What an eVisa actually is

An eVisa is a tourist visa you apply for online before you fly — typically a PDF you print or save to your phone. It’s the middle ground between full visa-free entry (no application) and a traditional embassy visa (in-person appointment, weeks of waiting). Most cost $20-50, take 3-7 days to process, and require nothing more than a passport scan and a photo.

To confirm if your specific destination uses an eVisa system, use our free Visa Checker.

What you’ll need (universal)

  • Passport with 6+ months validity from your travel date
  • Digital photo in passport-photo format (most sites want 600×600 px, white background)
  • Scan of your passport bio page as JPG or PDF
  • Credit/debit card for the visa fee
  • Email address for the approved visa delivery
  • Onward/return ticket and accommodation booking (some countries require proof)

Country-by-country quick reference

  • India: 30-day, 1-year or 5-year eVisa from $25 — apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Typically 3-5 days.
  • Vietnam: 90-day single/multi-entry eVisa, $25-50 — evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. 3 working days.
  • Turkey: Instant eVisa for most western passports, $35 — evisa.gov.tr.
  • Australia: ETA (electronic travel authority) via the AUS official app, AUD $20 — instant for most.
  • Canada: eTA $7 CAD — canada.ca/eta — instant for visa-exempt nationals.
  • UK: ETA £10 — gov.uk/eta — 2026 introduction, 3 days.
  • EU (Schengen): ETIAS €7 from May 2026 — etias.europa.eu — minutes to hours.
  • Sri Lanka: ETA $50 — eta.gov.lk — instant to 3 days.
  • Cambodia: eVisa $36 — evisa.gov.kh — 3 working days.
  • Kenya: eTA $34 — etakenya.go.ke — 3 working days.
  • Egypt: eVisa $25 — visa2egypt.gov.eg — 7 working days.
  • Saudi Arabia: eVisa SAR 535 — visa.visitsaudi.com — instant to 24 hours.

Avoid these common mistakes

  • Apply on official .gov sites only. Third-party “visa services” charge 5-10× the real fee for the same form. Always check the URL.
  • Don’t apply too early. Most eVisas have a validity window (e.g., must enter within 60 days of approval). Apply 2-3 weeks before travel, not 6 months.
  • Triple-check passport details. One wrong digit and the visa is invalid — at the airport, not in advance.
  • Print a paper copy. Some airlines insist on paper at check-in even though border officials are happy with phone display.

eVisa vs Visa-on-Arrival — which is better?

If both options exist (e.g., Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos), eVisa is usually better:

  • You arrive with paperwork done — no airport queue
  • You know the cost in advance (VoA prices fluctuate)
  • Some airlines won’t board you for VoA destinations unless you can prove eligibility

VoA is fine for short side-trips and last-minute additions. For deeper comparison see our visa-free vs eVisa vs visa-on-arrival guide.

Plan your visa-required trip

Use the EEC Visa Checker to confirm which type of entry your destination requires. For US passport holders specifically, see visa-free countries for US passport holders.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an eVisa take?
Most are 3-7 working days. Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka can be instant for many passports. Apply 2-3 weeks before travel for a buffer.
Can I trust online “visa services”?
Apply only on official government sites (always ending in .gov.[country] or the country’s official equivalent). Third-party services charge 5-10× the real fee for the same form, and some are outright scams.
What if my eVisa is denied?
Reasons range from incorrect details to past visa violations. Some countries refund fees, most don’t. Reapply with corrected info, or get help from a legitimate visa-services firm for tricky cases.
Do I need to print my eVisa?
Yes — most countries print on your phone is fine for border officials, but some airlines won’t board you without a paper copy. Print one before you leave home.
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