How to Get a Visa for Travel

If you're not sure how to get a visa for travel just take a look at these frequently asked questions.

There is sometimes a little confusion about travel visas and whether or not a citizen of one country actually needs a visa to visit another country. Visas are very different from passports and are needed for entry into lots of countries around the world. Here are a few frequently asked questions about travel visas, who might need them, and how to get them.

Frequently Asked Travel Visa Questions

  1. What is a travel visa? – It is usually a stamp or a sticker which the officials of the foreign country you wish to visit put onto your passport. These need to be obtained from the embassy or consulate of the country which you plan on visiting. You will often have to give a reason for your visit, generally distinguishing between business, tourism or just passing through.
  2. Which countries need a travel visa? – There are currently over 270 countries which require you to obtain a visa before you can pay a visit. Of course, it depends on which country you are from in the first place. Citizens of the United States, for example, need a visa to visit Mali, but citizens of other African countries do not.
  3. When do you need a travel visa? – You really need to check that out on the official embassy site of the country you wish to visit. Requirements change frequently.
  4. What is needed to get your visa? - this varies, but generally you will need to provide your passport, which will need to be valid for at least 6 months, you will need a couple of passport photos, an application form and also the travel arrangements and itinerary of where you will be staying on your trip.
  5. How long does it take to get a visa? – Again this varies greatly. The best advice is to apply for your visa as soon as possible, even though many embassies offer quite a quick turnaround it can still take a few weeks if there are any problems or delays in the postal service.
  6. How long is a travel visa valid? – It all depends. Some of the visas will be valid for a few months; others may be valid for a few years. For example, travel visas to Mali can be valid for up to 5 years.

So if you are planning a trip to a country which you haven't visited before it's certainly worth taking the time to check out visa requirements on the embassy website. You'll also find lots of other useful information such as any medical requirements (vaccinations etc), currency and exchange rates, weather, food and language. Forewarned is forearmed and it can help to make your trip a more pleasant and peaceful experience.