Nearly all the countries in the world throw their gates open for leisure and business travelers. However, many of these nations over the years have come up with a number of restrictions for peculiar or general reasons. Therefore anyone who intends to travel to any destination on corporate or leisure, must endeavor to research into the specific requirements for visiting that particular country. This will save the traveler a lot of embarrassment at the destination.
Requisites for Visas
For the different countries, there are citizens of certain countries from whom they do not require visas. But in cases that visa is required, it is necessary to make enquiries in order to know if the visas will be given before or upon arrival. For example, as regards China, visa can only be obtained upon arrival, while for New Zealand, it is granted 14 days upon arrival.
A visa can take different formats depending on the country. For some countries, they are electronic (e-visas), while for others, it is a physical document entered into passports. For instance, the electronic travel authority (ETA) replaces visa for people who want to travel to Australia and for the US also, there is a similar one for which nationalities under the visa waiver scheme can apply for, online. Therefore, other nationalities are bound to make formal applications for visa. Once granted, it will indicate dates of permitted entry, purpose or mission, the number of entries permitted, extent of stay and last date to enter.
All Travelers lay open to Visa restrictions
Every traveler is open to visa restrictions irrespective of age. A variety of visas are issued as pertaining to the purpose of travel. There are business visas, tourist visas and transit visas. Transit visas are for those who are just going to stay in a foreign country for few hours. Nevertheless, some countries such as Australia have particular restrictions as regards these.
Applying for Visa
Application for visa can be made directly to the embassy or consulate of the country of destination (most are built in the in capital cities or major cities of a country).
In spite of the variance in requirements from one country to another, the general requirements are: 1 passport photograph valid for not less than 6 months beyond travel, 1 completed and signed original application form, 1 travel plan, consulate fee. Business and study visas may require more documents such as business letter and admission letter respectively.
A major issue is also the time of processing of visa. This is very important so that planning can wound round it. Since processing varies from one country’s embassy to another, the traveler must ensure that he applies early and that he is abreast of all conditions attached to the visa.
