visa
At a visa it is an entry permit for a country to be obtained in advance, which is usually entered in the passport. The German name is Visa, the plural of the Latin term is Visa, which is also its English singular.
passport
To prove your identity, you need identification papers when traveling. This is usually the passport. It is issued by an authority of the state of which you are a citizen. If a passport has to be issued due to loss abroad, this is done by the embassy or consulate of the home country. Copies of the original passport are advantageous when procuring a replacement.
With a passport it is made credible that the passport holder is a citizen of the issuing state and in most cases has the right to re-enter his home country.[1] This means that a simpler proof of identity, e.g. in the form of an identity card, is sufficient within your own country. This is true through the Schengen Agreement also for the area of the European Union and some other countries. Even if border controls are no longer carried out here, identification is required in some countries and it is in your personal interest to have at least one identity card with you. This also applies to children of all ages. The entry in the parents' passport is no longer valid within the EU since 2012.
The passport gives you the right to leave your own national territory and in most cases to return, but it is not a matter of course that you are also allowed to enter the desired travel destination. This permit is issued by an authority at the travel destination as a visa, which is usually a visa that is entered in the passport.
Categories of visas
The following types are usually considered for tourists
- Airport transit visa (arrival at the airport and onward flight without leaving the airport).
- Transit visa (stopover on a flight, leaving the airport premises, even if only for hours)
- Short-term visa (usually up to 90 days)
Something different and less touristically relevant
- Permanent residence with a work permit
Applying for a visa
As a rule, the embassies and consulates of the relevant state are authorized to issue visas. The necessary forms can often be downloaded for printing. As a rule, two suitable passport photos must be attached to the application. It is important to pay attention to the validity of your own passport. It may be that the passport only has to be valid up to the day of the intended departure, but many countries require the passport to be valid for up to 6 months after the end of the journey.
Frequently requested additional conditions:
- Foreign health insurance
- Proof of the necessary financial means for the trip
- Proof of accommodation (submit invitations, hotel confirmations, ...)
- Proof of onward travel or return transport. In some countries, the visas of transit countries have to be presented.
- Proof of necessary vaccinations.
The visa regulations are as diverse as the countries in the world and are subject to constant change. It is often more expensive, but easier and faster to transfer the procurement of the visa to a travel agency or to one of the companies listed under the web links.
Other forms
- The international immigration card. Many states are satisfied with a simplified procedure. Before entering the country (often on the plane) you fill out a card on which the passport number and flight number (e.g. LH 753) must be given, often also the accommodation at the destination (e.g. the name of the hotel).
Note
A visa is not a guarantee of entry. Short-term changes in the host country's regulations or the carrying of articles that are subject to the import ban can prevent entry. For example, alcohol or certain drugs that are considered to be narcotic drugs are not allowed to be imported into some Arab countries; other states prohibit the importation of fruit or meat products. In these cases, entry can be refused despite a valid visa. It is therefore essential to find out more before starting your trip.
Entry requirements
Details of where a visa is required:
- German citizens
- Austrian citizens
- Swiss citizen
- Liechtensteiner
- Luxembourger
It should be noted that many “visa on arrival” or “eVisa” are restricted to certain border crossings (mostly international airports).
The IATA Timatic Database, Source of information for international airlines, is an up-to-date alternative.
Despite the UN's call for the complete lifting of travel restrictions for people with HIV, there have been many easements since 2010, and these are still in place in many countries (e.g. South Korea) for short-term travel. An overview can be found at in English at HIV Travel. A number of countries require a negative AIDS test for permanent stays or for non-tourist purposes (e.g. Kazakhstan from 30 days, Australia for permanent residence).
See also
In addition to the individual country articles, the following articles also provide further information:
literature
Web links
- passportindex.org - Visa exemption categorized by country
- ↑The proof In the FRG, citizenship is only granted by means of a citizenship card (cf. § 30 Citizenship Act). Certain categories of passport holders, e.g. British passports, do not necessarily have the right to enter the United Kingdom.