A guide to getting an electronic visa

Planning a trip entails a lot of things, such as putting together an itinerary, finding and booking accommodation and transport, and so on. But one of the things you need to think of first when you travel abroad is the documentation. Depending on which country you choose as a destination, you may need a passport, a visa, or even both. Lucky for you, passports are easy to get, and visas are not what they used to be either.

In the past, getting a visa meant a trip to the embassy of the destination country. Now, things are different, and most states issue electronic visas. That has changed the game quite a lot, especially since electronic visas are available online. No trip to an embassy and the process is virtually effortless. Let’s say that you want to travel to Cambodia and you need a visa. Lucky for you, Cambodia issues electronic visas.

The first step you need to take to get an electronic visa is to find a visa expediting company. There are plenty of them out there. It is best if you do some research before you pick one. Read some reviews from customers, and see what they have to offer. Some of them have a very simple application process and require the minimum documentation, and that is what you need to go for. After all, you are paying someone to do your bidding, so it is best if they go through the whole process with as little help from you as possible.

What do you usually need to apply online for a visa?

This part is not tricky at all. Some third-party companies ask for little info to get started. All you need is to upload some documents and fill in a form that covers your general information. The general requirement is usually linked to your passport. All applicants need a passport. And even that is easy to get. You can get passport photos online, for instance. The rest depends on the issuing authority.

Apart from the passport, as an applicant for an electronic visa, you need things like a valid e-mail address, and means of online payment, such as a credit or a debit card. Some service providers take Paypal as well. Whatever works. As for the additional requirements, that depends on the visa you are applying for. Not all countries make the same requests when it comes to applications. And in the end, it is the visa issuing authority who makes the rules, and the companies that expedite the application are just playing by their guidelines.

Why go for an electronic visa?

The benefits of an electronic visa over a consular one are plenty. For one, you do not have to waste time by taking a trip to a diplomatic mission, where chances are you are going to spend quite some time. That entails taking leave from work, traveling a bit if the embassy is far, and then waiting for weeks for your visa to arrive. The last part depends on a few factors like destination, season, human resources, etc. An electronic visa is delivered to you via e-mail. All you have to do it print it out and take it with you when you leave.

Surely you can see that an electronic visa, also known as an e-visa, is a lot easier to get. The digital world has conquered almost all fields of activity, and it would have been a pity if the visa application process had not changed as well. While not all countries release electronic visas, it is just a matter of time until that happens. In the end, embassies will become obsolete as far as visas are concerned, and that is to every traveler’s convenience.

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