Going on International holidays is now easier than ever. There are multiple destinations that one can choose from. Just opening your Instagram feed is enough to send you down a rabbit-hole of gorgeous and mesmerizing locations.
But the thing that trips most people up, is the Visa process. This often feels too confusing and complicated. In this blog I would like to help you understand the common mistakes that people make and why it is better to get your Visa done by a reputed agency.
It is a known fact that the 3 most important things in real estate are – location, location, and location.
Now, understand that the 3 most important things in the Visa process are – documents, documents, and documents.
Let me share a few real examples to explain why I made this statement.
Case 1
This person applied for a Work Visa in France. All the papers were in order - or so they thought. But one minor error was that they did not show sufficient funds in their bank account.
Case 2
This person wanted to travel to Dubai and tried to get the Tourist e-visa online. They erroneously uploaded one wrong document and the entire process got stuck. They could not add any new documents, or delete the form and start again, and neither were they able to cancel the application.
Case 3
This person applied for a Business Visa to one of the Schengen countries. But in the invitation letter from the parent company their name did not exactly match the name on the passport. For example, the letter only mentioned Name and Surname, whereas the passport had a Middle Name too.
There are many more such cases where the visas get rejected because the person missed some tiny crucial detail, But I think I have made my point clear. Paperwork and documentation are the most crucial factors while navigating the visa process.
Each country has different requirements for granting a Visa into their respective countries. But some common things that are universal are:
A passport that has a validity of 3-6 months from your travel dates.
Photos of varying specifications for different countries. But one thing in common is that it cannot be a photo that you have previously used for another visa.
Ensuring that the cover letter, invitation letter, or any other letter that is addressed to the Visa office has your name exactly as it is mentioned in your passport along with the correct passport number.
If you have an invitation letter from a personal relative or friend, ensure that their name too is exactly the same as in their supporting documents.
Your personal bank statements of the last 3 months or 6 months depending.
If working you will need to show your employment letter and salary slips. If you have a business you will need to show your company registration.
You will need to submit all financial papers.
IT returns for last 3 years
Point to note: Many of the above are not applicable for minor and student categories.
The above list is by no means exhaustive. It is just the basic. You will need to add many other documents.
Applying for any Visa requires patience, an eye for detail, and time. This is the age of collaboration. It always makes sense to call in experts so that you are free to focus on your work, while they do theirs.
