Visa Solutions From Pakistan’s #1 Visa Consultancy

If you want to travel to a country that does not have a visa regime similar to your own, you’ll need a visa.

Many nations have visa regulations and agreements that allow inhabitants of those countries to travel freely between them without requiring a visa.

A country’s visa policy is a set of rules that determines who is allowed and who is not allowed to enter the country. The policy may allow passport holders from one nation to enter without a visa, but not those from another. The majority of visa rules are bilateral, meaning that two countries will enable their nationals to travel visa-free, however this is not always the case. When it comes to setting visa policies, there are no hard and fast laws. However, diplomatic links with the other country, the history of illegal immigration from the country, and cost and tourism factors are some determining factors.

There are different types of Visas that are available based on your requirement and purpose of travel overseas such as Student Visa, Work Visa, Investor Visa, Business Visa, Dependent Visa, and Visitor Visa, etc. 

Let us look at each visa in detail:

Visitor visa

Visitor visas are non-immigrant visas that an individual must apply for if they wish to enter a country temporarily for business, tourism or for transiting through a country while on journey by air or ship.

Student visa

A student visa is issued to students enrolled at qualified educational institutions in foreign countries. Student visas are non-immigrant visas. Students who wish to pursue higher education in another country must obtain a student visa to study in that country.

Most countries issue student visas for foreign students to attend school within their borders. To obtain a visa, the student must first be enrolled at a college or university in that country.

Work visa

Work visa allows you to enter a foreign country and work there for a fixed period of time.  Different countries may have different procedures and eligibility requirements for work permit visas. These visas are issued either on temporary or permanent basis. A temporary work visa is valid only for a fixed period of time after which it has to be renewed if the visa holder has to extend his visa. Generally, the employer applies for a work permit visa.  the employer will apply to the immigration authority of a particular country for approval of the visa.

Dependent visa

A Dependent visa is a type of Visa that permits the spouses and kids to travel to an overseas nation for the purpose of accompanying/joining the family member with a corresponding Visa.

With a dependent visa, the dependents of a lawful migrant to a country such as spouse, dependent children or parents can enter and stay in the country. Such dependents can apply for a visa to join the migrant in the country.

Investor visa

Investor visa is offered by countries to encourage people with a proven business track record and a genuine intent in developing a business overseas to invest in their country. This can be either a new business venture or buying an existing overseas business.

Australia and Canada have an Immigrant Investor Programs. The USP of such programs in these countries are that they offer the option of having an alternate residency status while continuing to manage already existing business.

The Immigrant Investor Programs seek to attract potential immigrant investors who have enough personal net worth and managerial experience. A qualifying business under this program is any business except for those that operate with the purpose of gaining interest or capital gains.

Every country that offers an investor visa has its own set of requirements and eligibility criteria.

Business visa

Government authorities in countries issue business visas to travelers who wish to conduct business activities and meetings that are not related to employment in that country. A business visa allows the holder to:

• Attend meetings
• Business events/conferences
• Investigate business opportunities and ventures

The documents required for a Visa interview will depend on the nation and type of Visa that you are applying to. The documents that are most commonly required are:

• Original Passport with a minimum of 6 months of validity after arrival to the overseas nation
• All expired Passports
• 1 photograph both hard and digital copy as per the specification
• The Visa application confirmation page stamped at the VAC
• A valid receipt of Visa fee payment
• Printout of appointment letter for the Visa interview

Supporting documents required for a Visa interview

The idea of supporting documents is to verify –

• Legality
• Validity
• Illegal history, if any
• Monetary affordability;
• Intention to return to home country

Let us look at the documents required for visa interviews for important countries:

United States

• Application Form DS-160 Confirmation Page
• Valid passport;
• Previous passport(s), if any
• Color photo less than six months old that meet specific requirements
• Fee payment in cash
• Proof of finances (bank statements)
• Additional documents as required by your visa category or personal circumstances

United Kingdom

• Interview appointment confirmation
• Receipt to prove payment of visa fees
• Self-attested copy of the online application form
• Other relevant documents based on the type of visa

Canada

• Valid passport
• Documents verifying your identity
• Other documents relevant to your visa application

Germany

• Valid passport
• Completed visa application form
• Supporting documents that include proof of having healthcare insurance, passport photos, and other documents relevant to the visa you have applied for

The Visa processing times are variable depending on the category of Visa and your location. It can take around a few weeks to some months.

For the U.S, depending on your individual visa, the processing times differ widely. A temporary, non-immigrant visa can usually be processed much quicker than a permanent visa for immigrants. Your visa should be approved within a few days whether you’re visiting the United States for business or travel. Visas for immigrants, meanwhile, will take 3 to 5 weeks. In this period, you will know if your visa application is accepted or rejected.

For Canada, the application processing time is the period between the receipt of your visa application by IRCC and the final decision to grant your PR visa. The processing time varies for the different immigration programs that the country offers. So, how soon you will get your PR visa depends on the immigration program you have selected to apply for your PR visa.

The most popular immigration program is the Express Entry system which also has the fastest processing time. The average processing time for the PR visa in 2020 right from the filing of the application to getting the invitation to apply (ITA) from Canadian authorities is 6 months.

In the other popular immigration program – the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the process is almost like the Express Entry program. The only difference being the verification process takes a little longer, this can extend the processing time to about 12 months.

For the Quebec skilled Workers Program (QSWP), a provincial immigration program run by the Quebec province, the processing time is between 12-16 months.

• Visit visa < 6 months, 95 pounds
• Visit visa < 2 years 61 pounds
• Visit visa < 5 years, 655 pounds
• Visit visa <10 years, 822 pounds
• Visiting academic – more than 6 months but no more than 12 months, 190 pounds
• Private medical treatment visa – more than 6 months but not more than 11 months, 190 pounds
• Short term student visa (up to 6 months), 97 pounds

Canada

Costs in CAD

• Study Permit, $150
• Work Permit, $155
• Visitor Visa, $100
• Visitor Visa (Family), $500
• Working Holiday Visa, $153

Australia

Below are the general guidelines for a Visa application:

• Identify the type of Visa that you require
• Identify the authorized place for Visa application (Embassy/Consulate)
• Find out the most appropriate time for filing the application
• Book an appointment for the Visa interview
• Fill the Visa application form
• Collate the necessary documents
• Attend the interview for the Visa
• Pay the required Visa fee
• Wait for the decision on your Visa application

Here is the process for certain popular countries

USA

Check if you need a visa

Choose the type of US visa that you’re going to apply for.

Fill in the application form DS-160 for a non-immigrant visa.

Pay the fee for visa application.

Fix the date and time for your visa interview.

Compile the document file

Participate in the visa interview.

Wait for the processing time

UK

Find out if there’s a UK visa you need.

Choose the correct form of UK visa.

Complete the application form online.

For a UK visa application, collect the necessary documents.

Schedule an appointment for a UK visa.

Depending on availability, the visa application process includes obtaining an appointment from the consulate. On the day of the appointment, all the original documents for submission and for biometrics have to be submitted to the applicant.

Canada

Find out if you’re eligible for a visa from Canada.

Create your online account.

Compile the document file.

Pay the required fees.

Wait for your Canadian visa to be approved.

Send your passport and your fees for processing.

Australia

Choose a visa subclass that is ideal for your purpose and download the appropriate visa application form.

Submit the supporting documents that may be needed for your visa application.

Organize the visa fee payment

A mandatory prerequisite is the prior online appointment for submission of application