When is a Visa required

A visa is an official document representing travel authorization to a specific foreign country. Visas are typically required by countries as a way to grant access to international visitors. But when exactly is a visa required? How do you apply for a visa? And what alternative options are there for international travelers?

Visa requirement basics
Autonomous countries want to maintain control over their populations for the sake of security, proper accounting, and other benefits. Authorizing travel visas is a way of validating visitors and remaining aware of people going into and coming out of the country.

Accordingly, most countries on the planet have some form of official travel authorization in place. By default, if you want to travel internationally, you should assume your destination country requires visas for all foreign travelers.

There are some exceptions to this, of course. Different countries have different rules, so it’s difficult to make generalizations.

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is designed to make it easier for people from approved countries to travel to the U.S. without a visa. Essentially, if your home country is part of the VWP, you may be able to travel to the United States without getting a visa. Instead, you’ll get authorization using the ESTA.

An Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a system designed to grant travel authorization for VWP travelers entering the U.S. If you’re traveling for tourism/pleasure, business, study, or another valid reason, you can fill out a form online and get approval for your travel electronically.

Your ESTA approval will function very similarly to a visa, but there are a handful of important differences. Having ESTA approval does not guarantee your entry into your destination country.

Also, the approved duration of your stay is typically much shorter for an ESTA. An approved ESTA allows travel of up to 90 days, while a visa usually provides approval for a 6 month stay.

Types of Visas
There are many types of visas available, depending on the intentions of your trip and the duration of your stay.

• General travel/tourist visas. Travel and tourist visas are available for travelers who are on vacation, people visiting friends and family, and people who are otherwise traveling for personal reasons.
• Work visas. If you’re venturing overseas because of a job, you’ll probably need a work visa specifically.
• Business visas. If you’re starting a business in another country, you may qualify for a business visa.
• Student visas. Student visas are often available to students studying internationally.
• Other visas. There are many other types of visas that may be available to you, such as a visa for refugees, one for spouses, and one for working holiday programs.

Applying for a Visa
If you’re considering traveling internationally, and you know you’re going to have to apply for a visa, follow these important strategies:

Start early. Visa application wait times vary, but during busy seasons of popular countries, waiting for approval can take weeks, or even months. If you want to make sure your trip remains on schedule, or if you want to reduce stress in your travel plans, start this process as early as possible. If you face any delays, you’ll have a buffer zone that still ensures your trip is a success. Ideally, you’ll start the process at least a few months before you decide to travel.

Choose an ESTA if you can. If your passport country is part of the VWP, go with an ESTA. There are some important differences between ESTAs and visas, but for many travelers, an ESTA is less expensive, more convenient, and much faster.

Go straight to an embassy/immigration website. Every country has its own standards and regulations for permitting international travelers and managing immigration. If you want to be accurately informed and maximize your chances of being accepted into the country, go straight to an official government website – either an embassy page or an immigration page – and read information on visas there.

Read all the information carefully. When reviewing information about visas, the visa application process, and conditions for international travelers, read all the information carefully. Otherwise, you could risk denial of entry.

Meet all the requirements. Don’t skip or ignore any application requirements or your application will likely be denied.

Prepare for a possible interview. Some countries conduct interviews before allowing people in. If this is the case, prepare for common interview questions so you can answer them confidently.

Travel visas can be annoying to procure, but they’re often a necessary prerequisite for international travel. Fortunately, the ESTA and the Visa Waiver Program have made it easier for most travelers to get the authorization they need for international travel to the United States.

In the near future, we anticipate international travel will get even easier.