Question 1

What should be my passport validity when I apply for Visa ?

Accepted Answer

For most countries, your passport should be valid for minimum 6 months from your scheduled date of return.

Question 2

I have run out of blank pages on my passport, but it does not expire for another two years. Do I need to get a new passport ?"

Accepted Answer

Yes you need to apply for a new passport booklet. If you have valid visas on your old passport booklet, you will need to carry both the passports while travelling.

Question 3

What is a Visa and Visa Application ?

Accepted Answer

A visa is a travel document, which conditionally allows a person to enter or leave the region for which it is issued. If you are travelling to a foreign land, you always need a visa to ensure that you are entering the country legally. A visa application in advance of arrival gives the country a chance to consider the applicant's circumstance, such as financial security, reason for applying, and details of previous visits to the country.

Question 4

What are the different types of Visa ?

Accepted Answer

Transit visa- for passing through the country to a destination outside that country
Tourist visa - for a limited period of leisure travel, no business activities allowed
Visa for medical reasons- for undertaking diagnostics or a course of treatment in the host country's hospitals
Business visa - for engaging in commerce in the country
On-arrival visa (also known as Visa On Arrival, VOA), granted at a port of entry
Electronic visa - The visa is stored in a computer and is electronically tied to the passport number; no label, sticker or stamp is placed in the passport before travel
Any other specific category of visa defined by the country based on the common nature of applicants (For e.g.: Seamen Visa, Religious Worker Visa, Cast and Crew Visa etc.)

Question 5

What is the difference between Visa validity and Visa duration ?

Accepted Answer

Visa Validity defines the period of expiry of the visa whereas Visa duration is the maximum stay allowed in the country of visa issuance during each visit.

Question 6

What is a Visa on arrival ?

Accepted Answer

A visa on arrival is issued once you enter the respective country. For Indians, it is usually issued for tourism purpose for countries like Thailand, Bhutan, Cambodia, Maldives, Macau, Indonesia, Iraq, Nepal, Laos, Jordon, Mauritius, Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, Cook Islands, Fiji and many more . please visit our Visa on Arrival Section on this website for detailed list

Question 7

How long will the Visa application process take ?

Accepted Answer

This depends on the country you’re visiting. Some e visas will be issued the same day or in 2 to 3 days ; others can take weeks (or even months) to process.

Question 8

What would be the cost for the Visa process ?

Accepted Answer

The Visa fee varies from country to country. For some countries, there would be charges from the assigned Visa Facilitation centres as well. BPVS would charge a Service Fee depending upon the type of visa processed.

Question 9

Does the visa grant a 100% guarantee for my entry into the country ?

Accepted Answer

A visa does not give a 100% guarantee entry into the country. The entry may be denied at the immigration check of your home country(country of departure) or the country of arrival, it also depends on Covid regulations , rule changes etc. entry may be deniedvery rare eventuality though.

Question 10

How long does it take to process a Visa after the Global Post Covid Situvation ?

Accepted Answer

Generally, most visas are processed within 15 days. It may be more or less depending upon the consulates processes, rush of applications, time for courier and logistics etc.

Question 11

What should be ensured for photographs submitted for applying Visa ?

Accepted Answer

Photographs should be as per specification of the country. Photos should not be used for previous visas, should not be stapled. Let the photographs be with clear visibility of the face and eyes.

Question 12

Do I need a visa to travel out of India ?

Accepted Answer

There are many countries who allow Indian citizens to travel without a Visa on gratis. Some countries allow Indian nationals to obtain Visa On Arrival (VOA) either with a fee or at times without a fee. The remaining countries would need Indian nationals to obtain Visa before their stipulated travel.

Question 13

Do I need to send in my original passport to apply for Visa ?

Accepted Answer

Yes, original passports are required to apply for visas even in cases of the visas being issued as a separate document. There are exceptions with certain countries like Srilanka, Malaysia (online / e Visa), UAE etc. who issue the visas/ETAs online where the copies of the passports are good enough.

Question 14

What is the difference between an Embassy and a Consulate ?

Accepted Answer

An embassy is a permanent diplomatic mission (read: a delegation of diplomats) led by an ambassador. The term is often also used for the physical building they occupy, predominantly in the capital cities (New Delhi in India). A consulate or consulate general is generally a representative of the embassy in locales outside of the capital city. Consulates are extended offices of Embassies and the applications are taken as per the jurisdictions defined.

Question 15

What is consulate jurisdiction while applying for Visa ?

Accepted Answer

The jurisdictional limits defined by consulates are as per the geographical area where consulates responsibility is divided to issue visas pertaining to applicant’s residence in the respective areas. Some consulates have strict enforcement of jurisdiction for all visa categories, some consulates’ jurisdiction is limited to certain types of visas and others do not have any jurisdictional limits.

Question 16

Is personal appearance required to obtain a Visa ?

Accepted Answer

There are certain embassies where bio-metrics is required. In such cases applicant has to appear personally at the defined counters. There are instances when applicants or any specific applicant are required to appear in person at the consulate after the visa application. In such cases, the applicant will have to appear before the Consulate personally, however there are some consulates which allow third parties to collect the passports on the applicant’s behalf after the visa process is completed.

Question 17

Which bank statement should I provide for Visa processing ?

Accepted Answer

It is advised to provide the bank statement of the most active account which reflects your regular income.

Question 18

Even after my application is submitted as per the embassy/consulate requirements, can the embassy/consulate still ask for additional documents ?"

Accepted Answer

Yes, Consulates / Embassies can ask for additional documents if they are not convinced with the existing documents.