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Visas Explained
Everything You Need to Know About Visas
A visa is a document that grants you lawful entry into a foreign country. It’s an official document that is inked or glued to your passport.
Visas come in various forms, each granting you particular privileges within the host country.
What Are the Main Types of Visas?
The purpose of your visit will dictate which visa you will need.
Immigration
Immigrant visas allow you the privilege to reside permanently in the host country. Whereas other visas only allow you to stay in the country for some time.
Investment visas
An E2 investor visa allows you to enter and work in the country.
It’s typically valid for 3 months – 5 years and may be renewed as needed.
The only requirement for this visa is a ‘significant’ investment into the country, and it’s not afforded to citizens of all countries.
An EB-5 visa, or 5th employment-based preference visa, is a US entry visa program that grants investors and their dependents the opportunity to apply for permanent residency in the US.
Like the E2 visa, the EB-5 visa requires a ‘significant’ investment into the country for it to be granted and is a means for foreign nationals to obtain a green card.
application process
- Choose your visa type
- Get your application started
- Pay for your application
- Book an appointment at a visa application center
- Attend your appointment at the visa application center
- Track the progress of your application
- Receive the decision made on your application
documents required
- A valid passport or travel document – no less than 30 days after the expiry of your intended visit
- Passport must have at least 2 unused pages for entry/departure endorsements
- A completed visa application form
- Payment of the visa application fee
- A yellow-fever vaccination certificate (if required)
- Statement and/or documentation confirming the purpose and duration of your visit
- 2 color passport photographs
- A return or onward ticket if you are travelling by air
- If you have children (minors) travelling with you, you will need to provide the following additional documents: proof of guardianship or custody or consent from the guardian in the case of an unaccompanied minor
- Proof of financial means to pay for your living expenses while travelling in the form of bank statements & cash available (including credit cards and travellers’ cheques)
- Salary advances
- Undertakings by the host(s) in the country you’re travelling to
- Bursary documents, if required
- Medical cover
visa cost
When applying for a visa, knowing all costs is important.
A visa application costs between $160-$265, depending on the type of visa you are applying for.
The main types of visas (tourist, immigration, student, and work) typically cost $160.
visa type
An immigrant visa is issued to those who want to work and live permanently in the country, while a non-immigrant visa is given to those who only wish to enter the country temporarily.
Finding the appropriate type for you
You would first need to know the duration of your travel. If you intend to stay in the country for a short period, you will apply for a non-immigrant visa. You must apply for an immigrant visa if you wish to reside in the country permanently.
Several different types of visas are available that suit your specific reason for travel. You’ll need to select the correct visa type, as the reason for the trip is essential to decide whether your application will be approved.
visa processing
Each country’s visa process is different; however, once your visa application has been submitted, it can take between 3 days to 4 months to process.
Sometimes, it may even take up to 6 months to receive a final decision on your application.
visa validity
In most cases, a visa is valid for 6 months.
If you need to extend your visa, you can do so for another 6 months, given that the terms of your stay are still the same as initially stated on your application.
VISA declined
In the event that your visa application is declined, you can’t appeal the consular officer’s decision. However, you may reapply for a new visa at any time afterward.
Unfortunately you do need to go through the entire application process and pay the application fee again.
faq
Here’s a list of popularly asked questions about visas:
In some cases, you may need to pay taxes to your host country even if you aren’t a citizen. In these cases, the tax implications would be for immigrant visas.
If you hold a non-immigrant visa, you will automatically become a tax resident if you reside in your host country for more than 31 days in a year or 183 days during the 3 years.
For most people, a visitor or tourist visa is the easiest visa to get.
There are a number of countries worldwide that don’t require a visa for you to visit.
This includes; Albania, Barbados, and Japan.
Several countries offer affordable visa application fees, one of which is Haiti.
Haiti’s visa application costs $10 and is valid for 30 days.
If you wish to renew your visa, it must be valid for longer than 1 year. It is impossible to renew a visa valid for less than a year.
If you wish to extend your visa, you may do so once per visit.
Visa applications do vary with each applicant, so it’s important that you have all necessary documentation in order before you submit your application.
Even though you can reapply for your visa, it may be inconvenient if your initial application is declined.
Should you require any further information about your visa application, contact us and one of our expert consultants would be more than happy to assist you.
Editorial Note: This content has been independently collected by the WorldCitizenships team and is offered on a non-advised basis. While we try & keep the information up to date & correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services mentioned in the website. Learn more about our editorial guidelines.
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Editorial Note: This content has been independently collected by the WorldCitizenships team and is offered on a non-advised basis. While we try & keep the information up to date & correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services mentioned in the website. Learn more about our editorial guidelines.
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