The Visagov blog

Articles about Visa tips

Fines and penalties for exceeding visa duration

by Pilar Dujan | September 19, 2023
All types of travel visas have two characteristics: the visa validity and the duration of stay. They are not the same: the validity indicates the time period in which the visa can be used, and the...

eTA vs eVisa: Understanding their differences

by Pilar Dujan | September 11, 2023
When traveling internationally, it’s likely that you will need to have some kind of documentation to be allowed entry in your destination. Two of the most common authorisations for traveling are eTAs and eVisas. What is an...

Travel Visas: Why are they key for international travel?

by Pilar Dujan | June 7, 2023
A travel visa can make or break any trip. No matter the reason why, if we’re visiting a foreign country, chances are we’re going to need one. Here’s all the information you need about the importance of...

Passport and visa: the essential documents for traveling

by Pilar Dujan | June 1, 2023
When travelling to any country around the world, you’re going to need a travel visa. A travel visa allows foreign citizens to enter a country no matter the reason for the visit, be it tourism, a...

How to apply for your visa with Visagov

by Catherine Carey | March 1, 2023
Visagov.com was born with the intention of creating a single place to apply for a visa or travel authorisation to any country, using a simplified online form which is similar to all countries, with 24/7 visa...

Travel Visas: Requirements, Types, and Process

by Catherine Carey | March 1, 2023
Are you going to travel internationally? Then you will need to get a visa. In the simplest way, a visa is the document that allows one to enter the country as a foreign citizen that is travelling...

Be visa ready: all the information you need

by Diana Quintero | February 21, 2022
Traveling abroad is exciting. It means embarking on a new adventure, discovering incredible scenery, and immersing yourself in the local culture. But it can also be daunting. Especially when it comes to booking flights and applying...

What are some common mistakes made when applying for a visa?

by Juan José Herranz | August 7, 2020
Visas are official travel documents that are mandatory to enter some countries. Since a visa is a privilege granted by the country destination, its approval depends on the criteria they set and several factors including the...

More information about Visa tips

A visa is an entry or residence permit issued by a country to a foreign citizen.

A visa is a legal formality that must be completed by any person travelling to a foreign country, regardless of the purpose of the trip.

Visas must be obtained at the consulates or embassies of the issuing country in person or, often, online. As long as the destination country allows for online applications, this is the best option.

You should find out about a country's entry laws before travelling, given that each country has specific immigration laws, which may vary depending on the nationality of the applicant. There are countries with free transit agreements for some travellers, in which no visa is required.

There are many types of visas, but they can be categorised into 2 types: short-stay visas and long-stay visas. Short-stay visas are typically requested for tourist, business and/or transit purposes. Normally, these visas allow travellers to stay in a country for up to 90 days (but note that there are countries with stricter conditions). Those who wish to reside, work or study should therefore apply for a long-stay visa.