If you have a travel bucket list, take a good look at it and you will observe that most of the destinations that you must have checked off are because either they are visa-free travel for you or there are visa-on-arrival benefits. The rest stare out of the page eager to be checked off but what is putting it off is the overwhelming visa process you must do before departing on your pending dream holidays. But have you tried to find out if any of these places fall under the category of eVisas? If yes, then it is time to visit them and check them off your bucket list! eVisas are digital lifesavers for modern-day travellers. It is a blessing that technology has given to ease the daunting visa application process with embassies or consulates. Not sure what is an eVisa and how to go about it? Keep reading to know more.
Visa – the first formality to tackle in travel planning
Wherever you decide to travel, you will have to check whether you have to apply for a travel visa. Before deciding to apply for a visa to a specific destination, check if you are eligible for visa-exemption, visa on arrival, eVisa, or pre-acquired visa from embassy criteria based on your citizenship, current resident visa, permit, or any other visa you may have received. The rules of each country’s embassy vary and you need to check this before you start your visa application. Here’s a gist of what each visa type means:
- A visa exemption means that you can enter the destination without applying for a visa. The selection of visa-free destinations is based on each country’s political and goodwill relations with other countries.
- A visa-on-arrival is a benefit you get as a citizen of your country having a good relationship with your visiting country. With a visa-on-arrival privilege, you can fly to a particular destination without any visa process. You get a visa stamp after you reach your destination’s immigration check.
In both these visa types, you do not have to go through any visa processing formalities, all you need is a valid passport with 6 months validity and return flight tickets in most of the cases.
Pre-acquired visa through the Embassy is the traditional way of applying for a visa if you are not from a visa-exempt country and not eligible for visa-on-arrival, eVisa or ETA. The application procedure and documentation need to be submitted at the Embassy or Consulate of the country you wish to visit. A visa is approved by email or by placing a stamp or sticker in the passport following verification, an interview, and the collection of biometric data, if necessary.
eVisa
A selection of countries offer eVisa services which drastically smoothens the visa application process if you need a visa to visit a destination before you leave your country of residence. There are many eVisa countries that offer this service to eligible nations.
However, you should check whether as per your citizenship, you are allowed to apply for an eVisa. You can get an eVisa for a short period of social, leisure or business travel. The duration and purpose of your stay also point out if you qualify for an eVisa application.
Advantages of eVisa.
eVisas are a relief for applicants if they belong to a country whose citizens have to apply mandatorily for a visa before departing their country, but the destination they are travelling to has an eVisa application option for them. They can rejoice for the following reasons:
- The prime difference between an eVisa and other types of visas is that application for eVisa can be done from the comforts of your home, office, cafe… anywhere with a good internet connection and a working laptop. No visits to the Embassy or Consulate are required.
- Applicants can fill in the form and submit the documentation in a shorter amount of time.
- It needs only few documents to apply making it easier and less overwhelming for applicants to get visas. You will need to provide details of return or onward flight tickets, travel and health insurance in some cases, and a valid passport.
- The process is faster and you get your visa directly in your email inbox within a day or two. There is no need to deposit your passport with the consulate to get the visa stamp or sticker. All you need to do is take a printout of the eVisa and carry it along with your travel documents to present at the immigration check at the destination.
There are also ETA – Electronic Travel Authorizations that some countries avail certain citizens of other countries to enter without getting a usual visa. These are given only for short trips and have very basic eligibility checks.
So next time you plan on a visit to India, check if you can avail an India eVisa to ease your visa worries to the bare minimum. You can even avail of Azerbaijan eVisa, Malaysia eVisa, and Australia eVisa to name a few, all you need to know is the fact that you are allowed to apply for one. So, let this be your first step in how to apply for a visa for your travel journeys. Check if you can avail of an eVisa for your travel destination!
World Visa Information 