Top Tips For Getting Your Visa:
No Matter Where You Plan To Migrate Mark Johnstone, Global Visas
Ever fancied a life overseas? Well, chances are that you will need a visa. Moving to a new country can be a complex as well as daunting prospect and if there is one thing that can shatter your dream move, it is failing to obtain that all-important visa. Here are some handy hints for making sure that you get the visa that you need:
DO Leave Plenty Of Time
Getting a visa takes time. Filling in the necessary paperwork, providing the relevant documents and proof of identity, and having to wait for immigration authorities to process your application – it all adds up. Securing a visa can take anything from a few months to a few years. It pays to be prepared for the wait.
DON'T Make Travel Plans Until Your Visa Is Granted
It seems obvious, but many people think getting a visa is a formality. If their visa application is refused, a visa or their application is delayed, they will be forced to cancel or postpone any pre-booked travel arrangements. This can be a costly oversight as many airlines do not refund flights and train/bus tickets cannot usually be exchanged. The best advice is to wait until you have your visa in hand before booking travel to your new destination.
DO Keep Track Of Your Application
There is a lot of paperwork and a lot of phone calls and liaison necessary with everyone involved, so it is up to you to organize your application, documentation and calendar accordingly. A good idea is to keep a visa folder where you can safely store all of your forms and case notes in one place. Always make copies of everything and keep them separate from the originals.
DON'T Apply For The Wrong Type Of Visa
It may seem surprising but it does happen. Every country has a range of visas available but only one is right for you. Many people wrongly assume that a visa is transferable across many functions within the same country: wrong. For example, never be tempted to apply for a visitor's visa when you need a permanent work visa or family visa. Having the wrong visa is having an invalid visa and you will usually be forced to start your application again from scratch and often back in your home country.
DO Look After Your Passport
Again, every country has its own rules and laws, but rest assured, it is always best practice to make sure that your most important document – your passport – is in order. Ensure that all the pages of the document are not full. This is a particular concern if you are a frequent flyer, whether for business or pleasure. Also check that the expiry date of your passport extends as long as the time length of your visa. Some countries will only grant you a valid visa for as long as your passport is valid while other countries will reject your application if your passport is out of date or nearing expiry.
DO Treat Your Immigration Officer With Respect
More and more visa applicants are ending up having face-to-face interviews with immigration officials. As visa rules become stricter, the application to secure a visa gets more complex and fraught with potential problems. The temptation to tell them what they want to hear or even to lie is not recommended. Remember: these are qualified, trained case workers who are only doing a job under a set of laws they have been issued and cannot change. In some cases, mistakes do occur but again, you are always going to get further with your visa application by treating your immigration officer with respect and courtesy.
DON'T Think You Can Hurry An Immigration Officer
As mentioned, the visa application can turn into a lengthy process. There is little you can do to fast-track a process which is often slow due to application backlogs or changes in immigration laws. Do not call or email the immigration office every week to ask about your visa status or demand they send it out faster because you are on a deadline. Immigration officers cannot give a set timeframe and can only advise you that your application is received and is under consideration. As the late British judge and lawmaker Lord Justice Denning said: "The laws are not meant to be just – just meant to work." Be patient and let the immigration department do it their way.
DON'T Make Assumptions About Your Visa Chances
Not everyone gets the visa they require. Most people who have the right credentials, fill in their application correctly and wait patiently, will succeed. But just because a fellow worker or a friend secured a visa does not mean you too will have a successful application. Every case is treated as unique, including yours.
ALWAYS Check Your Visa While it does not happen often, sometimes the information in a processed visa application is incorrect. Maybe there is a typing error or officials have granted the wrong type of visa. If this happens to you it technically means your visa is invalid and you must re-apply. In this situation, you may be able to fast-track the process to fix your visa or, at worst, you will have to wait a few weeks for an amended visa to reach you. It is a major hassle but, again, the power is with the immigration authorities.
DO Use A Reputable Visa Specialist Getting the visa you and your family require can often be made less stressful by using an accredited visa consultancy who has trained staff able to deal with your questions and needs. For a fee you can often take the worry and some of the wait time out of applying for a visa.
Final Words
Whatever company you choose to use or if you decide to take the visa application process into your own hands, understand getting a visa is a time-consuming and complex affair. By following the suggestions listed here, you can make that journey a whole lot easier. Best wishes with your visa!
Global Visas is one of the world's leading immigration specialists. We are able to secure visas on behalf of individuals and employers to help make the move of their dreams a reality, including to the UK, US, Canada, Australia and South Africa. Throughout our sixteen years in the business, we have helped thousands of satisfied customers avoid the perils and pitfalls of obtaining visas in the fastest, most efficient way.
Contact
Mark Johnstone
Web Content Manager
Global Visas
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7190 6583
Email: mark.johnstone@globalvisas.com
