What is an eTA? How it differs from a visa, ESTA and ETIAS

eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is an electronic entry authorisation: you apply online and are approved quickly (usually within minutes to a few hours) before you fly. It is linked to your passport rather than affixed to it like a visa.

Khác gì visa?

• Visa: a full application, longer processing, a possible interview and a higher chance of refusal.
• eTA: a light procedure for citizens of visa-exempt countries who still need to register in advance.

ESTA, ETIAS, eTA — ai là ai?

ESTA is the United States system; ETIAS belongs to the European Union and is expected to become operational in Q4/2026 (not yet accepting applications); many other countries run their own eTA (Canada, Australia, the UK, New Zealand…). The principle is the same: electronic authorisation before travel.

At Prosperous Intelligence, eTAs count towards "free access" alongside visa-free and visa-on-arrival entry — because an eTA is not a consular visa application. See Methodology.