=en}}

E-visas typically take substantially longer as the (manual) process is the same as for paper visas.

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:

• {{flag|Australia}}: Australia administers two distinct categories of ETA. The Electronic Travel Authority scheme is available to citizens of a variety of North America and Asian countries while the eVisitor scheme provides a similar facility for nationals of the European Union and the European Economic Area.
• Electronic Travel Authority: Developed in January 1996 and first trialed in Singapore on 11 September 1996 for Singaporean and American passport holders traveling with Qantas and Singapore Airlines. Online applications began in June 2001.{{cite web|title=Fact Sheet 53 – Australia's Entry System for Visitors |url=http://www.border.gov.au/about/corporate/information/fact-sheets/53entry-system|publisher=Department of Immigration and Border Protection|access-date=30 August 2015|archive-date=17 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817235342/http://www.border.gov.au/about/corporate/information/fact-sheets/53entry-system|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|publisher=PricewaterhouseCoopers|title=Policy study on an EU Electronic System for travel Authorization (EU ESTA) – Annexes: Introduction of the ETA, eVisitor and eVisa systems |url=http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/e-library/docs/pdf/esta_annexes_en.pdf |access-date=25 September 2013}} The current ETA, introduced on 23 March 2013, replaced older versions (subclass 976, 977, and 956) and allows multiple short-term visits to Australia within a 12-month period for tourism or business.{{cite web|title=Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927084216/http://www.southkorea.embassy.gov.au/seol/FAQ_601.html#Q1|archive-date=27 September 2013|url=http://www.southkorea.embassy.gov.au/seol/FAQ_601.html#Q1|publisher=Australian Embassy, Republic of Korea |access-date=25 September 2013|url-status=dead}} While there is no visa application fee, a AU$20 service charge applies. ETA holders must be free from tuberculosis and have no criminal sentence totaling 12 months or more.{{cite web|title=Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601)|url=https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/601-|publisher=Department of Immigration and Border Protection|access-date=30 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212173727/http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/601-|archive-date=12 December 2017|url-status=dead}} It is available to some passport holders from Asia and North America.{{efn|Eligible jurisdictions are:{{cite web|title=For Electronic Travel Authority Applicants – Who can apply|url=https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/601-#tab-content-1|publisher=Department of Immigration and Border Protection|access-date=30 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212173727/http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/601-#tab-content-1|archive-date=12 December 2017|url-status=dead}}

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• Brunei
• Canada
• Hong Kong
• Japan
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• South Korea
• United States

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}}

• eVisitor programme: Allows nationals of the European Union and several other countries to visit Australia under a simplified visa system while maintaining visa reciprocity with the EU.{{cite web|url=https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/651-|title=eVisitor (subclass 651)|publisher=Department of Immigration and Border Protection|access-date=30 August 2015|archive-date=10 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210123027/http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/651-|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://spotidoc.com/doc/171167/evisitor--frequently-asked-questions-for-clients|title=eVisitor: Frequently asked questions for clients What is eVisitor?|website=spotidoc.com|access-date=31 March 2018}} It is available to citizens of 27 EU member states and 9 other countries, permitting multiple visits of up to three months per stay within a 12-month period for tourism or business. The eVisitor is free of charge, but travelers must be tuberculosis-free and have no criminal convictions with a total sentence of 12 months or more.{{efn|Holders of the following passports are eligible:{{cite web|title=For eVisitor Applicants – Who can apply|url=https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/651-#tab-content-1|publisher=Department of Immigration and Border Protection|access-date=30 August 2015|archive-date=10 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210123027/http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/651-#tab-content-1|url-status=dead}}

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• European Union
• Andorra
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Monaco
• Norway
• San Marino
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom¹
• Vatican City

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_{1 – For British passport holders, only British citizens are eligible to apply for eVisitor.}}}

• {{flag|Canada}}: Travellers from visa-free countries entering Canada by air, except American nationals (including those with and without full citizenship), French citizens arriving from Saint Pierre and Miquelon and holders of United States Permanent Residence cards, must obtain an ETA prior to arrival but not if arriving by land or sea. Travellers from 14 other countries normally require a visa to enter Canada, but are eligible to apply for an ETA for entry by air if they have held a Canadian visa within the 10 years prior to applying or if they currently hold a valid non-immigrant American visa.{{efn|Eligible jurisdictions are:{{cite web | url=https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/eligibility/eta-x.html | title=Electronic travel authorization (ETA): Citizens from some visa-required countries | date=6 June 2023 }}

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• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Brazil
• Costa Rica
• Morocco
• Panama
• Philippines
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Seychelles
• Thailand
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Uruguay

{{div col end}}

}} Such travellers must still have a valid Canadian visa to enter by land or sea.

• {{flag|East African Community}}: From February 2014, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda issue an East African Tourist Visa.[http://allafrica.com/stories/201403071100.html East Africa: Single Visa to Boost East Regional Tourism], All Africa, 6 March 2014. The visa costs 100 USD and has no restrictions on nationality. It is a non-extendable multiple-entry 90-day visa that has to be first used to enter the country that issued it. Like traditional visas, it will be assessed manually and requires some documents such as return ticket and vaccination certificate.{{Cite web|title = East African Tourist Visa |url = https://www.immigration.go.ug/services/east-african-tourist-visa |website = Official website of the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control of Uganda. |access-date = 25 June 2024 }}
• {{flag|Hong Kong}}: Indian nationals, and Taiwanese nationals without a Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, are required to complete a pre-arrival registration.{{cite web |title=Pre-arrival Registration for Indian Nationals {{!}} Immigration Department |url=https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/pre-arrival_registration_for_indian_nationals.html |publisher=Immigration Department}}
• {{flag|India}}: India permits nationals of most jurisdictions[https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html e-Visa], Government of India. to clear border controls using an e-visa. Travellers holding an e-Visa must arrive via 26 designated airports.
• {{flag|Israel}}: From 1 January 2025, visitors from visa exempt countries must obtain an electronic travel authorization (ETA-IL) before travelling to Israel. The ETA-IL costs ILS 25 and is valid for 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever occurs first.{{cite web |url=https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/ |title=ETA-IL |publisher=Israel Population and Immigration Authority}}{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.il/en/departments/dynamiccollectors/ashrotzarim |title=Tourist visa requirements for foreign nationals |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel}}
• {{flag|Kenya}}: From 1 January 2021, Kenya solely issues e-visas and physical visas are no longer available.[http://immigration.go.ke/visa-section/ Visa and exemption services] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328000547/http://immigration.go.ke/visa-section/ |date=28 March 2023 }}, Directorate of Immigration Services of Kenya. Kenya issues both "East African Tourist Visa" and "Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)". Both will involve manual assessment which takes around three days, and requires some documents such as return ticket and vaccination certificate.{{cite web |url=https://www.etakenya.go.ke/en |title=Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) |publisher=Directorate of Immigration & Citizen Services |access-date=2024-06-25 }} The eTA can be single-entry or multiple-entry.
• {{flag|New Zealand}}: New Zealand has required that visa waiver travellers (other than citizens of Australia, members of a visiting force, or individuals associated with a scientific programme or expedition in Antarctica sponsored by a party to the Antarctic Treaty) obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) since 1 October 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/news-notifications/electronic-travel-authority|title=Electronic Travel Authority |website=immigration.govt.nz|access-date=2 July 2019|archive-date=22 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722210017/https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/news-notifications/electronic-travel-authority|url-status=dead}}
• {{flag|Pakistan}}: Visitors from several jurisdictions may enter Pakistan for tourism without obtaining a visa in advance provided they hold an ETA.{{cite web|url=https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/tourist-friendly-countriestfc/|title=List of Countries for Visa on Arrival (Tourist)|access-date=19 October 2021}}
• {{flag|Qatar}}: From 27 September 2017, citizens of all nationalities who hold valid residence permits or visas from either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, the United States of America or the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council can obtain an ETA for up to 30 days. The authorization may be extended online for 30 additional days.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/14/09/2017/Qatar-launches-Electronic-Travel-Authorisation-System|title=Qatar launches Electronic Travel Authorisation System|date=14 September 2017}} Qatar introduced an e-Visa system on 23 June 2017. All countries except Egypt, Israel, Kosovo and Palestine that do not qualify for visa on arrival or visa free entry may apply for a tourist visa online through the eVisa system.{{Cite web|url=http://www.qatarvisaservice.com/Qatar-Online/QROnline/VisaCategoryAndPricingDetails/DisplayVisaCategoryAndPricingDetails#no-back|title=Qatar|date=28 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628080618/http://www.qatarvisaservice.com/Qatar-Online/QROnline/VisaCategoryAndPricingDetails/DisplayVisaCategoryAndPricingDetails#no-back |archive-date=28 June 2017 }} Visas are issued within four working days if all documents are submitted and are valid for a stay period up to 30 days in Qatar.{{Cite web |url=https://qatar.vfsevisa.com/Qatar-Online/QROnline/VisaCategoryAndPricingDetails/Faq#7 |title=FAQS |access-date=31 October 2021 |archive-date=15 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215212138/https://qatar.vfsevisa.com/Qatar-Online/QROnline/VisaCategoryAndPricingDetails/Faq#7 |url-status=dead }}
• {{flag|Russia}}: Russia requires ETA from visa exempt countries, and also offers a single entry unified e-visa to visitors from certain countries.
• e-Visa: Citizens of select countries and territories may obtain a unified e-Visa for 16 days.{{cite web | title=e-Visa | url=https://electronic-visa.kdmid.ru/country_en.html | website=electronic-visa.kdmid.ru | publisher=CONSULAR DEPARTMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION | access-date=2 August 2023 | language=en | date=1 August 2023 }}{{cite web | url=http://static.government.ru/media/files/c0ZDX0WaURdyvOidgFYSU5oDg61UC7QB.pdf | title=Распоряжение Правительства Российской Федерации No 2571-р от 6 октября 2020 г. | website=government.ru | access-date=7 October 2020}} The unified e-Visa is a single entry visa, which is valid for a period of 60 days from the date of issue, and which allows a period of stay in the Russian Federation of up to 16 days from the date of entry. Electronic visas were first issued in Russia in 2017 to be valid for specific regions, and was expanded to be valid country-wide in 2020, hence being called "unified e-visa".
• ETA: Starting 30 June 2025, an Electronic Travel Authorization is a mandatory requirement for travelers from visa exemption countries visiting Russia. Travelers holding ordinary passports from eligible countries and territories must obtain a ETA before their departure to Russia.{{cite web | url=https://b1.ru/insights/pas-messenger/entry-of-foreign-citizens-27-november/ | title=Въезд иностранных граждан в РФ: сбор биометрических данных и заявление на въезд | Новости Б1 }}
• {{flag|Seychelles}}: All visitor from Seychelles (except Kosovo) does not require a visa. However, they need SEBS (Seychelles Electronic Border System). It must need to be fulfilled 30 days before the entry, and pay a fee. Travellers of all ages need to do that, while Seychellois citizens and permanent residents still need the Embarkation Information Form.{{Cite web |title=Seychelles Electronic Border System - Official Government Website |url=https://seychelles.govtas.com/en |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=seychelles.govtas.com |language=en}}
• {{flag|South Korea}}: eligible visa-free visitors must obtain Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA).
• {{flag|Sri Lanka}}: Travellers to Sri Lanka must obtain an ETA prior to getting a visa on arrival at the entry port, except for a few countries where the ETA is exempted, and for a few countries where a visa must obtained in advance. Citizens of India, Pakistan, and other countries in the northwestern part of Asia receive discounted ETAs.{{Cite web|url=http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/visainfo/fees.jsp#profee|title=Online Visa Application|website=www.eta.gov.lk}}
• {{flag|United Kingdom}}: From 8 January 2025, a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation must be obtained for visa-free nationalities outside Europe. European visa-free nationalities must obtain an ETA for travel to the UK from 2 April 2025.{{Cite web |title=Check when you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) |url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-when-you-can-get-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}
• {{flag|United States}}: Travellers under the Visa Waiver Program are required to obtain permission through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) if arriving in America by any mode of transportation as of 2023. Travellers using a passport issued by the Government of Bermuda to a British Overseas Territories Citizen, entering as a Canadian citizen, or entering under other visa exemption arrangements (such as the Compact of Free Association) are not required to hold an ESTA clearance.

File:Electronic visas.png

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.

Authorities of Brazil,{{Cite web |title=eVisa |url=https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/}} Belarus,{{Cite web |date=25 July 2019 |title=Belarus MFA suggests introducing e-visas for nationals of third countries |url=https://eng.belta.by/society/view/belarus-mfa-suggests-introducing-e-visas-for-nationals-of-third-countries-122922-2019/ |website=eng.belta.by}} Chad,{{Cite web |last=Alwihda |first=Info |title=Le Tchad lance le visa électronique pour les voyageurs |url=https://www.alwihdainfo.com/Le-Tchad-lance-le-visa-electronique-pour-les-voyageurs_a75777.html |website=Alwihda Info - Actualités TCHAD, Afrique, International}} Republic of the Congo,{{Cite web |last=Mballa |first=Destin |date=1 May 2019 |title=Congo: Le visa touristique bientôt électronique |url=https://africtelegraph.com/congo-le-visa-touristique-bientot-electronique%ef%bb%bf/}} Democratic Republic of the Congo,{{Cite web |date=4 September 2019 |title=La RDC annonce " l'identification biométrique " de la population |url=https://afrique.lalibre.be/40669/la-rdc-annonce-lidentification-biometrique-de-la-population/ |website=La Libre Afrique}} Equatorial Guinea,{{Cite web |title=Meeting at Ministry for Culture on Tourist Visa Online National Office - Official Web Page of the Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea |url=https://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com/noticia.php?id=12270&lang=en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127053716/https://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com/noticia.php?id=12270&lang=en |archive-date=27 November 2020 |access-date=13 November 2022 |website=www.guineaecuatorialpress.com}} Ghana,{{Cite web |title=Bawumia e-Visa Coming |url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/926336/bawumia-e-visa-coming.html |website=Modern Ghana}} Kazakhstan,{{Cite web |last=Abugaliyeva |first=Meruyert |date=28 April 2018 |title=Kazakhstan to start issuing e-visas in July |url=https://astanatimes.com/2018/04/kazakhstan-to-start-issuing-e-visas-in-july/}} Liberia,{{Cite web |title=Liberia: Un e-Visa pour aider le développement touristique du pays |url=https://www.tourmag.com/Liberia-Un-e-Visa-pour-aider-le-developpement-touristique-du-pays_a94757.html |website=TourMaG.com}} South Africa,{{Cite web |title=Electronic visas to be piloted in South Africa |url=https://businesstech.co.za/news/mobile/233185/electronic-visas-to-be-piloted-in-south-africa/ |website=businesstech.co.za}} and Tunisia{{Cite web |last=Manager |first=African |date=11 July 2017 |title=Le visa électronique fait son apparition fin 2017/début 2018 - African Manager |url=https://africanmanager.com/le-visa-electronique-fait-son-apparition-fin-2017debut-2018/}} have announced plans to introduce electronic visas in the future.

• {{flag|European Union}}: Planning to introduce the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) for visa-exempt nationals intending to come to the European Union or the Schengen Area (including EFTA countries) from 2024. For non-visa-exempt nationals, the EU plans to introduce a unified digital visa system starting in 2026.[https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/QANDA_22_2583 Questions and Answers – Visa Digitalisation: Visa travel to the EU becomes easier], European Commission, 27 April 2022.

• {{flag|Japan}}:
• {{flag|United Kingdom}}: Rolling out eVisas to replace all physical immigration documents, such as biometric residence permits and visa vignettes on passports. The process was started in 2024, with most visas going electronic in 2025.{{Cite web |title=eVisa rollout begins with immigration documents replaced by 2025 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/evisa-rollout-begins-with-immigration-documents-replaced-by-2025 |publisher=Home Office}} As this will only apply to visa-required visitors, this is separate to the established ETA system for visa-waived visitors.

• {{flag|United States}}: The State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs is developing and trialling an electronic visa system called Digital Visa Authorization (DVA), envisioned to eventually replace traditional sticker visas on passports. In 2023, this was trialled with K-1 visas issued at the Embassy of the United States, Dublin, Ireland.{{Cite web |title=Digital Visa Authorization (DVA) Proof of Concept |url=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/digital-visa-authorization-dva-proof-of-concept.html |publisher=Department of State}} As this will only apply to visa-required visitors, this is separate to the established ESTA system for visa-waived visitors.

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{{Electronic visas and electronic travel authorizations}}

{{Commercial air travel}}

Category:Expedited border crossing schemes

Category:Visas