If you have never applied for an electronic visa before, all you need to know is that you have never enjoyed a faster and smoother visa application process in your life. You do not have to go anywhere, you do not have to send or leave your passport anywhere, and you can apply for the travel document you need from anywhere and at any hour of the day or night. Now, to put your mind at ease when it comes to the difficulty level of an online visa application process, we provide a quick step-by-step guide for you to follow.
Step one: see if you are eligible for an electronic visa
There is no point in doing anything else if you do not qualify for the electronic visa you are interested in. While many countries adopted the electronic visa system in recent years, not all of them did, which is why it really depends on where you plan on going.
There are two aspects you need to do research on. One, you have to check if the country you are interested in visiting does release electronic visas, and two, if it does release eVisas, are you eligible for one? Just because a particular eVisa exists does not mean that you can automatically apply for one. There are treaties and accords among countries that decide which nationalities are eligible for this type of travel document.
To find out this piece of information, you can Google the visa policy of the country you want to go to and check the list of eligible nationalities for an eVisa provided that there is one.
Step two: find an online visa service
Ever since the electronic visa became more popular, many companies that facilitate the application process hit the market. Finding one that suits you may be confusing. However, you should read online reviews about several such services and decide on one that brings the most benefits. Finding a good fit is essential, so take your time.
Step three: make sure to meet the requirements
Once you find out that you are eligible for an eVisa and found a suitable and trustworthy online visa service, you can proceed to begin the online visa application process. That starts with putting together the requirements. Every eVisa out there will ask for some valuable information and documents. While the list of requirements differs depending on the eVisa, keep in mind that you cannot apply for one without a passport. The passport is the common denominator for all types of visas. You should also make sure that it maintains its validity status for another 6 months from arrival and has at least one blank page.
Other requirements may apply, and you will be notified about what is necessary for a successful application process by the visa service you decide to use.
Step four: fill in the application form
An eVisa implies an online application form as well. It depends on the visa service you use, but most online forms are short and easy to go through. However, you have to be cautious when you complete the form. You are not allowed to make any mistakes in the process. If you happen to submit a form that contains errors, the eVisa you receive is invalid, and you have to apply for a new one. Make sure to check the content of your form more than once before you submit it to avoid all that hassle.
Step five: cover the payment
During the application process, when you fill in the form, you will also be asked to make the payment. The amount you are charged covers both the cost of the visa and the service fee you owe to the company that facilitates the application process. Sometimes, the visa itself is free, but the service fee must be covered anyway. It depends on the eVisa you want to apply for.
Step six: wait for your eVisa to be ready
After you submit your application, all you can do is wait. If your application is approved, the eVisa will be linked to your passport electronically, but you will receive a confirmation via e-mail as well. In most cases, that confirmation must be printed out and presented at the immigration office along with your passport.
