Travel authorisations compared: ESTA, eTA, ETA, ETIAS, JESTA
Five pre-travel authorisation systems for visa-exempt visitors, side by side.
| System | Destination | Status | Fee | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESTA | United States | In force | USD 21, legislated rise to USD 40 pending | 2 years or passport expiry |
| eTA | Canada (air arrivals) | In force | CAD 7 | 5 years or passport expiry |
| ETA | United Kingdom | In force, enforced since 25 Feb 2026 | GBP 16 | 2 years or passport expiry |
| ETIAS | Schengen area (30 countries) | Not yet live, 2027 expected | To be confirmed at launch | To be confirmed |
| JESTA | Japan | Planned for fiscal 2028 | Estimated 1,500 to 3,000 yen | To be confirmed |
What they have in common
- Only for travellers who do not need a visa. If you need a visa, you apply for the visa instead.
- Applied for online before departure; checked by the airline at boarding.
- Approval does not guarantee entry. The border officer still decides.
- Multiple entries during the validity period, each stay limited by the destination's short-stay rule (90 days for the US, UK and Schengen, up to six months for the UK).
Sources
Last reviewed: 21 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the official source before you travel.