Your suitcase is always half full. You never fully empty it. It may be commodity or you just do not know when you’re going to set off the next time. The fact is, you are always prepared, always on the go.
Preparation for your trip does not lie only in amazingly developed packing skills, being a natural when it comes to choosing the most superb destinations or finding the best deals. A wise traveller is always, and I mean always in the know-they are never taken by surprise by detours or any other mishaps. And a wise traveller must also be aware of one thing, and one thing only: needed paperwork to enter said country.
Does it even matter that you have gotten the best deal on your flight, you found the nicest small cabin to stay in, asked around for the best places to eat and have a long list of things to see when you cannot enter the country because you forgot to check or maybe just assumed your Passport was enough? Unfortunately, there are several visa requirements that you must meet.
So what is a visa?
A visa is what allows you, a non-citizen, to entry, transit or remain in a foreign country. Entering a country differs according to the state laws and regulations. Some countries accept visas, others- passports or only ID cards. However, it is up to the Immigration officials whether you can enter the country.
Some will not let you in, based on shallow things, such as overall appearance, while others require you show them your return ticket, thus proving you are not looking to illegally settle in that particular country. Should any of these happen to you, bear in mind that deportation is at your expense.
TYPES OF VISAS
Visas are divided in two big categories: by purpose and by method of issuance.
Purpose:
SHORT STAY
– Transit visas: for passing through a country which is not your final destination; this visa is usually limited, the maximum amount of tie you could spend in that particular country being 10 days. You can also get an airside transit visa, which is required by some continents when you’re flying above them
– Then, there are visitor visa, intented for short days. You can either apply for a private visa, meaning you are travelling to visit your friends or family,or a tourist visa, which is for a limited time, only for holidays, so no business activities.
– If you are travelling for work,a business visa will allow you to enter the country and engage in your activity, but only after you have proof for permanent employment.
– There are also athletic and artistic visa, issued to those performing in a foreign country
LONG STAY
– The Student visa, which will allow its owner to study in the issuing country
– The Temporary worker visa, which are a bit difficult to obtain, but not impossible. The difficulty comes from the uncertainty that the holder will not leave its temporary work in order to pursue other means of making a living, maybe even illegal, leading to living in illegality and increasing the crime rate.
– The Residence visa are only granted to those who have obtained residence in the country. This is a stepping stone towards being a permanent resident or even obtaining citizenship
– The Immigrant visa is for those who intend to immigrate to that particular country, with a prospect or obtaining permant residency
– The Spousal visa is granted to the civil partner, spouse, or de facto partner of an already citizen of the issuing country; also, there is a pensioner visa, issued by very few countries, to those people in retirement who can prove they have a foreign source of income and their travelling is only for leisure.
Method of issuance:
– On-arrival visa, granted at a port of entry. This does not imply that you can just show up at the airport and demand they issued you a visa. This visa is granted in special cases, when there is a diversion in your flight and the plane changes its course due to unforseen events. Some airports in Russia have the officials who are empowered to issue a vsa for you on he sport, but Thailand issues visas on arrival at very few check points.
– Electronic visas are stored in a computer, so no more worrynig about losing your paperwork. Australia was the first to allow electronic issuance and it was followed closely by New Zeeland. The U.S have a similar system and Turkey has started issuing such visas in 2013. Other countries that issue electronic visas are: Cambodia, Rwanda, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Armenia, Singapore and Bahrain. Be sure to check, as this method is modern, convenient and stress-free.
– Asylum visas and refugee visas are for those who were forced to flee because their life was in danger. For more information on this kind of visa, you need to contact to embassy.
The fees vary on the type of visa you are applying to. Sure, they are bit pricey, but it is a small price to pay if you want to extend your travelling horizons. This concludes our list of visa requirements basic that you should know about.
Better safe than sorry.
Have a nice trip.