eVisas

An electronic visa, or eVisa, is a digital authorization that allows travel to a country for a specific purpose and period without a paper visa issued at a consulate. The visa is processed online and linked to the traveler’s passport number. If approved, the traveler receives an eVisa document or reference that is presented at border control along with the passport.

Application and use: Applicants fill an online form, upload required documents (commonly a passport bio page, a photo, travel itinerary, and sometimes a return ticket), and pay the visa fee. Processing can take from a few hours to several days, depending on the country and service level. The eVisa is usually stored electronically or as a downloadable document and must be valid for entry; some entries require the eVisa to be presented at check-in or border. On arrival, border officers verify the eVisa against the passport data.

Scope and limitations: Many countries offer eVisas for tourism, business, or transit. Benefits include faster processing, easier application, and reduced need for in-person visits to consulates. Limitations include strict eligibility criteria, possible system outages, and the risk of fraud if applications submit false information. Some nationalities may be ineligible or require traditional consular visas. In some cases, a country uses an electronic travel authorization (ETA) or eTA instead of a full eVisa, while others still require a visa on arrival or at a consulate. Examples of eVisa programs include India’s e-Visa, Turkey’s e-visa, Vietnam’s e-visa, Sri Lanka’s electronic visa, and Kenya’s eVisa; Australia operates an Electronic Travel Authority, a related online authorization.