ETA, eTA, e-Visa, ESTA and visa on arrival: what is the difference?

The names sound alike, but they are not the same thing. Which one applies depends on your passport and your destination.

Visa

Permission to enter, granted before you travel or, in some places, on arrival. It is normally attached to a specific purpose and length of stay.

e-Visa

A visa you apply for online and receive electronically, such as Turkey, India, Vietnam or Egypt offer. Eligibility and fees usually depend on nationality.

ETA or eTA (electronic travel authorisation)

An online pre-screening for travellers who do not need a visa. The UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, South Korea and Kenya use versions of it. The UK government describes its ETA as permission to travel that is not a visa, and Kenya's guidance says an eTA does not decide whether you are admissible.

ESTA

The United States' version of an electronic authorisation for Visa Waiver Program travellers. It is valid for two years or until your passport expires.

Arrival card

A registration form, not a permission. Thailand's Digital Arrival Card is an example: it is free, it is not a visa, and it must be completed for every entry.

Visa on arrival

A visa bought at the border. Some countries still offer it, but rules change, so check the government's current guidance. Tanzania, for example, says it remains available to eligible travellers while recommending an online application.

How to find out which you need

Check the destination government's own information for your nationality, then use our list of official portals to reach the right site.

Last updated 28 September 2026. General information only. See our disclaimer.