VISA GUIDELINES

1.      How do I apply for a visa?

2.      The written statement must include by law:

3.      Who issues a visa and how long does it take to process ? 

4.      For how long is a visa valid?

5.      Refusal of a visa

1.   How do I apply for a visa?

Before applying for a visa, check out at the embassy (from the country you are travelling at) which documents exactly you need.   Since the laws are constantly changing on this item, so are the requirements for Visa.   Even updating this information from time to time we can not guarantee that the following information is accurate for all counties.

You need the following documents when applying for a visa:

1. A completed and signed visa application form in duplicate and two (2) identical photographs of yourself.

2. A passport valid for at least three (3) months following your journey.

3. Travel insurance covering the duration of the visa and the country you will be travelling at. The insurance indemnity should be at least EUR 30,000 and should insure you in case of sudden illness or accident (including travel home) and include transportation home in the event of your death.

4. The application form should be accompanied by other documents indicating the purpose, conditions and duration of your visit. These can include tickets, confirmed hotel reservations and a private or official letter of invitation. The invitation may be written in free-form but must include details of the host organisation or individual, and your date of birth, address, passport number, and purpose and length of visit. If the visit is a private one, it is worth mentioning the relationship between the host and the guest, for example whether she/he is a friend, or relative. Please note that an invitation is not a guarantee that a visa will be issued.

You may need to supply further details in addition to those mentioned above, such as the route of your journey, means of transport, details of your return journey, income, property and details of your employment. You must have sufficient funds to cover your stay - at least EUR 40 a day. (In this amount will be a variation depending on the country)

5. Underage children require parental consent if they intend to travel unaccompanied by a parent or guardian.

6. The embassy or consulate may also want to interview you to ask about the purpose of your visit.

7. By signing the application you are responsible for the accuracy of the information you have given. You must sign the form personally. If the form is unsigned or someone else has signed it for you, the application will be denied.

2.   The written statement must include by law:

• The name of you and your employer
• The date you started work
• The amount of pay and how often you will be paid, for example, weekly or monthly
• The hours of work
• Your holiday entitlement, including how many days off you are entitled to and what your holiday pay will be, if any
• How much notice you are entitled to if you are dismissed and how much warning you must give the employer if you want to leave the job
• The title of the job
• Where the job is based, for example, the host families address.
• What the disciplinary, dismissal and grievance procedures are in the workplace
• What sick pay you are entitled to, if any.

3.  Who issues a visa and how long does it take to process ?

A visa is issued by a diplomat or consul.

You should leave your application at a few weeks before starting on your journey, but it is advisable to do so earlier.  Applications should be delivered well in advance so that there will be proper time to process them.  The processing charge must be paid in cash when you leave your application, except in the case of bank transfers.    More information from the missions abroad.

4.   For how long is a visa valid?

A visa granting multiple entries may be valid for one year at a time so that the number of days spent in the country of residence does not exceed more than 90 days within six months. The number of days will be counted based on the stamps in your passport. A multiple-entry visa may be valid for a year.

5.   Refusal of a visa

If the conditions for granting a visa are not fulfilled, your application will be refused. Should this happen you will receive a written notification of refusal. A refusal cannot be appealed.

A negative decision may be due to your not fulfilling the prerequisites.  A visa may be refused if an applicant does not possess a valid travel document, does not have documents to prove the purpose and the conditions of his or her stay, does not have sufficient funds to cover his or her stay, or does not have the right of return to the country of departure or to continue to a third country. An applicant might be prohibited from entering a country due to the consideration of being: a threat to the public order, national security or international relations of the country of destination.