If you have ever traveled abroad before, then it’s highly likely that you are at the very least familiar with what visas are. A visa is essentially just an entry permit. Most countries require them. Visas are always required for people who intend on studying or working in a foreign country.
Unfortunately, the visa application process can be very confusing. The many different types of visas can also be very confusing. This post will break down and explain what all of the different types are so that you know how to get the one that’s right for you:
Legal Advice
Before you start looking at different types of visas and trying to decide which is right for you, it’s a good idea to seek out professional and independent legal advice. An attorney will be able to advise you on what sort of visa you need and how you can get it. According to legal advice from liuattorneys.com, an attorney can help you stay abreast of constantly changing naturalization and visa laws. A lot of people avoid hiring attorneys because they are concerned that they won’t be able to afford their services, but you might be surprised to learn that many attorneys offer payment plans to help clients afford costly legal fees. Some lawyers also offer no-win-no-fee arrangements, although this is more common amongst personal injury lawyers than immigration ones. Depending upon where you live, you may also qualify for legal aid.
Tourist
Tourist visas are the most common type of visa. Applying for a tourist visa is a relatively straightforward process and doesn’t require one to seek out professional help. If you want to travel to a country purely for tourism or recreation, then this is the kind of visa that you should apply for. Tourism visas usually last for 90 days but can be extended in the country after you have arrived. In order to extend a tourist visa, you usually have to visit a local police station with your original visa documents and proof of identity.
Student
A student visa is a visa that’s applied for by a person who intends on studying in the nation that they are traveling to. A student visa isn’t just necessary for people who are applying to college or university; it is also a requirement for people who intend on going abroad to take part in any form of educational course. If you are emigrating so that you can take part in an internship or apprenticeship, then you may still need to apply for a student visa. Most people with student visas are able to work part-time jobs while abroad.
Immigration
An immigrant visa (or a residency visa) is a visa application that’s made to a nation with the view to staying there permanently. Out of all of the visa applications that you can make, an immigration visa is by far the most complex to apply for. The requirements for immigration visas are often very strict. More often than not, they also have lifestyle and wage requirements, i.e., you cannot be a recreational drug user and you have to earn over a certain amount of money. You apply for immigration visas, then follow them up with residency applications a few years later.
Work
If you want to work in another country, then you will need a work permit. The application for a work permit, like residency, can be very drawn out and there are some very strict requirements. Most nations will require you to have a written job offer already in place, otherwise, you can’t apply for a work visa. If you intend on moving to a nation for work but already have a remote job, then you might have to instead apply for a residency permit, because you won’t technically be working for a U.S. company.
Which is Right for You?
So, which type of visa is right for you? The answer to that question depends largely upon what it is that you want to get out of moving to another country. It is very important to make sure that you apply for the right visa, because if it turns out that you have applied for the wrong one, then you could have to leave the country temporarily while you arrange for a new one. Most nations’ visa departments aren’t especially kind to people that make mistakes on their applications, which is why it is always a good idea to have an attorney do it for you.
In Conclusion
Applying for a visa can be complicated, especially if you haven’t ever done it before. The easiest way to make a visa application is to go through a lawyer. A trained immigration lawyer will be able to make an application on your behalf, saving you time and preventing you from making any mistakes.
