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Difference between Visa-Free Travel and Visas on Arrival

Travelling abroad is one of the most enriching things we can do, and the ability to visit foreign nations is an asset. Yet, this isn’t always easy. You need a visa to visit many countries, even for a brief stay. This can mean long queues at embassies and consulates, and time spent obtaining required documentation, such as letters of invitation, in advance.

 

Visas-on-arrival
As the term suggests, visas-on-arrival are issued when the visitor arrives in a country. Travellers need not apply for a visa beforehand. Government authorities generally examine the visitor’s passport and may collect any applicable fees before issuing the documentation. Some countries also take biometrics to confirm the visitor’s identity, and check things like their immigration and criminal history. Like a normal visa, the visa-on-arrival is printed on the passport, which therefore must have enough empty pages to accommodate a stamp. This process takes place at the point of entry, such as airports and large ports.

What are the benefits of a visa-on-arrival?

It is easier to obtain a visa-on-arrival because all of the required steps are performed in one location, and the applicant will not need to visit the country’s consulate or embassy beforehand. That said, some nations may require additional evidence of return or onward journeys, hotel reservations, and proof of sufficient funds. Visa-on-arrival facilities are also generally separate from immigration controls. This means that the officer who receives payment and issues the visa is different from the one who allows the visitor to cross the border, reducing the possibility of corruption.

Which countries offer visa-on-arrival?

As of June 2021, the following countries offer the option to obtain a visa-on-arrival for stays up to a specified period:
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Benin
  • Burkina Faso
  • Cambodia
  • Comoros
  • Egypt
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Iraq
  • Jordan
  • Kenya
  • Kuwait
  • Laos
  • Lebanon
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Maldives
  • Mauritania
  • Mozambique
  • Nepal
  • Palau
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Rwanda
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • Sri Lanka
  • Tanzania
  • Timor-Leste
  • Togo
  • Tuvalu
  • Uganda
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
Visa-free Travel
Visa-free travel enables passport holders to enter a country without the need to obtain a visa before, or upon, arrival. That said, they must still pass through an immigration control facility where their passports are checked for validity, and may also be stamped. Countries like Japan and the United States stamp passports upon entry only, while others like Singapore and the United Arab Emirates do so upon exit as well. Nations like Hong Kong and Israel have done away with passport stamps entirely, but instead provide visitors with landing slips, which usually are not required for departure.

What are the benefits of visa-free travel?

Visa-free travel allows visitors to travel on a whim, with no need to pre-plan or collect documentation. What’s more, it also means it’s free to enter these countries, unlike those where you have to pay for a visa. Despite the numerous benefits of visa-free travel, visitors must not stay longer than they’re allowed. Even individuals entitled to visa-free entry may only remain in a country for a limited time, usually between 15 and 90 days, and sometimes this has to be within a given period of 180 days or one year. An overstay is an immigration offence, which could lead to civil or criminal charges, and bans on travelling to the country in the future.

Which countries offer visa-free travel?

As of June 2021, the countries below offer visa-free entry for stays up to a specified period:
  • Albania
  • Andorra
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Austria
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Belize
  • Bolivia
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada – those travelling by air do require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
  • Cape Verde
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Estonia
  • Eswatini
  • Fiji
  • Finland 
  • France
  • Gambia
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Indonesia
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kiribati
  • South Korea
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Latvia
  • Lesotho
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Marshall Islands
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Micronesia
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Montenegro
  • Morocco
  • Namibia
  • Netherlands
  • Nicaragua
  • North Macedonia
  • Norway
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Romania
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Samoa
  • San Marino
  • São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Senegal
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Thailand
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • United Stated of America (Visa Waiver Programme)
  • Uruguay
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vanuatu
  • Vatican City
  • Vietnam

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