Processing Times

Roughly how long different travel documents take to process, so you can plan and apply with enough time before you fly.

Typical timelines by document type

• Visa-free: No application and no waiting. Eligibility is confirmed at the border on arrival, so processing is effectively instant.
• ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization): Often approved within minutes, though it can take up to around 72 hours. Apply at least a few days ahead in case of manual review.
• eVisa: Commonly 24 to 72 hours, but for some countries it can take several business days. Timelines vary widely by destination.
• ETIAS: Usually approved within minutes, but if your application is flagged for review it can take up to 30 days, and occasionally longer if additional documents are requested.
• Traditional embassy or consulate visa: Typically 5 to 30 business days, depending on the country, visa type, and time of year. Some require an in-person appointment that must be booked in advance.
• Digital arrival cards (e.g. Malaysia's MDAC): Not really a "processing" step — these are completed shortly before arrival, often within a window of a few days before your trip.

Apply well ahead of travel

The single best way to avoid stress is to apply early. Even documents that are "usually instant" can be delayed by a random or risk-based review, and you do not want a held application the day before your flight. As a rule of thumb, start your application as soon as your trip is confirmed, and never book non-refundable travel before you understand the requirements.

Find out what you need

Not sure which document applies to your trip? Run the free eligibility checker for your nationality and destination, then read more about how outcomes are decided on our eligibility page.