An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is a pre-travel permission linked electronically to your passport. Here is every country that currently requires one, plus the upcoming EU ETIAS system.
What is an ETA?
An ETA is not a visa — it is a lightweight pre-screening requirement. You apply online in minutes, pay a small fee, and the authorization is linked electronically to your passport. Unlike a traditional visa, there is no consulate visit, no photo, and no document mailing. Most ETAs are approved within minutes to a few hours, though some take longer. You must have approval before you check in for your flight.
Current ETA Programs
🇦🇺
Australia
Australia ETA (subclass 601)
● Active
Cost~AUD $20
Validity12 months (multiple entry)
Max Stay Per VisitUp to 3 months
Processing TimeInstant to 24 hrs
Who needs it: Passport holders from eligible countries including the USA, UK, Canada, most EU nations, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and others. Citizens of countries not on the eligible list must apply for a full visa instead.
Who needs it: Visa-exempt foreign nationals (e.g. UK, EU, Australia, Japan, South Korea) flying to or transiting through Canada. US citizens are exempt from the eTA — they only need a valid US passport. Travelers who require a visa apply through a different process.
Who needs it: Eligible visitors from countries including the USA, UK, Canada, EU nations, Japan, South Korea, and many others. Australian and NZ citizens do not need it. An International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD $35 is included or added at checkout.
Max Stay Per Visit30 days (extendable to 6 months)
Processing TimeWithin 24 hours (usually faster)
Who needs it: Most nationalities require an ETA, including citizens of the USA, UK, Canada, EU, Australia, and many others. A small number of countries (e.g. Maldives, Seychelles) receive free-on-arrival entry. Check eligibility on the official ETA portal before applying.
ETIAS — European Travel Information and Authorisation System
Schengen Area • 30 member countries
● Launching 2025+
The EU is introducing ETIAS, its own pre-travel authorization system modelled after the US ESTA and Australia's ETA. Once live, non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who currently enter the Schengen Area visa-free (such as Americans, Canadians, Australians, British, Japanese, and South Koreans) will need to obtain an ETIAS before travelling to any Schengen country. The launch date has been delayed several times; the current expected rollout is 2025/2026. Keep an eye on the official ETIAS website for the latest confirmation.
CostEUR 7 (free for under-18 and over-70)
Validity3 years or until passport expires
Max Stay Per VisitUp to 90 days in any 180-day period
Processing TimeMinutes to 4 weeks (for complex cases)
CoversAll 30 Schengen countries
StatusNot yet required
Who will need it: Nationals from visa-exempt countries (e.g. USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, and ~60 others) who currently enter Schengen visa-free. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens are always exempt. If you currently need a visa for Schengen, ETIAS does not apply to you.
Use the NeedETA checker on the homepage to instantly find out what travel authorization you need based on your passport and destination. For detailed ETA calculations and overstay risk, try the Travel Calculators.