Electronic travel authorizations: what to know

ESTA, ETA and eVisa: three different systems

An electronic travel authorization does not require an in-depth application or consular interview: it is a preliminary verification of traveler data cross-checked with security databases. The most well-known system is the US ESTA, required for citizens of 42 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program for tourism or work stays of up to 90 days: it remains valid for two years (or until passport expiry, if sooner) with multiple entries, and as of 2025 the overall cost has risen to 40 dollars. A similar system is the UK ETA, mandatory for all visa-exempt visitors, including EU citizens, from 2025: from 8 April 2026 it costs 20 pounds (approximately 23 euros) and is valid for two years with multiple entries, linked to the passport used for the request. Different is the eVisa: while required online, it is an actual visa, with more thorough documentation requirements, such as a detailed itinerary or proof of a booked accommodation.

ETIAS: the European system, still not active

The European Union is developing its own equivalent system, ETIAS, for citizens of third countries exempt from visa requirements entering the Schengen area (not for EU citizens, for whom nothing changes). The launch, postponed multiple times, had been set for the fourth quarter of 2026, but this target was removed from the official website in mid-July 2026 and the press now speaks of 2027, without official confirmation. The European Union website currently indicates that «ETIAS is not currently operational and travel authorization applications are not being accepted»: anyone finding online services that promise to «apply for ETIAS now» is therefore, very likely, facing an unofficial website.

The link with the passport and real costs

A common element in these systems is the link with the passport number on which they are requested: those who renew their document during the authorization's validity period should verify whether a new application is necessary, otherwise risking flight rejection due to mismatch in airline checks. On the cost front, official fees remain modest (tens of euros or dollars per person): any request for payment much higher, especially on websites that replicate the appearance of a government portal, should raise an alert about the legitimacy of the service used.

Before paying a website that offers a «travel authorization» to Europe, it is worth verifying that such a system is actually already active: as of today only ESTA (United States) and UK ETA (United Kingdom) are, while the European ETIAS remains awaiting a definitive launch date.