Complete Information Guide about eVisa

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!

Guide for Applying South Africa Tourist Visa from Dubai/UAE

Planning a trip to South Africa? As a melting pot of modernity, natural diversity, and multiculturalism, South Africa is known as the “Rainbow Nation.” The destination is blessed with dramatic mountains, abundant wildlife, vast green spaces, and gorgeous, pristine beaches. It is bordered by vast oceans in the south and undulating terrain in the north. The region is also one of the most developed contemporary African countries, teeming with modern cities, and has a population of diverse ethnic groups. The country’s proximity to the UAE makes it a popular choice for an African vacation from the UAE. If South Africa is the destination you have decided on for your leisure travel, here is a quick guide on how to apply for a visa from Dubai.

About South Africa Tourist Visa 

A South Africa Tourist Visa, also known as Visitor’s permit, is a valid travel authorization that a foreigner can acquire to visit the nation for 90 days for tourism purposes. South Africa does not have a visa-on-arrival policy; hence an individual travelling to this destination must apply for a visa before arriving in the country. A few nations and holders of diplomatic passports qualify for visa exemption. However, UAE citizens must obtain a pre-approved South Africa visa to enter the country.

How to apply for a South Africa visa for UAE Residents

For all those keen travellers from Dubai who have South Africa on your travel wish list, be aware that you must obtain a tourist visa before you commence your African sojourn. For the same, you will need to accumulate the following document required for South Africa visa from Dubai:

• A passport valid for at least 6 months after you arrive in South Africa. The passport must not be handwritten and/or damaged. It should contain at least two unused, blank pages.
• For a South Africa visa from Dubai, a  UAE resident ID  or residency visa valid for at least 90 days as proof of your residence or citizenship in the UAE is a mandatory requirement.
• A yellow fever vaccination, if applicable, in case you travel through the yellow fever belt of Africa.
• BI-84 visa application form that has been filled out and properly signed.
• Two clear color photographs against a white background. The size requirements for photos are 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm. It must be taken within six months from the scheduled departure date. 
• Travel documentation, such as a NOC that states the purpose and length of your visit, an employer letter, and an invitation from a friend or relative currently residing in South Africa.
• If you are travelling with minors, you must provide proof of guardianship and birth certificates.
• Bank statements from the previous three months and salary slips as proof of financial status.
• Return confirmed flight tickets and hotel booking vouchers
• Travel and health insurance

Once you have all of these documents in order, you can either apply for a South Africa visa at a visa application centre or have a South Africa visa consultant carry out the process on your behalf. When you apply through a visa consultant, you also receive first-hand guidance to help clear any lingering doubts about your South Africa visa. You can also get assistance filling out applications, scheduling appointments with the Embassy, document verification, and meticulously reviewing your paperwork before submitting it for the visa process.

South Africa Visa Fees

The cost of a South African visa varies according to the exchange rates of various nations’ currencies. Approximately South African visa fees from Dubai is around AED 250 per visa. Service charges by visa application consultants/ service centres will be additional. You might be required to pay AED 600 in visa fees to obtain a visa for South Africa. The Embassy will keep your passport for stamping purposes. Once your visa status has been determined, the passports will be returned to you, at which point you will be informed of the results. You will only receive a refund for the visa fee if your application is allowed.

Visa Processing Time

A South Africa visa Dubai processing time is around 6 working days. The public holidays or work hours during the Holy Ramadan month may affect the visa processing time. However, you can apply for a South Africa visa only 1 month before your departure date and not before that. It gives ample time for you to keep your paperwork ready and research South Africa visa application procedure.

So, with this clarity in mind about how to apply for a South Africa visa from Dubai, you can now plan your unforgettable trip to South Africa without worrying about your visa.

Digital Nomad Visa

Imagine waking up to the sound of soothing waves lapping on a pristine beach or hearing bird tweets as you open the curtains to reveal stunning verdant forests. That’s bliss, and you can only experience it while on vacation. If you have a Digital Nomad Visa, you can make this a reality even when you are working! Intrigued? Know more about this visa here.

What is a Digital Nomad Visa?

Although COVID-19 came as a curse, its aftereffects also brought about the advantages of working from home and the opportunity to travel to remote locations and call them home for months. All you needed was an excellent internet connection, and you could go anywhere in your country and work from faraway hills or beach shore. The Digital Nomad Visa takes it a step further, allowing you to travel beyond borders, make international destinations your home for some time, and even work legally from there.

In other words, you turn into a “digital nomad,” a term that has become popular for people who work remotely from destinations other than their country of origin or residence. Only a few nations offer this visa, and you must meet specific Digital Nomad Visa requirements to be eligible for one, such as:

• You must be older than 18 years old and have a valid passport.
• It would help to have a profession or employment that allows you to work outside your home country.
• Your citizenship should enable you to enter the country where you want to apply for a digital Nomad Visa.
• It would be best if you did not have any medical conditions or criminal histories that could cause distress to the people of the nation you choose to stay in.
• You must have a consistent source of income, which can vary, but you must reach a minimum limit set by the nation if you wish to obtain a Digital Nomad Visa.

Then, all you need is some pre-requisite paperwork and apply for a visa at a consulate or embassy as you usually would for any visa. You will be given the green light to make one of your favorite destinations your home for some time.

Where can you travel with a Digital Nomad Visa?

Around 30+ countries are offering the Digital Nomad Visa for the wanderlusts. Whether you can apply or not also varies from country to country per their visa guidelines; some of the most popular countries to check out on Digital Nomad Visa are as follows:

Norway

Norway offers remote workers a 2-year Independent Contractor Visa that gives them a chance to live comfortably in the midst of breathtaking Nordic landscapes. Financial records and enough money to cover taxes, bills, and expenses are required for eligibility. Formalities involve filing local taxes, acquiring a VAT number, and signing a contract with a Norwegian employer or client agreeing to pay the minimum wage. Alternatively, a lifetime digital nomad visa is available for residing in Svalbard, exempting the need for Norwegian client documents and without a duration limit on the visa.

Cyprus

Cyprus is providing 500 visas to non-EU/EEA nationals who work for employers outside the country and make a minimum monthly salary of €3500. Visa holders are permitted to stay for a year with a two-year extension. Family members can join but not work. Spending over 183 days in Cyprus makes them tax residents and are eligible for enticing tax benefits.

UAE

Take advantage of the chance to live and work in one of the world’s most significant global cities. Get a Dubai Virtual Work residence visa equivalent to Digital Nomad Dubai Visa to work for a year without worrying about paying taxes. Take advantage of world-class healthcare and lifestyle amenities. If you want to apply for this Dubai visa, you need to provide proof that you work remotely for a company outside the UAE and earn at least USD 3,500 per month or its equivalent in another currency.

Iceland

Photo by Rudolf Kirchner on Pexels.com

Make the land of fire and ice your home for six months with a digital nomad visa. Under this visa, you are not permitted to seek employment with an Icelandic employer or business. This visa can only be obtained if you are a citizen of a nation outside of the EEA/EFTA and have yet to receive a long-term visa from Icelandic authorities. Non-EEA/EFTA nationals without a recent long-term visa can apply if they show a monthly income of ISK 1,000,000 or ISK 1,300,000 if residing with a spouse.

Georgia

Explore the beauty of Georgia without taking a vacation, and live in Georgia for one year with a digital nomad visa. You need to prove your financial standing by having $24,000 in savings or earning $2,000 as monthly income.

Germany

Germany also has a program for freelancers and self-employed individuals to work and stay in Germany. If they are classified as a freelance professional, they can apply for a residence permit under a freelance employment visa. Applicants must also show that they will be able to finance their venture and that they are authorized to practice their profession. Those over the age of 45 need adequate pension provisions as well.

Mauritius

Mauritius’ gorgeous beach shores and laid-back life is amazingly refreshing as a remote home for a while. Mauritius has a premium visa offering those who can work remotely to stay one year with family members. The main place of business, source of income, and place of profit must be outside of Mauritius. Documents supporting the application, such as the reason for the visit, funding, accommodations, etc., must also be provided. Get this visa and live like an islander where work and relaxation go together.

Spain

Spain is one of the most popular destinations to visit in the world for tourists, and many people long to make it their second home. If you fall under that category, you should first see if you qualify for the digital nomad visa for Spain and spend some time in the region before deciding to settle permanently here. You can enjoy the Spanish way of life while continuing to work as you did back home until then.

Indonesia

Won’t it be great to call the serene beaches of Bali your workspace? With the introduction of a 10-year Stay Visa, foreigners can now reside and work in Indonesia. The conditions required are a valid passport with a minimum validity of 36 months and proof of funds showing a balance of at least 2,000,000,000 IDR (two billion rupiahs) or equivalent. Investors, tourists, and elderly or retired tourists are all eligible for the visa, which can also be extended to family members like children, spouses, or parents.

Apart from the above-listed countries, destinations such as Armenia, Columbia, Latvia, Montenegro, Hungary, Malta, Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, Croatia, Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Mexico, Dominica, Estonia, Portugal, Montserrat, Namibia, Argentina, Ecuador, Uruguay also offer alluring Digital Nomad Visa options for keen wayfarers and remote workers.

So there you have it! With this clarity about where to go with a digital nomad visa, it’s time to pick your favorite place as your workspace and enjoy the best work-life balance.

Visa-Free Countries for Indians

No feeling is as delightful as travelling. However, you need to fulfill specific requirements to enter another country legally. Prominent among them is compliance with a country’s visa requirements. Each country issues a visa to its passport holders. The visa requirements for an individual travelling to another country depending on their passport. If you are an Indian, you would be delighted to know many visa-free countries for Indian citizens.

Now that you know this fact, you would want to know about the names of such countries. Along with such countries, you will also be able to know about the names of those nations in which you can receive a visa on arrival as an Indian passport holder. As a visa is an essential document for international travelling, knowing about the countries to which you can travel without a visa will help you plan things well for a memorable trip.

Visa-Free Countries for Indian Citizens

Before travelling to a country, it is natural for you to consider applying for a valid visa to meet its requirements. This is a standard rule that most international travelers follow. But you are exempted from the need to file a visa application if you travel to a country that is visa-free for Indian nationals.

According to Henley and Partners Passport Index, published in March 2023, the list of visa-free countries for Indian citizens includes many nations. the following:

1. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
2. Saint Kitts and Nevis
3. Senegal
4. Qatar
5. Oman
6. Niue
7. Nepal
8. Montserrat
9. Micronesia
10. Mauritius
11. Marcao
12. Kazakhstan
13. Jamaica
14. Haiti
15. Grenada
16. Fiji
17. El Salvador
18. Dominica
19. Cook Islands
20. British Virgin Islands
21. Bhutan
22. Albania
23. Vanuatu
24. Tunisia

Visa on Arrival Countries for Indians

Have you already taken an international trip before? If yes, you may have heard about visas on arrival. It is slightly different from those visas you need to apply for early on.

Visa on arrival is a standard procedure for offering visas to visitors in many countries. Usually, in countries in which it is valid, immigration officials check the passport and biometric data of a traveler. They also verify the payment of fees before issuing a visa permit to visitors from foreign countries.

You need to submit some documents to obtain a visa on arrival. Concerned authorities will issue your visa on arrival only if you furnish the requisite documents. The documents you must submit to obtain a visa on arrival include the ones below.

• A passport with a validity of up to 6 months (as per the requirements of the country to which you are travelling)
• A visa application form
• A return ticket
• Proof and details of your accommodation
• Health or travel insurance
• Bank statement or another proof citing the availability of requisite funds

Apart from the aforementioned documents, you may also need to present additional documents, like your vaccine certificate. By and large, Covid-19 restrictions have eased worldwide due to only a few active cases. But some countries still have strict Covid-19 restrictions. With an Indian passport, you may need to present your vaccine certificate to obtain a visa on arrival from concerned authorities in such countries.

Many countries across the globe offer the facility of visa on arrival to Indian passport holders. Some of them include the following:

1. Maldives
2. Indonesia
3. Jordan
4. Thailand
5. Sri Lanka
6. Myanmar
7. Botswana
8. Seychelles

Visa-Free Countries in Europe for India

Whenever you think of visiting Europe, it is natural on your part to think about applying for a visa. The primary reason is that almost all European countries require travelers with a valid Indian passport to carry a visa document. However, do you know there are also some European countries where you can travel with an Indian passport without any visa? Yes, you have read it right. In Europe, there are two countries where Indian passport holders do not need to produce a visa for entry.

Albania and Serbia are the two European visa-free countries for those with a valid Indian passport. You can enter and stay legally in these countries without a visa for a month (30 days). If you ever wanted to visit Europe but couldn’t do so due to visa-related complications, you can consider visiting the two countries. Albania and Serbia have many tourist attractions that will keep you engaged in sightseeing for several days.

Final Thoughts

A visa is an essential document for international travelling. If you have an Indian passport, you must know about the visa-related requirements and the process to apply for a legal visa for travelling to different countries. However, there are some countries wherein entry for Indian passport holders is either visa-free or visa-on-arrival. There is a long list of the names of such countries. Interestingly, you can also travel to some European countries with a valid Indian passport without worrying about applying for a visa. When travelling to a country that allows a visa on arrival on an Indian passport, ensure you carry a valid Indian passport (valid for six months at least) for a smooth and hassle-free entry.