Obtaining a Visa

An authorization given by the government of another country permitting a foreigner to enter that country for a specified purpose and period of time is called a visa. It is usually stamped in the passport of the visitor, although in some instances it may be on a separate paper. A visa may authorize only one visit or multiple entries to the country. But most countries in North America and Europe no longer require visas for a tourist visit, or even some business visits of limited duration, which may typically be up to 90 days. Consulates located in your home country issue a visa for the country to be visited. There may be several or only one consulate in your country representing your destination country, or perhaps only a consular section attached to the embassy.

Some countries demand obtaining visa prior to traveling to the country, although in some instances visas can be obtained at the port of entry. An expatriate and spouse, sometimes accompanied by one or more children, usually will make at least one preliminary trip to the country of assignment to look for housing and to arrange for schools. It is required by most countries that any foreigner taking up residence or doing business within their borders for an extended period must obtain appropriate visas. Inquiring about visas, make sure you specify that you are relocating to the country. It is very important as you will have problems if you obtain the wrong type of visa.

Obtaining a visa that entitles you to live and work in a different country is far from being a straight forward process.

There are numerous categories of visas or permits providing legal entrance and residence, all dependent on individual circumstances. You have to apply for the one that will best meet your objectives. And before obtaining it you have to find out more about visa in the embassy of the country.

Quotas are often imposed by most countries often to regulate the number of people arriving in the country. And it is possible that your application might be turned down simply because you applied at the wrong time.

However, there are cases when even some of the most carefully prepared visa applications are rejected for seemingly the slightest of reasons. It's the embassy official's job to look for reasons to reject -not accept - your application! Also the success of your application may depend on the pass or pool mark in force at the time your application is assessed - not at the time it is lodged.

A new life abroad is uniquely qualified to evaluate the options available to you personally - and to provide you with the means of exploiting them.