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A GUIDE TO TRAVEL VISAS WHEN GOING ABROAD

There are all kinds of documents you need to apply for when travelling abroad. An often overlooked but essential document when travelling to some countries is a travel visa. Without the appropriate travel visa, you are likely to be denied entry into the country you’re trying to visit.

Every country has its own visa process and in many cases there are different visas that you can apply for depending on your purpose for travelling. This guide helps to explain exactly what to look for when applying for the right visa.

Do I need a visa?

There are many countries that you can visit freely without a visa. In fact, there are currently 139 visa-free countries that you can travel to as a UK resident.

In many cases, this is for a limited time only (usually a maximum of 90 days). If you’re planning on travelling long-term, this could be something to consider.

UK residents previously had the ability to move freely between EU countries without needing to apply for any authorisation. UK citizens still do not have to apply for a visa when travelling to EU countries for a short period, however a form of online authorization known as ETIAS will be required from 2023 – this costs 7 Euros and will be applied for online.

Work or leisure?

While many countries allow you to freely visit for leisure without a visa, this is not the same case if you plan to go abroad and work. While some countries allow you to work there for up to 90 days without a visa, others require you to apply for a working visa no matter how long you plan to stay. If you’re planning to work abroad for over 6 months, you’ll almost certainly need to apply for a visa when travelling to most countries.

Working visas may come with requirements such as a minimum age. You may have to show proof of employment in other cases. Make sure to look up these requirements before applying.

Moving abroad?

Many countries will require you to apply for a visa when planning a long stay of over 90s days. This can be quite expensive in some cases and is something you should factor in when moving abroad.

Different countries have their own visas in place, each with their own fees and requirements. For example, Portugal has a visa called a D7 that requires you to show proof of income – you can find everything you need to know about the D7 here. Countries like China, Russia and Saudi Arabia are often said to be some of the hardest countries to obtain a visa. fOR

Moving family over?

If you already live in a foreign country and you want your family members to move there with you, it’s possible that your family members may be able to apply for a spouse visa or family visa. Your family members may not need to show proof of personal income if you can prove that you’re able to support them. In some cases, such visas may require you to have lived in a country for a certain period of time. Family immigration lawyers are sometimes worth hiring to help with the application process.

A Guide to Travel Visas When Going Abroad