SITA Launches eVisa and Electronic Travel Authorization Solutions

(01 August 2022, 11:33 +07)  SITA has launched eVisa and Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), two solutions designed to meet the rapidly growing demand from governments for digital visa systems.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, traditional visas - applications made via a consulate or embassy - decreased from 77% in 2008 to 53% in 2018.

The advantages of digital authorization solutions include improved security, reduced administrative burdens and increased visitor flows that ultimately help to increase tourism revenue and related employment.

For example, one government’s introduction of an eVisa scheme covering 40 plus countries in 2014-2015 led to a 21% increase in international visitor arrivals and the creation of 800,000 jobs accounted for around 20% of the growth seen in the country’s travel and tourism over the period.

Electronic flight ticket

Jeremy Springall, Head of SITA at Borders, said, “Adopting eVisa and ETA supports national prosperity. We’ve productized our proven and robust travel authorization systems to benefit more nations around the world as they shift to digitalize and future-proof their borders. The solutions help countries to cope with growing passenger volumes, improve security and efficiency, and deliver a more seamless travel experience that travelers demand, removing the complexities of applying for traditional visas.”

SITA has deployed border management solutions for over 25 years to support cross-border mobility while safeguarding borders, helping over 70 countries today.

For one major government customer in Asia Pacific, SITA’s ETA system enables over three million ETAs to be issued each year, 96% of applications result in the automatic issuance of an authorization, and 99% of all applications are successfully processed in less than 12 hours.

The mobile capability of SITA’s new eVisa and ETA capability allows travelers to make applications and provide their biometric information using their personal devices before they travel.

For travelers, this is simpler, more convenient, and less time-consuming than applying for more complex traditional or on-arrival visas. For governments, they can biometrically verify the applicant’s identity.

The mobile app also creates ICAO-compliant Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs) – a development in digital identity for travel that may, one day, replace physical passports.

SITA’s eVisa and ETA solutions also provide visas containing ICAO’s Visible Digital Seal (VDS), an encrypted bar code that enables visas and ETAs, paper or electronic, to be digitally verified for authenticity, offering enhanced security and fraud prevention.

“The adaptability of these two solutions means that they are fully interoperable with existing border control and airline systems. And, they comply with international standards and best practices,” added Springall.

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