Planning to Travel? Here’s What You Need for Your Tourist Visa Application

The first step in planning an international trip is understanding the country’s visa requirements. To get a tourist visa, you’ll typically need certain essential documents, like a passport, photograph, etc. In this quick guide we have covered the basic documents required when applying for a tourist visa.

But before diving into the paperwork, you must know the answer to the question: do you need a visa to travel? Depending on your nationality, you may be eligible for a visa-free stay or a visa-on-arrival. If not, you will be required to get a pre-visa approval. Here’s a list of documents that are generally required:

Core Visa Documents

This section outlines the documents typically required by all countries, whether you are applying for a visa or visiting the country.

1. Passport

The first and most important document to apply for a tourist visa is your passport. Additionally, it should also meet the following requirements:

• Be valid for at least three to six months beyond your planned travel dates.
• Have at least two blank pages for visa stamps.

Tip: You must check the specific country requirements regarding passport validity, as some countries require extra validity beyond your departure date.

2. Visa Photo

Most visa applications require a passport-sized photo, adhering to specific guidelines related to size and background colour. Generally, your photo must be no older than 6 months and should be clear and on a white background.

3. Visa Application Form

Each country provides its unique visa application form, either online or as a downloadable document. Either way, make sure to fill out all details accurately by double-checking for errors or omissions, as even small mistakes could lead to delays in visa processing or visa refusal.

Additional Documents

This section lists the documents needed for a tourist visa, but not all countries require the same ones. The specific documents you’ll need depend on the visa requirements of the country you are visiting. You are advised to check the government website of that country for accurate information.

1. Proof of Accommodation

Depending on the country’s requirements, you might be required to provide proof of accommodation, which can include hotel bookings (with the reservation dates matching your itinerary) or an invitation letter if you’ll be staying with family or friends (which must include the invitee’s contact information and address).

2. Flight Reservation

Flight tickets are required as proof showing your intent to return to your home country, assuring the visa authorities that you do not intend to overstay. Please note that some visa authorities accept a reservation (not a fully paid ticket) as proof, so you don’t necessarily have to buy your ticket until the visa is approved. However, some may require a fully paid return or onward ticket. Therefore, you must check this requirement on the government’s website.

3. Proof of Funds

Proof of funds is required to show that you have enough funds to cover your stay and you’ll not become a liability on the visiting country. Here’s a list of documents that commonly serve as proof of funds:

• Bank statements from the last 3–6 months.
• Pay stubs or a letter from your employer confirming your income.
• Alternatively, if someone else is sponsoring your trip, they may need to provide these documents along with a sponsorship letter.

4. Proof of Ties to Home Country

Many embassies look for proof that you have sufficient ties to your home country to ensure you will return after your visit and not overstay. Here are some documents that are often accepted as proof of ties to your home country:

• A letter from your employer stating your position, joining date and approved leave dates.
• If you are self-employed, you can present business registration documents.
• Alternatively, property ownership, lease agreements, or documents showing family ties (like marriage certificate and birth certificate of your child, if applicable) are also accepted.

5. Travel Insurance

Next in line is comprehensive travel insurance covering medical emergencies, accidents, and repatriation in case of serious injury or illness. Some countries have also set a minimum coverage requirement. Schengen countries, for instance, require coverage of at least €30,000.

Tip: If the country you’re visiting requires travel insurance, make sure to review the specific requirements set by the visa authorities.

6. Proof of Yellow Fever Vaccination

Another common requirement is proof of yellow fever vaccination, which is mandatory for travellers coming from or who have recently visited countries within the yellow fever belt. You will be required to submit or present the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), and the vaccination must be administered at least 10 days before you arrive in the destination country.

Conclusion

When gathering these documents, make sure they are up-to-date and accurate to avoid delays or rejections. Once you have everything in order, you can confidently apply for your tourist visa through the government website or any authorised visa channel like Atlys. Once you receive your visa, you’ll be all set for your trip!