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Visitor Visa
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Traveling abroad need not be confusing if you have all the details worked out. Here, we shall be discussing the common visitor visa types, eligibility, costs involved, as well as the documentation required.
What is a visit visa?
A visitor visa can have a variety of purposes that can range from getting medical treatment, for short term business purposes or even for leisure. The purpose of this visit, however, needs to be made amply clear. The individual also needs to show clear intent of returning to the country of origin once the purpose of the visit is served. The visitor visa has a strict deadline and the applicant may also have to specify exactly the amount of time they will be spending in the country.
The US, for example, has two categories under the visitor visa B1 and B2. Each country has its own unique specifications and norms regarding the visa and should be approached under expert guidance. The applicant must explain the purpose of their visit in great detail while also providing the required documents, reference letters, and an undertaking of return. Depending upon the country, the duration of the visa changes, this is also heavily dependent upon the application and the nature of the visit. The regulations of the country regarding this visa need to be carefully acknowledged and adhered to if one wants their application to be processed smoothly.
It is ideal to plan the reissuing of your visa or an extension of your trip in advance, the possibility should always be kept in mind to avoid last minute hassles. There are some countries that require you to travel back to your country of origin and come back before you are granted a renewal. To avoid such a situation it is important to plan your visitor visa and trip in a timely fashion. Plan your travel itinerary in accordance with the amount of time you are expecting to spend in the country. Renewals are tricky and should be approached only under careful guidance of the professionals at IEC.
What is a visit visa?
A visitor visa for any country is a kind of nonimmigrant visa permitting you to stay in a specific country for a certain period of time.
Generally, as a temporary visitor in a country, you can either attend short-term business activities, visit family/friends, or go as a tourist. A visitor visa also allows you to visit overseas for medical treatment.
What can I do on a visit visa?
Generally, activities permitted on a visit visa include –
- Tourism
- Vacationing
- Visiting relatives
- Meeting up with friends
- Attending a business conference
- Negotiating a business contract
- Medical treatment
- Holding consultations with business associate
- Taking part in short-term training
Work or study (unless a short recreational course of study as a hobby etc.) is not allowed while in a country on a temporary visitor visa. If you enter as a tourist/visitor, you will have to apply to get your status changed or switch to another visa category before you can work or study in a foreign country.
Things to know about the visitor visa
- Usually hassle-free
- Obtained easily
- Must have a genuine reason for specific travel purpose
- Proof of funds needed
- A visa interview might be held
- Biometrics usually required
- Might be granted for - three to six months
What are the types of visitor visas?
Different kinds of visitor visas are available, depending on the reason behind traveling to a particular country. Each of the countries have their own eligibility criteria and application process.
Visitor visas can be classified based on the reason for travel – tourism, visiting family/friends, business, or transit.
Additionally, the different types of visas available can be as per thenumber of entries allowed. A visit visa can be – single entry, double entry, or multiple entry.
The specific eligibility criteria that you must fulfill will vary from country to country.
Australia Visitor Visa - Eligibility
Visa to apply for: Visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist stream (apply outside Australia)
Australia subclass 600 visa lets you visit Australia as a tourist, see family and friends in Australia, or go on a cruise.
Applicants satisfying the following criteria are eligible to apply for the Australia Visitor Visa
- Genuine intention to temporarily stay in Australia.
- Visiting for purposes other than business or medical treatment.
- Sponsored or able to support themselves during the visit.
- Satisfy the relevant public interest criteria, including that of character and health.
Documentation for an Australia Visitor Visa
The documents required for obtaining the Australia Tourist Visa are :
- Valid passport
- Old passports (if any)
- Recent photographs (as per the requirements)
- Completed visa application form (Form 1419)
- Documents showing your purpose of visit
- Proof of funds
- Bank statements (past six months)
- Income tax returns (past three years)
- Property investments (if any)
- Fixed deposits (if any)
- Medical test results
- X-ray examinations
- Personal cover letter
- Travel Insurance
- Proofs of Accommodation
Canada Visitor Visa - Eligibility
You will need a Canada visitor visa if you plan to travel, do business, visit family and friends, or transit through Canada. Most travelers will require a visitor visa to travel to Canada.
Transiting through a Canadian airport on your way to a final destination might also require a Canada visitor visa.
A Canada visitor visa, an official document showing that the requirements for entering the country have been duly met, is affixed in the passport of the traveler.
The Canada visitor visa can be applied for online or on paper.
The Canada Visitor Visa requires you to meet the following
- Proof of sufficient funds as financial support during the visit.
- Be in good health.
- Not be seeking or undertaking a job during the visit.
- No criminal or immigration-related convictions.
- Visitors staying with relatives or friends need to provide invitation letters from sponsors.
- Applicants from certain countries will require a temporary residence permit.
- Be able to convince immigration officers of ties with the home country.
- Be a genuine visitor who will leave Canada at the end of their visit. the home country.
- Other requirements based on the profile may be required.
Documentation for a Canada Visitor Visa
- A valid passport with an expiry date exceeding 6 months
- Documents to prove your ties to your nation country
- 2 recent passport size photographs with a white background having no borders
- The photograph must not be more than 90 days old
- A sworn affidavit or an invitation letter from your relatives, if you plan to live with them
- Medical clearance certificate
- Photocopy of your return ticket and/or travel itinerary
- Any additional documents required by the local visa office
- Bank statements to prove you have enough funds to live in Canada for a while.
Documentation is an important step in applying for a Canadian Tourist Visa.
Consult with IEC Global who can evaluate your unique circumstances and application materials to zero any chances for visa denial.
US Visitor Visa - Eligibility
Visitor visas for the United States of America come under the ‘B’ visa category. US visitor visas available are – B-1 visa for business, B-2 visa for tourism, and B-1/B-2 visa that combines B-1 and B-2 in a single visa.
You must fulfill these general eligibility criteria for a Visitor Visa of the USA
- Genuine intention regarding your purpose of visit which can be temporary, such as - business, tourism, or medical treatment.
- Visit to be only for a specific time.
- Demonstrate a sufficient amount of funds to cover your US stay.
- Establish ties with your home country proving that you will go back after your visit.
Documents required for US Visitor/Tourist Visa from India
- Appointment Confirmation Letter
- As you attend the visa interview in person in the consulate, an appointment confirmation letter is vital.
- It shows your application number, other personal details, and also shows that you have paid the prescribed visa fee.
- Confirmation page on Visa Application DS-160
- At the end of the online application process, you receive an application confirmation.
- You need to take a printout of that page and keep it with you as you visit the consulate.
- Your current passport
- Your valid passport confirms the permittance of the government to travel abroad.
- If your previous passport has expired, you need to bring the last expired passport as well.
- Birth Certificate
- The Birth Certificate confirms the age of the applicant and other details, such as the nationality and details of parents as well.
- Driver’s License
- Your Driver’s License confirms your age, address, and also carries your photograph.
- It shows that you can drive the class of vehicle you are licensed for.
- Police Clearance Certificate
- The Crime Investigation Department or other concerned authority of the police department issues this certificate.
- It confirms that the visa applicant bears a good moral character and was never involved in any criminal or illegal activity, was never convicted or imprisoned.
- Medical Certificate
- This certificate from an authorized Medical Center confirms that you are physically and mentally fit to travel.
- Evidence of your Travel Insurance
- The travel insurance covers your injuries, accidents, and even death during your travel to the US.
- Make sure you choose the best travel insurance plan to get maximum coverage.
- For the children traveling along with you, relevant supporting documents should be submitted confirming their age, medical condition, consent from the parents to travel to the US, and so on.
- Important notice for Indians
Applicants without both the medical report and police clearance certificate will not be allowed entry into the U.S. Embassy New Delhi or U.S. Consulate Mumbai.
- If you do not have your Indian police clearance certificate in time, you need to reschedule your appointment for a later date.
- If there is a problem with your medical report, the Panel Physician will give you separate instructions.
UK Visitor Visa - Eligibility
Visa to apply for: Standard Visitor visa
US Standard Visitor visa allows you to visit the United Kingdom for business, tourism, study courses (up to six months in duration), and other activities.
Application to be made online, followed by attending an appointment at a Visa Application Center (VAC).
Kinds of UK Standard Visitor visas available
- Standard Visitor visa, for six months
- Standard Visitor visa for medical reasons, for 11 months
- Standard Visitor visa for academics, for 12 months
- Two-year long-term Standard Visitor visa, six months per visit
- Five-year long-term Standard Visitor visa, six months per visit
- Ten-year long-term Standard Visitor visa, six months per visit
If you wish to visit the UK, you must fulfill these eligibility criteria to receive the UK Visitor Visa
- Intent to leave the United Kingdom at the end of your visit or trip.
- Funds to cover your stay in the UK.
- Demonstrate the proof of activities or business that you intend to do in the UK that comply with the visitor rules.
What Documents are Required for the UK Visitor Visa?
- The online form of UK Tourist Visa Application Form VAF1A.
- 2 recent photographs as per the guidelines of the UK government.
- Valid passport.
- Proof of funds to support the stay in the UK.
- Your last 10 years of travel history.
- Bio metric information.
- Letter of Invitation.
- Fee receipts.
- Your language skills certificate.
- Medical certificates, stating that you are fit to travel to the UK.
New Zealand Visitor Visa - Eligibility
With the visitor visa, you can explore New Zealand or enjoy amateur sports, visit friends and family, or take part in any adventure activity. You can also study in New Zealand for up to three months while in the country on a visitor visa.
You will have to meet the following criteria to qualify for the New Zealand Visitor Visa
- Proof of your identity.
- Good health.
- Good character and certificate of conduct.
- Proof of funds while you stay in New Zealand, or you must be sponsored by someone who is residing in the country.
- Lastly, you must show proof of your return ticket back to your home country after the end of your visit.
Schengen Visa - Eligibility
As they have all signed the Schengen Agreement, 26 countries in Europe are known as the Schengen countries.
These are – France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Iceland, Austria, Sweden, Belgium, Malta, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Liechtenstein, Greece, Slovakia, Italy, Portugal, Finland, Latvia, Hungary, Luxembourg, Poland, and Norway.
With a Uniform Schengen Visa (USV), you can visit any country in the Schengen Area and stay up to 90 days in every six-month period starting from the date of entry.
Eligibility criteria to be met for being granted a Schengen Visa
- Visa application form
- Proof of having paid the visa fees, €80 for adults and €45 for children from 6 to 12 years old.
- Proof of financial means to cover duration of stay
- Proof of accommodation
- Travel health insurance for the entire Schengen Area, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros.
- Round trip reservation
