Visa Information

What is a visa?

A visa, also known as a travel visa, entry visa or foreign entry visa allows a person from one country to travel to the port-of-entry of another country and request permission of an immigration inspector to enter.

It is important to understand that having a visa in your passport does not guarantee that you will be granted permission to enter the country you plan to visit. This is left to the discretion of the officer at the port-of-entry who will examine your travel documents.

What types of visas are there?

There are various types of visas which are divided into two categories - immigrant and non immigrant visas. An immigrant visa, also known as a resident visa, is for those who plan to move to another country permanently.

There is a larger variety of non immigrant visas. Some of the most common types include tourist visa, business visa, work visa, student visa and transit visa. There are also visas for special situations such as visas for exchange visitors, employees of special international organizations, journalists, performing athletes, employees in specialized fields, crew members, etc.

Do I need to get a visa?

The answer depends on your country of which you are a citizen and your destination. There are a lot of countries in the world where no visa is required to visit. This usually applies to tourism only. The majority of countries that allow visitors to enter for tourism without a visa still require a visa for other purposes such as business, work or study. Also, the length of time you are allowed to enter the country without a visa varies.

For example, U.S. citizens can visit Singapore and Taiwan for 14 days without a visa. Bermuda and the Philippines allow stays for up to 21 days. The majority of countries permit travelers to enter for 30 or 90 days. A few let you visit for as much as 180 days without having to apply for a visa.

Where do I apply for a visa?

Visas are acquired through the embassy or consulate general of the country or countries you wish to visit. The majority of embassies and consulates have a website where you can access information such as address, email, phone number and, especially, hours that travelers are attended. Some countries have an embassy and several consulates in major cities. In the U.S., foreign embassies are concentrated in the Washington D.C. area.

What are the visa application requirements?

The visa application process can vary depending on the country you are applying to and the type of visa you are requesting. There are some basic requirements that are common to most countries. These include a completed visa application form, one or two passport size photos, valid passport and payment. Many countries require at least 6 months validity in your passport before they will issue a visa. Other requirements might include the presentation of a travel itinerary, a letter of invitation and proof of financial conditions.

What does it cost to get a visa?

There are four factors that influence the fee that is charged for a visa. These are type of visa, number of entries allowed, validity and processing time. It will cost you more to get your visa in a hurry. On the low end is a single-entry tourist visa to Cambodia processed in 5 days with 3 months validity for $30. On the high end is a multiple-entry business visa to Russia processed in 4 days with 3 to 12 months validity for $940. The majority of countries that require a visa charge between $100 and $150 to process a visa application.