Definition
An online pre-travel clearance for nationalities that do not need a full visa. It is quicker and cheaper than a visa. Indians meet ETAs mainly for Sri Lanka and Kenya; for the UK, US, Canada, Australia and Europe, Indians still need full visas.
ETA vs visa
An ETA is a security screening linked electronically to your passport. Countries use it for travellers they would otherwise let in visa-free: you fill a short form, pay a small fee and usually get an answer within minutes to three days. A visa involves a fuller check of your finances, purpose and ties to home.
| ETA | Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Who uses it | Visa-exempt nationalities | Visa-required nationalities |
| Documents | Passport, email, card | Bank statements, ITRs, bookings |
| Typical decision | Minutes to 72 hours | Days to weeks |
Where Indian passport holders meet ETAs
Sri Lanka and Kenya use ETA-style systems that Indians apply for before flying. The better-known ones, the US ESTA, the UK ETA, Canada's eTA, Australia's ETA and Europe's upcoming ETIAS, are not open to Indian passport holders for tourism. You need a full visa for those countries.
Where the confusion costs money
Several websites sell a UK ETA or an ETIAS to Indians. These are useless on an Indian passport, and paying for one does not get you on the plane.
The exception is family members on foreign passports. If your NRI sibling travels on a US or British passport and joins your Europe tour, they need ETIAS once it is in force, while you need a Schengen visa. An OCI card does not change which document you need abroad; it only concerns entering India.
Practical advice
Apply only on the official portal, at least a week before travel even if approvals are usually fast, and check that the passport number matches exactly. ETAs are tied to a passport, so a renewed passport needs a new ETA.
For what your passport needs where, see our visa hub.