We, at Thomas Cook, know and adhere to the fact that holidays and vacations are a time for a change; to be out and about exploring new places, meeting new people and just soaking in the good times. An international holiday trip that you have been planning for years to come gives you access to this. You need an all-access pass that will let you explore the beauty of the world.

Your visa is that travel document that enables you to be the explorer you always wanted to be. Now, there was a time when applying for a visa was a somewhat cumbersome job. Thanks to the change and enhancement of technology, you can now apply for a visa online. Believe it or not, the visa application process has become quite easy. It’s not just tourist visa , but you can also apply for a business visa online by following a simple and easy process. Student visa can also be applied online, if you are travelling for further education. Online visa application has made it rather easy for you to apply for the visa. 
 

So how do you go about applying for your visa?

1. Start at the beginning: You need to be clear about your travel dates. Make sure you have your journey tickets available before you apply for a visa. Almost all the consulates will ask you to submit your travel dates. 

2. Time Frame: While the processing time no longer takes months like it used to, you still need to apply for a visa at least one month in advance. You need to remember that each country has its own procedure and time frame for visa clearance. So make sure that you have enough time on hand just in case the consulate asks for additional documentation. While a Schengen visa may take only a week or so, a visa to Canada takes up to 35 working days. 

3. Documentation: You will need clear documentation while you apply for a visa. Your passport is the most important document you will need. Make sure that your passport is valid for six months post your travel dates. If your passport is about to expire immediately, your chances of getting a visa are almost nil. Many countries will also ask you to come for an interview or to provide your biometrics. 

If you are applying for a tourist visa, you will need to show your personal financial records along with your itinerary, Travel Insurance , accommodation, etc. Read our blogs to know the list of countries that offer visa on arrival. A business visa, on the other hand, will require an invitation from the counterpart and you will need to furnish your company records, along with a company letter for the same. 

While applying for student visa, you will need to show your college admission documents along with your financials. One of the major requirements for a student visa is student travel insurance.

A point to remember is that if the consulate feels that they need further documentation, they will send you an intimation asking for additional details. You can read through a checklist of common documents that are a must for applying visa to any country on our blog. 

4. Visa Fees: Now that you have a general idea about what is required, you can apply for a visa online just by entering your travel dates and purpose. You can calculate your visa fees with this information. 

5. Track your visa: One of the best things about online visa is you can track your visa application online. All you need to do is fill in your reference number, and you will know the real-time status of your application. 

6. Foreign Exchange : Once you are done with all the formalities for visa process, there comes another important thing which you shouldn’t miss. That is the foreign exchange. It is always recommended to carry the local currency of the place you’re visiting, to avoid the extra currency conversion fees abroad. One can also buy a Forex Card, as it is the most convenient way of carrying foreign currency.

All the information you need is now at your fingertips. We believe that your travel should be hassle free and you should have no stress about your holidays . Our online visa process centre will help you with all your visa related queries and help you with the process. So if you are still worried about your visa and don’t know how to go about it, fret not. We are here for you!