Your Travel Visa Booklet for Global Trips

Getting ready for a journey? Here's all the information on visas worldwide: Find out what you need and how to get a visa for any country across the globe and get your free way for the country's visa embassies.

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The Visa Definition

A visa is a special paper that lets you go to another country for a certain time. Usually, you need to ask for a visa before you go, either at an embassy, consulate, or on the Internet. Sometimes, you can get a visa when you arrive. Visas are usually stuck inside your passport and say how long you're allowed to stay.

Countries often ask for visas to keep things safe: to know who comes in and to prevent illegal immigration. Visas also help stop security problems by keeping certain people out of a country.

What does a visa appear as?

A visa serves as an official authorization granted by a foreign government that allows an individual to enter, stay, or leave their country for a specified period. 

It is essentially a permission slip, indicating that the host country has granted the visitor the right to be within its borders for a particular duration and for specific purposes, such as tourism, business, or study.

Visas typically contain essential information about the traveler, including their full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and a photograph. 
Visa
These details help immigration officials verify the identity of the visa holder upon entry.

A Short Overview of Travel Visa History

The historical evolution of travel documents, encompassing passports and visas, unfolds across a tapestry of significant milestones:

Around 420 BC, the Hebrew Bible marks the genesis of travel documents, as Nehemiah, in the esteemed service of Persian King Artaxerxes I, sought a travel passage to Judea—an early testament to the need for official permission to traverse borders.

In the late 14th to early 15th centuries, during the reign of King Henry V, the passport emerged as a tangible concept, representing a formalized stride in facilitating travel. This marked the genesis of a structured approach to border crossing.

Fast forward to the 17th century, where the Sun King, Louis XIV of France, introduced the "passe port," a distinctive travel document personally signed by the monarch. The etymology of "passport" remains a captivating subject of scholarly debate, adding an air of mystery to the origins of this pivotal term.

Post-First World War in 1918, passports transitioned from a convenience to a necessity for international travel, often accompanied by visas. This era heralded a more regulated and organized approach to cross-border movement, emphasizing the need for proper documentation.

Between 1922 and 1938, responding to the aftermath of World War I, the League of Nations established the Nansen passport in Paris. This innovative document aimed to address the predicament of refugees who had lost their nationality, introducing a humanitarian dimension to the evolving landscape of travel documents.

In the aftermath of the Second World War in 1945, a surge in global migration prompted heightened border control measures. This era saw the mandatory requirement of both passports and visas for international travel in most cases, underscoring the growing significance of these documents in shaping international mobility.

This historical chronicle not only underscores the continuous refinement of travel documents but also highlights their indispensable role in regulating and facilitating international mobility. Today, when embarking on a journey to a foreign land, a valid passport from one's home country serves as a cornerstone of identification. Meanwhile, visas, bestowed by the host country, stand as imperative instruments for managing and controlling the flow of global migration.

Types of Visas Based on Purpose

Some of the common visa types by purpose of travel include:
  • Tourist visas: Tourist visas are permits that allow you to enter a country for fun and leisure. These visas are usually short-term, lasting about three months, and you're not allowed to work while on one. You can apply for a tourist visa for the same country multiple times, as long as the embassy or consulate approves it. This lets you travel freely.

  • Transit visas: A transit visa lets you travel through a certain country on your way to another country. For instance, if you're an Indian passport holder heading to Canada and have a layover in a Schengen country, you must get a Schengen transit visa. Typically, these visas are given for 24 to 96 hours, but the duration can be extended to ten days or even two weeks, depending on the country you're transiting through. Remember to apply for a transit visa before your trip because you can't get one at the airport.

  • Medical visa: You can request a medical visa to get medical help in another country. These visas are given for a short time, covering the period of the medical treatment and your recovery. To be eligible for this visa, you must show your doctor's proof of your health condition. Also, you need to prove that you've arranged for treatment in a hospital and found a doctor in the country you're going to.

  • Working holiday visas: A working holiday visa is like a blend of a tourist visa and a work visa, allowing you to visit another country for a short period. With this visa, you can enjoy your time abroad like a holiday while also working to fund your stay. Different countries have rules about the kind of work you can do and how many hours you can work. Typically, these visas are valid for a year or two, and you usually can apply for it only once, though Australia has exceptions. To qualify for a work and holiday visa, you generally need to be between 18 and 30 years old.

  • Student visas: You get student visas to study, and they usually last as long as your study program—somewhere from one to four years, or maybe longer, depending on your course. If the country you're studying in allows it, you might be able to work there with your student visa.

  • Work visas: If you get a job in another country, you need to request a work visa. These visas are typically given for a longer duration, ranging from one to four years, but this can vary based on your job agreement. In many cases, your work visa can lead to getting a permanent residence permit.

  • Family reunification visas: If your husband or wife is living and working in another country, you can get a visa for family reunification. This visa lets you stay in the same country as your partner for a while or even permanently. Usually, it also covers any young kids you or your spouse may have.

  • Investment visas:If you invest a significant amount of money in another country, you can get a visa that lets you live there. The investment can be in different forms like a startup, bonds, a government fund, or others. The main goal is to have a positive effect on the economy and create job opportunities. In some places, buying real estate can also qualify you for a visa.

  • Official visas: Official visas let you perform diplomatic tasks as a representative of your country in other nations. Diplomatic visas are the most common type, but some countries also offer service and courtesy visas.

  • Refuge or asylum visas: If you're facing persecution in your home country because of your religion, race, or politics, you can request a visa as a refugee or asylum seeker. Each country provides its own visa for people with refugee status.

  • Digital nomad visas: To get a digital nomad visa, you need to fit the digital nomad criteria. The exact definition can differ by country, but generally, it means being able to work from anywhere, either for a company or individual clients. To request this visa, you have to choose a country that has a program for digital nomad immigration.

  • Retirement visas: A retirement visa is for people from other countries who want to retire in a different place. You can only get this visa if you are old enough to retire, and it comes as permission to live there. Normally, you need to show that you have enough money to take care of yourself.

  • Pilgrimage visas: Pilgrimage visas are given to those who want to go on a religious journey in a different country. For instance, Saudi Arabia issues a Hajj visa to Muslims going on the special journey to Mecca. Usually, these visas are for groups, not individuals, and they're only valid for the duration of the pilgrimage.

    • Travel Without Visas

    Not everyone needs a visa to travel. Some countries let people from certain places visit without a visa for short trips. If you have a passport from Western countries like the U.S., Australia, Canada, or EU States, you can go to most places without a visa.

    But, you can only stay for a short time without a visa—somewhere between a few days and a few months. No matter where you're from, make sure to check if you need a visa before you travel.

    Keep in mind: If you're in a country without a visa, you can't work or sell anything.

    How to Obtain a Travel Visa

    Usually, you request a visa using one of these methods:
    • At the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit.
    • Visa available online.
    • Upon arrival (visa on arrival).
    How you apply varies by country and your nationality. Always check your visa requirements before traveling.

    Applying for a Visa at an Embassy

    In many situations, you can request a visa at the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to go to. You need to:
    • Schedule an appointment.
    • Gather the necessary paperwork.
    • Submit the visa application fee.
    • Attend a visa interview if required.
    The people at the consulate will look at your application and decide if you can get a visa or not. How long it takes depends on the kind of visa, and it might take a few days to a few months to finish the process.

    Don't forget: At times, embassies or consulates may hire private travel agencies to handle visa submissions. This implies that the agency gathers your documents and forwards them to the embassy/consulate, where the decision is ultimately made.

    Applying for a Visa Online

    You can also request a visa on the internet. Electronic visas are typically given as printable papers and aren't stuck in your passport. If a country provides electronic visas, there will be an official website for applying, where you can:
    • Fill out a visa application online.
    • Upload digital copies of your documents.
    • Make a payment for the visa.
    Make sure to use the official website when applying, as you might need to share personal information and possibly pay a fee.

    You might have to wait anywhere from a few minutes to a few days to find out the decision on your visa application.

    Visa on Arrival

    You can get a visa when you arrive at the airport or another entry point of the country you're going to. It's called a visa on arrival (VOA). At these places, there are visa counters where you apply, pay a fee, and wait for a decision before you can go through. The time it takes varies, ranging from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the country.


    Don't forget: 
    Some countries don't give visas when you arrive.

    Even if a country allows visas on arrival, they usually only give them to specific nationalities.

    You can usually only get visas on arrival at certain airports or entry points.

    Why Visas Are Often Denied?

    Here are a few common reasons why your visa request might be turned down:
    • Passport expiration: Many countries need you to possess a passport that is still valid for at least three to six months. Yet, whether this duration starts counting when you arrive or leave the country depends on where you're traveling to.
    • Passport empty pages: The number of empty pages needed in your passport varies by country, but it's generally two to four pages. These empty pages are necessary to have sufficient space for stamping your passport and visa.
    • Vaccination requirements:You need an international vaccination certificate to get a visa in many African countries. Without it, you won't be given a visa.
    • Criminal record:Having a criminal record makes it very hard to get a visa. Only a couple of countries, like the US and Canada, might overlook your criminal record and still give you a visa.
    • Travel ban: Every government can officially label someone as unwelcome. This means diplomats and non-diplomats won't be permitted to enter a particular country.
    • Not enough health insurance:In lots of places, everyone must have travel health insurance.

    How long you can stay and when your visa is valid?

    Visas can be given for these lengths of time and periods of validity:
    • Short-stay: A short-stay visa is given for a brief period, ranging from a few days to several months. It is typically granted to tourists, business individuals, or those with short-term reasons, such as medical treatment or visiting family.
    • Long-stay: A visa that allows a person to stay for a long time can be given for months or years. In some cases, people also call residence permits long-stay visas.
    • Single-entry:A single-entry visa lets you enter a particular country or region only once. Once you leave, you can't come back, even if you still have days left on the visa.
    • Multiple-entry:You can go in and out of a country or place many times with a multiple-entry visa, as long as the visa is still good.

    Difference Between a Passport and a Visa

    Both a passport and a visa are travel documents, but the key distinction lies in their issuance. Your home country issues a passport, whereas the country you intend to visit issues a visa. Other variations include:
    • The passport is a travel ID, and a visa is a stamp on it that says you can go to a certain country.
    • A passport lasts around ten years, but a visa usually only lasts a few months.

    What sets a Visa apart from a Residence Permit?

    People often use the words visa and residence permit interchangeably. However, an important distinction between them is:
    • To go to another country for a short time, like for tourism, business, work, or studies, you usually have to get a visa.
    • To live in another country for a long time, you must have a residence permit.
    At times, you might get a visa initially and then turn it into a residence permit after arriving in the country you're going to. In other cases, you automatically get a residence permit when you apply for a long-stay visa (for work, study, family reunion, etc.).

    What do Electronic Travel Authorizations mean?

    People who don't require a visa for a certain country need electronic travel authorizations to enter. These can be easily acquired online for a small fee and remain valid for extended periods. Here are some examples of electronic travel authorizations:
    • Canada's eTA: costs $7 and gets approval in just a few minutes. It lasts for up to five years and lets you stay for six months per visit.
    • Australia's ETA (Electronic Travel Authority):is priced at AUC 20 and gets approval in just a few minutes. It's valid for one year and permits multiple visits to Australia within that time.
    • ESTA United StatesIn the United States, there's a thing called ESTA. It costs $14 and gets approved in a few minutes. You can use it for up to two years, and it lets you visit the US multiple times, staying for a maximum of three months on each trip.
    • ETIAS (European Union): Starting in May 2025, it will be required to have the European Union's ETIAS. The cost is €7, and it will be valid for three years, allowing multiple trips of up to three months within that time.
    Travel authorizations are not real visas; they're just used to keep a record of people coming in and out of a country. So, it's not very likely that your application will be turned down.

    Visa programs that involve multiple parties.

    Several countries belonging to a regional organization issue a shared visa that is valid for all member states of the organization. Some of the most famous shared visas include:
    • The Schengen Visa: This visa lets you enter any of the 27 European countries in the Schengen Area. It's a joint entry permit shared among these nations.
    • The Central American Joint Visa: It's an agreement between Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. People from these countries can travel freely between member states without needing a visa. Tourists can use a single visa to visit all the member countries.
    • The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): is a deal among various Middle Eastern nations, such as the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. People from these nations can travel without a visa within their borders, but sometimes, because of political tension, visa-free travel may not be allowed.
    • The Pacific Alliance: is a group that includes Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. People from these countries can travel without needing a visa. Tourists can use a single visa to travel in any of these member states.
    • The KAZA Univisa: lets you journey between Zambia and Zimbabwe for a period of 30 days.
    • The CARICOM Visa: The CARICOM Agreement includes 15 Caribbean countries that let their citizens travel without needing a visa. Additionally, the agreement provides a shared CARICOM passport for their people, valid for both local and global travel.
    • West African Economic Community (WAEC): This deal involves 15 countries in West Africa where people can freely travel between the nations.
    • Mercosur Deal: Made up of four full member countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay), plus various associate nations, the Mercosur Deal enables citizens to travel without needing a visa. Yet, each country sets its own rules for visitors from abroad.
    • The British-Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS Visa): The BIVS is an arrangement between the United Kingdom and Ireland that lets people from other countries use one visa to travel between these two nations. For instance, if you hold a valid visa for Britain, you can also visit Ireland with the same permission.
    Besides joint visa programs, having a visa from one country lets you travel to several other countries without needing a visa. For instance, if you hold a valid US visa, you can also go to Costa Rica, Mexico, the British Virgin Islands, and many more countries without a visa.

    What does an exit visa mean?

    A departure visa is a permission slip allowing you to leave a particular country. These days, exit visas are seen as an old-fashioned practice and almost a violation of human rights. That's why many countries no longer allow people to get an exit visa.

    Here's a list of countries where you need an exit visa of some kind:
    • Belarus
    • Iraq
    • Kuwait
    • Lebanon
    • North Korea
    • Oman
    • Russia
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Singapore
    • The People’s Republic of China
    • United Arab Emirates
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