Tourist Visa – Guidelines and Requirements

Planning a thrilling adventure abroad? Before packing your bags and booking your flights, ensure a smooth entry with our comprehensive guide to tourist visa requirements and steps

What is a tourist visa?

A tourist visa is the kind of document that enables you to go to another country for pleasure. It usually grants you a short-term stay, ranging from a few days to a few months, depending on the destination and the visa policy. This type of visa may also be called a visitor visa, a travel visa, or a short-stay visa.

Most popular tourist visa

Some of the most popular tourist visa are:

• The 🇺🇸 United States B-2 visa, which allows you to visit the United States for tourism, leisure, or medical treatment for up to six months.
• The 🇬🇧 United Kingdom standard visitor visa, which allows you to visit the United Kingdom for tourism, business, study, or medical treatment for up to six months.
• The 🇪🇺 Schengen visa, which allows you to visit 26 European countries that are part of the Schengen Area for tourism, business, or transit for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
• Visa for travel to other countries:

How to apply for a tourist visa?

You must take the following actions in order to apply for a visa:

Step#1. Locate an embassy/consulate

You need to find the nearest embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit and check their website for the visa application process. You may need to make an appointment online or by phone to submit your application.

Step#2. Assemble the documents required

You need to prepare the documents required for your visa application:

• Your current passport, which has two blank pages and is valid for at least six months
• A filled-out and signed application for a visa
• A recent passport-sized photo
• A copy of your itinerary, which includes the reservations for your accommodation and flights
• A proof of funds, such as bank statements, tax returns, or salary slips
• A health insurance policy that covers your stay in the destination country
• Any other documents that the embassy or consulate may request, such as a letter of invitation, a travel consent letter, or a criminal record certificate

Step#3. Pay the required visa fee

You need to pay the visa fee, if applicable, either online or at the embassy or consulate. The visa fee may vary depending on the country, the type of visa, and the duration of stay. You may also need to pay a service fee or a courier fee for the processing and delivery of your visa.

Step#4. Attend the visa interview

You must attend your visa interview at the embassy or consulate on the designated date and time. Bring all original documents, visa fee receipt, and any additional documents requested by the embassy or consulate. Be truthful and courteous when answering the visa officer’s questions. The officer will assess your application and determine if you will be granted or denied a visa.

Documents required for a tourist visa

Documents needed for a visa may differ based on the country, type of visa, and reason for travel. But a few typical documents are as follows:

• Your current passport, which has two blank pages and is valid for at least six months
• A signed and completed application for a visa
• A recent passport-sized photo
• A copy of your itinerary that includes the dates and times of your hotel and flights
• A proof of funds, such as bank statements, tax returns, or salary slips
• A health insurance policy that covers your stay in the destination country
• Any other documents that the embassy or consulate may request, such as a letter of invitation, a travel consent letter, or a criminal record certificate

Tourist visa cost

A tourist visa can range from 25 to 160, depending on the country. Additional fees for services and translations may also apply. Here are some examples of visa fees by country, as of February 2024:

• United States B-2 visa: $160 USD
• United Kingdom standard visitor visa: £95 GBP
• Schengen visa: €80 EUR
• Canada visitor visa: $100 CAD
• Australia visitor visa: $145 AUD
• Japan tourist visa: $25 USD

Is the Schengen visa the same as a tourist visa?

The Schengen visa is a type of tourist visa that covers multiple countries in Europe. However, not all tourist visas are Schengen visas. For example, if you want to visit the United Kingdom, Ireland, or Cyprus, you will need a separate tourist visa for each country, as they are not part of the Schengen Area.

Similarly, if you want to visit other countries outside Europe, such as Canada, Australia, or Japan, you will need a different tourist visa for each destination. Therefore, the Schengen visa is not the same as a tourist visa, but rather a specific kind of tourist visa for the Schengen Area.

Can you extend a tourist visa?

In the majority of situations, it is not possible to prolong a visa unless one of the following circumstances applies to you:

• You experience an unforeseen family matter such as a birth, illness, or death
• Your country is facing a complicated political situation that poses a threat to your safety if you were to return
• You encounter an unexpected issue caused by Force Majeure, such as severe weather conditions like storms, earthquakes, or tsunamis.

Tourist visa denial

There are many possible reasons for a visa denial:

• Inaccurate or lacking information in a visa application
• Invalid or damaged passport
• Inadequate or erratic documentation
• Lack of funds or financial ties
• Lack of travel or health insurance
• Absence of an itinerary or purpose for the trip
• Prior visa infractions or criminal histories
• Security or health risks

If your visa is denied, you may receive a letter or an email explaining the reason for the denial.

Online tourist visa

An online tourist visa is a type of visa that allows you to apply for tourist visa online, without visiting the embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Online visa may also be called an e-visa, an electronic visa, or a digital visa. An online visa may have the same or different requirements, fees, and processing times as a regular tourist visa.