I’m in Hawaii for a few days currently for work and to catch up with my parents but before I left Portland, Nick and I got word that our visas had been approved for our upcoming trip through Asia, with stops in India, Bangkok and Cambodia. To say that was a relief is an understatement, considering the time and effort I put in a few weeks ago to apply for our Indian visas. (On that note, Cambodia’s are super easy and you can get them online or when you arrive. We chose the online route and it was painless.)
But as I have been in full on prep-mode to get those visas done for our trip next month, I thought I’d share a few tips for applying for visas that might make the process easier and more straight forward.
Visas can be a lengthy process, whether you’re getting one to be in the country to live and work or you’re just visiting as a tourist. It’s extremely important to do your research ahead of time and know how much time is needed to process the visas, the requirements you must meet and the necessary information you’ll need to have as backup documentation.
Here are a few tips for doing research:
+ Find out where you need to apply, whether it be a consulate or online/through the mail.
+ Figure out what is required for the visa you’re applying for including how long it will take, what backup documentation you are required to provide and any other information that you will need to show
The visa process can be annoying for the fact that it’s, at its core, just paperwork. You’ll be required to show citizenship, identity information, proof of residence, previous visits to the country, etc. All these items will need to be documented and clear for the reviewer to look over. Being organized through the process with all the necessary paperwork and documentation is really important. Keep records of everything you send in, especially if you’re mailing items, make sure you have copies of everything.
Visa applications are often lengthy and require lots of information, so make sure to follow every single step. Leaving something out or skipping over certain steps is only going to slow you down in the long run, so make sure it’s all done the first time around.
Double check everything before you submit your visa application. I went through multiple times before mailing ours in and I found little things each time that I had missed. For example, our required us to sign about 5 different pages, all in different spots on each page, make sure all those get done.
The Girl who Loved to Write says
These are great!
Casey Martin says
Thanks!
ifs ands Butts says
Somehow I’ve yet to go anywhere that requires a visa, but the idea excites me solely because I feel like I’d be venturing off somewhere more exotic.
Casey Martin says
Yea, this is my first time traveling on my own as an adult going anywhere with visas and let me tell you, it was a process!!! But you’re right, kind of exciting at the same time 🙂
Asia Reynolds says
Thanks so much! I wanna go abroad for school so I’ll probably need a visa!
Casey Martin says
Totally! Hopefully these tips will be helpful!
The Happy Type says
Waiting on visas is nerve racking, especially if you aren’t that organized of a person, aka ME. I had to pay double to get my expedited for the UK and your list probably would have helped me avoid that. Great post!
Casey Martin says
It is so nerve racking! I was so afraid something was going to go wrong!
Amy Hayes says
Oh man… I remember the nightmare that was the visa application in France… seemed like every single time I went to the Prefecture I was missing a document, and every single time I went back a new person told me something different!! It can be a headache for sure, but being prepared and remembering that all bureaucracies can be tricky is key! Congrats on the India visa – sort of jealous you are going there!! 🙂
Casey Martin says
Oh I’m sure… and that’s more important because it’s if you’re allowed to live there or not… at least ours are just tourist visas 🙂 But yes, we are so excited for India!
Eloquent Obi says
great tips! congrats and enjoy!
Casey Martin says
Thank you!
Chantal says
I always forget you have to get visas. I’ve only had to do it once, to get to Australia, and they were real easy.
Casey Martin says
I know! I didn’t even realize it when we booked this trip through Asia and then realized, oh yea, I get to do a bunch of extra work for visas! 🙂
Kathleen Walpole says
Great advice on the visa process! I’ve done it twice with the UK, and it can get daunting!
Casey Martin says
It really can get quite daunting so best to be prepared I guess!
Leah says
I was so nervous waiting to hear back about our Visa’s for India, I checked back almost every day to see what the status was! lol
Casey Martin says
Me too!!! I was so nervous something wasn’t going to go through or something! But at least it came out alright 🙂