I went to the US Embassy for a visa interview in Bangalore.
Officer: Where to in the US?
Me: San Jose
Officer: It’s pronounced as ‘San Hosey’. J is pronounced as H in the US
Me: Oh, okay
Officer: So, how long do you plan to be in the US?
Me: 6 months, from Hanuary to Hune ?
One finds such jokes about the Visa application process that make one chuckle. But nothing about the Visa application process is amusing. In fact, we often see people who wish to travel abroad stressed about the entire visa application process, anxious about undergoing an unfamiliar experience and facing disappointment if, God forbid, the Visa gets rejected. Aertrip understands this as we have expert advisors who assist many travellers in acquiring their Visas for any country they wish to travel to make the process hassle-free and smooth.
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Visa to Explore
We travel to explore more of the world around us. A visa is necessary if you’d like to travel to a country having a strict visa policy with your home country. But numerous countries have visa policies and agreements allowing their citizens to travel freely without needing a visa. So, check the Visa requirement before travelling from your country to the other. Generally, the Visa is mandated for travel to enable authorities to:
? Tackle illegal immigration
? Manage security concerns
? Reciprocate visa restrictions imposed on their nationals
Common Visa Questions Answered
We have compiled a few common FAQs regarding Visa applications below for those who want to know more about it and want to go singing to foreign locales “… don’t worry, be happy” 🙂
1. Why is Visa required, and why is it important?
A Visa is an official document permitting entry into and travel within a particular country. Visas are necessary if you’d like to travel to a country that does not have a visa treaty in place with your home country. Countries have Visa restrictions to vet potential visitors, check and control the flow of visitors in and out of the country and prevent illegal immigration and other criminal activities.
2. What are the different types of Visas?
?️ eVisa
?️ eVisaAn eVisa allows the application process to occur virtually. Everything is done electronically, from applying for the eVisa, attaching supporting documents, and making the payment online. Even the decision on the application is communicated online. Please note that the eVisas are linked electronically to the traveller’s passport.
? Stamped Visa
Visa Stamping is a process in which a visa is endorsed in the passport, i.e., physically stamped or glued into the bearer’s passport
? Visa on arrival
As per the mutual agreement between the two countries, foreign nationals can obtain a Visa on arrival to enter the destination country. Visitors do not need to apply for a travel visa beforehand.
3. What are the different categories of Visas?
Tourist Visa or Visitor Visa
Travel visas allow the bearer to enter a foreign country for tourism and leisure purposes and stay for a predetermined amount of time.
Business Visa
A business visa allows the bearer to enter a foreign country and engage in business activities like doing business with another company or attending a business conference. For example, if going to the US on business, such as consulting with colleagues, presenting a lecture, attending a conference, a job interview, or an observership, you need a B1 visa. For medical treatment, amateur, or unpaid participation in musical or sports events, you would need a B2 visa; or it could be a combination of both B1 B2.
Work Visa
Work visas are required for individuals who wish to work or engage in long-term business activities in the host country.
Student Visa
A student visa is issued to students enrolled at qualified educational institutes worldwide. These are non-immigrant Visas that do not require their holder to acquire citizenship.
Transit Visa
Travellers may sometimes require transit visas to pass through a country that is not their destination. Transit visas are typically needed if you have a long layover in a country.
4. Can we travel on the same Visa many times?
When you get a Visa, you are granted a single or multiple entry Visa.
Single Entry Visa
A single entry visa is valid for only one visit to the destination country. For instance, if your visa validity date is not yet expired, and you have already visited the country once, you cannot go for another trip to the said country. Therefore, you must apply for a visa again for your next trip.
Multiple Entry Visa
This type of Visa entitles you to multiple visits to the country throughout your Visa’s validity. You can re-enter the country several times without the requirement to apply for a fresh visa as long as you are within the bounds of your Visa validity tenure.
5. How many days does it take to process a Visa?
Typically, an eVisa takes about 72 hours for processing. If more supplementing documents are required on your Visa, you will be informed of it within 48 hours, for which you need to comply in the next 72 hours. If you take longer to furnish the documents than the given time frame, your visa application will be deemed cancelled.
Different countries typically have different time frames for acquiring Visas. For instance, for a Visa in the Asian region, you can expect it to be processed in 5 working days. Whereas for a USA visa, it takes about 3 to 5 weeks for your visa application to be processed. After processing, the consulate will deliver the document in two working days if you get a positive outcome to your application after the consulate interview. Generally, it takes five (5) working days to receive your passport once your visa interview is a success for most countries. But a USA visa could extend to about ten (10) days.
On the other hand, a UK visa is usually processed within 15 days. As also, for a Canadian tourist Visa the processing time is 15 days if your documentation is done correctly.
For most countries, you are advised to apply about a month before your travel date, and with an eVisa, you can track your eVisa application status online.
6. What is a Schengen Visa?
A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa allowing its holder to travel in the Schengen regions in Europe. The Schengen area covers 26 countries or the Schengen States that do not have border controls amongst them.
Here is the Schengen Country List if you wish to visit any of the following places, which means you have to apply for a Schengen Visa for the 26 Schengen countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
7. What is the difference between Visa Validity and Length of Stay?
Now this one can be confusing. The validity of a Visa is not the same as the permitted length of stay.
Visa validity indicates the time frame in which the Visa can be used for travel, whereas the length of permitted stay shows the permitted stay period for the bearer in the country of issue.
For instance, a visa may be valid for 90 days with a permitted length of stay of 30 days. It means one can travel on a visa within 90 days, but once you have entered the country, you can stay for only 30 days.
The visa validity allows travellers flexibility on when to start and end their trip once the Visa has been issued.
8. Is Travel Insurance mandatory?
Yes, at the time of travel, it is an almost mandatory document for all countries.
9. How will I receive my eVisa?
An eVisa is an electronic visa and is issued via email. You must print a copy of it and carry it with your passport. We recommend you carry a copy of your eVisa throughout your trip, wherever you go, as authorities may want to check it anywhere.
10. What should be the passport validity when applying eVisa?
When applying for an eVisa, ensure your passport validity is for six (6) months or more from the date you apply for any Visa.
11. Is it mandatory to link the passport number with the vaccination certificate?
Yes. Linking your passport number with a vaccination certificate is mandatory before travelling abroad.
Life is short, and the world is wide; get that Visa and Travel Unlimited!
My Visa to visit Africa got approved.
Now I Congo!!
Ha ha, jokes apart, let the expert folks at Aertrip assist you with your Visa to anywhere in the world while you dream about your amazing destination.
