Matt Jones of Global Visas explains how travel visas work for the UK, the US, Canada and Australia.
Before setting off on an international journey the prudent traveler must find out if he/she will need to obtain a travel visa. Entering a country without a visa or with the wrong type of visa can result in deportation and being banned from ever visiting that country again.
Each country has its own visa requirements and rules, which can make obtaining a visa a complex and time consuming process. It is because of this that the most important advice that can be offered about getting a visa is to leave plenty of time. Sometimes visa applications can take over a year to be processed.
Generally speaking, if you are from a developing or politically unstable country you are more likely to need a visa than if your country of birth is a wealthy Western nation, but again, there are exceptions.
Below is a quick guide to travel visas to the UK, US, Canada and Australia.
UK Travel Visas
A UK Visit Visa allows the owner of the visa to re-enter the UK and will not expire for two years. Each visit must be for six months or less during those two years.
Citizens of certain counties do not need a visa to visit the UK. UK visa requirements include demonstrating your intention to return to your home country after your visit to the UK and proving you can support yourself without needing public funds.
US Travel Visas
The US has a Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP allows people from certain counties to make a visit to the US for up to 90 days without having a visa. The US has tightened the VWP and as of January this year all VWP visitors need to obtain authorization from ESTA (free).
The VWP does not include all counties. For the counties that are not part of the program a US visa is needed. The most common visa for travelers is the B-2 US tourist visa. Remember this visa does not lead to permanent residency.
The B-2 visas are usually granted for a period of one to ten years, during which the visa holder can visit the US multiple times and each time for a maximum of six months. Working in the US is not permitted to holders of a B-2 visa.
Requirements for the tourist visa include the applicant proving that they have a reason to return home (such as having house, a job, a family) as well as the usual requirement of proving that they have funds to support themselves.
Canada Travel Visas
Citizens of some countries are allowed in without a Canada visa, but unlike the US there is no ESTA requirement. The Canada Tourist Visa lets applicants visit Canada for up to 6 months and doesn't allow employment. Much like the visas explained above, residents of certain countries require a visa to visit Canada.
A transit visa is available for a traveler wishing to remain in Canada for 48 hours or less. A Canada Travel Visa can be extended and a multiple entry Canada visa permits the applicant to re-enter Canada more than once.
Australia Travel Visas
Australia have a special option for people looking to work and travel. This option is called the Working Holiday Visa. For those who wish to only travel around Australia there are two main visa options available:
1) ETA Visitor visa (subclass 976)
2) Tourist Visa (subclass 676).
The ETA Visitor Visa is a short-term visa which allows travel in Australia for up to three months. Requirements for this include having a passport from an ETA eligible country. A Tourist Visa can be granted for three, six or twelve months.
We hope you have found this guide useful and I wish you the best of luck on your travels.
Consider using a reputable and accredited company like Global Visas to help you obtain your travel visa hassle free.