As more visa application systems go online, there are certain requirements that need to be considered for each application. When completing an online visa application, it's crucial to take the time to check the personal details and documents that will be needed for the application. Depending on what type of visa you are applying for and which country you intend to visit, these applications may vary slightly.
Visas are needed when traveling to any country where there is not a visa policy with your home country in place. While many countries allow citizens of certain countries to travel freely into their country, you should always check this before your visit.
Keep reading to learn about the types of visas available to you today and the requirements for each visa option. When it comes to completing an online visa application, ensure you double-check everything is completed correctly before applying. This will help to avoid unnecessary delays during the process and minimize the chance of your application being rejected.
Electronic Visa (e-Visa)
Electronic visas, or e-Visas, are becoming more and more popular with countries around the world today. They offer a simple process that allows visitors to apply and receive their visa before traveling to their final destination. The online application will require you to provide all of your basic details to get started. At a minimum, this will include your name, date of birth, nationality, passport details, and date of arrival into the country as well.
Depending on the country you intend to visit, applicants may also have to provide more details about their personal situation and their reasons for travel. It's not unusual for countries to ask for your current job title and employer's details. You may also be asked to provide a full itinerary for your visit, including your flight details, accommodation confirmation, or information about family members or friends hosting you in the country.
Some countries also require applicants to upload a copy of their passport. This will be the page with all of the personal details, including your name, photo, and passport number. You are sometimes required to also upload the signature page from your passport. On top of that, a photo of yourself may be required for the e-Visa application, but again, this will depend on the entry policies of the country you are traveling to. When adding photos into an application, ensure they are clear and that all of the information on the passport photo is legible. This is one of the areas where many applicants get held up and delayed due to low-quality images.
Upon the completion of your application, the application will be processed, and the e-Visa is sent to you directly via email. Applicants also have the option to download their e-Visa from the Natvisa dashboard. Before traveling, print the e-Visa and store the copy safely with your other travel documents. Upon arrival in the destination country, an immigration official will ask to see the e-Visa document. Ensure you keep it stored safely throughout your visit to the country, as you may also need to show it again at the time of your departure. Double-check the length of stay the visa allows to ensure you have no issues during your trip.
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is technically not a visa but an entry authorization. It's used by many countries around the world, allowing visitors to enter the country upon its completion. An ETA is used for visa-exempt foreign nationals who are traveling to countries using this system. It's often valid for more than a single trip, but this will depend on the country you are traveling to. It will be linked to your passport, so if the passport does expire, a new ETA will be needed. Upon entry into the country, your ETA will be checked along with your passport..
The online application for an ETA works in a similar manner to an online visa application. Applicants have to provide their basic details such as the name, date of birth, nationality, and passport details. Passport photos and image uploads are usually not required during this process, but this may vary from country to country. The application may also require travelers to input their travel dates and final destination, but once again, you'll need to check the requirements depending on where you will travel.
Upon completion of the ETA application form, you'll once again have to wait for the application to be processed. You'll receive an email to notify you when your application has been approved, and you are ready to travel. Most countries link the ETA directly to your passport electronically. This means you don't need to print out the document to show upon your entry to the country. However, for peace of mind, many travelers do prefer to have a backup of the ETA.
Visa on Arrival
A visa on arrival means that the visa is issued when the traveler arrives at their destination. While the visa is granted upon arrival into the country, most countries require an application to be completed online ahead of the trip. This will require the usual personal details, such as your name, date of birth, nationality, and passport details. Travelers may also be required to add additional information about their intended time in the country, such as the length of stay, arrival date, and accommodation confirmation..
For some countries, you may not even have to complete an online application form. Your details will simply be collected upon your arrival into the country, and no application is required before your trip. However, we always recommend double-checking the requirements for a visa on arrival. You don't want to arrive at a destination thousands of miles away from home and be stuck in the airport.
Upon your arrival into the country, the visa will be issued when you pass immigration after landing. The visa is added to your passport by the immigration officer and will show the date upon which you must leave the country by. This process saves time in advance of your trip with embassy applications but does come with some form of risk as your visa is not fully approved until you enter into the country.
Wherever you are planning to travel in the world this year, we always recommend you take the time to review your visa application options before booking your trip. Regardless of which type of visa you need for your trip, we recommend completing the application as far in advance of your trip as possible. This will allow time for potential delays during the process, and it will ensure you receive your visa confirmation well in advance of traveling to your destination this year. Here at Natvisa, we can help with your e-Visa application and will be happy to assist you through the process or answer any questions you may have.
Embassy Visa or No Visa Needed
An embassy visa application will need to be completed during a physical appointment at your local embassy for the country you are visiting. To make this appointment, applicants need to contact their local embassy for further application details. The embassy will be able to advise you about the application process and offer you guidance about the requirements for the visa you are applying for.
If you intend to travel to a country for business, education, or an extended stay, you may also need to visit the embassy to complete your visa application. These visas are often treated separately from tourist visas, even for countries that offer a tourist e-Visa. If the purpose of your trip is different from a standard tourist or transit visa, ensure you check you are eligible for travel before booking your flight. If you are visiting for business or education, make sure you check how long you are allowed to stay in the country and that you don't risk overstaying your visa.
Once you have obtained the application form from the embassy, which is sometimes offered as a download from their website today, follow the instructions to complete the application. Read everything slowly and carefully to avoid making errors, as these can delay the process or result in your visa being rejected. Fill out the application in its entirety, and use a pen, not a pencil, to complete it.
For most applications, a picture of the applicant is required. This is usually a 2 x 2-inch image that can be printed at a local store. As well as the image, applicants are required to send their physical passport in with the application. When applying for an embassy visa, it's crucial to ensure you don't need your passport during this time. Allow time for the application to be received, processed, and returned to you, which may take a few weeks. The visa will be delivered to you directly by mail, ready for your trip. Leave plenty of time for embassy visa applications, as these can be subject to mail delays and hold-ups during holiday seasons.
No visa needed or visa-free means the visitor does not need to apply for any kind of entry permit or visa. This is usually valid for short term tourism or business visits. All that is needed if no visa is needed is a valid passport. Countries will do this type of entry policy to stimulate the tourism economy by making the entry process extremely easy. For travelers that do not need a visa, it is advised to have departure flight details confirmed.
Immigration Cards
While your visa is usually the primary concern when traveling abroad today, other entry documents are often required to enter a country. For example, some countries may require you to complete immigration cards or tourist cards.
These will need to be shown to immigration upon entry, or they are sometimes collected when leaving the airport. These cards are mandatory for anyone entering a destination where they are required. You may be handed these on the plane before landing, or you'll find them in the immigration hall upon arrival.
However, as with many processes today, other entry documents are often being completed online. This saves both the excessive amount of paper that was previously wasted for these documents and time filling out these documents upon your arrival at your destination.
Before traveling anywhere this year, we highly recommend you take the time to check out any additional entry documents that may be needed for the country you are visiting.
When completing an immigration form, you'll usually begin by adding your personal details, such as your home address and passport number. From there, you may be required to add the details of where you are staying in your destination and how long you are staying.
Finally, these documents require you to declare what you are bringing into the country. Pay close attention to this part of the form to ensure you aren't carrying anything in your suitcase which is forbidden. Many countries also place limits on the amount of cash you can carry with you.
Tourist cards will require similar information but focus more on why you are visiting the country. These are often completed online today, and you'll be required to declare the length of your stay at the destination.
When applying online, you may not be able to complete this form until a certain length of time before your trip, so pay attention to these details on the website. You'll have to state that you are only traveling to the country for tourism, as these cards are not applicable for anyone looking to seek employment in the country.
If you do complete your tourist card application online before boarding your flight, ensure you print the form to show it to immigration upon arrival. You'll will receive a digital copy via email, and a copy will be available in the Natvisa dashboard for easy download.
Before traveling anywhere this year, make sure you research the requirements for every country you are planning to visit. Immigration requirements vary between destinations, and you'll want to ensure you only bring items into the country that are permitted.
Where possible, we highly encourage you to complete these forms online if the option is available. After a long international flight, the last thing you want to do is search for your hotel and passport information to complete the document on the plane. Instead, you'll have your form printed and ready to show to the authorities. This will speed up the start of your vacation, and you'll soon be ready to relax and enjoy your time away.
Health Declaration
The past year has changed many aspects of travel around the world, and the importance of health and safety when traveling has never been greater. The recent pandemic has resulted in the introduction of health declarations and health certifications in many destinations today.
Health declarations are critical for protecting countries and reducing the chance of transmission when allowing foreigners to enter the country. While many countries are keen to welcome back visitors after a long hiatus, they can't afford the risk of infecting their population with COVID-19.
Health certificates are often required to be completed a few days before you fly, and you'll need to double-check the requirements based on the destination you are visiting. Some countries may also require a temperature screening at the airport and a paper form to be completed.
Health declarations may be as simple as a form to say you are feeling fit and healthy and don't have any symptoms of COVID-19, but they may also be used to certify you've had a negative COVID-19 test or you are fully vaccinated. Many countries are using electronic systems to track vaccinations and tests, which you may need to present upon checking in for your flight and at immigration upon your arrival.
This new requirement is one way that travel will be able to return around the world. Regardless of whether you are traveling for leisure or business purposes, you'll need to ensure you have completed the form correctly before your flight. Without the required testing or declaration, you will be turned away at the airport and refused entry to the country.
Some details that may be asked:
- Full name
- Flight number and date or departure
- Details of where you will be staying in the country (ex: hotel info)
- The port of entry
- Address
- Phone number
- Medical symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Fever
- Medical questions (ex: have you had )
- Have you had any contact with COVID-19?
- Has anyone close yo you been diagnosed with COVID-19?
You'll also want to double-check if a quarantine period is required on top of a health declaration, as this is still a requirement in many countries today.
When it comes to completing COVID-19 testing for travel, ensure you check what type of test is required and when you must complete this test. There are set windows in which your test must be taken, and for some countries, only a certain type of test is accepted. If you are traveling abroad, ensure you've booked your test in advance of your trip and understand the protocol for re-entry to your country at the end of your trip.
You'll want to research testing centers in the country you are visiting so you can easily get the required paperwork to return home after your vacation.
The minimum age for testing and health declarations will vary from country to country, and some areas still require young children to be tested before traveling. Even with the vaccination roll-out continuing, testing is likely to continue when fully vaccinated.The rules and regulations for health and safety when traveling are constantly being updated, so check them multiple times before stepping foot on a plane this year. Protecting yourself and those around you should be your number one priority when traveling, and by following the guidelines above, you can ensure that you help to minimize the spread of the virus.
By working together, we can return to traveling to the destinations we love while still enjoying a healthy vacation.