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 the number of entries allowed. A visit visa can be – single entry, double entry, or multiple entry.

• Visitor Visa/Tourist

• Visa

• Business Visa

• Work

• Visa/Employment Visa

• Transit Visa

• Single-Entry, Double-Entry or Multiple-Entry Visas

• Sponsored Family Visitor Visa

What is the eligibility criteria for a visit visa?

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.

• 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.
Other requirements based on the profile may be required.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

How to apply for a visitor visa for business purposes?

A visitor visa for business purposes, often called simply a business visa, has different eligibility criteria depending on the country. However, there are some documents that will generally be required.

These include –

A valid passport.
Travel itinerary that includes flight details and accommodation.
Academic credentials.
Business and professional credentials.
Evidence of your plan to return to the home country.
Proof of adequate financial resources.
Evidence of adequate insurance and medical examination.
Requisite application form duly filled and signed.
Copy of the fee paid for the visa application.

What is the processing time for a visitor visa?

The tourist/visitor visa processing times vary depending upon the nation which is offering you the visa. It also depends on the applicant’s nationality.

What Documents are Required for a Tourist/Visitor Visa?

The basic requirements of the Tourist Visa are as follows:

Health check-up
Financial documents
Certificates of your character
Insurance
Proof of accommodation

What is the standard procedure to get a visitor visa?

There is a simple standard procedure to get a visitor visa for most of the countries.

To get the tourist visa, you will have to:

Fill in the visa application form of the electronic tourist visa.
Complete the payment of the fees for your visa application.
Schedule your appointment at the embassy for the visa interview.
Attend your visa interview at the embassy on the assigned date and time.

Processing time for tourist visas

The visitor visa application processing time normally varies from one country to another.

Australia – Typical processing time for a 6-month-visitor-visa application to Australia is about 2 – 4 weeks from the date of submitting the visa application.
Canada – Ideal processing time for the Canada visitor visa application is a maximum of 15 days from the date of submitting the application.
USA – It can take anywhere from 3 – 5 weeks’ time for processing the USA Visitor Visa. The visa application processing time for the US generally depends on the type of visa and the workload.
United Kingdom – Expect a decision within 3 weeks of attending the appointment at the visa application center when you are applying for a UK Standard Visitor Visa.
New Zealand – Again, the processing time for visitor visa applications depends on the workload. A majority of visa applications are cleared within three months.

Why Choose Ace Overseas Consultant?

We can guide you through the visa application process, helping you –

Assess the type of visa to apply for
Fast-track the visa procedure
Get the documentation required
Fill up the forms, as required
Collect the supporting documentation
Review the list of documents
Verify with the document checklist
Submit your visa application
By providing complete business visa application support
Preparing for you visa interview, if required
Follow-up with the Consulate and keeping track of updates

Irrespective of whichever country you wish to visit for whatever reason, we are here to guide you with all the necessary information and shall assist you in the application procedures.

Feel free to reach out to our tourist visa experts on +91 81466-44599 / +91 89295-52959 or write your queries related to Visit Visa at info@aceoverseasconsultant.com