Visa basics

eVisa vs visa on arrival vs sticker visa

By Skylite Visa

“Do I need a visa?” is rarely a yes/no question. Even when a visa is required, there are usually several routes, and the right one depends on your nationality, timing and risk appetite.

eVisa

Applied for online before travel and linked electronically to your passport. Fast, predictable and the easiest to plan around — our preferred route wherever it is available.

Visa on arrival

Issued at the border. Convenient on paper, but you carry the risk of queues, cash requirements and — in rare cases — refusal after you have already flown. Best treated as a backup.

Consular (sticker) visa

Applied for at an embassy or visa centre, sometimes with biometrics or an interview. Required for longer stays and certain nationalities. Plan well ahead, as appointments can be limited.

Choosing

If an eVisa exists for your nationality, it is usually the safest and fastest. Use our visa checker to see which routes apply to you.