Visas may seem like just another stamp on your passport, but they're your golden ticket to the world stage. And, without one, you may find that you’re not able to travel to all the destinations you want to see across the globe.

But why exactly do you need a visa, and in what situations? In this Trtl blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about visas and why you need to make sure that if you have one, it’s valid!

What is a visa?

A visa is an official document or stamp placed in a passport that permits a person to enter, leave or stay for a specified period of time in a foreign country. 

Visas are issued by the country you wish to stay in and are either 

• Single entry — which permits a traveller to enter the destination country on one single occasion.
  
  
• Or multiple entry — which allows the holder to enter the destination country more than once.

Why do you need a visa to travel?

Visas can open up a whole host of opportunities, from exploring the world to working in some of the most beautiful places around the globe. But why exactly do you need a visa to travel?

• Regulation of entry and stays — Visas allow countries to control who enters and stays within their borders. This process helps manage the flow of people for security, economic, health, and cultural reasons.
  
  
• Security concerns — By requiring a visa, a country can conduct background checks on visitors, reducing the risk of allowing entry to individuals who might pose a threat to national security or public safety.
  
  
• Legal and immigration control — Visas help countries enforce their immigration laws. They enable authorities to set conditions for entry and stay, such as the purpose of the visit (tourism, business, study, work), duration of stay, and whether or not the visitor is allowed to work in the country.

What are the different types of visas?

There are a wide variety of visas available, each serving a different purpose. Some of the most common ones people apply for include:

• Tourist or travel visas — Tourist visas are designed for those who want to explore a foreign country for leisure or tourism. They typically allow short-term stays, ranging from a few weeks to a few months. Travel visas generally don't permit individuals to engage in any form of employment or business activities during their stay.
  
  
• Work visas — Work visas are essential for foreign nationals who have secured a job offer from an employer in the host country. These visas usually come with specific conditions related to employment, such as the type of work, the duration of the stay, and sometimes the requirement that the employer sponsors the visa.
  
  
• Business visa — Business visas cater to those travelling abroad for business-related purposes, such as meetings, conferences, negotiations, or market research. While these visas may not allow direct employment in the host country, they often permit limited business-related activities.
  
  
• Student visas — Student visas are necessary for international students who plan to pursue education in a foreign country. To obtain a student visa, applicants typically need to provide proof of enrollment in an accredited educational institution like a university. Student visas may also have restrictions on employment to ensure that their focus remains on their studies.
  
  
• Spousal or family visas — Spousal and family visas enable a foreign national's immediate family members (like your spouse and children) to have a valid visa to join them in the host country. The specific requirements and conditions for these visas can vary widely by country, so it's crucial to research the specific guidelines.
  
  
• Refugee visas — Refugee visas are granted to those who have fled their home country due to persecution, violence, or other humanitarian crises and are issued to those seeking asylum and protection in another country. The application process for refugee status often involves a thorough assessment of the applicant's circumstances and the determination of refugee status by the host country.

What’s the difference between a passport and a visa?

The main difference between a visa and a passport is that passports are issued by the government of your home country. They allow you to enter and exit the country you live in freely.

On the other hand, visas are issued by the authorities in a foreign country and allow you to enter only that territory.

Do you need a visa if you have a passport?

Whether you’ll need a visa along with your passport will entirely depend on the country you’re planning on visiting. Some countries, such as Austria, France, Hungary, and Italy, allow visa-free short-term travel, depending on conditions.  

However, starting in 2025, the European Union will introduce ETIAS, a new Travel Information and Authorisation System. Essentially, it’s a new entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of these 30 European countries and simply links to a traveller's passport. The UK has decided to opt out of the system, maintaining its own entry requirements. However, if you’re travelling from the UK to a European country, you’ll need to apply for the ETIAS travel authorisation. 

With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter any of the listed European countries as often as you like for short-term stays — normally up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Why can your visa be denied?

There are a number of reasons why your visa can be denied, but it’s best to be aware of some of the main ones:

• Passport validity — Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your intended stay in the foreign country. If your passport is set to expire before your planned departure date or during your stay, the visa application may be denied. It's crucial to check your passport's expiration date and renew it well in advance if needed.
  
  
• Blank pages in your passport — Many countries require that your passport has a certain number of blank pages for visa stamps and entry/exit stamps. If your passport lacks these blank pages, it can result in a visa denial. Ensure that your passport has enough available pages for the necessary stamps.
  
  
• Vaccine requirements — Some countries have specific vaccination requirements to protect public health — such as when you had to have proof of your COVID-19 vaccination. If you don't meet these requirements or fail to provide proof of the required vaccinations, your visa application may be denied. Research the vaccination requirements of your destination and comply with them before applying for a visa.
  
  
• Travel bans — Certain countries may have imposed travel bans or restrictions on travellers from specific nations, regions, or backgrounds due to diplomatic, political, or public health reasons. If you are subject to such a ban, your visa application will likely be denied. Be sure to check for any travel advisories or restrictions related to your nationality before planning your trip.
  
  
• Criminal records — Many countries have strict visa policies regarding individuals with a criminal history, particularly those with convictions for serious offences such as armed robbery, kidnapping, false imprisonment, etc. If you have a criminal record, especially one involving activities such as drug trafficking, terrorism, or violent crimes, it can result in a visa denial. Some countries may also deny visas for individuals with recent or pending criminal charges.

How long does it for a visa to be approved?

Different countries have different approval times for their visas, and the type of visa you apply for can also affect timings. 

For example, if you’re applying for a visit, study, work, temporary work, or other visa, the processing time is around three weeks. On the other hand, if you’re applying for a family visa, the processing time is 24 weeks.

How much is a visa?

Again, different countries will have different pricing for all of their visas. If you’re applying for a visa or submitting an application outside of the UK, the prices can range from £115 for a ‘Visit’ visa to the most expensive £3,250 for a ‘Route to settlement other dependent relative’ visa.

What is an eVisa?

An eVisa is an online record of a person's immigration status and the conditions under which they’re permitted to enter or stay within a certain country. 

If you apply for a UK eVisa, you’ll need to register for a UKVI to view and share any relevant information about your status.

How long can you stay without a visa?

Depending on the country you’re looking at staying in, there will be different timescales. In the UK, for example, you usually stay for up to 6 months without needing a visa. For countries in the Schengen area — an area comprising 27 European countries that have abolished border control — you can travel for 90 days or less in a 180-day period without the need to use a visa.

Travel the right way with Trtl Travel

Visas might seem like bureaucratic hurdles, but they're your gateway to exploring the beauty and diversity our world has to offer.

And it’s also important that you remain in complete comfort wherever you are, and that’s why our travel pillows will leave you feeling refreshed at your destination, whether it’s a quick trip of a few hours or a long-haul flight.  

To find out more helpful tips and tricks for all things flying, check out our blog page.