What is the difference between IVA and bankruptcy?

IVA stands for Individual Voluntary Arrangement. It is an agreement that one reaches with their creditors. The person in debt agrees to pay a monthly amount for a period of usually five years. If payments are consistently received for the designated period of time, the rest of the debt is forgiven. Bankruptcy, on the other hand, is where one gets immunity from their creditors. One's assets (e.g. car, home, etc) are sold and the proceeds are used to pay back the creditors. If there is any outstanding debt in the end, that debt is forgiven.