Electronic visas (eVisa): how they work and where they apply
How eVisas work in 2026 — which countries issue them, typical fees and processing, official portals versus agents, and rules on entry points and validity.
An eVisa is a visa applied for and issued entirely online, linked electronically to your passport and usually printed as a PDF. Over 60 countries now issue them, with fees of $20–$100 and processing from 24 hours to five working days. Many restrict entry to designated airports and are non-extendable.
How to apply safely
Always use the government portal — search the immigration ministry's own domain rather than clicking sponsored results. Copycat sites charge three to five times the official fee for the same form, and some harvest passport data. Official portals issue a PDF with a verifiable reference number.
Validity versus permitted stay
Every eVisa has two clocks: how long you have to enter, and how long you may stay once inside. A 90-day validity with a 30-day stay means arriving within 90 days and leaving within 30 of arrival. Misreading this is a common overstay cause.
Entry point restrictions
India, Vietnam and several others limit eVisa entry to listed airports and seaports; arriving at a land border can mean refusal. Check the eligible gates list and, where the system asks, enter through the exact gate you declared.
Where eVisas are heading
Countries are replacing visa on arrival with eVisas and layering pre-travel authorisations on visa-free entry. Assume that by your next trip, one more destination on the route requires something filed online in advance.
Frequently asked questions
What is an eVisa?
A visa applied for and granted entirely online, linked to your passport and presented as a PDF or reference number at check-in and the border.
How long does an eVisa take?
Between 24 hours and five working days for most countries; apply at least a week before travel.
Are eVisa agent websites safe?
Use the official government portal. Agents charge large markups for the same form and some misuse passport data.