eVisa (Electronic Visa)

An eVisa follows the same rules as a traditional visa, but the application, payment, and approval happen online. You upload a passport scan and photo, answer questions about your trip, pay the fee, and receive an approval by email. India and Tanzania are among the many countries offering eVisas to US citizens, and processing can take anywhere from minutes to several weeks.

An eVisa differs from an electronic travel authorization, such as the UK ETA or the eTA Kenya introduced in January 2024. Travel authorizations screen visa-exempt visitors, while eVisas are visas. Both are linked to a specific passport, so a passport renewal usually means a new application.

Use only the government’s official portal: look-alike websites charge extra fees and sometimes never submit the application. Carry a printed copy of the approval, since some airline and immigration desks still ask for paper. Read visa basics for US travelers and our Tanzania guide.