Everything You Should Know About Visas and Travel Authorizations

If you're planning a trip abroad, the first step is choosing the type of visa you need.

A visa is an official permit that allows you to enter, stay in, or leave a country for a specific period and purpose. But which visa should you apply for? Let's go through the main visa categories and their features together.

Electronic Visa

eVisa and eVisitor are types of visas issued online, allowing you to obtain travel permission before crossing the border. They typically replace traditional sticker visas and simplify the visa-obtaining process.

eVisa – this is a visa issued in electronic form, granting permission to enter a foreign country for a defined period. The visa application is filled out online, and if approved, the applicant receives a PDF document, which must be presented at the border.

Countries that use eVisa: Azerbaijan, India, Turkey, Kenya, and others.

eVisitor – this is a specific electronic visa developed by Australia for citizens of certain countries, including citizens of EU member states. This visa allows visitors to travel to Australia for tourism or business purposes for up to 3 months within a 12-month period.

Electronic Travel Authorization

Electronic travel authorization allows a traveler to obtain entry permission in advance and does not require a sticker visa. Similar systems are in place in various countries:

ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) – used in countries where prior electronic authorization is required instead of a visa, for example:

ETA-UK – the United Kingdom introduced this system starting in 2024, and it will be required for travelers who could previously visit the country visa-free.

ETA-IL (Israel ETA) – Israel began using electronic authorization in 2025 for citizens of visa-liberalized countries.

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) – an electronic authorization system developed by the EU, which will take effect starting in 2026. It applies to citizens of visa-liberalized countries traveling within the Schengen Area and the EU's 27 member countries, and its main purpose will be to simplify the travel process and protect borders.

ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) – the US's electronic authorization system, required for citizens of countries that can travel to the US without a visa.

Don't forget that ETA is not a visa, but rather prior permission for visa-free travel. eVisa, on the other hand, is an electronic form of a visa, used in certain countries.

Sticker Visa

A sticker visa is a traditional visa that is physically printed and affixed into the passport. It can be obtained through an embassy or consulate. Sticker visas can be:

• Tourist
• Business
• Student
• Permanent residency

Sticker visas are typically required by countries such as:

• The US (B1/B2, F1, J1)
• Canada (TRV – Temporary Resident Visa)
• The United Kingdom (Standard Visitor Visa)
• Schengen countries (Schengen Visa)

Visa on Arrival

Visa on Arrival (VoA) is a type of visa that allows a visitor to obtain a visa upon arrival, at the airport or border. It's typically used in countries with a policy of easy access for tourists.

The difference between VoA and eVisa is that an eVisa is obtained online in advance and the documents are processed beforehand, while a Visa on Arrival is issued by an officer upon arrival in the country.

Visa-Free Travel

Visa-free travel means that a citizen of a country doesn't need a visa to enter a specific country. Examples of this include:

• Citizens of EU member states – can travel freely within the Schengen Area.
• Citizens of Georgia – can travel visa-free within the Schengen Area for 90 days within a 180-day period.
• US citizens – can travel visa-free to various European countries.

The difference between visa-free travel and ETA/ETIAS is that with visa-free travel, the traveler doesn't need any prior authorization at all, whereas ETA/ETIAS is a prior authorization required for visa-free travel.

Visa-Free Travel and ETA/ETIAS

This means that citizens who can travel to a specific country visa-free may still need an ETA or ETIAS. In other words, visa-free travel still applies, but prior authorization is still required.

For example:

• EU citizens – currently travel to the US visa-free, but still need ESTA.
• Citizens of Georgia – currently can travel to the EU visa-free, but will need ETIAS starting in 2025.
• EU citizens – currently travel to Canada visa-free, but still need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization).
• EU citizens – currently travel to the United Kingdom visa-free, but still need an ETA UK (Electronic Travel Authorization).