The Kenyan government requires people to obtain a visa before they can be allowed to travel through the country. Earlier the government used to give traditional visas. Today, Kenyan E-Visas are issued.
There are three types of Kenyan E-Visas
Kenyan Tourist Visa
Kenyan Transit Visa
Kenyan Business Visa
Kenyan Tourist Visa is a single entry visa issued to people from countries whose main purpose is tourism. It is usually issued for 90 days. The visa can be renewed once in the country for a period of 6 months.
Kenyan Transit Visa is a single entry transit visa issued to people connecting through Kenya to other countries they want to visit a city by leaving the airport.
Kenya Business Visa is a single entry visa issued to people to do business in Kenya for a stay up to 90 days.
Kenyan Visa Requirements
Kenya Visa Application Form: People applying for Kenya E-Visa will be required to fill out an application form. Personal info, name, dob, nationality, profession, contact details, passport details, reasons for travel, date of entry, duration of stay.
Once the form is filled and service is paid either by Visa or Master Card.
Visa will take two business days and an online visa will be sent to your account.
Print and carry the Visa together with your passport.
Application for a tourist visa to the USA is simple. However, it is recommended to take help of a Visa Consultant before applying for the Visa.
Steps for the Visa Application Process
Firstly, a form needs to be filled by the applicant under the guidance of the Visa adviser.
An appointment will be scheduled with the consulate based on availability.
On the day of the appointment, the applicant needs to carry the documents for submission and for the biometrics.
It will a minimum of 3 working days for the visa approval by the consulate.
Documents Required
Employee/Salaried
Cover Letter
Leave Letter
NOC from employer
Income Tax Return For the last 3 years
Bank Statements for the last 6 months
Salary Slips for the last 6 months
Investment documents like fixed deposits, mutual fund, etc.
Business Owners
In addition to the documents required for salaried individuals, business registration documents are required.
Retired Travelers
1. All documents for Employee/Salaried
2. Retirement Proof
3. Pension Payment documents instead of salary slips
Students
School / College NOC ( If applying during the non-vacation period )
School College ID ( If applying during vacation period )
Any other special situations need to discuss with the adviser.
The USA Tourist Visa is a 10 Year multiple entry Visa.
Canadian Tourist Visa
Why I am writing this post?
This is because there is a large Indian community settled in Canada. There is a huge Punjabi community in Canada.
With immigration becoming challenging day by day in the United States, many Indians want to settle in Canada. Plus Canada’s reputation as a country is second to none. Therefore, Canadian Visa is in huge demand.
But this post is not about the Canadian Visa for immigration. This is for the Canadian Tourist Visa. If some family member or relative wants to visit Canada he/she may apply for a tourist visa.
Like the USA Tourist Visa, it is advised to process the Canadian Visa from a Visa consultant. Canadian Tourist Visa is a 90-day single entry.
Documents For Canada Visa Application
Original Passport
Canada Visa Application Form
2 Recent Passport Size Photographs ( You will be advised about the exact requirements for the photo by your consultant )
Bank Statement Reflecting Transactions For the Last 6 months
Fixed Deposits, Property paper, etc.
Proof of Employment Like Salary Slip or Appointment letter.
There are different requirements for Business Owners and Self Employed
Australian and New Zealand are two of the most popular locations for Indians abroad. There are thousands of Indians living in Australia and New Zealand. Both the countries are popular locations for tourist too. Indians are also connected to Australians and New Zealanders by our common love for cricket.
Australia Visa For Indian Citizens
Documents Needed For Australia Visa Application
Original Passport ( Passport must be valid for at-least 6 months with minimum 3 blank pages )
Passport Pages need to be notarized and submitted along with the documents
Confirmed Air Tickets
2 Recent Passport Size Color Photographs ( Consult photo specification normally 35 mm by 45 mm and 80% face close up )
Covering letter mentioning details of travel, details of the traveler, purpose of visit and duration of visit need to addressed
Income Tax Papers showing transactions for the last 3 years
Original Bank Statements reflecting transactions for the last 6 months, duly signed and attested
Travel Itinerary
Proof of hotel accommodation.
Additional Documents
For Employed Applicant
1. Salary Slips for the last 6 months
2. Leave letter from employer
For Company Owner or Self-Employed
1. Company Registration Certificate
2. Covering letter on the company letter head and financial documents
If the applicant has a family in Australia
1. Passport and Visa copies of the invitee
2. Invitation letter
3. Relationship Proof Letter
If the stay is higher than 3 months
1. Chest X-ray and Medical Certificate
Other medical certificates may be required from panel doctor for senior citizens. It is to be noted that health documents need to obtained from panel doctor authorized by Australian Visa Authorities. This is something most people need to prepare.
New Zealand Visa For Indian Citizens
New Zealand has a considerable number of Indians. Apart from various families living in New Zealand, the country is a great tourist destination mostly because of it’s pristine beauty and breathtaking scenery.
New Zealand Visa process is a lengthy process and many documents need to be submitted
Some of the Documents Required For New Zealand Visa Application
Original passport and old passport ( in any )
Passport has to be valid for 6 months. ( 2 blank pages )
If the applicant is a business owner or self employed
Certificate of registration of the company
Covering letter of the company
Financial Documents
Note: This is a rough overview. If you are planning a vacation in future you can start preparing the documents slowly from now on. We would highly recommend you to process the visa through a visa consultant.
Sri Lankan Visa is a simple process. Indian nationals need to apply for ETA ( Electronic Travel Authorization ) in order to visit the island nation of Sri Lanka.
Electronic Travel Authorization ( ETA)
The applicants are provided with the following options to process the ETA
By the applicant
By a third party
By one of the registered agents
ETA Application Process
The ETA application process consists of the following steps.
Application Form: The applicants are required to fill the mandatory fields and submit the application
Fee Payment: One the application is completed the applicant need to pay a fee online. The applicant is provided with multiple options to process the payment.
Application Confirmation: The application will receive a confirmation regarding successful submission of the application
Check ETA Application Status
The following details are required to check the application status.
Confirmation Code
Passport Number
Nationality
The Visa for Sri Lanka is double-entry visa valid for a period of 30 days.
The Visa can be extended when you are in Sri Lanka. The visit is limited to tourism and business visits only and you may not involve in paid employment.
Please consult visa agents for detailed information
If you wish to travel to Schengen area you will need to apply for short term Schengen Visa depending on the type of your visa (either Single Entry or Multiple Entry)
The processing time of the Visa is between 10-15 days
Documents Required For Schengen Visa
Visa Application Form (Fully Completed and Signed)
Travel Insurance: A document that proves you have travel insurance for the whole Schengen Territory with a minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros in case of any medical emergency
Proof of accommodation: Document that shows you will be accommodated throughout your stay in Schengen
This can be either hostel/hotel booking, rental agreement or a letter of invitation from a host whose house you will be staying
7. Proof of financial means: Evidence that shows you will be able to support yourself financially throughout your stay in Schengen. This can be bank statements for the last 3 months or a sponsorship letter from a sponsor supporting your stay in Schengen.
The sponsorship letter has to be accompanied by a bank statement of last 3 months. The evidence of funds can be a combination of both (bank statements + letter of sponsorship)
8. Proof of paid visa fee (60 Euro for adults, 35 Euro for children aged between 6-12 years)
9. The Schengen Visa authorities also want some additional documents depending upon the employment status
For employees (Employment contract, Current bank statements for the last 6 months, leave permission from the employer, Income Tax Return Form or ITR)
For self-employed (Copy of your business license, Bank statement for last 6 months, Income Tax Return)
For students (Proof Of Enrollment, No objection letter from School or University)
For retirees (Pension statement for the last 6 months)
For unemployed married to EU citizen (Confirmation of employment letter from the spouse’s employer stating the position held within the company as well as starting date, spouse’s valid passport, official marriage certificate)
If Schengen Visa is needed for minors some additional documents will be required
1. Birth certificate 2. Application form (Signed by both parents) 3. If one parent has the child’s custody, a family court order has to be attached 4. A notarized parental authorization has to be signed either by both the parents or the legal guardians if a minor is traveling alone.
Note: The above are some of the required documentation for the Schengen Visa. It is advised to take help of a Visa Agent to simplify the process.
