Immigration

What Is An E-Visa?

The Electronic Visa (e-Visa) has emerged as one of the most creative programs in the field of freedom of travel and people-to-people communications.

E-Visa enables the administration of the visa processing process to take place entirely online. Everything is conducted virtually, including the visa application and supporting documents are submitted online, payment is made online, and the application decision is published online.

What is precisely an e-visa?

E-Visa is a system designed to save passengers from time-consuming and exhausting bureaucratic procedures while also providing an alternative to border-issued visas.

Users who use the internet can apply for visas to the countries they want to visit.

Those considering applying for a visa can get their travel documents through the e-visa system to meet the requirements. Online visas are typically issued for tourist purposes only.

This system does not currently cover work permits and student visas. It is a form of electronic visa that is given to foreign nationals.

An e-visa allows you to enter a country and stay for a set amount of time. All of your identifying details will be processed electronically in an e-visa. The visa-issuing authority will give you an electronic copy of your visa to your registered email address.

An electronic visa can refer to either the visa application process or the visa itself. In most cases, the visa application process can be completed online rather than visiting or mailing documents to a foreign country’s consulate.

In other cases, a visa could be a card, possibly with a magnetic stripe, that contains vital information about the traveller.

Though they are still in their early stages of popularity, electronic visas may soon supplant traditional visas. Visas are usually required to enter a country.

Some countries may require visas to be received ahead of time. Other countries may issue an entry visa at the point of entry, which is typically an airport or border crossing. Visas are usually stamped into passports and state the maximum amount of time the holder is permitted to stay in the country.

A paper or plastic electronic visa is available. The online visa application process may be completed online and electronically transmitted to a processing office in some cases. If the visa is granted, the requestor will receive an email with the necessary documentation.

This document is usually used to obtain the visa required to enter the country. When travelling to or within the country, it should be kept with the passport at all times.

There is frequently a significant convenience factor involved for those who apply for an electronic visa. In some cases, you must mail your passport to a consulate office to obtain a visa to enter a specific country.

Many people are concerned about losing their passport if it is not in their immediate possession.

It is an essential identification document, and American passports, in particular, can be very valuable on the black market.

If the visa is approved, the process of entering the country is usually accelerated. Fine lines are set up at some international airports for those with an electronic visa to expedite the immigration process.

This procedure can save a significant amount of time, possibly even hours.

Though electronic visas in the form of cards that resemble credit cards have yet to gain popularity, it is supposed that they will soon replace paper visas.

An electronic visa card could contain all of the traveller’s information, which authorities could easily access by scanning it or entering the number into a national database.

Authorities would then be able to determine whether the individual was legitimately present in the country.

Pros and Cons of E- visa

Pros

1. Cost Saving

Logistics are simplified and automated since the whole process is conducted online. There will be no more face-to-face appointments at visa offices, where a government official will manually type details into the system and search the applicant’s documents.

Furthermore, once approval is granted, a system like this removes the need to print a visa sticker and return the document to the holder.

2. Time-saving process

Clumsy and inconvenient paper-based processes waste time and money for both applicants and government officials. A traveller applying for a visa must fill out the required paperwork, which must then be mailed or physically delivered to the destination state’s local embassy or consulate.

The embassy or consulate will then process the request, and review the provided documentation, and return the approved visa to the applicant.

3. Revenue boosting

Increase your payments, visits, and career opportunities.

Typically, the legislation allows for the collection of extra processing fees for eVisas.

It can be up to 20% higher than a typical one to cover the costs of running and managing the portal and management system.

​Furthermore, the introduction of a more user-friendly visa application process will encourage both tourist and business travel.

Cons

​1. Identity theft

Governments are concerned about applicants’ identity because visa applications are sent online, and physical presence at a visa office is not needed.

2. Forgery of documents

In the case of e-Visas, supporting documentation – such as evidence of adequate financial means, medical insurance, or invitation letters – are sent digitally, raising the chance of paper falsification.

3. Impossibility to collect biometric data

Although gathering biometric data, such as fingerprints and digital photos, is possible when applicants physically arrive at the visa office, using an e-Visa service does not allow for this alternative.

4. Poor ICT infrastructure

Authorities are concerned that inadequate ICT facilities in certain countries could jeopardize the quality of the e-Visa program.

How to Apply for an E-Visa / Online Visa?

Visa procedures and required documentation differ by country, but the process is generally the same for all countries.

First and foremost, the country of destination must provide this service to receive an online visa.

Passengers with valid passports may use their credit cards to pay the requested e-visa fee, then print the certificate and pass through the border directly.

Many foreign citizens who want to enter our country but do not want to go to a representative office or wait in line may apply for an e-visa using only their passport details.

They will be able to obtain their e-visas once the payment process is completed.

Following are the steps for applying for an e visa:

  • Select your destination.
  • Check the requirements and eligibility
  • Choose the type of e -visa you need.
  • Fill out your contact details
  • Make use of your preferred payment method.

How do I use an E visa?

Please print out your E visa approval and show it to the immigration officer at the port of entry along with your passport.

Your e visa should match the number on your passport.

How much does it cost?

The visa fee is composed of the visa fee plus service fees, which vary depending on the type of e visa and destination. Typically, prices would range from $15 to $75.

Where can I apply?

You can apply for an e-visa through the official government website of your destination country or through a service provider that specializes in e-visa processing.

How earlier should I apply for an e-visa?

Your e-visa will be accepted almost instantly in most cases.

That means you can apply for an e-visa at any time before your journey. Remember that your visa can expire within 60 days, so don’t get it too far in advance.

Remember, e-visa websites can be demanding at times.

Don’t put yourself in a position where you need an e-visa in a matter of hours. Otherwise, you could run out of options.

List of Countries That Issue e-visa

The number of countries that use online visa applications is growing over time.

As of 2018, the following countries used this system:

  1. USA,
  2. New Zealand
  3. Armenia
  4. Bahrain,
  5. Cambodia,
  6. Cape Verde,
  7. Gabon,
  8. Georgia,
  9. India,
  10. Kenya,
  11. Kuwait,
  12. Malaysia,
  13. Moldova,
  14. Myanmar,
  15. Rwanda,
  16. São Tomé and Príncipe,
  17. Singapore,
  18. Saint Kitts and Nevis,
  19. Sri Lanka,
  20. Turkey,
  21. The United Arab Emirates,
  22. Uganda,
  23. Uzbekistan
  24. Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Destinations with e-visas

Each country’s laws are not the same. French people do not need a visa to visit these locations.

However, if you are going to America, Asia, Africa, or Oceania, you can now apply for a streamlined travel permit.

Americans Countries

Online visa applications are available for business and tourist trips to Canada. This is the eTA Canada, which stands for Electronic Travel Authorization in Canada.

The validity period is up to 5 years with a cumulative stay of 6 months. While specific requests take several days of processing, the majority require just a few minutes.

A plea for ESTA USA, also known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, can be made with just a few taps.

For transport, tourism, or business travel, electronic visas are issued.

With a three working-day delay, the visa is valid for two years following acceptance with a period of no more than three months.

Tourists planning a trip to Cambodia may apply for a visa online. The document’s validity is one quarter for a one-month ride.

Patients from all over the world are flocking to India for care. The nation then issues e-visas for medical visits promptly. You may also apply for a visa online for business or tourist trips.

India electronic visas are valid for 120 days. The e-visa is valid for six months for one or more 30-day stays in Sri Lanka for tourism or business.

Electronic visas are also available to citizens of Vietnam, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

Travels to Africa

You may apply for an e-visa if you intend to visit Ivory Coast for tourism, study, and research, or business. This one is only good for three months. Tourist travel to Ethiopia can be planned more quickly thanks to a streamlined online visa application. Is there a fair or other activity going on in Gabon?

Or do you wish to pay a visit to friends or family?

You may obtain an electronic visa that is valid for up to 180 days.

Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Uganda, and other African countries have also begun introducing the latest visa requirements.

In the direction of Oceania

You may apply for a streamlined travel permit to Australia.

This country issues e-visas in 1 to 3 business days for tourism or business trips. Electronic visas for Australia are valid for one year for stays of up to three months.

E-visa vs Regular visa

To apply for a regular visa, you must visit an embassy of the nation you want to visit in your home country and send the required paperwork in person. In contrast, an e-Visa is applied electronically.

You are not required to apply for your passport or other papers in person.

You must also wait several weeks for a regular visa instead of a few days for an e-visa.

You may apply for a regular visa at your home country’s embassy. For the daily visa, you must request the required documentation.

A standard visa has the advantage of being available for a more extended period than an e-visa.

The downside is that it needs more time to process.

To obtain this visa, you must first make an appointment with the consulate.  Travellers should be aware that being registered for a visa on arrival would not exclude them from applying for a visa online.

Since you don’t have to pay in a particular currency or wait in line at the airport, the electronic visa is much more flexible and convenient.

E-visa rejection

Your e-visa submission can be rejected by the immigration authority of a specific country at times.

Four of the main reasons why your e-visa could be rejected are mentioned below:

  • Any vital knowledge has been omitted.
  • Your passport’s validity period is less than six months.
  • If you submitted incorrect details on your visa application form.
  • If you have not correctly stated your visa form.
  • Whether your plan to return is unclear.

Conclusion

When it comes to fulfilling a filing for an e-visa, the internet has come a long way.

It is not only more convenient for people commuting, but it is also more convenient for those handling thousands of applications.

There is a lower likelihood of missing records and other related documentation.

Amit Kumar

FreeEducator.com blog is managed by Amit Kumar. He and his team come from the Oxford, Stanford and Harvard. At FreeEducator, we strive to create the best admission platform so that international students can go to the best universities - regardless of financial circumstances. By applying with us, international students get unlimited support and unbiased advice to secure the best college offers overseas.

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