Visa's are definately one of the most tedious things you will have to research. You spend a lot of time researching to find that most of the information contradicts itself or is just plain out useless. We have spent the time to find information and websites to assist you in getting as up-to-date as possible on information about and how to obtain a visa.
Depending on the country/countries you are visiting will depend whether or not you require a visa to enter, or if you may require a visas to remain in that country if you exceed the visa-free number of days. Be prepared because obtaining visas can get confusing as some countries require you to obtain an visa before entering the |
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country, while others you can obtain a visas at the boarder and some other countries also have agreements with other countries that do not require visas. It is advised you check visa requirements before entering any country as they may not allow you to board the plane.
Firstly, what is a Visa?
A visa is a document which allows someone to travel into a specific country for a set period of time. Visas come in a few different forms; they can be a stamp or glues inside your passport and in some cases are electronically issued.
To the right we have added a simple tool that will allow you to see if a tourist visa is required to visit/enter that country. You simply choose your citizenship (the country you have citizenship to, i.e. where your passport is from) and your destination (the place you are going to) from the scroll down menus and press Check Requirements. Also below we have added a map where you can click on your country you would like to visit also to see if you require a visa.
To the right we have added a simple tool that will allow you to see if a tourist visa is required to visit/enter that country. You simply choose your citizenship (the country you have citizenship to, i.e. where your passport is from) and your destination (the place you are going to) from the scroll down menus and press Check Requirements. Also below we have added a map where you can click on your country you would like to visit also to see if you require a visa.
How to Obtain a Visa
To obtain a visa for your destination, visit the country's embassy website. However, if you are a resident or citizen of Canada, United States or the United Kingdom you can simply click on your citizenship and destination country on this map to the right and it will provide you with requirements and application to apply for your visa. For a list of full Country Embassies websites CLICK HERE.
We have have provided you with a website to help you with information on visas and how to apply for them. We have found they are the most up to date and the simplest to use.
For - Canada, US and UK citizens
- All Other Citizens
For a quick search of all countries that you will need a Tourist visa for please CLICK HERE. Just choose your citizenship from the drop down menu.
We have have provided you with a website to help you with information on visas and how to apply for them. We have found they are the most up to date and the simplest to use.
For - Canada, US and UK citizens
- All Other Citizens
For a quick search of all countries that you will need a Tourist visa for please CLICK HERE. Just choose your citizenship from the drop down menu.
Requirements for Visas:These vary between countries. However, many embassies require these documents in order to apply for a visa:
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Quick Facts about Visas:
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Holiday Working Visas |
Types Of Visas
There are numerous different types of visas that are available. Here we will list the most common visas that related to backpacking. All of the following visas have requirements and restrictions that should be researched prior to leaving.
Tourist Visas- Are limited to the period of time that you can stay in country for leisure travels. No business-like activities allowed.
Temporary Work Visa- Are valid for approved employment in the host country, however these are usually more difficult to obtain but are generally valid for longer period of times.
Working Holiday Visa- These visas are generally intended for people aged 18-30 and are usually valid for 1-2 years however most country have restrictions. The restriction that most countries have in common is you that are restricted to a non-professional type of work and you may only work for one employer for a maximum of 3 months or 90 days at one time. List of countries offering this visa are located on the right side bar.
Schengen Visa- You may enter one country and travel freely throughout the Schengen region during the validity of the visa. Internal border controls are limited with no or few stops and checks. For more information on this visa please view below.
Visa Exemptions
Tourist Visas- Are limited to the period of time that you can stay in country for leisure travels. No business-like activities allowed.
Temporary Work Visa- Are valid for approved employment in the host country, however these are usually more difficult to obtain but are generally valid for longer period of times.
Working Holiday Visa- These visas are generally intended for people aged 18-30 and are usually valid for 1-2 years however most country have restrictions. The restriction that most countries have in common is you that are restricted to a non-professional type of work and you may only work for one employer for a maximum of 3 months or 90 days at one time. List of countries offering this visa are located on the right side bar.
Schengen Visa- You may enter one country and travel freely throughout the Schengen region during the validity of the visa. Internal border controls are limited with no or few stops and checks. For more information on this visa please view below.
Visa Exemptions
- All citizens of the EU member countries can travel and stay in all other EU countries without a visa.
- The United States has a Visa Waiver Program that allows citizens of certain countries to travel into the US without a visa for 90 days
Schengen Visa
As stated above a Schengen visa is a visa one that allows visa holder to travel to any (or all) member countries using one single visa, thus avoiding the hassle and expense of obtaining individual visas for each country. This is particularly beneficial for persons who wish to visit several European countries on the same trip. The Schengen visa is a “visitor visa" and is issued to citizens of countries who are required to obtain a visa before entering Europe. The length of this visa is for up to 90 days in an 180 day period. Even though there are 25 countries in the Schengen area, only the following 15 countries have implemented the common border control and visa provisions.
Countries within the Schengen Area:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia. Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
However, citizens of certain countries are visa waived. Non-European countries whose citizens do not need a visa for short visits (up to 90 days in a 180 day period) in the Schengen area: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Israel, Japan, Macao (SAR), Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Singapore, South Korea, USA, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Basically saying if you are from one of the aforementioned countries, you do not require a visa, and if you aren't from one of those countries then you require a visa. Citizen of other European Union countries which are not party to the Schengen agreement may travel to the countries of the Schengen zone without limitations. Those are: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania, and the United Kingdom.
If you need a visa you have to apply for it at the Embassy or Consulate General of the country in which you plan to stay longest (if that should be equally distributed you should apply to the country which you plan to visit first). In general, the processing time for a Schengen Visa will not take longer than three weeks, and cannot be applied for earlier than three months before the planned travel.
Travel insurance including medical cover and repatriation (the act of returning to the country of origin) is required when you apply for your Schengen visa. Important: The Schengen Visa holders are not allowed to live permanently or work in Europe. Schengen Visa holder only have the right to travel as a temporary visitor to the member countries.
Single And Multi-Entry Visas
There are two types of Schengen visas Single entry and Multi-entry. A single entry visa allows the traveller to enter a country once during the validity of the visa issued. When the traveler has left the country the visa is no longer valid and you would be required to re-apply for another visa if you wish to visit that country again. A multi entry visa will allow you to enter/leave the country several times during the validity of the visa. In the case of a Schengen Visa you would be able to use a multi-entry visa to visit other Schengen countries.
For more information on Schengen Visas you can visit the Schengen Visa Services website, where they also offer a step-by-step guide to help you file your own Schengen Visa application for 40$ USD
Countries within the Schengen Area:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia. Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
However, citizens of certain countries are visa waived. Non-European countries whose citizens do not need a visa for short visits (up to 90 days in a 180 day period) in the Schengen area: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Israel, Japan, Macao (SAR), Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Singapore, South Korea, USA, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Basically saying if you are from one of the aforementioned countries, you do not require a visa, and if you aren't from one of those countries then you require a visa. Citizen of other European Union countries which are not party to the Schengen agreement may travel to the countries of the Schengen zone without limitations. Those are: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania, and the United Kingdom.
If you need a visa you have to apply for it at the Embassy or Consulate General of the country in which you plan to stay longest (if that should be equally distributed you should apply to the country which you plan to visit first). In general, the processing time for a Schengen Visa will not take longer than three weeks, and cannot be applied for earlier than three months before the planned travel.
Travel insurance including medical cover and repatriation (the act of returning to the country of origin) is required when you apply for your Schengen visa. Important: The Schengen Visa holders are not allowed to live permanently or work in Europe. Schengen Visa holder only have the right to travel as a temporary visitor to the member countries.
Single And Multi-Entry Visas
There are two types of Schengen visas Single entry and Multi-entry. A single entry visa allows the traveller to enter a country once during the validity of the visa issued. When the traveler has left the country the visa is no longer valid and you would be required to re-apply for another visa if you wish to visit that country again. A multi entry visa will allow you to enter/leave the country several times during the validity of the visa. In the case of a Schengen Visa you would be able to use a multi-entry visa to visit other Schengen countries.
For more information on Schengen Visas you can visit the Schengen Visa Services website, where they also offer a step-by-step guide to help you file your own Schengen Visa application for 40$ USD
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