Phone 800-975-7775
|
|
|
|
|
Phone 800-975-7775 |
|
|
|
International Visa Tips Frequently Asked Visa Questions: Why would I use a service, can't I just apply directly to the embassy or consulate? What all do I need to get my visa? How do I know about fees and photos? And how do I get an application?
Some countries require that you obtain advance permission to enter. This is called a visa. Most visas need to be obtained before you leave the U.S. To obtain the visa, you must send your passport and your application to that country's embassy or consulate in the U.S. The visa is then stamped onto a page in your passport. Recently Australia has tried using electronic visas, which are processed by travel agencies or airlines via their reservations systems. The data is sent electronically to Australian authorities, and when approval is granted, the airline processes the validation of the passport when the passenger checks in for departure from the U.S. Some countries do charge a processing fee. In addition, if you use a visa processing service, they will charge fees and sometimes express mail charges. Why would I use a service, can't I just apply directly to the embassy or consulate? Yes, you can do that. However, if your itinerary requires more than one country's visa, you have to wait for your passport to be returned by one before you can apply for the next. Visa services are usually located in an area (such as Washington, DC) where they can send your passport by their courier from one embassy/consulate to the next. They also have current application forms that they can fax to your travel agency, and they usually offer some type of insurance against loss of your passport while in their care. Applications tend to be handled with more dispatch when a courier is waiting, and services have usually established strong relations with the personnel that helps smooth the way. That varies by issuing country. It also depends on the type of visa you have. Tourist visas permit different stays and freedoms than business or diplomatic visas. Also, some visas allow multiple entries and some do not. So what all do I need to get my visa? 1) A completed application, sometimes required in duplicate 2) Some issuing countries require 1 or 2 passport-type photos 3) Your passport, valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay 4) fees, if applicable 5) pre-paid, self-addressed envelop or express-mail air bill 6) A printed itinerary from your travel agent or copies of your air tickets How do I know about fees and photos? And how do I get an application? The travel agent issuing your air tickets can advise you on this and can handle the processing, usually through a visa service. You can also check online at embassy home pages or sites for various visa services such as www.travisa.com or www.traveldocs.com
|
||