Tourism plays a vital role in global economic development. Nevertheless, the majority of individuals travelling abroad are required to apply for a tourist visa.

Meaning of a Tourist Visa

A tourist visa is an official travel document granted to foreign visitors for leisure and recreational purposes. For instance, if you are an Indian citizen planning to travel to the US for tourism, you must apply for a tourist visa. Each country establishes its own tourist visa policy, and the respective embassies and consulates assist in obtaining short-term visas for tourists.

Instructions of a Tourist Visa

When travelling to a foreign country on a tourist visa, it is essential to adhere to the following guidelines:

• You are not permitted to work under a tourist visa.
• Engaging in business activities is not allowed under a tourist visa.
• Studying is prohibited while holding a tourist visa.
• It is not possible to obtain permanent residency with a tourist visa.

Steps for a Tourist Visa application

Compilation of some of the most sought-after tourist visas

Here are some of the most popular tourist visas:

Schengen Visa: This visa allows you to travel to any of the 26 countries in the Schengen Area, which includes most of Europe.

United States tourist visa: This visa allows you to travel to the United States for tourism purposes.

Australia tourist visa: This visa allows you to travel to Australia for tourism purposes.

Canada tourist visa: This visa allows you to travel to Canada for tourism purposes.

Chile tourist visa: This visa allows you to travel to Chile for tourism purposes.

Costa Rica tourist visa: This visa allows you to travel to Costa Rica for tourism purposes.

Indonesia tourist visa: This visa allows you to travel to Indonesia for tourism purposes.

Israel tourist visa: This visa allows you to travel to Israel for tourism purposes.

Japan tourist visa: This visa allows you to travel to Japan for tourism purposes.

Mexico tourist visa: This visa allows you to travel to Mexico for tourism purposes.

Taiwan tourist visa: This visa allows you to travel to Taiwan for tourism purposes.

Thailand tourist visa: This visa allows you to travel to Thailand for tourism purposes.

United Kingdom tourist visa: This visa allows you to travel to the United Kingdom for tourism purposes.

Vietnam tourist visa: This visa allows you to travel to Vietnam for tourism purposes.

These visas are popular because they allow you to visit some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. They also tend to be relatively easy to obtain, making them a good option for first-time visa applicants.

Countries that require a Schengen Visa

Europe is home to some of the most attractive destinations in the world, from the towering peaks of the Alps to the sun-kissed beaches of the Mediterranean. However, many travellers may need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit European countries.

A Schengen visa is a type of visa that allows you to travel to any of the 26 countries in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. 

The Schengen Area includes most of Europe, including:

•  France
• Germany
• Spain
• Italy
• Netherlands.

Difference between a Schengen Visa and a Tourist Visa

The Schengen visa shares many similarities with a tourist visa. However, it differs from traditional visas as the Schengen permit (C visa) grants you the freedom to visit any country within the Schengen area, as long as your visa remains valid.

Steps for a Tourist Visa application

To apply for a tourist visa, follow these steps:

• Find the nearest embassy/consulate representing the destination country.

To apply for a tourist visa, you must locate the embassy or consulate of your destination country in your vicinity. It's essential to note that an embassy and a consulate are distinct entities. Once you find the appropriate visa office, you need to schedule an appointment to submit your visa application.

• Gather all the necessary documents for the visa application.

To ensure a successful tourist visa application, you must prepare your documents thoroughly. If your documents are in your native language, you may need to translate them as per the consulate's instructions. Additionally, certain civil documents, like birth certificates and marriage certificates, may require an apostille stamp for authentication.

• Pay the applicable tourist visa fee.

To process your application, you must pay the necessary visa fee, which varies depending on your destination country. Some embassies require you to pay the fee before attending the visa interview, while others may request payment on the same day of the interview.

• Attend the visa interview, if required by the embassy/consulate.

After preparing your application documents, you can proceed to attend the interview. During the interview, the embassy or consulate will inquire about your trip, the purpose of your visit, your itinerary, and the duration of your stay in the country. The interview is a necessary step to ensure that you have genuine intentions and do not plan on overstaying in the country.

Requirements for a Tourist Visa

For a tourist visa application, you typically need to gather the following documents:

• Completed tourist visa application form.
• Valid passport with a validity period of six or three months, depending on the country.
• Passport pictures as per the consulate's specifications.
• Valid travel insurance coverage.
• Evidence of sufficient financial means to support your trip.
• Proof of accommodation arrangements during your stay.
• Confirmation of a booked return flight ticket.
• Receipt or evidence of paid visa fee.
• Invitation letter, if applicable.
• Relevant civil documents, such as marriage or birth certificates.
• Any additional supporting documents required by the embassy or consulate.

Duration of a Tourist Visa

Typically, a tourist visa is granted for a duration of 30 days. However, in certain cases, some countries may offer a tourist visa with multiple entries that are valid for a year. Nevertheless, even with a multiple-entry visa, the allowed duration of stay per entry remains limited to 30 days.

Time taken to acquire a Tourist Visa

The processing time for tourist visa applications typically takes around two weeks. However, the actual duration may vary, either being shorter or longer, depending on factors such as your home residence, the time of the year, and the workload of the embassy or consulate handling the applications.

Amount required for a Tourist Visa

The cost of a tourist visa varies depending on the destination countryyou plan to visit. It is important to note that while the visa application fee itself may not be substantial, there might be additional expenses related to services and document translation that you need to consider.

Tourist visa fees in popular countries

The cost of a tourist visa varies depending on the country you are visiting. Here are the fees for tourist visas in some of the most popular countries in the world:

United States - $160

Canada - $100

United Kingdom - £89

Australia -$135

Schengen visa (valid for all Schengen countries) - €80

It is important to note that these fees are subject to change, so it is always best to check with the embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting for the most up-to-date information.

Is it possible to extend a Tourist Visa?

In general, tourist visas cannot be extended, except under specific circumstances such as:

• Unforeseen family emergencies (birth, illness, death, etc.).
• Complex political situations in your home country that make it unsafe to return.
• Unforeseen events classified as 'Force Majeure,' like natural disasters (storms, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc.).

Under such exceptional cases, authorities may consider extending your tourist visa, but it is subject to their discretion and the prevailing circumstances.

Can I apply for a Tourist Visa many times?

In most cases, there is no limit to the number of times you can apply for a tourist visa, provided you meet the visa requirements and have complied with the guidelines of your previous visas. As long as you continue to fulfil the necessary criteria for obtaining a tourist visa, you can apply for it whenever needed.

Possibilities of a Tourist Visa application denial

Your tourist visa application may be denied for various reasons, including:

• Providing false information on your visa application.
• Having an expired or invalid passport that does not meet the embassy's requirements.
• Submitting an incomplete visa application.
• Having a history of serious criminal convictions.
• Being previously deported by the destination country for visa rule violations.

Is an online Tourist Visa convenient?

In recent times, many countries have embraced the concept of eVisas and electronic travel authorizations, streamlining the tourism process for international travellers. An online tourist visa can be conveniently obtained through the internet, eliminating the need to visit an embassy or consulate in person. The online application process is efficient, and in most cases, the visa is issued within 24 hours.