Visa & Immigration Guides

Visa On Arrival vs E-Visa: Which is More convenient?

autohr img By Vipul Jain | 18 Nov, 2025

Visa On Arrival vs E-Visa

If you are a traveller who is planning a trip, then you must know the importance of applying for a visa. Many countries have introduced digital and easy options to obtain a visa to make traveling smooth for individuals. The best two options are the E-visa and the Visa on arrival. It is important to know the difference between the two so that you know which is faster and easier. 

In this blog post, we will explain the key differences between the two to save you time and address. We have also mentioned their benefits and which one is better to choose. 

Key Takeaways 

  • Visa-on-arrival allows travellers to obtain a visa at the port of entry of their destination.
  • An E-Visa is an electronic visa applied for and approved online for travel.
  • E-Visas usually offer smoother arrival and faster processing than VOAs.

What is Visa-on-Arrival?

A Visa on arrival is a type of visa that is obtained at the port of entry by travellers in the destination country. There is no need to apply for this type of visa before your trip; you can just get it upon arrival. 

What is an Electronic Visa or E-visa?

The full form of an E-visa is Electronic visa. It is a digital visa that can be applied for and obtained online by travellers before their trip. The e-visa is linked to the passport of the traveller, and the immigration authority can verify it upon arrival.

Key Differences Between VOA and E-visa

Here are the differences between the electronic visas and the Visa-on-arrival: 

Aspect E-Visa VOA
When to Apply Apply before leaving home Apply at the port of entry
Planning Needed Preparation is needed well in advance Preparation is not needed in advance, but carry proper documents at the time of arrival
Risk of delays Delays can happen if documents are missing, or the processing time can be long Potential delays can happen at the time of arrival (unpredictable)
Certainty You know visa is granted or not before travel If requirements are not fulfilled, you can be delayed or denied upon arrival
Convenience Can be applied from anywhere; waiting at an Embassy is not required More Spontaneous; arrival formalities can be complicated

List of Countries Offering VOA and E-Visa To Indians

For Indian travellers, many countries offer these quick visa options: E-visa and VOA. Here are the examples of the countries:

Visa On Arrival

Here are the countries that offer a Visa on Arrival for Indian travellers:

Asian Countries African Countries Island Nations Other Countries
Thailand Mauritania Marshall Islands Bolivia
Maldives Madagascar Palau Islands Suriname
Indonesia Tanzania Tuvalu Saint Lucia
Sri Lanka Ethiopia Samoa Armenia
Cambodia Guinea-Bissau - -
Laos Sierra Leone - -
Myanmar Zimbabwe - -
Jordan - - -
Vietnam - - -
Bahrain - - -

E-Visa

Here are the countries that offer an E-Visa for Indian travellers:

Asian Countries African Countries European Countries Other Countries
Singapore Kenya Russia Australia
Malaysia Tanzania Georgia New Zealand
Indonesia Uganda Moldova United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Japan Zambia Ukraine Colombia
Taiwan Ethiopia - Sri Lanka
Myanmar Madagascar - -
Bahrain Benin - -
Cambodia Gabon - -
Iran - - -
Laos - - -
Tajikistan - - -
Uzbekistan - - -
Thailand - - -

Which One is More Convenient for Travellers?

Although both the e-visa and visa-on-arrival have their own advantages, e-visas might be more convenient for Indian travellers due to the following reasons:

  • Convenience: The application process for e-visas is very convenient, as you can complete it from the comfort of your home. There is no need to visit a consulate or an embassy.
  • Time-Saving: The processing time for the e-visas is faster than VOA, and you can receive their approval through email. 
  • Reduced Wait Times: In the case of e-visas, you will have a smoother arrival process as it will be pre-approved. 

You can choose the VOA option if you need a visa urgently or you don't prefer to apply online for a visa.

Visa Tips For Indian Travellers

Here are a few tips for Indian Travellers that they should follow before applying for an e-visa or VOA:

  • Check Eligibility: First of all, verify whether you are eligible for an e-visa or VOA for the country you are going to travel.
  • Gather Documents: Make sure that you have all the required documents, like a valid passport and proof of travel.
  • Apply in Advance: If you apply for an e-visa, try to do it well in advance to avoid any potential delays.
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Why Choose Visament?

At last, we can say that both e-visa and VOA options are good for the travellers, but e-visa can be faster and easier than VOA as it saves time and convenient. The E-visa application can be a little complicated for the applicants. In such situations, seeking expert assistance can be the best thing an individual can do.

At Visament, we have a team of professionals who have 30+ years of combined experience in E-Visa processing. We have affordable prices on our website, and 24/7 customer support is also available.

Frequently Asked Questions

A few of the disadvantages of E-visa are: Technical difficulties, Increased risk of fraud, lack of flexibility, language barriers, and lack of personal interaction.

The VOA requirements can vary for different countries. The general needs are a valid passport, passport-sized photos, proof of sufficient funds, proof of visit purpose, or a return or onward ticket.

Yes, you can travel with your eVisa only, as it serves as an official electronic travel authorization. Make sure that you carry a printout of your eVisa along with your valid passport.

For the foreign travellers, e-visas are allowed for a maximum of two times in a calendar year.

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