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Applying for a visa for the first time

A first visa application looks scarier than it is. Most of the stress comes from not knowing the steps, or finding out too late. Here they are, in order.

First, work out which kind you need

Not every trip needs a visa, and not every visa is the same amount of work. Some places you walk into visa-free, some give you a visa on arrival, some need a quick online approval, and some need a full application in advance. Knowing which one applies to your passport is the whole game. Our guide to visa-free, on arrival, ETA and e-visa breaks down the difference.

What you will usually need

Most applications ask for a similar set of things: a passport with enough validity left (see the six-month rule), a passport photo to the right spec, proof of where you are staying, proof you can fund the trip, and often proof of travel insurance and a return ticket. Gather these before you start the form, and the form takes minutes instead of an evening.

How long it really takes

This is where trips are lost. An e-visa might be advertised at five to fifteen working days, and a full visa can take much longer in busy seasons. Working days do not include weekends or public holidays, so the real calendar time is longer than it looks. The rule is simple: apply as early as you can, and never book non-refundable flights until your visa is approved.

The mistakes that cost people their trip

Three come up again and again. Applying too late and missing the processing window. Booking flights first, then discovering the visa will not arrive in time. And letting passport validity slip below six months. All three are avoidable with a little lead time, and all three are exactly what Journara watches for you.

Before you travel

Since many visas ask for proof of insurance anyway, it is worth sorting cover early rather than at the airport. A policy that travels with you often satisfies the requirement and saves a last-minute scramble.