Are you planning to soon visit a foreign country but you’re not sure what type of visa need to apply for? The following content will answer all the questions you have about this matter. holiday and visitor visas
To enter a foreign country you need to get a visa beforehand. There are many types of them. In general, they’re divided into two groups depending on the intention of your visit:
- Long-stay visas
- Short-stay visas
Holiday and visitor visas fall in the second category.
That said, a holiday and visitor visa is a type of short-stay visa. You can enter a foreign country with this visa only if you plan to stay there for a limited period of time.
But, what actually means a short stay visit in terms of time? A short stay visit is anything between a few days and a few months? In some of them, you can stay on a holiday and visitor visa for 90 days at most. This is typically for EU countries. On the other hand, a US visitor and holiday visa holder can stay in the US for up to six months.
Who Is Eligible For a Holiday and visitor visas Application?
Any person who wishes to visit a foreign country for a short period of time and has no ambitions to immigrate permanently is eligible for a visitor and holiday visa.
Additional requirements might be applied in different countries. Therefore always seek detailed information from the embassy of the country you plan to visit.
If the intention of your visit is one of the following you can apply for a visitor and holiday visa:
- See family members or friends
- Holiday
- Attend business meetings
- Attend conferences
- Complete a short study course
- Participate in a short academic exchange program
- Receive Private Medical Treatment
How To Apply For An US Visitor Visa?
Holiday and visitor visas make up a large number of US visa applications every year. If you plan to soon apply for one this is what you definitely need to know.
The first step to applying for a US holiday and visitor visa is to complete the online application.
You can do this on the official website of the US embassy in your home country. There you must fill an online application form. In addition, you must upload a valid pass photo. After that, you must print your application form.
Next, you have to schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the embassy. You can do this online as well.
Note that for some categories of US visitor and holiday visa applicants, an interview is not required. This includes children aged 13 and below as well as people aged 80 or above. Nevertheless, the embassies can make exemptions.
After you have arranged a visa appointment you have to wait for the embassy to invite you for an interview. There are two main factors determining your wait time
- The type of visa you’re applying for
- The US embassy where you’re applying at
For every type of non-immigrant visa, it takes the embassy a couple of days to arrange an interview with the applicant. However, this might not always be the case. Certain US embassies collect particularly more applicants and therefore need some more time to take care of them.
US Visitor and Holiday Visa Application Fees
As you’d expect there are fees you must pay for your US visitor and holiday visa application. In general, different fees are applied for persons of different countries. This information is available to you online on the official website of the US embassy. In most of them, the applicants must pay $160.
Additionally, if the embassy issues you a US holiday and visitor visa, you must pay an issuance fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a visa extension while abroad? Yes, you can. Just make sure you start the application procedure on time. If your current visa expires before you apply for an extension you have to leave the country and apply from your country of origin.
Can I overstay my visa? No. You cannot overstay a short-stay visa. Moreover, it will cost a penalty.
Can my holiday and visitor visa be rejected even if I meet the requirements? Yes. If you overstayed a holiday and visitor visa in the past, submitted fraudulent documents, or violated local laws the embassy will turn down your visa application.
Is any format of pass photo acceptable? No. Your photo must be of specified format. Check the website of the embassy.
