The What Is a Visa Policy?
Follow all visa Policy for your destination and provide any required or requested visa document.
What Is a Visa Policy?
A country’s visa policy is a rule that states who may or may not enter the country. The policy may allow passport holders of one country to enter visa-free but not the passport holders of another country. Most visa policies are bilateral, meaning that two countries will allow visa-free travel to each other’s citizens, but this is not always the case. For example, Canadian passport holders may travel to Grenada visa-free, but Grenadians must apply for a visa in order to travel to Canada.
There are no hard and fast rules for countries when determining visa policies. However, some typical considerations include diplomatic relations with the other country, the history, if any, of illegal immigration from the country, cost and tourism factors, and more.
Why Do Certain Countries Have Visa Restrictions?
Countries have visa restrictions in order to check and control the flow of visitors in and out of the country and to prevent illegal immigration and other criminal activities. Forcing travellers to apply for a visa allows the authorities to vet potential visitors. For example, individuals may attempt to travel to a country with better economic opportunities in order to work illegally there.
When Do I Need a Visa?
When you need a visa depends on where you’d like to go. If your home country has a visa agreement with the country to which you intend to travel, then you likely will not need to apply for a visa beforehand. However, if your home country does not have a visa agreement with your intended destination, then you must apply for a visa before travelling.
See our Africa Visa Index to find out where you can travel visa-free with your passport.
How Do I Apply for a Visa?
Using your preferred search engine, find the official government immigration or at africatourvisa website of the country you intend to visit. Once you’ve found and read all the information, including the visa application requirements, fill out the required travel visa application form. You may be able to send in the form electronically or you may be required to send it by mail. If your destination requires visa on arrival, then you don’t need to worry about applying for a travel visa beforehand. In this case, once you get to your destination you may be required to fill out a visa form and pay any applicable fees. Double check the requirements with the consulate as you may need to bring a passport-sized photo as well. or or at africatourvisa website.
Which Africa Countries Can I Travel to Visa-Free?
Check out Passport Index to find out where you can travel visa-free with your current passport. Currently UAE has the most visa-free access with 175 countries, while Afghanistan has the least access with visa-free travel to only 30 countries.
Visa-Free Vs. Visa on Arrival Vs. Visa Required
Visa-free refers to the ability to travel to a foreign country without the need for a travel visa. In such a case only a valid passport is required for entry and exit purposes.
Visa on arrival means that travellers must obtain a visa in order to enter the destination country, but it can be obtained upon arrival. Visitors do not need to apply for a travel visa beforehand.
Visa required means that travellers must apply for a visa to the country before actually travelling there.
See our Africa Visa Index to find out where you can travel visa-free with your passport.
How Are Travel Visas Linked to My Passport?
In order to apply for a travel visa, applicants must have a valid passport as the visa is typically stamped or glued into the passport. In the case of eVisas, the visa is linked to your passport number in the country’s travel database.
Which Countries Can I Visit Visa-Free With the US Passport?
The U.S. passport has a mobility score of 166, meaning holders can visit 156 countries without the need for a travel visa. See our Visa Index for the complete list.
When Was the First Visa Ever Issued?
The first mention of what we would think of as a visa is in the Bible’s book of Nehemiah from approximately 450 BC. A prophet was given a “safe conduct” letter from the Persian king Artaxerxes asking that he be granted safe passage to Judah.