tourist visa means

Immigration help for your business

• News & Reports
• Guides: Individual immigration

B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa, Explained

Understanding the b visas for u.s. business and tourism, in this guide.

• How long does it take to get a B-1/B-2 visa? 
• How many times can you visit the U.S. with a B-1/B-2 Visa? 
• B-1/B-2 Visa Cost
• Can you change status from B1/B2?
• Required documents for a travel visa
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Boundless guides
• B-1/B-2 Visas

What is a B-1/B-2 visa?

A B-1/B-2 visa is a non-immigrant , visa that allows foreign nationals to travel to the United States temporarily for business (B-1), tourism (B-2), or a mix of both (B1/B2). This visa category is widely used for brief visits to the U.S. B visas are typically valid for up to 10 years from the issue date, and travelers to the U.S. can stay up to 180 days, with the option to return to the U.S. again after that time.

Take our 5-minute quiz to check your eligibility.

Learn how to increase your chance of travel visa approval, and get unlimited, live application support from start to finish.

How long does it take to get a B-1/B-2 visa?

As of December 2023, the average wait time (processing time) for most B1/B2 visa interview appointments is between 2 months (Brazil) to 2+ years (Canada). To check the wait time for your specific embassy or consulate, enter your city in this  handy State Department tool  under the section “Appointment Wait Time.” Note that if you are applying for an interview in a country other than your home country, wait times may be longer.

How long can you stay in the USA on a B-1/B-2 Visa?

A maximum of 6 months may be obtained for any B-1/B-2 entry, with the possibility for extensions within the U.S. in qualifying cases. The exact duration varies per visa holder, but you can typically stay in the U.S. for up to six months. The B1/B2 visa is a multiple-entry visa, which means you can use it to enter the U.S. more than once. There’s no set limit to the number of times you can visit the U.S. in a year, and it depends on the specific circumstances and discretion of the CBP officers who review your case each time you enter.

It’s important to remember that the B1/B2 visa is intended for temporary, occasional visits for business, tourism, or medical treatment. It’s not meant to be used for living long-term in the U.S. or spending the majority of your time in the country.

What’s the difference between a B1 visa and a B2 visa?

The B1 is used for short business trips (conferences, meetings, contract negotiations, etc). Those with B1 visas cannot work in the U.S. in the traditional sense, as of March 2023, B1 or B2 visa holders can apply for jobs in the U.S. and attend interviews. 

The B2 (tourist visa) is for tourism, vacation, or visiting friends and family. It also covers certain medical treatments and participation in social events or contests, like music or sports, without receiving pay. In most cases, a B1/B2 visa is issued together, allowing the holder to travel for both business and pleasure. 

How many times can you visit the U.S. with a B-1/B-2 Visa?

Depending on the context, the number of times you can visit the U.S. with a B visa varies. B1B2 visas are multiple-entry, meaning they can be used to enter the U.S. more than once. There’s no set limit to the number of times you can visit the U.S. in a year, and it depends on the specific circumstances and discretion of the CBP officers who review your case each time you enter.

If officers think you’re trying to live in the U.S. through frequent or extended visits, or if you’re not maintaining significant ties to your home country, they may suspect you’re misusing the visa, which could lead to denial of entry or future visa issues.

While there’s no official limit, it’s vital to respect the purpose and restrictions of your visa to avoid any problems. If you need guidance on your specific situation, it’s a good idea to consult with an immigration expert.

Currently, the government filing fee for a B visa is $185, which does not include the cost of gathering documents and evidence and acquiring passport photos.

Boundless has helped more than 100,000 people navigate the visa application process, and we’ll help you make a travel visa plan based on your unique situation. Get started today!

B visa requirements

A B1/B2 visitor visa is for many types of trips to the U.S., including business and non-business activities like tourism. If you want to apply for a B1 or B2 visa, you need to prove that your trip to the U.S. is only for a short time.

You must also show proof that you plan to return to your home country after your visit, and that you have a place to live outside the U.S. that you will not leave for good. These points help show that you will follow the rules of the B1/B2 visa.

Reasons for travel under a B1 visitor visa include:

• Business consultations : This might include meetings, negotiations, or discussions with business associates in the U.S.
• Attending conferences or seminars : This can cover professional, educational, scientific, or business conventions.
• Settling an estate : If someone inherits property or assets in the U.S., a B1 visa can allow them to handle these matters legally.
• Contract negotiations : If a person needs to sign or negotiate a contract with a U.S. company, a B1 visa is often the correct choice.
• Professional examination and licensing : Some professionals must be in the U.S. to take exams or get licenses only available there.

Reasons for travel under a B2 tourist visa include:

• Tourism : This could be sightseeing, visiting famous landmarks, exploring cities, or simply enjoying the country’s culture and atmosphere.
• Visiting family or friends : Many people use a B2 visa to visit their loved ones living in the U.S.
• Medical treatment : If someone requires medical treatment or a procedure that’s available in the U.S., they might apply for a B2 visa.
• Social events : Attending events like concerts, cooking classes, conventions, festivals, or other social gatherings can be another reason for using a B2 visa.
• Participation in events or contests : If the event doesn’t involve professional participation (like amateur tournaments or contests), a B2 visa could be suitable.
• Short courses of study : If the course duration is less than 18 hours per week, this falls under B2 visa regulations.

You cannot travel under this visa to engage any of the following:

• Long-term employment by a U.S. firm
• Paid performances, or any professional performance before a paying audience
• Arrival as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft
• Work as foreign press, in radio, film, print journalism, or other information media
• Permanent residence in the United States

Boundless has helped more than 100,000 people with their immigration and U.S. travel plans. We’ll be your partner from beginning to end. Get started today!

Boundless tip

The Visa Waiver Program allows nationals from certain countries to travel to the United States without a visa for business, tourism, or while in transit for up to 90 days. The program currently covers 38 countries and territories, including most countries in the European Union.

Canadian nationals also typically do not need a visa to enter the US for tourism purposes. Canadian nationals will need the appropriate visa if they have specific plans to study, work, or move permanently to the U.S.

Different entry requirements also apply to Canadian nationals, depending on whether they plan to work, study, invest, or immigrate. The maximum length of stay can vary, depending on circumstances, between 6 months and 1 year.

The B1 visa and B2 visa do not grant  permanent resident status  — they are temporary visas – but you can adjust your status from a B1/B2 visa to another type of visa while you are in the U.S., as long as you meet certain requirements. This process involves submitting a change of status application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Here are a few key points to consider:

Key points to consider if you want to change status from B1/B2

• Purpose of stay : Your reason for wanting to stay in the U.S. should match the new visa type. For example, if you wish to study, you may apply to change to a student visa (F-1). If you find an employer willing to sponsor you, you could apply to change to a work visa (like H-1B).
• Timing : You should apply before your current status expires, typically indicated on the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. USCIS recommends applying at least 45 days before your current status expires.
• Eligibility : Not everyone can change their status. For example, you cannot change your status if you entered the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program unless it is due to marriage to a U.S. citizen.
• Status violation : If you’ve violated the terms of your current status (for instance, if you’ve started working while on a B1/B2 visa without authorization), you usually can’t change your status.
• Approval : Even if you meet all conditions and file an application, the final decision is up to USCIS.

If you’ve just married someone who’s a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident (they have a green card), you can also apply for a marriage green card. This lets you stay in the U.S. and live with your spouse. You can either apply for a green card while you’re still in the country in a process is called “adjustment of status” (AOS), or you can apply from your home country through what’s called consular processing. To find out if you’re eligible for a B1B2 visa or to change your status from a B1B2 visa, take our eligibility quiz. Get started today!

Documents needed to apply for a B1/B2 visa include:

• A passport valid for six months past the date of return
• A recent digital photograph that meets government requirements
• Documentation of the past five previous trips to the United States, if applicable
• Proof of funds to cover the entire cost of the trip, including travel, accommodation, and living expenses
• Proof of binding ties to the applicant’s home country, such as a job, property, or family

B1/B2 visa application process

Applications are processed by the United States Embassy or consulate in your country.

You will need to attend an interview before your visa is approved. You can attend an interview at an embassy or consulate in a third country, but you will likely wait longer for a visa appointment.

Steps to getting a B Visa

• First, you must complete the Online Non-Immigrant Application, Form DS-160. File the form online and print the confirmation page as you will need it for your interview.
• Upload your digital photo
• Attend the visa interview

As part of the process, ink-free, digital fingerprint scans are taken, typically at the interview. After the interview, the consular officer may request additional documents or information to make a decision about your case.

Boundless’ Travel Visa Service makes applying a breeze with online filing, 1:1 interview coaching, interview scheduling, and support if your visa is denied. Take our approval odds quiz to check your eligibility.

B-1 visas are issued for short business trips, while B-2 visas are issued for tourism purposes, such as vacations or visiting family.

If you’re looking to temporarily visit the U.S. for either holiday or work purposes, for example, attending a conference, touring a place or visiting relatives, then you can apply for a B-1/B-2 visa. You may need to show proof that you have ties to your home country, and that you plan on leaving the U.S..

When you enter the U.S., a customs officer will give you authorization to stay in the the country for up to six months . If you’d like to stay for longer, you may be able to apply to extend this for up to one year.

If you are nearing the end of your permitted stay in the U.S., then you may wish to extend it, especially since there can be future consequences if you stay in the U.S. longer than you were allowed to.

If you’re on a B-1 visa or a B-2 visa, you can request to extend your stay up to one year. To do this, you will need to file Form I-539 to extend or change your status. It’s recommended that you apply to extend your status at least 45 days before your authorized stay expires, so make sure you’re thinking ahead.

No. While you can enter the U.S. for business purposes, you cannot work or be employed by a U.S. employer. If you’re interested in working in the U.S. for a U.S. employer, you may be interested in other visa categories, such as the H-1B visa .

How can I renew my B1 visa or B2 visa?

If you would like to renew your B-1/B-2 visa, then you will need to go through the original process. Depending on the U.S. embassy or consulate where you apply, you may be able to complete your visa renewal without the need for an interview.

Should I apply for a B-1/B-2 visa or an ESTA?

If you are a citizen of one of the 38 countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Program , then you have the option of applying for an ESTA instead of a B1 visa or B2 visa.

Both allow you to enter the U.S. for the same reasons of tourism or business, but you can apply for the ESTA online. Entering the U.S. this way only permits you to stay for up to 90 days, however, so if you would like to stay in the U.S. for travel or business purposes for longer, the B-1/B-2 visitor visa may be an option for you.

Do Canadian citizens need a B-1/B-2 visa?

For casual business or tourism travel, most Canadian citizens don’t need a visa and will automatically be admitted on a B-1 visa or B-2 visa category.

Is the B-1/B-2 visa an immigrant or non-immigrant visa?

The B-1/B-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa, but if your circumstances change, for example, you marry a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, there are several paths from a visitor visa to a green card . Learn more to see how Boundless can help you avoid major headaches and make the process easier.

Do I need a certain amount of money in my bank account to be approved for a travel visa?

No. A common misconception about the travel visa process is that in order be approved, you must provide proof of a certain amount of funds in your bank account. Although financial considerations are one aspect of the B-1/B-2 process, and the consular officer may check to see if you are able to support yourself financially during your time in the U.S., there is no minimum required amount of funds that needs to be met. Evaluation of finances will vary from applicant to applicant, depending on a variety of other factors. Learn more common myths about the travel visa process in Boundless’ blog post .

Not sure how to get started? Boundless + RapidVisa can help.

Not sure how to get started? Boundless can help.

Article Contents

Apply for your visa with boundless., unlimited live support. lawyer review. money-back guarantee., which service.

Looks like you were working on a application just now. Applicants typically only require one service at a time.

You unlocked a $50 discount!

Congrats! Because your friend referred you, your application with Boundless is discounted. Start the application with Boundless within the next 14 days, and you'll save $50.

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

How to apply for or renew a U.S. tourist visa

If you visit the U.S. for tourism or business, you may need a visitor visa, also known as a tourist visa. Learn how to get and renew this type of nonimmigrant visa.

To enter the U.S., you must bring a passport issued by your country of citizenship along with your visa. Officials at your port of entry into the U.S. will also issue you a Form I-94, which electronically records your arrival and departure dates. Learn more about Form I-94 and how to apply .

Find out if you need a visa to visit the U.S.

Check to see if your country participates in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) . If it does, you can get a waiver and will not need a visa. If you do not see your country listed, you will need a visitor visa.

Visitor (tourist) visa

The visitor visa, also known as a tourist visa, is a type of nonimmigrant visa for people who wish to temporarily enter the U.S. There are two categories:

• B-1 for business travel
• B-2 for tourism and medical treatment

Learn about B-1 and B-2 visas , including:

• Reasons you would need each type of visitor visa
• How to apply
• What documents you will need
• Application fees
• How to prepare for your interview at your U.S. embassy or consulate

How to renew a visitor visa

You must renew your visitor visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Only diplomatic visa holders and their dependents can renew their visas within the U.S.

The process to renew a visitor visa is the same as getting one for the first time. Follow the process to apply for a visitor visa from the Department of State.

Find the contact information for your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and contact them for visa renewal information.

LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023

Have a question?

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

• Handyvisas.com >
• Glossary >

What Is a Tourist Visa?

A tourist visa is the most common type of travel permit. Passengers visiting another country often need a tourist visa to enter.

Many countries issue different visas for different purposes and some issue visas exclusively for tourism .

Others have visas that permit tourism as well as other activities .

Any of these types of visa can be considered a tourist visa.

It is worth noting that there are also other types of travel authorization that permit tourism, but these are not necessarily the same as a visa .

Tourist Visa Definition

A tourist visa is an official document or stamp that authorizes an individual to enter a foreign country for the purpose of leisure and tourism .

Depending on the country, they may also be referred to as “travel visas”, “visitor visas”, or “temporary stay visas”.

Tourist visas typically allow the holder to stay in the host country for a short period . This can range from several days to several months.

During the stay, tourist visa holders are not allowed to work or engage in non-tourist activities.

In some cases, a short-stay visa for a particular country may permit multiple purposes in addition to tourism, such as business.

How to Get a Tourist Visa

Many nations have now made it possible to apply for a tourist visa online . This is the quickest and most straightforward way to obtain one.

Travelers simply fill in a form using a computer or mobile device and submit the required information and supporting documents in a digital format. This makes it possible to complete a tourist visa application from one’s own home, office, or anywhere else with an internet connection.

Every country has its own visa policy . This outlines the rules for which foreign nationals must have a tourist visa to enter and the requirements for applying .

In some cases, citizens of some countries may not be able to apply for a tourist visa online. In this situation, it is usually necessary to go to an embassy or consulate to apply in person .

Many sovereign states also have a list of visa-exempt nationalities who may visit for a certain length of time without having to apply for a tourist visa.

To take advantage of this visa exemption, it may be necessary to register online to obtain a waiver or travel authorization . These are not technically visas, but the application process is usually similar to electronic visas (e-Visas). They may also permit visits for other purposes, such as business or to receive medical treatment.

Disclaimer Handyvisas.com is not owned by, or affiliated with any government agency. We are a private, online agency that provides assistance in submitting applications for tourist visits to different countries around the world. Applications can also be made directly through government websites.

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

The 4 Basic Types of Travel Visas: Everything You Need To Know

Brian Graham

Former Content Contributor

10 Published Articles

Countries Visited: U.S. States Visited:

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

32 Published Articles 3120 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

Your Visa Status Determines Your Ability To Travel

Travel visa article series:, the 4 types of travel visa, tourist visas for u.s. passport holders, tourist  visas to the u.s., type #2 –  immigration visa requirements: obtaining permanent residence in the u.s., u.s. citizens studying abroad, foreign citizens studying in the u.s., type #4 –  work visa requirements: do your business abroad, change or adjustment of status: going from 1 visa to another, 10 top countries that require visas from the u.s., other special notes: passport validity and transit visas, visa centers and third-party visa services, visa application fees: how much and how to apply, visa conclusions: do your research or be turned away.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

You’ve likely heard of a travel visa before, but if you’re like most people, the phrase either overwhelmed or confused you! Who wants to think about government requirements when planning a well-deserved vacation anyway?

Then again, perhaps you haven’t heard it referred to as a “travel visa” because you’ve heard about 1 of the 2 main overall types of visas or 1 of the 4 sub-types.

We know this all sounds baffling, but it does not have to be!

In this series of articles, we’ll help you learn everything you need to know about travel visa requirements and how to get them sorted out for your upcoming trips!

A Series on Passport Visas: What ARE Visas Anyway? Do I Need a Visa?

Once you have obtained your very first passport (or simply renewed an old one ), you need to first understand “how it all works” when talking about traveling.

As much as we would like the world to be free, most of us still have to ask permission to travel around and visit countries other than our own. This idea will probably be around for a while, so it is best to understand it now.

Unfortunately, when we talk about the concept known as “visas,” we don’t mean our favorite credit card processing kind …this is the travel visa!

Whether you are a citizen of the U.S. or any other country, visas are universal. However, the requirements do vary by country, and since each visa represents a relationship between countries, they are unique to each case.

Because this is such an important part of travel that many people find hard to understand or annoying to deal with, we decided to do a series of posts on the visa itself.

Knowing the requirements is critical since you will not be able to travel without the proper visa status.

We will first explain the general aspects and different types of visas in this article and then describe each part of the different visas in upcoming articles until we have covered everything!

Equipped with this knowledge, you’ll be fully prepared for your trip and have all the information you need. This will ensure that you can continue using your credit cards to earn points and begin deciding where you want to redeem them for travel next!

Make sure to research travel visas when planning your next trip; it may save you lots of heartache and money!

• Part 1: The 4 Basic Types of Travel Visas: Everything You Need To Know (this article)
• Part 2: Tourist Visas TO other countries FROM the U.S. (general info)
• Part 2a: Tourist Visas to [Specific Country] FROM the U.S.
• Part 3: Tourist Visas FROM other countries TO the U.S.
• Part 4: U.S. Green Cards, Immigration, and How to Get Your Fiancé or Spouse into the Country
• Part 5: Student Visas and Studying Abroad
• Part 6: Working Abroad and Visa Requirements To/From the USA

What are The Different Types of Visas That Exist?

As you have seen, the visa is a travel “document” required to get both into and out of a country. These days, you simply get your passport stamped with a visa rather than getting a physical document, but sometimes you will see both.

All visas go hand in hand with your passport; you can think of your passport as your “visa holder.”

There are 2 over-arching categories of visas that apply to any country:

• Non-immigrant visas (meaning you do not become a citizen of that country)
• Immigrant visas (you do become a citizen of that country)

However, these 2 overall categories can be best discussed as 4 main sub-types of visa:

These 4 sub-types apply to every country in the world, though the requirements (or lack thereof) can vary widely, especially depending on which country you’re coming from.

Remember: Your travel may require pre-planning and approval from another government, so  before you go booking any crazy trips and after you’ve gotten your first passport (or get your old one renewed), you need to review the visa information for your destination!

This usually only takes a few minutes, but it can save you a lifetime of stress when you get closer to your trip.

In the U.S., a few examples of countries requiring a pre-approved visa include India, China, most African countries, and Russia.

There are lots of options, but you’ll likely find a tourist visa the easiest to obtain unless you’d like to stay somewhere for an extended period of time.

An immigration visa is the hardest to get, and most people will be unable to obtain this type of visa during their lifetime.

Bottom Line:   You may be tempted to just book trips and go, but when you get the travel itch, make sure to take a few minutes to research visa requirements first!

Type #1 – Tourist Visa Requirements: The Main Concern of Points Travelers

First, we’ll start with the tourist visa (also known as a visitor visa). This is probably the most important type for readers here on UpgradedPoints.com because it’s the visa that allows us to use all those awesome points we’ve obtained!

When talking about travel visas, it’s important to first understand where you are coming from , what your citizenship status is (which country you have your passport from), and where you plan on going .

For the majority of our readers, the place you’re coming from and your citizenship status will both be the U.S., but where you are going can obviously vary widely.

However, some of you may be coming from one country and traveling to another while holding citizenship in a third!

In this case, you must be careful to check travel requirements for your specific situation; otherwise, you could end up finding the wrong information and being unable to travel.

Note:  A tourist visa is a non-immigrant visa.

The good news for most of you is this: when traveling on a U.S. passport, you will not need a visa to visit 143 different countries and territories of the world.

Simply book travel to the desired country and show up on their doorstep (also known as Customs and Border Protection). They’ll probably ask you a couple of questions about your purpose of visit and your return date.

When traveling with a U.S. passport, Americans will need to apply for a tourist visa when visiting 37 countries. 10 of these countries issue e-visas where an application can be made online, while with the other 27 countries, a visit to an application center is usually required.

Visa on Arrival

43 countries require a visa on arrival. This means that once you land, you will speak with a border agent who will process a visa on-site.

For these places, it may not be as smooth and easy as visiting Canada, the Bahamas, or most European countries, where U.S. citizens can quickly walk through the customs line and obtain their stamp.

If you’re the efficient type, even this relatively simple process can go more quickly if your destination country participates in the Global Entry Program !

Bottom Line:   Americans can travel to 88% of the world with little to no up-front work (186 countries). However, there are 196 countries (not including territories), so do your research before you go to see what requirements you’ll meet at CBP!

Unfortunately, this category isn’t quite as simple. While we do have pretty good reciprocal agreements with many countries, citizens from some countries cannot simply travel to the U.S. without prior permission.

To travel to the U.S., visitors need to apply and be approved by the U.S. Department of State. Visa requirements differ per country.

You Can Complete Your Visa Application Online

Many can utilize the Electronic System for Travel Authorization , or ESTA, in order to complete their visa application online.

According to the ESTA website, there are currently 40 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows people from another country to visit the U.S. without a pre-authorized visa.

The following countries are included in this program, which allows travel for up to 90 days without obtaining any other type of visa:

Note:   foreign nationals who are also nationals of Iraq, Iran, Sudan, and Syria are not eligible for the VWP.

*Taiwan’s status as a country is still in dispute by China and other countries, but the U.S. recognizes Taiwan as an independent nation.

**UK citizens must permanently reside in the UK, including England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.

In order to obtain this visa, visitors must apply for ESTA and be approved. If you are not a citizen of these countries or were not approved in ESTA, you must apply for a B-2 tourist visa .

The VWP program gives foreign nationals access to the U.S. (multiple visits) for up to 2 years.

There are a couple of additional ways to visit the U.S., including through a student visa or a work visa, which we will be discussing shortly.

Bottom Line:   Traveling to the U.S. requires some up-front work, whether that is applying in ESTA or researching how to submit a B-2 tourist visa application.

An immigration visa is one that authorizes a person to permanently reside in a country. This is closely related to the naturalization and citizenship process , though immigration does not necessarily suggest citizenship.

If you’ve heard someone mention the term “Green Card,” they were actually talking about the immigration type of visa. Green Cards do not, however, simply grant citizenship.

What a Green Card will do is allow the holder to both live and work in the U.S., as this card is the path to obtaining citizenship.

The citizenship process, also known as naturalization, is the final step in becoming a full citizen of the U.S. Green Card holders must wait five years before applying for citizenship.

Full rights to all laws (including being subject to them) are granted upon naturalization, which allows the bearer to travel as a U.S. citizen would to all other various countries.

There are multiple paths to getting an immigrant visa and several different ways in which to obtain it:

• Through family
• Through employment
• Through investment
• Through the diversity lottery
• Through refugee or asylum status
• Through “The Registry”

Type #3 –  Student Visa Requirements: Get Your Education Abroad

The “ Study Abroad ” visa! If only we all were able to do this. A student visa is obtained when you are visiting a country for the purpose of an educational experience.

While many would agree that all travel, regardless of reason, ends up being an educational experience, travel here refers to trips in which you will be attending classes or studying particular subjects.

These visas apply to exchange students of just a few weeks or those staying a year or more. Requirements vary per visa and per country…as per usual!

Note:  A student visa is also a non-immigrant visa.

For U.S. citizens wanting to study elsewhere, you have lots of options. While there is not a full list put together, you will likely have the best luck finding a place to study abroad by researching through a university.

StudyAbroadUniversities.com is a great resource to help you in this regard.

Your ability to study abroad will be limited to the laws of the country you are trying to study in. Note that almost 60% of Americans who study abroad do so in Europe or Asia, and other countries are starting to become more popular.

Each year, there are over 300,000 students that study abroad from the U.S. (approximately 1.5% of students). These figures contrast starkly with a country like Germany, where around 30% of their students study abroad.

Any foreign national studying in the U.S. will need a U.S. Student Visa, which will fall under the letters F and M.

Also included in this category are visas for academics and education professionals going abroad for particular work studies or trips.

These types of visas fall under the letter J, which might also be considered a work visa.

Over 1 million students from abroad studied in the U.S. in the 2022-2023 school year.

The fourth and final type of visa is the strictest and most difficult to obtain in any country: the work visa.

This is for a very simple reason: governments want economic activity in their country to be driven by their own citizens.

Overall, the U.S. is particularly stern on these requirements. Many different types of work visas exist, and they’re all given a not-very-aptly-named letter:

• Exchange Visitor Visa: J
• Media Visa: I
• Trade Treaty and Investor Visa: E
• NAFTA Professional Worker Visa: TN/TD

Each country wants to ensure that its own citizens have priority for the jobs available in that country. However, if you have your own business, it could possibly be easier to obtain one of these coveted visas.

Note:  Work visas can be either immigrant or non-immigrant in nature.

For U.S. citizens looking to work abroad, you’ll need to research each location’s requirements before you go.

There will be more details on work visas in our upcoming piece. Until then, you can check out more work visa requirements on the U.S. State Department website. Here, you’ll find information for foreign nationals trying to get into the U.S.  as well as Americans going abroad .

It is possible that your status changes while you’re in the country, and you may need to update your visa. This can also be a way to extend your stay in the country if you are required to leave soon.

Let’s say you’re on a temporary work visa but then decide you want to stay longer. You would likely have to apply for a non-immigrant work visa to allow you to stay in the country for a bit more time.

Alternatively, you could be working already but then begin dating someone you are going to marry. In this case, you’d get your status changed to a fiancé or spouse visa.

Perhaps you’re a student studying abroad who is offered an excellent opportunity to work because of your special skills.

You could then switch to a work visa, which would allow you to work and earn money while still continuing to study if desired. On a student visa alone, you aren’t allowed to work unless your job is on the campus at which you are studying.

When Do I Need to Worry About Getting a Visa?

Unless you are familiar with the visa requirements of the country you’re planning to visit, you should always do a quick search on whether or not a visa is required. This is much easier in the age of the internet and usually takes no more than five minutes of research .

Here’s a great site that covers every country’s visa requirements in one list (both business and personal, but does not cover study abroad for student visas (which require special approval).

In general, the easiest countries for U.S. citizens to visit include Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, Caribbean countries (excluding Cuba), and most European countries.

Asia is a mixed bag, with some countries requiring prior authorization (such as India and Russia), some requiring an on-site application (such as Cambodia), and others allowing a generous and easy entry (such as Japan).

Africa, the Middle East, and South America make up the majority of locations that require U.S. citizens to obtain prior authorization on a visa.

Use the above information as a rule of thumb, and be sure to check specifics ahead of time. If you’re new to traveling, the easiest places to start are Canada, Mexico, and Europe due to their relaxed visitor agreements and low, competitive prices on flights.

Of course, some of you can even drive to Canada and Mexico on a single tank of gas! Just be sure to remember your passport ! You’ll still need it when crossing the border unless you have a NEXUS card or Passport Card, which acts as a visa itself.

Bottom Line:   To be safe, you should always research your destinations’ visa requirements. You can save lots of trouble with a few minutes of research on the internet. For more info, check out our article: Do I Need a Visa? 100+ Countries with Tourist Visa Requirements for U.S. Citizens

Here is a list of very popular destinations that require pre-approval for travel from the U.S.:

• Saudi Arabia

There are more countries not listed here, but the listed ones are popular travel spots. In the upcoming series, we will release guides to getting visas for these specific countries.

There is a caveat to the “you don’t need a visa to travel to…” rule. Regardless of pre-authorized visa requirements, most countries require you to have at least six months of validity left on your passport before entering the country.

Though this may seem random, the rule exists to ensure you don’t get stuck in a country with an expired passport, which could end up a much, much worse situation than you ever want to deal with!

So, be sure to keep your passport validity up to date. Check out our guide to renewing your passport for more info.

Additionally, while many countries require a visa to be obtained prior to landing, some of these countries have special exceptions for short, transiting trips.

For instance, China now allows you to transit through for 72 hours as long as you have met certain requirements . You can look up these for any country by searching “[destination] transit visa rules” on Google for more info.

Usually, these rules depend on where you are traveling, so contacting the U.S. embassy at your destination is the best choice.

Even once you know the process, getting your visa can be stressful. If you’re the type who just doesn’t want to think about it, you can hire a business that specializes in this type of thing.

Many visa application and expediting companies exist to help you secure your visa before you travel. They can also help answer any questions and assist with preparing anything you’ll need throughout the process.

Uncertain if you can work while you’re in the other country? Will you be able to take some classes? How long can you stay?

If you don’t know the answers and don’t want to research, professional visa services can help make your trip a little more peaceful.

As discussed previously, you should try to apply for your visa online first since most places allow this. Simply do a Google search for “[destination] visa requirements for Americans,” and you’ll likely find something.

Typically, these requirements and applications are posted on the government websites of the target vacation (or other) spots.

For any country in which the U.S. doesn’t have a direct agreement, you will have to pay visa fees. This includes on-site visas and other pre-approved visa countries.

Fees can range anywhere from $20-$200 or more, and it depends on the length of the visa you purchase.

Do your research and determine what the best value is for you so you don’t pay too much in visa fees.

There is much more to say about visas, which you will learn as this series continues. For now, be sure to do your research and get authorized beforehand if necessary.

Which type of visa do you need? Probably 1 of the 4 main types: tourist, immigration, student, or work.

U.S. citizens can visit 143 countries and territories without a pre-approved visa. Each of these is good for a different length of stay, although 90 days is one of the most common lengths.

Some places like India require a pre-approved visa that can take months to process, so start early!

What happens if you don’t get your pre-authorization? Well, if the airline doesn’t catch it, then you will simply be stopped while going through customs in the country you are visiting.

You will not be allowed to enter and instead will be stuck in customs to catch the next flight back out of that country.

Bottom Line: Don’t be turned away at the door. Research and get your visas before you travel!

Like this Post? Pin it on Pinterest!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a travel visa.

A travel visa is a document that authorizes you to travel to another country besides the one you are a citizen of.

Why do we need a travel visa?

Visas were created as a way to protect the borders of countries and keep citizens safe. As the world becomes safer, visa agreements become more common, allowing people to visit countries of the world with little up-front work.

How do you travel on a visa?

For U.S. Citizens, the process is pretty simple in most cases. You can show up in another country and enter through the Customs area. The Border Patrol agent will stamp your passport with your travel visa!

However, for some other countries and those visiting the U.S., you must submit a visa application to the State Department. This can sometimes be done online, like through the U.S. ESTA system (for non-U.S. citizen visitors).

Can you travel without a visa? When is a travel visa required?

You cannot technically travel to any other country without a visa. However, in many countries, the governments have already negotiated visas behind the scenes, allowing you to obtain a travel visa on the spot.

Americans can travel to 186 countries and territories around the world with little to no up-front work and obtain a visa upon landing!

How do you apply for a travel visa?

Visa applications can be simple in some cases and time-consuming and cumbersome in others. You can often apply for a visa to your desired country online through an electronic system.

Travelers to the U.S. can use the ESTA system, which allows them to obtain a 90-day U.S. travel visa for up to 2 years.

Other visas, however, require finding and printing forms and sending them in the mail for approval. Then, you must wait for that approval or denial, which can take weeks or even months.

You will need to research your particular situation, as there are too many to list here.

Which countries require a travel visa?

All countries require a travel visa, although the requirements differ between different countries. Depending on your citizenship and where you are traveling, you could obtain an on-site visa, or you may have to apply far ahead of time.

US Citizens can travel to 186 countries and territories without much or any up-front work, although you technically still obtain visas when you arrive.

Who issues travel visas?

Each country’s government is responsible for issuing travel visas. In the U.S., the Department of State regulates and issues travel visas.

Why would a travel visa be denied?

While denial is not common, it happens. If you have certain criminal background status or, in some cases, even heritage, you may be denied. Research reasons for denial for each country before applying.

Was this page helpful?

About Brian Graham

Brian’s first ever airplane ride was in a private turbo-prop jet. He was merely an intern boy trying to make a good impression, but it turns out the plane made an impression on him.

It wasn’t until Brian relocated to Dallas, TX, and moved in with an American Airlines employee that he truly discovered how incredible travel could be.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE ™

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Related Posts

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

Winter is here! Check out the winter wonderlands at these 5 amazing winter destinations in Montana

• Travel Guide

How Does A Tourist Visa Work

Published: November 19, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Minnaminnie Baskerville

• Plan Your Trip

Introduction

Welcome to the world of travel! Embarking on a journey to explore new destinations and immerse yourself in different cultures is truly an enriching experience. However, before you set off on your adventures, there is an important aspect of travel that needs to be addressed – obtaining a tourist visa.

A tourist visa is a document that allows individuals to visit a foreign country for a temporary period of time, solely for the purpose of tourism and leisure activities. It is an essential requirement for travelers who wish to explore popular tourist destinations or visit friends and family abroad.

Understanding the ins and outs of the tourist visa process is crucial to ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience. This comprehensive travel guide aims to provide you with all the essential information you need to know about tourist visas, including the types of visas available, the application process, required documents, visa fees, and much more.

Whether you’re planning a solo backpacking trip across Europe or a tropical getaway to a paradise island, this guide will equip you with the necessary knowledge to navigate through the complexities of obtaining a tourist visa. So, let’s dive in and unravel the world of tourist visas!

What is a Tourist Visa?

A tourist visa is a legal authorization granted by a foreign country’s government that allows individuals to enter and stay within the country for a limited period of time for tourism purposes. It is a crucial document that grants travelers temporary entry to explore and enjoy the attractions, sights, and culture of the destination country.

Typically, a tourist visa is issued for a specific duration, usually ranging from a few weeks to several months, depending on the country’s regulations. It is important to note that a tourist visa does not permit individuals to engage in employment or conduct business activities. The primary purpose is to indulge in leisure activities, such as sightseeing, visiting landmarks, experiencing local cuisines, and connecting with the country’s rich heritage.

The requirements and regulations for obtaining a tourist visa vary from country to country. Some nations may have specific visa categories based on the purpose of travel, such as a tourist visa, business visa, or student visa. It is essential to familiarize yourself with the specific requirements and application process for the country you plan to visit.

Obtaining a tourist visa not only allows travelers to explore their desired destinations but also ensures compliance with the immigration laws of the host country. It is a legal requirement and failure to obtain the necessary visa may result in denial of entry or deportation.

It is important to note that while a tourist visa permits temporary stay for tourism, it does not guarantee automatic entry into the country. Immigration officers at the port of entry have the authority to grant or deny entry based on their assessment of the traveler’s eligibility and adherence to immigration rules.

Now that we have a basic understanding of what a tourist visa entails, let’s explore the different types of tourist visas available and how to obtain them.

Types of Tourist Visas

When it comes to tourist visas, different countries have different visa categories to cater to the diverse needs and purposes of travelers. Here are some common types of tourist visas you may encounter:

• Single-entry tourist visa: This type of visa allows you to enter the destination country only once within the specified period. Once you exit the country, the visa becomes invalid and you would need to apply for another visa if you wish to re-enter.
• Multiple-entry tourist visa: With a multiple-entry tourist visa, you can enter and exit the destination country multiple times within the validity of the visa. It provides more flexibility for those who plan to visit neighboring countries or take short trips during their stay.
• Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA): Some countries offer an electronic travel authorization system where eligible travelers can obtain a visa online. This eliminates the need for physical visa stamps and allows for a streamlined application process.
• Visa on Arrival (VOA): Certain countries provide a visa on arrival service, allowing eligible travelers to obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport or designated entry points. This is a convenient option for those who have not obtained a visa in advance.

It is important to check the specific visa requirements and regulations for the country you plan to visit, as well as the duration of stay permitted under each visa category. Some countries may also have special visa categories for specific purposes, such as medical tourism, cultural exchanges, or volunteer work.

Additionally, keep in mind that visa requirements may vary based on your nationality. Certain countries have visa agreements and exemptions for citizens of specific nations, allowing them to enter for tourism purposes without a visa for a limited period of time. It is advisable to consult the embassy or consulate of the destination country or check official government websites for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding tourist visa types and requirements.

Now that we have explored the different types of tourist visas, let’s dive into the process of obtaining a tourist visa for your dream destination.

Obtaining a Tourist Visa

Obtaining a tourist visa for your desired destination requires careful planning and adherence to the specific requirements and procedures set by the country you intend to visit. Here are the general steps involved in the process:

• Research and gather information: Start by researching visa requirements for the country you plan to visit. Visit the official website of the country’s embassy or consulate or consult with a reputable travel agency for accurate and up-to-date information. Familiarize yourself with the specific visa category, required documents, and any additional requirements.
• Complete the visa application: Obtain the visa application form from the embassy, consulate, or download it from their official website. Fill out the form accurately and legibly, providing all the required information. Double-check for any errors or missing information before submitting the application.
• Prepare supporting documents: The documents required may vary depending on the destination country, but commonly requested documents include a valid passport with at least six months validity beyond the intended stay, proof of financial funds to cover your expenses during your visit, flight itinerary, hotel reservations or proof of accommodation, travel insurance, and a recent passport-sized photograph. Additionally, you may need to provide supporting documents such as employment letters, bank statements, and proof of ties to your home country to demonstrate your intention to return.
• Pay visa fees: Most countries require payment of a visa processing fee, which can vary in amount. Ensure you have the necessary funds available and be prepared to pay the fee through the designated payment methods, such as credit card, debit card, or bank transfer.
• Submit the application: Once you have completed the visa application form and gathered all the required documents, submit them to the appropriate embassy or consulate either in person or through a visa application center. Ensure that you meet any appointment requirements and follow any specific submission instructions provided.
• Wait for processing: The processing time for tourist visas can vary, ranging from a few days to several weeks, depending on the destination country and the time of year. It is advisable to apply well in advance of your planned travel dates to allow for any unforeseen delays.
• Collect your visa: Once your visa application has been processed and approved, collect your passport with the visa stamp from the embassy, consulate, or designated visa collection point. Check the visa for accuracy and ensure that the dates of validity align with your intended travel dates.

It is essential to note that the visa application process can be complex and may require the assistance of a travel agency or visa specialist to navigate through the requirements successfully. Seek professional advice if you are unsure or if you require guidance in preparing your application.

Now that you have a good understanding of how to obtain a tourist visa, let’s explore the specific documents that are commonly required during the visa application process.

Documents Required for a Tourist Visa Application

When applying for a tourist visa, you will typically need to submit a set of supporting documents along with your application form. The specific documents required may vary depending on the country you plan to visit, but here are some commonly requested documents:

• Valid passport: Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the intended duration of your stay. Make sure your passport has blank visa pages for the visa stamp.
• Completed visa application form: Fill out the visa application form accurately and legibly. Ensure that all the necessary fields are completed, and don’t forget to sign and date the form.
• Recent passport-sized photographs: Provide two or more recent color photographs that meet the specifications set by the embassy or consulate. The photos should be clear, with a plain background and no accessories.
• Proof of travel arrangements: Include your flight itinerary showing your intended entry and exit dates, as well as any internal flights or transportation arrangements within the country you plan to visit.
• Proof of accommodation: Provide hotel reservations or other proof of accommodation for the duration of your stay. This can include hotel bookings, Airbnb confirmations, or an invitation letter if you are staying with friends or family.
• Proof of financial means: Show proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your visit. This can include bank statements, traveler’s cheques, credit card statements, or a letter from your employer stating your salary and travel allowances.
• Travel insurance: Obtain travel insurance coverage that meets the requirements of the destination country, including coverage for medical expenses, emergency evacuations, and repatriation.
• Proof of ties to your home country: Demonstrate strong ties to your home country to assure the visa officer that you have reasons to return after your trip. This can include employment letters, property ownership documents, family ties, or any other evidence that demonstrates your intention to return.
• Additional documents: Depending on the country, you may be required to provide additional documents such as a letter of invitation, a detailed travel itinerary, a bank reference letter, or a letter from a sponsor, if applicable.

It is important to carefully review the specific visa requirements and guidelines provided by the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit to ensure that all the necessary documents are submitted correctly and in a timely manner.

Keep in mind that the documents required may vary depending on your nationality, the duration of your intended stay, and the purpose of your visit. It is advisable to consult with the embassy or consulate or seek professional advice from a travel agency or visa specialist for personalized guidance based on your specific circumstances.

Now that you are aware of the required documents, let’s discuss the duration and validity of a tourist visa.

Duration and Validity of a Tourist Visa

The duration and validity of a tourist visa vary depending on the country you plan to visit and the type of visa you obtain. Understanding these terms is important to plan your trip effectively and avoid any legal issues. Let’s explore the concepts of duration and validity in relation to tourist visas:

Duration: The duration of a tourist visa refers to the maximum number of days you are allowed to stay in the country as a visitor. This period is typically specified by the immigration authorities and is separate from the validity period of the visa. The duration granted on a tourist visa can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on the country’s regulations and your individual circumstances.

It is crucial to adhere to the specified duration and not overstay your visa. If you exceed the permitted stay, you may face penalties, such as fines, deportation, or restrictions on future travel to that country. It is recommended to plan your itinerary carefully and make sure you leave before your visa expires.

Validity: The validity of a tourist visa refers to the time period during which the visa is considered valid for travel. This includes the dates within which you can enter the country. The validity of a tourist visa can vary, ranging from a few months to several years, depending on the country’s regulations and the type of visa.

It is important to note that the duration of stay granted on a tourist visa does not necessarily match the validity period of the visa. For example, you may be issued a tourist visa with a validity of six months, but the immigration authorities may only grant you a stay of 30 days per visit. In such cases, you can exit and re-enter the country within the validity period of the visa as long as you adhere to the duration of stay allowed per visit.

Whenever you receive your tourist visa, carefully review the validity dates and ensure they align with your intended travel dates. Additionally, double-check the number of entries permitted on the visa. Some tourist visas allow for single entry, meaning you can enter the country once, while others allow for multiple entries within the validity period.

It is always recommended to apply for a tourist visa with a validity that covers your entire trip, including any potential extensions or unforeseen delays. However, remember that the immigration officers at the port of entry have the final authority to grant or deny entry, regardless of the visa’s validity.

Understanding the duration and validity of a tourist visa is essential to ensure compliance with the immigration laws of the country you plan to visit, as well as to make the most of your travel experience. Now, let’s delve into the visa fees and processing time.

Visa Fees and Processing Time

When applying for a tourist visa, it is important to be aware of the visa fees and processing time involved in the application process. Here are some key considerations regarding visa fees and processing time:

Visa Fees: Each country has its own fee structure for tourist visas, and the cost may vary based on factors such as the duration of stay, type of visa, and nationality of the applicant. The visa fees are typically non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of the application. It is important to check the official website of the embassy or consulate of the destination country to find the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding visa fees. Additionally, be prepared to pay the fees in the accepted currency and through the designated payment methods, such as credit card, debit card, or bank transfer.

Processing Time: The processing time for tourist visa applications can vary depending on several factors, including the destination country, time of year, and the volume of visa applications received. The processing time can range from a few days to several weeks. It is advisable to apply for a tourist visa well in advance of your planned travel dates to avoid any last-minute delays. Make sure to take into account any additional processing time required if you have to submit your application through a visa application center or by mail. To get accurate information on processing times, refer to the official websites of the embassy or consulate or consult with a reputable travel agency.

It is important to note that some countries offer expedited or express processing services for an additional fee, which can significantly reduce the processing time. This option may be beneficial for those who have urgent travel plans or need to receive their visa quickly. However, not all countries offer expedited processing, so it is advisable to check the specific guidelines provided by the embassy or consulate of the destination country.

It is essential to plan your travel accordingly, considering both the visa processing time and the validity of the visa. Ensure that you have sufficient time to receive your visa before your intended travel dates. A delay in the processing of your visa may require you to reschedule or modify your travel plans.

Now that you have a better understanding of visa fees and processing time, let’s discuss the possibility of extending your tourist visa if you wish to stay longer in the destination country.

Tourist Visa Extension

If you find yourself wanting to stay longer in a destination country than what is permitted by your tourist visa, you may have the option to apply for a tourist visa extension. The ability to extend your visa depends on the regulations and policies of the country you are visiting. Here are some important points to consider regarding tourist visa extensions:

Eligibility: Not all countries allow for tourist visa extensions, so it is important to check the specific guidelines and regulations set by the immigration authorities of the destination country. Eligibility criteria for a visa extension may include factors such as the purpose of your extended stay, proof of financial means to sustain yourself during the extended period, and adherence to immigration laws and regulations.

Application Process: The application process for a tourist visa extension typically involves submitting an application to the appropriate immigration office or authority in the country you are visiting. The application may require filling out forms, providing supporting documents such as proof of financial stability, a valid passport, a valid visa, and a detailed explanation of the reasons for the extension.

Processing Time and Fees: The processing time and fees for a tourist visa extension can vary depending on the destination country. It is important to inquire about the existing fees and the expected processing time when submitting your application. Note that the processing time for visa extensions may be longer than the original visa processing time, so it is advisable to apply well in advance to avoid any overstay penalties.

Restrictions and Limitations: Tourist visa extensions are usually granted for a specific period of time and may come with restrictions such as not being able to work or engage in other activities not permitted under the original tourist visa. It is important to understand and adhere to any conditions or limitations imposed on your extended stay to avoid potential legal issues.

Considerations and Alternatives: Before applying for a tourist visa extension, carefully consider the reasons for your extended stay and explore alternative visa options. Depending on your circumstances, it might be more appropriate to apply for a different type of visa, such as a work visa, student visa, or a visa for volunteers, if you are planning to engage in activities beyond the scope of a tourist visa. Consulting with an immigration lawyer or a reputable travel agency can provide valuable guidance and help you determine the most suitable visa option for your situation.

It is essential to remember that overstaying your visa without obtaining the necessary extensions or permissions can have serious consequences, including fines, deportation, and possible entry bans for future visits. To avoid any complications or legal issues, it is always best to abide by the rules and regulations of the destination country and comply with the terms of your visa.

Now that we have discussed the possibility of extending your tourist visa, let’s explore the rights and limitations that come with holding a tourist visa.

Rights and Limitations of a Tourist Visa

While holding a tourist visa grants you the privilege to explore and experience a foreign country, it is important to understand the rights and limitations that come with this type of visa. Here are some key points to consider:

• You have the right to enter the country and stay for the duration specified on your visa, as long as you abide by the immigration laws and regulations.
• You have the right to engage in tourist activities, such as sightseeing, visiting landmarks, experiencing local culture, and participating in recreational activities.
• You have the right to seek assistance and protection from your country’s embassy or consulate if you encounter any emergencies, issues, or legal problems during your stay.
• You have the right to enjoy the same legal protections and rights as any other foreign visitor, including access to healthcare and the right to be treated fairly and respectfully by authorities and service providers.
• You have the right to maintain the privacy of your personal information, in accordance with the country’s data protection and privacy laws.

Limitations:

• You are prohibited from engaging in employment or business activities unless you hold a work or business visa specifically permitting such activities.
• You are not allowed to overstay the duration of your visa. It is important to exit the country before your visa expires to avoid penalties and potential future travel restrictions.
• You must respect the laws, customs, and traditions of the country you are visiting, including following regulations related to public behavior, dress codes, and cultural sensitivities.
• You may be subject to immigration checks and must comply with the instructions of immigration officers at the port of entry and during your stay in the country.
• You are responsible for your own safety and well-being while traveling and must adhere to any security regulations and travel advisories issued by your own country or the destination country.

It is vital to be aware of and respect the rights and limitations of a tourist visa to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience. Violating the terms of your visa can have serious consequences, including fines, deportation, and possible restrictions on future travel to the country. It is always best to familiarize yourself with the specific regulations and guidelines provided by the embassy or consulate of the destination country.

Now that we have discussed the rights and limitations, let’s move on to explore the entry and exit requirements for a tourist visa.

Entry and Exit Requirements

When traveling on a tourist visa, it is important to understand the entry and exit requirements set by the destination country’s immigration authorities. Adhering to these requirements will ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey. Here are some key points to consider:

Valid Passport: A valid passport is a fundamental requirement for entry into any foreign country. Your passport should have a validity of at least six months beyond the duration of your intended stay. Make sure your passport has enough blank visa pages for the visa stamp.

Visa: Ensure that you have obtained the necessary tourist visa before your departure. Depending on the country you plan to visit, you may need to apply for a visa in advance at an embassy or consulate, or you may be eligible for a visa on arrival or an electronic travel authorization.

Documentation: Carry all the necessary travel documents with you, including your passport, visa, and any supporting documents required by the immigration authorities of the destination country. It is advisable to carry printed copies of your itinerary, hotel reservations, travel insurance, and any other relevant documents in both hard and soft copy formats.

Proof of Financial Means: Some countries may require you to provide proof of adequate financial means to support yourself during your stay. This can include bank statements, traveler’s cheques, credit card statements, or a letter from your employer certifying your financial stability.

Return or Onward Ticket: You may be asked to provide proof of onward travel from the destination country, showing that you have a return or onward ticket within the permitted stay of your tourist visa. This is to ensure that you do not intend to overstay your visa and that you have a means to exit the country.

Immigration Checks: Be prepared to undergo immigration checks upon arrival at the airport or land border crossing. Immigration officers may ask questions about the purpose of your visit, length of stay, and other relevant details. Cooperate with the immigration officers and provide truthful and accurate information.

Customs Regulations: Familiarize yourself with the customs regulations of the destination country to ensure compliance with import and export restrictions. Be aware of prohibited items, duty-free allowances, and any specific requirements for bringing in medications, food, or animals.

Departure Requirements: When it is time to leave the country, make sure you have all the necessary documents and fulfill any exit requirements. Some countries may require you to pay an exit fee or complete a departure form. Always check for any specific procedures or requirements set by the destination country’s immigration authorities.

Failure to comply with the entry and exit requirements may result in denial of entry, fines, penalties, or other legal consequences. It is important to familiarize yourself with the specific requirements of the destination country and ensure that you meet all the necessary criteria before your departure.

Now that we have discussed the entry and exit requirements, let’s explore the concept of visa waiver programs that allow certain travelers to visit a country without a tourist visa.

Visa Waiver Programs

Visa waiver programs are agreements between countries that allow certain travelers to visit without the need to obtain a traditional tourist visa. These programs facilitate tourism and business travel, promoting easier movement across borders. Here’s what you need to know about visa waiver programs:

Eligibility: Visa waiver programs typically apply to citizens of specific countries who meet certain criteria, such as having a valid passport, a return or onward ticket, and a designated purpose of visit, such as tourism or business. The eligibility criteria may vary between countries and programs, so it’s essential to check the specific requirements of the destination country’s visa waiver program.

Duration of Stay: Visa waiver programs usually allow travelers to enter the country for a specified period, typically ranging from a few days to several months. This duration is determined by the agreements between the participating countries and is often non-extendable. It’s crucial to respect the permitted stay and avoid overstaying, as it may result in penalties or future travel restrictions.

Entry and Exit: Under a visa waiver program, eligible travelers can enter the country through designated ports of entry, such as international airports or land border crossings. Immigration officials will conduct routine checks upon arrival and departure, ensuring compliance with the program’s rules and regulations.

Travel Authorization: Some countries may require travelers to register or obtain an electronic travel authorization prior to their arrival. This process typically involves providing basic personal information and paying a fee online. The granted travel authorization is linked to the traveler’s passport and allows entry into the country for the specified duration. Examples of such authorization systems include the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) in the United States and the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) in Canada.

Restrictions: While visa waiver programs make travel more convenient for eligible travelers, it’s important to note that there may be limitations and restrictions. These can include restrictions on employment, study, or engaging in activities beyond the scope of the program’s designated purpose. It’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the specific terms and conditions of the visa waiver program to ensure compliance during your visit.

Changes and Updates: Visa waiver programs can undergo changes and updates over time. Countries may modify their eligibility criteria, duration of stay, or travel authorization requirements. Stay informed by regularly checking the official government websites or consulting with the embassy or consulate of the destination country for the most up-to-date information regarding the visa waiver program.

Visa waiver programs can simplify travel for eligible visitors, allowing them to explore countries without the need for a traditional tourist visa. However, it’s important to ensure that you meet all the criteria and requirements of the program, as well as comply with the terms and conditions during your stay. Enjoy the benefits of visa waiver programs and make the most of your travel experiences!

Now that we have covered visa waiver programs, let’s discuss the implications and consequences of overstaying a tourist visa.

Overstaying a Tourist Visa

Overstaying a tourist visa refers to staying in a foreign country beyond the permitted duration of your visa. It is important to understand the implications and consequences of overstaying to avoid legal issues and future travel complications:

Penalties and Fines: Overstaying a tourist visa is considered a violation of immigration laws. The consequences vary from country to country, but they can include fines, penalties, and restrictions on future travel to that country. These penalties can be severe and may impact your ability to obtain visas or enter other countries in the future.

Legal Consequences: Overstaying a tourist visa is considered a breach of the country’s immigration laws. In some cases, it may result in deportation or removal from the country. This can be a distressing and disruptive experience that can affect your travel plans and personal reputation.

Future Travel Restrictions: Overstaying a tourist visa can result in your name being flagged in immigration systems. This could lead to difficulties obtaining visas or entry to other countries in the future. It is important to maintain a clean immigration record to avoid complications and ensure smooth travel experiences.

Immigration Bans: Overstaying a tourist visa can lead to immigration bans or restrictions, preventing you from entering the country again for a specific period of time. These bans can range from a few months to several years, depending on the seriousness of the violation and the immigration regulations of the country.

Impact on Visa Applications: Overstaying a tourist visa can have repercussions when applying for visas to other countries. Immigration authorities of different countries often scrutinize travel histories and immigration records. Overstaying may raise concerns about your intentions and adherence to immigration laws, potentially affecting the outcome of future visa applications.

Travel Insurance and Health Coverage: Overstaying a tourist visa may also affect your travel insurance coverage. Insurance policies often have specific limitations and exclusions for travelers who have overstayed their visas. This can result in denied claims or limited coverage for medical expenses or other unforeseen circumstances.

To avoid overstaying a tourist visa, it is crucial to carefully plan your stay within the permitted duration. Keep track of your visa expiry date and make arrangements to exit the country lawfully before the visa expires. If you wish to extend your stay, explore the options for obtaining a visa extension or applying for a different visa category that suits your travel needs.

If you find yourself in a situation where you have unintentionally overstayed your visa, contact the local immigration authorities or your country’s embassy or consulate immediately to discuss your options and resolve the matter as peacefully as possible.

Understanding and respecting the immigration laws of the country you visit is essential for a smooth and enjoyable travel experience. Be sure to adhere to the terms and conditions of your tourist visa and make the most of your time exploring new destinations without violating immigration regulations.

Now that we have discussed the consequences of overstaying a tourist visa, let’s move on to some valuable tips to enhance the success of your tourist visa application.

Tips for a Successful Tourist Visa Application

Applying for a tourist visa can sometimes be a complex and nerve-wracking process. To increase your chances of a successful application, here are some valuable tips to keep in mind:

• Start early: Begin the visa application process well in advance of your planned travel dates. This allows ample time for gathering the required documents, completing the application accurately, and dealing with any unexpected delays.
• Check the requirements: Thoroughly review the specific visa requirements and guidelines provided by the embassy or consulate of the destination country. Make sure you have all the necessary documents and meet the eligibility criteria.
• Submit a complete application: Ensure your application is complete and error-free. Double-check all the forms, supporting documents, and personal information to avoid any mistakes or omissions that may result in delays or a denied application.
• Be truthful and consistent: Provide honest and accurate information in your application. Inconsistencies or discrepancies can raise doubts and lead to a visa denial. Prepare your answers for any interview questions that may be asked during the application process.
• Provide strong ties to your home country: Emphasize your connections and commitments to your home country. This can include employment letters, property ownership documents, family ties, or any evidence that demonstrates your intention to return after your trip.
• Demonstrate financial stability: Submit clear and verifiable proof of your financial means to cover your travel expenses. This can include bank statements, employment letters, or sponsor letters, depending on your circumstances.
• Prepare a detailed itinerary: Present a well-structured travel itinerary that outlines your planned activities, destinations, and accommodations. This demonstrates preparedness and a clear purpose for your trip.
• Be organized: Keep all your documents, including passports, visa applications, and supporting materials, organized and readily accessible. This helps streamline the application process and ensures easy retrieval of information if needed.
• Seek professional guidance, if necessary: If you are unsure about the visa application process or if your situation is complex, consider consulting with a reputable travel agency or immigration lawyer who can provide personalized assistance and advice.
• Follow up on your application: After submitting your application, monitor its progress and be proactive in following up with the embassy or consulate if necessary. This demonstrates your interest and commitment to the process.

Remember that each visa application is unique, and the success of your application ultimately rests with the immigration authorities. Providing complete and accurate information, along with strong supporting documents, increases your chances of a positive outcome.

Lastly, maintain a positive mindset throughout the application process. Even if your application is denied, use it as a learning experience and consider reapplying after addressing any concerns or weaknesses in your previous application.

Now that you’re armed with these valuable tips, you’re well-prepared to embark on the journey of applying for a tourist visa. Safe travels and enjoy your adventure!

Conclude the article with a short paragraph summarizing the main points discussed.

Obtaining a tourist visa is an essential step in planning your travel adventure. Understanding the intricacies of the visa application process, the types of visas available, and the documentation required is crucial to ensure a successful outcome. This comprehensive travel guide has provided you with valuable insights into the world of tourist visas, covering topics such as the definition of a tourist visa, various visa types, the application process, required documents, visa fees, processing time, visa extensions, rights and limitations, entry and exit requirements, visa waiver programs, overstaying consequences, and tips for a successful application.

By following the tips and guidance provided, you can approach your visa application with confidence and maximize your chances of obtaining a tourist visa for your desired destination. Remember to start early, gather all the necessary documents, be truthful and consistent, and demonstrate your ties to your home country. Seeking professional advice when needed and staying organized throughout the process can also greatly contribute to a positive outcome.

Always be aware of the rights and limitations associated with your tourist visa, respecting the immigration laws of the country you plan to visit. Adhere to the entry and exit requirements, and avoid overstaying your visa to prevent any legal complications or future travel restrictions. Additionally, familiarize yourself with visa waiver programs that offer convenience for certain travelers and enjoy the benefits of easier border crossings.

Applying for a tourist visa may seem daunting, but with the proper knowledge and preparation, you can navigate the process successfully. Remember, each visa application is unique, and outcomes may vary. Stay patient and optimistic throughout the journey, using any denials as opportunities to learn and improve for future applications.

Now, armed with this comprehensive guide, you are ready to embark on your travel plans with a solid understanding of tourist visas and how to navigate the application process. Good luck, happy travels, and may your journey be filled with unforgettable experiences and cherished memories!

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

• Visa types Tourist Visa Transit Visa Multi - Single Entry
• Status of my visa
• Choose a visa Angola Antigua and Barbuda Armenia Australia Azerbaijan Bahrain Benin Brazil Cambodia Canada Colombia Cuba Djibouti Dominican Republic Egypt Ethiopia Europe Georgia Guinea India Ivory Coast Kenya Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Madagascar Mexico Montserrat Myanmar Nepal New Zealand Oman Papua New Guinea Puerto Rico Russia Rwanda Saudi Arabia Singapore Sri Lanka Tanzania Thailand Turkey Uganda United Arab Emirates United States Vietnam Zambia Zimbabwe

Tourist Visa

What is a tourist visa.

A tourist visa is a travel document that allows you to travel to a foreign country for leisure, or business purposes (attending meetings or conferences, no economic remuneration). To work, study, or start a company, you are required to apply for a specific visa. Every country has its own rules and types of visa. Under certain conditions, you will even be exempted from a visa . For some countries, you will only need to register online (e.g.: ESTA for USA, ETA for Canada), or you can travel freely with your ID (e.g.: Schengen area). When it comes to types of tourist visa, each country has its own. Some only allow one short stay and others allow multiple visits during more than half a year. Sometimes it may be difficult to compare different types of visas and know the requirements for each country. The goal of Visagov is to make it easier for you to choose the right one and apply for it fast and easy .

How to get a tourist visa?

Until recently, you had to go to the country’s nearest embassy, wasting time and money. Now, many governments have the eVisa or the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system that allows the whole application and approval process to be carried out online. This saves time and bureaucracy headaches. It's easy, just choose your destination on our website, see the requirements and check your eligibility . After that, it's just one form and you will get your tourist visa in a few days.

How much is a tourist visa?

The price of a tourist visa depends on the country you are travelling to, and the type of visa you choose. There are some types that are free, but some can cost well over 100 EUR/USD . Please choose the country you plan to visit in the section below and see the visa options and their prices. If the country offers more types of the visa, the golden rule is: the more days you are allowed to stay, the more expensive. We also charge a processing fee which covers the handling of the visa, communication with the government and 24/7 assistance. You can also purchase the express visa, these are processed in a couple of hours, but the price is slightly higher.

Our top tourist visas

This is a privately owned website and not a government agency. FTC Disclosure: We may be compensated if you make a purchase via a link on this site.

Uspassporthelpguide.com is a privately owned website. Privacy

Tourist Visa

Are you planning a business trip or vacation abroad and need to obtain a tourist visa? Before global travel became more restricted due to the pandemic, there were various steps that travelers had to take in order to be approved for an entry visa. With the changing landscape of international travel, it can be daunting for those who aren’t sure which rules apply and how to obtain a tourist visa.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is a Tourist Visa?

A tourist visa is a permission granted to foreigners to travel within a country for leisure activities. It is essential to obtain a tourist visa before traveling for sightseeing and non-business-related purposes. Tourist visas are granted for a specific period of time, depending on the country being visited and the purpose of the trip.

Leisure Activities List

• Visiting friends and family
• Participating in social events hosted by certain organizations
• Medical care and treatment
• Participation in musical or athletic events if you are not being paid for your services

What Are the Requirements for a Tourist Visa?

When applying for a tourist visa, you will need to get all documents ready to show the immigration officer. When applying you will need the following documents below:

• Passport with more than six months of passport validity
• Passport Photos
• Travel Insurance
• Evidence of Financial Support
• Proof of Accommodation
• Proof of Return flight
• Proof you paid all required visa fees.

Some countries require your passport to have six months passport validity beyond your planned period of stay in the country and at least one blank visa. To enter the U.S. for tourism or business, you may need a visitor visa, also known as a tourist visa.

What Activities You Cannot Do If You Have a Visitor Visa?

Visitor visas are for tourism or visiting family only. Working or studying is not allowed, nor is accepting payment. Tourists can engage in activities such as sightseeing but must follow visa guidelines . Violating visa terms can lead to immediate deportation.

Is Tourist Visa Single or Multiply Entry?

As a professional in the travel industry, it is important to understand the difference between a single-entry and multiple-entry tourist visa . A single-entry visa allows the traveler to enter the country once and stay for a specified period before departing.

On the other hand, a multiple-entry visa grants the traveler the flexibility to enter and exit the country multiple times during the validity period of the visa. This is ideal for those who plan to visit neighboring countries or travel within the same region during their stay.

Do You Need a Visa to Enter the United States?

The eligibility for a visa depends on the country you are from. You can check if you are eligible for a visa on Help Guide . Simply enter your home country and select the United States to find the relevant information.

What is the Visa Waiver Program ?

You must be a citizen or national of the VWP-designated countries to be able to travel to the United States under the VWP.

To be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) , British citizens must have the unrestricted right of permanent residency in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.

Travelers Must Have a Valid ESTA

To travel visa-free to the U.S. through the VWP, you must obtain authorization via ESTA before boarding a U.S.-bound air or sea carrier. ESTA is an online system managed by CBP to check your eligibility for VWP travel for business or tourism.

Is a Transit ESTA Difference From a Normal ESTA?

The USA transit visa and the ESTA serve different purposes. The transit visa is meant for individuals who are traveling through the US continuously, whereas the ESTA is issued to citizens of countries that fall under the US Visa Waiver Program.

How Much is The ESTA Transit Fee?

When you need an ESTA for transit in the USA, the only way to apply for one is online. The ESTA application process remains the same regardless of whether it’s just for a stopover or for a longer stay. To complete the application, you must pay a mandatory fee of $21 using your credit card to validate the application.

What Do I Need to Fill out B1/B2 Visa Application?

The B1/B2 visa is valid for ten years from the issue date. However, for each entry, you are allowed to stay in the United States of America for a maximum of 180 days or six months.

Getting a B1/B2 visa is easy if you follow the checklist below. Once completed, processing the application through the Help Guide is simple.

• Valid Passport : When applying for a visa, your passport should be valid for at least six months from the travel date.
• For a passport application , you need a recent digital photo that meets standard passport requirements, including no glasses, scarves, or masks.
• Copies of passport visas.
• Supporting Documents

How Long Does it Take to Get a Visa?

It typically takes 3 to 5 weeks to process a US visa application. Once the application is processed, the consulate will issue a decision and deliver the document. But this would depend on how you applied and the time of year you applied for your visa.

Applicants must provide attested bank statements for the past six months, showing sufficient balance, as well as income tax returns for the last three years. They must also submit a travel itinerary for their trip.

Depends we recommend showing a minimum of $6000 to $15000.00 on your bank statement. But the more you show would be better for y

After all is said and done, visiting a foreign country – even with the best intentions – requires jumping through a few hoops. Knowing what type of visa you need is critical when traveling overseas, and this blog post hopefully made that task easier by breaking down the various visas available .

From tourist visas to working holidays to student visas, understanding the rules and regulations is key. Want to take your first steps towards booking a trip abroad?

Then make sure to begin the process today by filling out your U.S. passport forms ! Doing so will confirm your identity prior to commencing with any other specific requirements for your chosen destination country.

Get an Expedited Passport in As Little as 24 Hours!

Looking to travel in 30 days? And need to replace your passport, renew passport or get a new passport. U.S. Passport Help Guide provides all passport expediting services with passport services starting as low $199.00

Related Topics

4 Things You Will Forget Before Studying Abroad

Traveling Can be Dangerous: What to Do About a Stolen Passport

Where Can I Travel With Just A Passport Card?

Choose your passport office location, passport services.

•  New Passport
•  Passport Renewal
•  Child Passport
•  Passport Replacement
•  Name Change
•  Lost Passport
•  Passport Correction
•  Second Passport
•  Passport Card

Where to Apply

•  Passport Offices
•  Expedited Services
•  Regional Passport
•  Expedited Visa & Passport Directory
•  Acceptance Agent

Passport Forms

•  Passport Photos
•  Passport Requirements
•  Passport Fees
•  Passport Books
•  Passport Applications
•  International Drivers Permit
•  Travel Visa

Do you really want to delete this post ?

Featured on

• What is a visa?
• Electronic Visa (eVisa)
• Visa on Arrival
• Appointment Required Visa
• Invitation Letter
• Arrival Card
• Passport Renewal
• Project Kosmos: Meet the man with the world's most challenging travel schedule
• Australia Visa and ETA Requirements for US Citizens Explained
• Brazil eVisa for US Citizens
• India Tourist Visa for UK Citizens
• Possible B1/B2 Visa Questions During the Interview

Select Your Language

• Nederlandse
• 中文 (Zhōngwén), 汉语, 漢語

Select Your Currency

• AED United Arab Emirates Dirham
• AFN Afghan Afghani
• ALL Albanian Lek
• AMD Armenian Dram
• ANG Netherlands Antillean Guilder
• AOA Angolan Kwanza
• ARS Argentine Peso
• AUD Australian Dollar
• AWG Aruban Florin
• AZN Azerbaijani Manat
• BAM Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark
• BBD Barbadian Dollar
• BDT Bangladeshi Taka
• BGN Bulgarian Lev
• BIF Burundian Franc
• BMD Bermudan Dollar
• BND Brunei Dollar
• BOB Bolivian Boliviano
• BRL Brazilian Real
• BSD Bahamian Dollar
• BWP Botswanan Pula
• BZD Belize Dollar
• CAD Canadian Dollar
• CDF Congolese Franc
• CHF Swiss Franc
• CLP Chilean Peso
• CNY Chinese Yuan
• COP Colombian Peso
• CRC Costa Rican Colón
• CVE Cape Verdean Escudo
• CZK Czech Republic Koruna
• DJF Djiboutian Franc
• DKK Danish Krone
• DOP Dominican Peso
• DZD Algerian Dinar
• EGP Egyptian Pound
• ETB Ethiopian Birr
• FJD Fijian Dollar
• FKP Falkland Islands Pound
• GBP British Pound Sterling
• GEL Georgian Lari
• GIP Gibraltar Pound
• GMD Gambian Dalasi
• GNF Guinean Franc
• GTQ Guatemalan Quetzal
• GYD Guyanaese Dollar
• HKD Hong Kong Dollar
• HNL Honduran Lempira
• HTG Haitian Gourde
• HUF Hungarian Forint
• IDR Indonesian Rupiah
• ILS Israeli New Sheqel
• INR Indian Rupee
• ISK Icelandic Króna
• JMD Jamaican Dollar
• JPY Japanese Yen
• KES Kenyan Shilling
• KGS Kyrgystani Som
• KHR Cambodian Riel
• KMF Comorian Franc
• KRW South Korean Won
• KYD Cayman Islands Dollar
• KZT Kazakhstani Tenge
• LAK Laotian Kip
• LBP Lebanese Pound
• LKR Sri Lankan Rupee
• LRD Liberian Dollar
• LSL Lesotho Loti
• MAD Moroccan Dirham
• MDL Moldovan Leu
• MGA Malagasy Ariary
• MKD Macedonian Denar
• MNT Mongolian Tugrik
• MOP Macanese Pataca
• MUR Mauritian Rupee
• MVR Maldivian Rufiyaa
• MWK Malawian Kwacha
• MXN Mexican Peso
• MYR Malaysian Ringgit
• MZN Mozambican Metical
• NAD Namibian Dollar
• NGN Nigerian Naira
• NIO Nicaraguan Córdoba
• NOK Norwegian Krone
• NPR Nepalese Rupee
• NZD New Zealand Dollar
• OMR Omani Rial
• PAB Panamanian Balboa
• PEN Peruvian Nuevo Sol
• PGK Papua New Guinean Kina
• PHP Philippine Peso
• PKR Pakistani Rupee
• PLN Polish Zloty
• PYG Paraguayan Guarani
• QAR Qatari Rial
• RON Romanian Leu
• RSD Serbian Dinar
• RUB Russian Ruble
• RWF Rwandan Franc
• SAR Saudi Riyal
• SBD Solomon Islands Dollar
• SCR Seychellois Rupee
• SEK Swedish Krona
• SGD Singapore Dollar
• SHP Saint Helena Pound
• SLL Sierra Leonean Leone
• SOS Somali Shilling
• SRD Surinamese Dollar
• SVC Salvadoran Colón
• SZL Swazi Lilangeni
• THB Thai Baht
• TJS Tajikistani Somoni
• TOP Tongan Pa anga
• TRY Turkish Lira
• TTD Trinidad and Tobago Dollar
• TWD New Taiwan Dollar
• TZS Tanzanian Shilling
• UAH Ukrainian Hryvnia
• UGX Ugandan Shilling
• USD United States Dollar
• UYU Uruguayan Peso
• UZS Uzbekistan Som
• VND Vietnamese Dong
• VUV Vanuatu Vatu
• WST Samoan Tala
• XAF CFA Franc BEAC
• XCD East Caribbean Dollar
• XOF CFA Franc BCEAO
• XPF CFP Franc
• YER Yemeni Rial
• ZAR South African Rand
• ZMW Zambian Kwacha

We've updated our app!

Download it now

What is a Visa: Definition and All Types of Visas

Are you planning to study in the United States? Or enjoying a vacation in Europe? When traveling to a foreign country, a visitor usually needs to apply for a visa . There are various visas, and the correct visa category will depend on the purpose of your visit.

Each country has its own immigration laws, so you will find different requirements to travel for each country. However, the types of visa and application processes are very similar. Your visa category will depend on your travel purpose and the options available for your nationality.

This article explains the different types of visas, visa applications, and their requirements. Count on iVisa to simplify travel and get the documents you need to explore the world.

What is a Visa?

A visa is an official document or stamp placed in a passport that grants the holder permission to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in a foreign country. It is issued by the country the traveler wishes to visit based on their specific immigration and entry policies.

Obtaining a visa often involves an application process, where the applicant must provide personal details, reasons for travel, and, in some cases, evidence of financial means or an invitation from a host in the destination country. The requirements and process for obtaining a visa can differ significantly from one country to another, reflecting their individual security, economic, and diplomatic considerations.

Visa categories according to the travel purpose

The purpose of your travel will determine which type of visa you need. There are different visa requirements based on what you plan to do on your trip. The local authorities will request documents to prove your travel intentions and that you can afford the costs. Here are some of the most popular types of visas .

Tourist Visa

When planning a vacation, travelers usually need to apply for tourist visas online or through an embassy. Also known as visitor visas, tourist visas allow foreign nationals to stay in the country for leisure , visit family members and friends, or for other recreational purposes.

Tourist visas permit visitors to enter the country for a short-term stay , ranging from 15 days to six months. The duration of stay and visa validity varies depending on the country and the nationalities eligible for the visa.

This type of visa is a non-immigrant visa , so it doesn't have many requirements. Often, all you need is to prove the intention to return to your home country. Immigration authorities usually ask for the following documents:

A valid passport

Passport-size photographs. Use iVisa Passport Photo Service if you need one.

Proof of accommodation

Return air ticket

Sufficient funds to cover your expenses during the stay

Travel itinerary

iVisa helps you to apply online for tourist visas to visit many countries! Count on our services to get your travel document in a few clicks or full guidance to apply for complex visas, like the B1/B2 to visit the U.S. Use the Visa Checker Tool to see if there is a tourist visa available for your next destination.

Business Visa

This type of visa is for business travelers. You can apply for a business visa when your trip is for business purposes , such as attending a conference, meeting with clients, or exploring business opportunities. Many countries include tourism and business trips in the same visa category, usually tourist or visitor visas. However, in some cases, the government is more specific and requires an exclusive visa for business activities .

Most times, you can apply online, meeting just a few visa requirements, such as the following:

Passport-size photographs. Remember you can use the Passport Photo Service .

Business invitation letter from the host company

Medical Visa

This visa is required for medical treatment . Some destinations are known for their medical treatments and create a special medical visa to control the flow of tourists aiming for health services. That’s why you find visas such as the India Medical eVisa .

This visa category usually has medical requirements and proof that the traveler intends to return to their home country. It’s common to have to provide the following documents:

Medical certificate from a recognized medical institution

Sufficient funds to cover your medical expenses during the stay

Work visas allow legal work in the country . It’s issued to a visa applicant who has been offered a job in a foreign country and wishes to work there, so it’s part of the immigrant visa categories.

The visa validity varies in each country but usually ranges from one to three years. Applying for this visa, travelers need to prove they have a job and are qualified by providing the following documents:

Passport-size photographs

Work contract from the host company

Educational qualifications and professional experience

Usually, you can’t apply online for work visas. You must check the visa application process and requirements for your work visa with your nearest embassy.

Student Visa

Do you want to study abroad? You must apply for a student visa with a consular officer. To get this travel document, you must be accepted to study at an educational institution in the country. The student visa validity changes depending on the country and the course duration.

Some countries allow you to work with a student visa, while others only permit you to study. To apply, you typically need to provide the following documents:

Acceptance letter from the educational institution

Educational qualifications

Au pair Visa

Some countries offer an Au Pair visa. This visa category is for applicants who want to reside legally in the country while caring for children in a program-approved host family. It’s usually valid for 12 months. In the United States, for example, this US visa is called a J-1 visa and is part of the Exchange Visitor Program.

The specific requirements for an Au Pair visa may vary depending on the country where you plan to work as an au pair. Here are the common requirements for this visa:

Signed contract with the Host Family

Clear criminal record

High School Certificate

Motivation letter

Proof of language skills

Be between 18 and 30 years of age

Remote work is increasingly popular. Since there is no need to go to the office, people work from anywhere with an internet connection. Countries saw the opportunity to offer the nomad visa, allowing these travelers to have a long stay by presenting proof of regular income.

For example, you can live your best life while working remotely with a Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa . In this case, you can easily fill out an online application in just a few minutes. Requirements may vary depending on the country, but you may need some of the following documents:

Proof of remote work

Proof of health insurance

Proof of stable monthly income

Are you interested in this lifestyle? Check the best places to live for digital nomads .

Sponsor Spouse Visa

You got a great job opportunity in another country, received your work visa, and now you need to bring your family members with you. Many countries offer the sponsor spouse visa, a travel document issued to people who wish to join their spouse who is living and working in a foreign country. The Canada Sponsor Visa is an example of this.

To apply for this visa, you may provide some of the following documents:

Marriage certificate

Proof that the spouse has sufficient funds to cover your expenses

Retirement Visa

You worked a lot, and now you want to experience a different culture in another country. Some countries offer a retirement visa for people who wish to enjoy retirement in a foreign country . A visa category like the Chile Retirement and Period Income Visa , for example, allows you to stay a year in the country if you can prove you have sufficient funds.

These are the regular requirements to apply for a retirement visa:

Proof of retirement income

Travel documents according to the application process

There are different ways to apply for the visas above. Each country determines the application process for each visa category , which also may change depending on the traveler’s nationality. For example, some nationals can visit the United States with the US ESTA , an electronic travel authorization that they can apply for online, while others must apply for a B1/B2 visa , which is a paper visa that requires a visa interview appointment for applicants older than 13 and younger than 80.

Use the Visa Checker Tool to see which document you need and learn more about the application processes below.

eVisa: Electronic Visa

Some countries have an electronic system to grant visas and control the flow of visitors by offering the e-visa option, usually for business and tourism purposes. This is a quick and easy way to apply online for a visa. You fill out an application form in a few clicks and receive the document via email. Usually, it has a few requirements, fast processing, and the process is 100% online , and works by linking the visa to your passport electronically.

ETA: Electronic Travel Authorization

An ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is a similar concept to an eVisa but is often used for visa-exempt countries. This travel document is an electronic approval issued in advance of your travel, allowing you to board a flight to the destination country. An ETA allows local authorities to track tourists by collecting personal and travel information from digital forms submitted by travelers. Once you arrive, you may be required to show your ETA approval at immigration.

Visa on arrival

Some countries offer this visa in a Visa Waiver Program , allowing eligible countries to get a visa on arrival. There are cases where travelers may need to fill out an online form before boarding, and others where the entire application process happens at the airport . This can be very inconvenient as it usually involves waiting in long lines to get the visa, but at least you don’t need to deal with the embassy's bureaucratic process. Also, ensure you have all the required documents, or you may need to return home before exploring the country.

In contrast to other application processes, a paper visa is a physical visa issued by a consulate or embassy and attached to a page of your passport. You may need to apply for a paper visa in person or by mail, and it can take several days or weeks to receive the visa. With a paper visa, you may also need to provide additional documentation and undergo an interview process. It’s usually the only option when you need to stay for longer periods in the country, such as work or study visas.

Guided Visa Application

You don't have to face this complex process alone. With iVisa Guided Applications , you can simplify your application process with detailed and easy-to-follow instructions, as well as an exclusive iVisa expert to assist you throughout the process. We provide a shorter and clearer application form compared to embassy forms. Additionally, we will review your documents for 100% compliance with government requirements, reducing the risk of rejection.

Use the Guided Applications to apply for visas such as the Canada Visitor Visa , Bangladesh Visa , and the Schengen Visa , depending on what your plans are.

Do you have questions about visas? Contact our iVisa experts!

There are many travel document options, and sometimes it may be confusing. Contact our customer service team if you have questions. They are available 24/7 and will be happy to help you.

Related Articles

Copa America 2024: Solo traveler's guide

The Easiest Countries for US Citizens to Get a Visa

The hardest visas for US citizens: Tips and strategies for success

• iVisa is NOT affiliated with any government agency. This site does not provide legal advice and we are not a law firm. None of our customer service representatives are lawyers and they also do not provide legal advice. We are a private, internet-based travel and immigration consultancy provider dedicated to helping individuals travel around the world. You may apply by yourself directly on the various government websites. For government source information, please visit our product pages.

• Schengen Visa Types

Example sentences tourist visa

Definition of 'visa' visa.

Definition of 'tourist' tourist

COBUILD Collocations tourist visa

Browse alphabetically tourist visa.

• tourist trade
• tourist traffic
• tourist trap
• tourist visa
• tourist visits
• tourist zone
• All ENGLISH words that begin with 'T'

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Score: 0 / 5

Wordle Helper

Scrabble Tools

• India Today
• Business Today
• Reader’s Digest
• Harper's Bazaar
• Brides Today
• Cosmopolitan
• Aaj Tak Campus
• India Today Hindi

How to get a multi-year Schengen visa on your Indian passport

There's good news for indian passport holders who are planning to visit europe this summer. the eu is easing the schengen visa process for frequent travellers..

Listen to Story

• Visiting Europe is getting easier for Indian passport holders
• A new 'cascade' visa scheme will allow frequent travellers to get a multi-year multiple-entry Schengen visa
• However, you need to meet certain criteria to be able to apply for this 'cascade' visa

There's good news for Indian passport holders who want to visit Europe this year on. The European Union is looking to ease Schengen visa processes for Indian tourists.

You are about to visit:

• Politics & Security
• Economy & Business

What does EU visa relaxation for Saudi, Bahraini, Omani citizens mean?

This week, the European Union (EU) announced a relaxation of Schengen visa rules for the citizens of Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia , making it much easier for nationals of the Gulf countries to visit Europe. 

Background: At the EU- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) High Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation in Luxembourg on Monday, the European Commission adopted three implementing decisions to update the Schengen rules for issuing multiday visas for the three Gulf states. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud headed a delegation from the kingdom in the European country, which also included Ambassador to the EU Haifa Al-Jedea and the Foreign Ministry’s adviser, Manal Radwan.

Announcing the visa rule change during the opening session of the forum, the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said, “I welcome a decision adopted by the European Commission this morning to harmonize the rules for granting multiple-entry visas for the citizens of the GCC countries.”

The GCC includes Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.

At the forum, officials discussed security and strategic cooperation between the GCC and the EU, as well as the conflict in the Gaza Strip and the wider region. 

What are the new visa rules? 

Under the new rules, Bahraini, Omani and Saudi Arabian nationals will be eligible for multiple-entry visas, allowing them to visit the Schengen area (the EU’s 27 member states as well as Bulgaria and Romania) and move freely between them. The area expanded in February 2022 to include the two non-EU states, removing all air and maritime border controls. A decision on whether to remove land border controls will be made at a later date. 

Those who have the visa will be able to visit Schengen area countries multiple times over five years with the same visa. The visa will also apply to first-time travelers to Europe from the three Middle Eastern countries.

Holders of the visas will enjoy the same travel rights as visa-free nationals. 

Other members of the GCC, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar, have different rules regarding getting a Schengen visa. UAE citizens do not need a visa to travel to the Schengen area, but Qataris must apply for one. 

In 2022, the EU said it planned to offer visa-free travel to Kuwait and Qatari nationals. A new visa “cascade scheme” was unveiled for Kuwaitis last September, allowing for all eligible applicants, including those travelling for the first time, to obtain five-year permits.

Know more: The move by the EU comes after the UK government announced in February that nationals from the GCC, including Saudi Arabia, could apply for Electronic Travel Authorization visas , making it easier for them to come to the UK, even on very short notice. The EU decision will allow the 27-nation bloc to remain competitive in providing access to their countries to Saudi nationals, as European countries vie for new investment from wealthy Gulf countries.

On the Gulf side, the Riyadh-headquartered GCC in November announced plans for a unified tourist visa similar to the Schengen visa.

Related Topics

Sign up for our newsletter, daily briefing, the takeaway, week in review, business & tech briefing, security briefing, china-middle east briefing, gulf briefing, turkey briefing, israel briefing, palestine briefing, us confrontation with iran’s proxies: live q&a with jared szuba and elizabeth hagedorn.

The Israel-Hamas War: Live Q&A with Amb. David Satterfield (Part 2)

Choose your path to continue reading

Enjoy your complimentary article.

Provide your email and get free access to one article.

Thank you! Check your email to view your article.

You have already accessed your free article. Please consider subscribing to access all of Al-Monitor.

Or get unlimited all-access

Subscribe now to access all Al-Monitor content.

• All News & Analysis
• Memos & Reports
• All Newsletters

Oops! It looks like you already enjoyed your free article

To continue reading Al-Monitor articles, please subscribe.

Get unlimited all-access

Money latest: 'Stealth' raid on Britons' inheritance revealed; urgent Aldi recall amid police probe; petrol price spikes

Inheritance tax receipts surged to a record high last year due to the government freezing the threshold at which you start to pay. Read this plus all the latest consumer and personal finance news below - and listen to the latest Ian King Business Podcast as you scroll.

Tuesday 23 April 2024 20:41, UK

• Inflation falling doesn't mean we should cut interest rates, Bank of England economist says
• More Britons paying inheritance tax after chancellor freezes threshold - so how can you beat it?
• Aldi recalls product amid police investigation
• Petrol prices hit 150p a litre for first time since November

Essential reads

• 'More important than a will': What are lasting power of attorneys and how much do they cost?
• Ian King analysis : FTSE highs - why is it happening and what does it mean for UK economy?
• Money Problem : My neighbour's trees are damaging my wall, they think they're bigger than the law - what can I do?
• Should you offer kids cash rewards for good grades? Psychologist's view
• Listen to the Ian King Business Podcast above and tap here to follow wherever you get your podcasts

Tesco is being monitored by the UK's supermarket regulator after it began imposing an "Amazon-style" fulfilment fee on online suppliers, according to The Times. 

The supermarket faced criticism after it imposed the fee, which is linked to processing orders, picking and shipping products, and managing returns. 

Brands and suppliers said the fee could put many of them out of business. 

Tesco argued it made the decision after its own fulfilment costs grew when it expanded its online operations.

The smallest suppliers with contracts of £250,000 or less are exempt, but bigger suppliers pay from 12p per item for branded goods and 5p for own brands.

Carpetright has been hit by a cyberattack which has prevented it from trading across its 400 UK stores for almost a week, according to a report. 

Customers have been unable to place orders in its shops since last Thursday, staff told The Times. 

A spokeswoman added that online customers were "largely unaffected" and would be able to make new orders - but the attack will still be a financial blow for the flooring chain. 

BP is rolling out a new crime logging platform and body-worn cameras to improve safety for its staff members. 

The app-based platform will allow staff to report incidents and get in touch with police, as well as helping BP to identify offenders targeting multiple sites across its business. 

The platform will also send an alert when repeat offenders or vehicles of interest are reported on the platform in the local area. 

The government has announced a UK-wide ban on wet wipes containing plastic in a bid to reduce pollution.

According to the Marine Conservation Society, 11 billion wet wipes are used in the UK each year. Of these, 90% contain plastic. 

Discarded wet wipes frequently litter Britain's beaches and eventually break down into microplastics, which contribute to water pollution and damage ecosystems.

The ban, announced yesterday, should go through parliament this summer.

Read more here ...

Rising private school fees are forcing parents to take out loans, move house or turn to taking money from relatives.

More than 71% of 2,000 people surveyed in the Saltus Wealth Index report said the rising cost of private school tuition was impacting choices regarding their children.

Mike Stimpson, a partner at Saltus, said fees had increased by 6% from 2022-23 and were likely to increase another 5% this September. 

Out of the respondents, 21% said they would have to move their children out of private school.

Private school costs average around £24,000 a year, according to The Good Schools Guide.

Rising cigarette prices are prompting more people to quit smoking.

While health concerns still remained the top reason for quitting in a survey of nearly 6,000 people, a quarter of respondents said it was down to the cost of cigarettes - up from a fifth before the pandemic. 

The average price of a packet of 20 cigarettes is more than £14. 

Highlighting the savings that could be made by quitting smoking could help more people to stop, the University College London study said. 

The FTSE-100 has hit a second all-time closing high in as many days. The index of the UK's biggest 100 listed companies, having earlier hit a new intra-day high of 8,075.52 at just after 8.24am, finished the session up 20.94 points, around 0.26%, at 8044.81.

It's worth noting, though, the Footsie has been a relative laggard this year. The S&P 500, America's top stock index, is up 6.91% so far in 2024, Japan's Nikkei 225 is up 12.81% and Germany's DAX 40 is up by 8.30%. 

The Footsie, by contrast, is up by a mere 4.05% even after the rally of recent sessions. So it can hardly be said to be doing well compared with international peers. On top of those already mentioned, the MIB in Italy is up by 13.24% this year and the CAC 40 in France by 7.46%, for example.

Nonetheless, the Footsie hitting a new record close two days running is notable.

There is no shortage of reasons why. 

The most obvious is the recent weakness in sterling. The pound hit a five-month low against an international basket of currencies on Monday following comments from Sir Dave Ramsden, a deputy governor of the Bank of England, on Friday afternoon in which he pointed to the growing likelihood of interest rate cuts in the near future. 

That has weakened the pound against the US dollar in particular. 

Since three-quarters of earnings of FTSE-100 companies are denominated in other currencies, chiefly the US dollar, a fall in the pound against those currencies makes the future earnings generated by Footsie companies - whose shares are denominated in sterling - cheaper to buy in those currencies.

That was certainly behind the big rally seen on Monday -although today sterling rallied on comments from Huw Pill, the Bank's chief economist, which suggests there is more going on. That something is the relative cheapness of the Footsie in comparison with its peers. 

The Footsie currently trades on a price/earnings (P/E) ratio of just 13.22 times - in other words, £1 invested in the index today would be repaid 13.22 years from now. 

That is cheap when set against the DAX in Germany, which trades on a P/E of 14.87 times and the CAC in France, which trades on a P/E of 15.91 times or the SMI in Switzerland, which is on 14.52 times. 

The main US indices, meanwhile, cavort along on P/E ratios of more than 20 times. Only Spain's leading stock index, the IBEX, looks cheaper than the Footsie by comparison.

The conclusion that should emphatically not be drawn is that the Footsie's recent rally is anything to do with the UK's economic outlook, even though the latter is visibly improving. 

The index is chock-full of companies that have little or nothing to do with the UK - such as Fresnillo, a Mexican gold and silver miner; Antofagasta, a Chilean copper and gold miner; and Ashtead Group, a plant and tool hire company which derives £90 in every £100 it earns from the US. 

Even companies thought of as British, such as BP, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Shell and Diageo, the world's biggest scotch whisky and tequila producer, derive the vast majority of their earnings outside the UK. In fact, of the 20 biggest companies in the Footsie, only one - the Lloyds Banking Group - can be said to make most of its income in the UK.

For a better gauge of how corporate Britain is doing, investors are better off looking at the FTSE 250, the next biggest 250 listed companies on the London Stock Exchange and home to household names such as Bellway, Games Workshop and ITV.

Some of these also derive a fair chunk of earnings from outside the UK, such as the cruise operator Carnival, the ingredients producer Tate & Lyle and the catalytic converters group Johnson Matthey. 

But it is also replete with companies that make most or all of their earnings in the UK, such as the property trio British Land, LondonMetric Property and Derwent London, the housebuilder Bellway and everyone's favourite sausage roll emporium Greggs.

In short, the FTSE 250 is a much better guide to sentiment towards UK companies than the FTSE-100. The bad news is that it is only up by a paltry 0.6% this year so far.

Labour has added an amendment to the government's Renters (Reform) Bill that would prevent landlords from selling a property for two years after a tenancy has begun. 

Under the rule, landlords would have to wait two years from the tenancy start date before initiating repossession proceedings. 

The bill aims to reform the private rental sector, and also includes plans to scrap "no fault" evictions, make it illegal for landlords to refuse to rent out to those on benefits or with children, and create a national landlord register. 

It is being debated tomorrow and is in the report stage, meaning MPs can consider further amendments. 

Any amendments will need to be voted through.

Other significant amendments include prevemting tenants from giving notice to quit until they have been in a property for four months. 

As tenants have to give two months' notice, this effectively means they will need to stay in a property for six months. 

Tory MP Natalie Elphicke has also added an amendment requiring landlords to pay renters and unspecified relocation fee if if they asked them to leave a property within the first two years of a tenancy.

Recent falls in inflation may have spurred talk of interest rate cuts, but the Bank of England's deputy governor has said this is not necessarily enough reason to slash rates. 

Speaking at the University of Chicago, Huw Pill said it would be better to cut rates too late rather than too early. 

He said little had changed with the inflation and interest rate situation since late March, and that there were "greater risks" associated with going too early. 

Despite optimism among some, Mr Pill said there is still a "reasonable way to go" before inflation has stabilised to the level needed for the UK to meet its 2% inflation target in a sustainable way. 

"This assessment further supports my relatively cautious approach to starting to reduce Bank rate," he said. 

Mr Pill had voted to keep the Bank rate unchanged at 5.25% in the most recent meetings of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee in March. 

Inflation currently stands at 3.2% - the lowest rate since September 2021. 

This is still above the Bank's target of 2%. 

The next Bank rate decision is next week - but markets don't expect a cut then. June is seen as more likely - though Mr Pill's comments cast some doubt on that.

Petrol prices are exceeding 150p per litre for the first time since last November, according to new data.

Figures from the website Fuel Prices Online shows typical pump prices reached 150.1p per litre on Monday.

The average price of a litre of diesel is also at the highest level since November 2023, at 158.3p.

Experts say rising fuel prices in recent weeks can be attributed to an increase in the cost of oil and a weakening of the pound versus the US dollar.

AA fuel price spokesman Luke Bosdet said while inflation was heading downwards, petrol's rebound to 150p a litre left a "big boulder in the road".

He said: "Five days of falling wholesale costs, with the value of oil coming off the boil, offers hope that pump prices may not get much worse in the short-term.

"However, road fuel priced above 150p a litre grabs the attention of drivers and will lead some to re-tighten their belts on other spending."

The annual 100 fastest growing UK businesses list has been published, with the country's largest electric vehicle fast charging network in top spot.

Environmentally conscious companies dominate the ORESA Growth Index 2024 - with three of the top 10 companies participating in the clean and renewable energy market.

There was also success for the retail sector, with 24 businesses in the list, while the construction and logistics sectors have also seen signs of recovery since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Topping this year's list is Basingstoke-based green energy business InstaVolt, which had an annual growth rate of 362.55%.

The company is the largest owner-operator of rapid public chargers in the UK, with 1,500 charging points.

In 2022-23, the company's third financial year, its revenues hit £18.6m.

Here's the top 10...

Regional success

While London and the South East dominate the list with 59 companies, Northern Ireland has four - up from zero in the past two years. 

Companies from Yorkshire and Humber and the North East have increased from six to 10 and from zero to one respectively, while the East Midlands has gone down to six from nine in 2023. 

Inheritance tax receipts surged to a record high last year due to the government freezing the threshold at which you start to pay.

Official figures show the government received £7.5bn in inheritance tax (IHT) receipts in the financial year to the end of March - an increase of £400m on the same period the previous year. 

(More widely, total tax receipts were £827.7bn - £39.1bn higher than the same period last year - due in part to inflation and other tax threshold freezes.)

Inheritance tax is a tax on the estate of someone who has died - including all property, possessions and money - and is only charged above the tax-free threshold of £325,000. 

This threshold has been frozen by the chancellor until 2028.

So, with inflation boosting the value of people's estates, more people are being dragged above the threshold.

The standard inheritance tax rate is 40%. 

Jonathan Halberda, specialist financial adviser at Wesleyan Financial Services, says more families "can expect to be caught in its net".

So what can be done to ensure families can keep their wealth? 

Use the inheritance tax spouse exemption

Mr Halberda says if you leave your entire estate to your spouse or civil partner, there will be no inheritance tax to pay - even if its value exceeds £325,000. 

Make a will

Doing this can mean you can distribute assets to take advantage of tax-free allowances. 

"Assets in trusts are no longer in your name and therefore not considered when valuing your estate for inheritance tax," Mr Halberda says. 

Gift giving 

Gifting money or assets to loved ones before you die can avoid inheritance tax, but there are limits on how much you can give away and who to. 

Gifts to charity 

Leaving gifts to registered UK charities in your will is exempt from inheritance tax.

By Daniel Binns, business reporter

The FTSE 100 has hit another all-time high this morning following its record performance yesterday.

The index, of the 100 most valuable companies on the London Stock Exchange, soared to 8,071 points shortly after the opening. It marks a new "intraday" (during the day) record.

Later in the morning, the FTSE 100 eased back to 8,060 points, but was still up nearly 0.5% on yesterday. The score is based on a calculation of the total value of the shares on the index.

It comes after the index reported a record-high closing figure of 8,023 yesterday following a fall in the value of the pound. A lower pound makes it cheaper for foreign investors to invest in FTSE companies.

One of the reasons the pound is falling against the dollar is interest rates are expected to stay higher for longer in the US - meaning investors will get better returns on their US investments.

The strong performance this morning raises the prospect we could see another record close at the end of today's trading.

Danni Hewson, from investment platform AJ Bell, said the figures were "psychologically important for investors and for London markets as a whole" as the capital has been lagging behind its rivals, particularly the US, in recent years.

Among the firms doing very well this morning is JD Sports. The retailer's shares are up more than 7% in early trading following reports that it is set to buy US rival Hibbett for $1.08bn (£0.87bn).

On the currency markets, £1 will buy you $1.23 US or €1.15, similar to yesterday's five-month lows for the pound.

The price of a barrel of Brent crude oil is up almost 1% at nearly $88 (£71) this morning.

Aldi has recalled one of its products and a police investigation has been launched over fears it "may have been tampered with".

The supermarket has pulled its Village Bakery 8 Tortilla Wraps White, citing safety fears over the "possible presence of metal". 

The recall affects items with best before dates up to and including 29 April 2024, and with a pack size of 8x62g.

Anyone who has bought the item is being urged to bring it back to their nearest Aldi. 

Notices have been posted at the stores telling customers not to eat the wraps. 

Aldi said its products go through "rigorous safety and quality checks" and the item was being recalled as a "precautionary measure".

"As there is an active police investigation we are not able to comment any further on this matter at this time," it said. 

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) also said Signature Flatbreads UK, which makes the wraps, is "working with the relevant food and police agencies to investigate the cause of the contamination".

No other items from the company are affected, it said.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free