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TRAVEL VISAS

We provide expert travel visa consultations for various purposes including tourism, business trips, and visiting family and friends (visit visas). These visas are typically issued for short-term stays.

A tourist visa allows individuals to visit a foreign country for leisure, sightseeing, or recreational purposes for a limited duration. It prohibits engagement in any form of employment or business activities during the stay.

A business visa permits individuals to travel to a foreign country for business-related activities such as meetings, conferences, negotiations, or exploring business opportunities. It may also allow for short-term employment or training related to the business purpose.

These visas are commonly associated with visits to family and friends for tourism, some countries have a broader category known as visit visas that encompass various short-term activities, including tourism, visiting family and friends, and engaging in business activities. The specific permissions and requirements of a visit visa, including duration of stay and allowed activities, vary depending on the regulations of the issuing country.

In some cases, countries like the USA use another term associated with these visas, such as B1/B2 visas, which cover both tourist and business activities. Under the B1/B2 visa category, individuals can engage in a variety of activities, including tourism, visiting family and friends, attending business meetings, and exploring business opportunities. In such cases, a single B1/B2 visa may be issued to cover both tourist and business purposes, providing flexibility for travellers.

The Exchange Visitor Visa (J visa) for the USA is a non-immigrant visa category designed for individuals participating in approved exchange programs. It facilitates cultural exchange and mutual understanding by allowing participants to engage in educational, cultural, or professional activities in the United States for a temporary period, typically ranging from a few weeks to several years.

Many of our clients have heard about Schengen visas for visiting European countries and often wonder about the difference between tourist, business, and Schengen visas. In fact, there is little difference. The term 'Schengen visa' is a general term used for a visa issued for travel to certain European countries for tourist and business purposes. The key distinction is that it is specifically issued to travelers intending to visit countries within the Schengen Area. In most cases, a single Schengen visa is valid for travel to all Schengen Area countries, which include Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The process of applying for tourist, business, and visit visas is usually similar across countries. However, there is no one-size-fits-all set of required documents for all countries. Each government has its own rules and regulations, which can sometimes be confusing or time-consuming to understand. That's why Samyama offers consultations and assistance in submitting the required documents to foreign embassies. Our process is designed to bring ease and peace of mind before your dream vacation or important business trip, as we gather all relevant visa information on your behalf.

The actual list of required documents varies depending on the country you are applying to. However, we have compiled a list of the most requested documents for short-term visas:

  • Passport
  • Applicant's photographs
  • Country-specific application form
  • Invitation letter for visiting family or friends, or for business meetings.
  • Hotel reservation or accommodation details
  • Flight itinerary or booking confirmation.
  • Travel insurance coverage.
  • Bank statements demonstrating sufficient funds for travel expenses.
  • Letter from your employer or university confirming your current employment or enrolment status.

IMMIGRATION VISAS

Immigrant visas are a bit more time consuming and require more documents to be submitted to embassies. These are usually long-term visas, allowing travellers to settle in foreign countries at some point in the future.

A student visa is designed for individuals who wish to pursue academic studies or enrol in educational programs abroad. It allows students to reside in the foreign country temporarily for the purpose of education, typically requiring enrolment in a recognized educational institution.

A work visa grants individuals permission to work legally in a foreign country for a specified period. It is typically issued based on a job offer from an employer in the host country and may require proof of qualifications, skills, or sponsorship from the employer.

Australia for instance, offers the Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, designed for skilled workers sponsored by approved employers. Key requirements for this visa include:

  • a job offer from an Australian employer who is approved to sponsor overseas workers,
  • an occupation that is listed on the relevant skilled occupation list for the visa subclass,
  • meeting specified English language proficiency requirements, and
  • undergoing health examinations and obtaining police clearance certificates.

An Intracompany Transferee visa, also known as an ICT visa, is a type of visa that allows employees of multinational companies to be transferred to a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of the same company in another country. This visa facilitates the temporary relocation of skilled workers within the company's global network. While an Intracompany Transferee visa is not categorized specifically as a traditional work visa, not all countries offer this type of visa category. Nevertheless, it grants permission to work in a foreign country under distinct circumstances and according to different regulations and eligibility criteria than those of typical work visas. For example, US government issues typical work visas under H1B category and Intracompany Transferee Visas under L.

In summary, while both work visas and Intracompany Transferee Visas permit employment in a foreign country, an Intracompany Transferee visa is a specific type of work visa tailored for employees being transferred within multinational companies, whereas a work visa can apply to a broader range of employment situations.

A job seeker visa is a type of visa that permits individuals to enter a foreign country for a specified duration to search for employment opportunities. It provides temporary residency for job seekers to explore the job market, attend interviews, and potentially secure employment without having a job offer beforehand. For instance, Germany offers a job seeker visa allowing individuals from non-EU countries to stay for up to six months to seek employment.

A spouse visa is a type of visa that allows the spouse or partner of a citizen or permanent resident of a country to join them in that country. It enables spouses to reunite and live together in the same country, often with the intention of establishing a family life.

Australia has its own spouse visa pathway, known as the Partner Visa Subclass 820/801. This visa requires a two-stage application process. Initially, applicants apply for a temporary visa (Subclass 820), which, after a waiting period, can lead to the granting of a permanent visa (Subclass 801). The permanent visa application is typically lodged after a designated waiting period, during which the relationship is further assessed.

A dependent visa is a type of visa that allows family members of a primary visa holder to accompany them to another country. It permits spouses, children, or sometimes other relatives to join the primary visa holder and reside in the host country for the duration of their stay. Dependent visas are typically granted based on the relationship with the primary visa holder and may have specific eligibility criteria, such as financial support requirements or age limits for children.

A PR visa, or Permanent Residency visa, is a type of visa that allows an individual to live and work indefinitely in a foreign country. It grants the holder the right to reside in the host country for an extended period, typically without the need for sponsorship by an employer or family member. Additionally, PR visa holders may be eligible to apply for citizenship after meeting certain residency requirements. In Canada, individuals seeking Permanent Residency (PR) can apply through various streams, including the Express Entry system and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

Express Entry is a points-based system used to manage applications for permanent residency under three main economic immigration programs. Candidates create an online profile and are ranked based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability. Those with the highest scores are invited to apply for permanent residency through regular draws conducted by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

PNPs are immigration programs administered by Canadian provinces and territories that allow them to nominate individuals who meet specific criteria for permanent residency. Each province and territory have its own PNP with unique eligibility requirements tailored to their labour market and economic needs. Candidates may be nominated by a province or territory based on factors such as their education, work experience, language proficiency, and ties to the region.

The PR Visa (subclass 189) in Australia is a permanent residency visa that allows skilled workers to live and work anywhere in the country. It is granted (similarly like in Canada) based on a points-based system, evaluating factors such as age, skills, work experience, and English proficiency.

Visa for those who want to invest a certain amount of capital in the foreign country and meet other criteria, such as creating job opportunities.

The Innovator Founder Visa for the UK is a type of visa designed for experienced entrepreneurs seeking to establish a business in the UK. It requires applicants to have an innovative, viable, and scalable business idea endorsed by an approved endorsing body. Successful applicants can reside in the UK for up to three years initially, with the option to extend their stay and eventually apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) after meeting specific business milestones.

Each country has different set of documents for each type of visa and the processing time differs as well. Apart from basic documents mentioned for travel visas, immigrant visas very often require:

  • Proof of acquired skills in order to carry out your work abroad, like Education Degrees, certificates, proof of previous work experience.
  • Language Proficiency Test results, like TOEFL and IELTS.
  • Fitness examination to confirm you are fit for certain work.
  • Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
  • Documents from the spouse or sponsor abroad: proof of financial means, their employment details, being in possession of insurance for dependants, etc.

PLEASE NOTE:
Each type of visa requires different set of documents, and it is also based on individual applicant’s circumstances. Our experts will advise you what will be required from you based on your own situation. Very often visa application process might seem very bureaucratic and, in many cases, this is how it actually is - some countries are more relaxed about some rules than the other. At Samyama we do our best to answer all questions you may have and provide end-to-end service to make the dream vacation or moving abroad easier than it seems! Complete the contact form or give us a call and one of our specialists will be happy to assist you!