Travel Industry Tools Updates

What is a Visa?

Visa is an entry in Passport

A visa is an entry in a passport. What does this entry represent?

A visa is an entry in a passport that authorises a visitor to enter or re-enter the country concerned.

What information is provided on the visa?

It is usually specified as the period of validity and the number of entries allowed during that period.

Which officer has the final say regarding entry into a country?

With the immigration officials

How does the visa system help immigration officers?

The visa system assists immigration authorities in keeping records of who and how many visitors are likely to travel to and from a country.

What information does the travel agent need for a passenger's visa?

Client’s nationality or citizenship
Country of origin (where the journey begins)
Any stopover or transfer points in route
Country of destination

Why is it necessary for the travel agent to know which passport the passenger has?

Because visa rules can be different for every type of passport

Which visa-related rules need to be checked?

Rules for entering or transiting

Why is it necessary to check the rules of entry or transit?

Because the rules of transit may be different from the laws of entering that country

What is it necessary to investigate regarding a transit?

A “transit” can mean different things in different countries. Check the time permitted to transit.

If the passenger's time to change aeroplanes in the central city exceeds the allowed time, which visa will need to be requested?

Instead of requesting a transit visa, we have to require a visitor visa.

Whose responsibility is to get the necessary documents for travelling abroad?

Its passenger's responsibility

What is the responsibility of the travel agent for obtaining the necessary documents for foreign travel?

The agent’s responsibility lies primarily in supplying the client with accurate and up-to-date information, enabling them to enjoy trouble-free international travel.

What is the type of visa?

Exit Permits
Re-entry Permits
Schengen Visa
Tourist Cards
Transit Visa
Transit Without Visa
Visa Waiver Program
Visitor Visa

What is an Exit Permit?

An exit permit allows passengers to leave the country.

When can the Exit Permit be required?

This permit may be necessary for citizens to leave their own country.

How can the Exit Permit be necessary for foreign citizens?

It may also be necessary for foreign nationals to leave the country through which they were travelling in that country.

What is a Re-Entry Permit?

Re-entry Permits entitle travellers to return to their country.

What is a Schengen Visa?

Established in 1995, the Schengen Agreement is an agreement between several member states of the European Union (EU) to create a “borderless” region known as the Schengen Area.

What is the primary purpose of the Schengen Agreement?

If a passenger holds a visa from one of the countries involved in the Schengen Agreement, they can travel to other countries in the Schengen Area. There is no need to take a separate visa for those countries.

How many countries can one travel to and between in Europe with a Schengen visa?

Where can one get a Tourist Card?

The tourist card is usually obtained from an authorised travel agent, tour operator or consulate

Is there a fee for issuing a Tourist Card?

What kind of authority does the Tourist cardholder get?

It entitles the holder to enter the country on a single trip for a specified period, but extensions are usually allowed.

Who is issued a transit visa?

Transit Visa issued for the person entering the country to make transfer connections en route to a third country.

What is Transit Without Visa?

Allowing citizens of some countries to change aeroplanes without a visa so that they can go to a third country

When can a transit visa be granted to citizens of a certain country?

This can be given only if they are not leaving the airport lounge

What is the validity of a transit visa?

Its period of validity may vary by country.

What is the Visa Waiver Program?

It entitles citizens of the specified countries to enter the country for business or tourist purposes for up to 90 days.

What conditions must be followed for the Visa Weaver Program?

Foreign citizens must enter the country by air or sea.
They must have a round-trip ticket or a continuing journey ticket with the airline that has agreed to participate in the Visa Weaver Program.

What is a Visitor Visa?

It gives the passenger the right to enter any other country.

A visitor visa grants the right of entry to a passenger in another country, but under what circumstances is this possible?

If the passenger satisfies the immigration department of that country

What are the conditions to be followed to get a Visitor Visa?

Proof of having sufficient funds for the period of stay
Onward or return ticket

Different Kinds Of Visa

Business Visa
Conference Visa
Employment Visa
Journalist Visa
Medical Visa
Research Visa
Student Visa
Tourist Visa
Transit Visa

To whom do business visa become available?

Business visas are available for those who want to explore business opportunities or conduct business in India.

What will they have to do with the organisation they want to do business with for a business visa?

A letter

For a business visa, they need a letter from the organisation with which they want to do business. What should be mentioned in that letter?

The nature of the business
Duration of stay
Places to be visited

For how many months is a business visa valid?

For six months or more

How many times can a passenger come and go on a business visa?

With multiple entries

How many years of a business visa can be granted to foreigners setting up joint ventures in India?

Ten years

Who can be granted a ten-year business visa?

Foreigners setting up joint ventures in India

To whom are the conference visas issued?

Conference visas are issued to delegates who wish to attend the conference organised by the Government of India

Those who are going to attend a conference organised by a private organisation in India can they apply for a conference visa?

Those who are going to attend a conference organised by a private organisation in India, which visa should they apply for?

Business visa

Who is issued an employment visa?

Employment visas are issued to foreigners working in India for an organisation registered in India.

How long is the employment visa granted?

Employment visas are usually granted for one year or the duration of the contract and can be extended in India.

What does an applicant have to offer to apply for an employment visa?

To apply for an employment visa, the applicant must present the employment application form of the Indian company, which lists all employment conditions.

Who can apply for a journalist visa?

If someone is a professional journalist or photographer and wants to come to India to make a film or documentary, then they should apply for a journalist visa.

If someone is a professional journalist or photographer and wants to come to India to make a film or documentary, what visa should they apply for?

Journalist visa

What is the main benefit of a journalist visa?

The main advantage of a journalist visa is to gain access to a particular area or person.

Who can get a journalist visa?

If a person is employed in a media company and has listed his occupation as a journalist or photographer on the visa application, he can get a journalist visa.

For how many months is a journalist visa issued?