Everything you need to know on how to obtain an electronic travel visa

When you plan a trip to a foreign country, one of the things you have to think about is that you may need a visa to do so. If that is the case, there is more than one way to go about it.

One, you can go to the embassy of the country you want to visit and submit a visa application, or two, you can apply for an electronic visa online. Unfortunately, the second option is not always available, but if it is, it can save you a lot of trouble.

Below, you will find a short guide on how to proceed if the state you want to travel to issues electronic visas.

Determine whether or not you are eligible

While an electronic visa may be possible for the country you want to travel to, that does not necessarily mean you qualify for one. Every electronic visa comes with a list of eligible nationalities, so you have to check it out.

That is an easy task to do since a simple Google search will give you about every visa policy there is in this world. If you happen to find your country on the list of eligible nationalities, you can move on.

Find a suitable online visa service

Even since the electronic visa became available, more and more online visa services started to provide assistance with the application process.

Of course, you could use the services of a government website, but as it happens, third-party companies come with more perks such as 24/7 customer support or faster processing time.

Online reviews are beneficial in finding a suitable online visa service. We also recommend checking more than one company.

Make sure that you meet the requirements

It is true that an electronic visa is not as demanding as a consular visa. However, you still have to meet a few basic requirements.

While they differ from country to country, there is one that is common for all eVisas. You cannot apply for an electronic visa unless you have a passport.

That is because the visa will be electronically linked to it. Other requirements include return flight tickets, proof of accommodation, invitation letters, means of sustenance, travel insurance, and depending on where you go, an international certificate of vaccination.

Of course, the list can go on, but these are the most common.

You have to fill in an online application form

Just as you would be required to do at the embassy, you have to fill in an online application form.

However, online forms are a lot easier to go through. They usually do not take more than 20 minutes to complete, and they ask for basic information. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Please note that it is incredibly important to provide accurate and correct information when you fill in the form.

Otherwise, you can end up with an invalid eVisa, in which case you have to repeat the visa application process. Even a typo can be detrimental.

Once you submit your application, all you can do is wait. Depending on the eVisa you apply for, the timeframe in which you arrive can vary from 24 hours to several days.

The document is sent to you via e-mail, and in most cases, you have to print it out. There are times when a soft copy is enough, but just to be on the safe side, we recommend that you have at least one hard copy on you.

A simple system failure can lead to the inability of the immigration officers to check the existence of the visa, and you can be refused entry.

So, there you have it. The electronic visa is almost effortless to acquire. You can apply from home or from the office at any time of the day or night. It does not get any better than this.