Online Visa Applications & e-Visas: Schengen Visa vs e-Visa, Steps & the Australia Visa (2026)
Schengen visa vs e-visa explained, the steps for an online visa application, and the Australia visa application (subclass 600) — plus e-visa examples like the Sri Lanka ETA, for any traveler.
Quick answer: An e-visa is a visa or travel authorization you apply for entirely online and that's issued electronically — no sticker in your passport. A Schengen visa is a traditional consular visa decided by an embassy (often with a vignette), while an e-visa (like Australia's electronic grant, the US ESTA, Canada's eTA, or the Sri Lanka ETA) is fully digital. The Australia visa application is a good example of a modern, fully electronic system: you apply online via ImmiAccount and receive an electronic grant.
This guide explains e-visas for travelers of any nationality, compares them with traditional visas, and walks through the online application steps.
General guidance only, not legal advice, and not a guarantee of approval. Confirm current rules on the official source before applying.
What is an e-visa?
An e-visa (electronic visa) is applied for on a government website and delivered electronically — by email or linked to your passport number — with no physical label or embassy visit in most cases. Closely related are electronic travel authorizations (ESTA for the US, eTA for Canada, ETIAS for Europe, eVisitor for Australia), which are pre-travel approvals for visa-exempt nationalities rather than full visas.
Schengen visa vs e-visa: what's the difference?
| Schengen visa (traditional) | e-Visa / e-authorization | |
|---|---|---|
| How you apply | Consulate or its visa centre, often in person | Entirely online |
| What you get | A consular decision (often a vignette/sticker) | An electronic approval, no sticker |
| Who it's for | Nationalities that need a visa for Europe | Often visa-exempt or e-visa-eligible nationalities |
| Example | Short-stay Type C Schengen visa (€90) | ETIAS (Europe, from late 2026), US ESTA, Canada eTA, Sri Lanka ETA |
| Processing | ~15 days (up to 45) | Minutes to a few days |
Key point: ETIAS is not a Schengen visa. If your nationality needs a Schengen visa, you apply at a consulate; if your nationality is visa-exempt, you'll use the ETIAS e-authorization instead. (See our Schengen visa requirements guide.)
Australia visa application: a fully electronic example
Australia issues visas electronically — there's no label in your passport, just a grant notice — which is why people often call it an e-visa.
| Route | Application charge (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor visa (subclass 600) | from AUD $200 | Tourism or family visit; lodged online via ImmiAccount |
| Student visa (subclass 500) | higher charge | Requires a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) |
Visa-exempt nationalities may instead use the fast ETA (subclass 601) or eVisitor (651); nationalities not on those lists lodge the subclass 600 online. Decisions for visitor visas typically take 1–4 weeks, and student visas 4–12 weeks. The decision rests heavily on the "genuine visitor/student" test and proof of funds.
Steps for an online visa application
The steps for an online visa application are similar across e-visa systems worldwide:
- Confirm whether you need a visa or an e-authorization for your nationality and destination.
- Go to the official government portal — never a third-party look-alike that adds markups.
- Create an account and select the correct visa type.
- Complete the form, with details identical to your passport and documents.
- Upload supporting documents and pay the fee online.
- Submit and track — most e-visas arrive by email; save the grant notice as your proof.
e-Visa examples around the world
Many countries now run e-visa or electronic-authorization systems. A few well-known examples:
- e-Visa Sri Lanka (ETA): the electronic travel authorization for visitors entering Sri Lanka — about US$50 for most nationalities (free for ~40 countries), applied for on the official eta.gov.lk portal, allowing double entry and a 30-day stay (extendable). Apply on the official site and avoid third-party resellers.
- United States — ESTA: for Visa Waiver Program nationalities.
- Canada — eTA: for visa-exempt air travelers.
- Europe — ETIAS: for visa-exempt travelers, expected from late 2026.
- Australia — ETA / eVisitor: for eligible passports.
- India, Turkey, Kenya and many others run full e-visa portals.
Processing times: e-visas vs traditional visas
| Type | Typical processing |
|---|---|
| e-Visa / e-authorization (ESTA, eTA, Sri Lanka ETA) | Minutes to ~72 hours |
| Australia visitor (subclass 600) | 1–4 weeks |
| Schengen visa | 15 days (up to 45) |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Schengen visa and an e-visa? A Schengen visa is a traditional consular visa decided by an embassy, often with a sticker, taking about 15 days. An e-visa (or e-authorization like ETIAS, ESTA or the Sri Lanka ETA) is applied for fully online and issued electronically, usually much faster.
Is the Australian visa an e-visa? Effectively yes — it's applied for online via ImmiAccount and granted electronically, with no sticker in your passport.
What is the e-Visa for Sri Lanka? The Sri Lanka ETA — an electronic travel authorization (about US$50) that foreign visitors use to enter Sri Lanka, applied for at the official eta.gov.lk portal.
What are the steps for an online visa application? Confirm whether you need a visa or e-authorization, use the official portal, create an account, complete the form, upload documents, pay, then track the decision and save your electronic grant.
Planning any application? Start with our visa documentation checklist, then see the UK & Schengen and US & Canada guides — and run a free VisaCheck check for your route before you submit.
Last updated 25 June 2026.