Travel Visa FAQs
What is a travel visa?
A travel visa is a document issued by a foreign country that provides permission for you to gain entry into that country. It is your responsibility to determine whether or not a travel visa is required for your upcoming trip. Please go to the Visas section of our website to see the travel visa requirements for your specific destination.
What is required to apply for a travel visa?
While the specific requirements vary, most countries require that you submit recent photographs, complete an application form, and submit your actual passport. Your passport is required as the visa, if issued, is affixed it a blank visa page in your passport. Other documents can also be required such as a detailed travel itinerary, health information, and invitation letters. Frequent changes to visa requirements and regulations cause research for international travel itineraries to be a confusing and time-consuming process. CIBTvisas alleviates the confusion for customers and clients by maintaining a proprietary database that has the most up to date travel visa requirements for over 200 counties. To find out if a travel visa is required for your specific destination, go to the Visas section of our website.
How does CIBTvisas obtain a travel visa for me?
CIBTvisas obtains travel visas by submitting a completed travel visa application, and other required documents, to embassies or consulates of on your behalf. This eliminates the need for you to visit, communicate, and correspond directly with the embassy or consulate of your destination country. Please go to the Visas section of our website to see the travel visa requirements for your specific destination.
Is my passport required to obtain a travel visa?
For the majority of countries, a travel visa is stamped on, or affixed to, a travel visa page inside a passport. However, there are a few exceptions. Please go to the Visas section of our website to see the travel visa requirements for your specific destination.
Do nationals of countries other than Belgium need a travel visa?
CIBTvisas provides the travel visa requirements for travellers of many nationalities. No matter what type of passport you hold, CIBTvisas can provide detailed travel visa information for most destinations. Please go to the Visas section of our website to see the travel visa requirements for your specific destination.
I am living in Belgium and want to travel to a neighbouring country. Do I need a Visa?
A foreigner (if not visa exempt) with a Schengen visa or a Belgian residence permit can, within the validity of their visa, unlimitedly travel within the Schengen countries. These are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Sweden and Switzerland. NOTE: Great Britain and Ireland, although EU-member, are not part of the Schengen area, a separate visa is required.
How long will it take CIBTvisas to process my travel visa?
The speed to process a visa varies for each destination country. CIBTvisas can process travel visas for many destinations in as little as a day. Please view the Visas section and select your country of travel to determine the travel visa processing time.
Can CIBTvisas obtain additional documents required to apply for my travel visa, such as an invitation or confirmation?
Travel visa invitations and confirmations are documents approved by the Foreign Ministry of the country of destination. These documents authorise you to visit their country. CIBTvisas is able to acquire travel visa invitations and confirmations on your behalf. Go to the Visas section of our website to see the travel visa requirements for your specific destination.
Can I fax passport copies and completed applications to CIBTvisas for issuance of a travel visa?
For the majority of countries, an original passport and application with your signature must be submitted in order to apply for a travel visa. However, there are a few exceptions. Please go to the Visas section of our website to see the travel visa requirements for your specific destination.
Does the photo in my passport count as one passport photo? Can I submit digitally produced passport photographs?
The photographs submitted with a travel visa application must adhere to specific requirements regarding the size, background colour, and type of paper on which the photo is printed. The standard size is a 45mm high x 35mm wide photo taken of yourself within the last month. Please be aware that any attempts to use digital photos must adhere to standard passport photo requirements (colour, plain background) and be printed on correct photo quality paper. Please go to the Visas section of our website to see the photograph requirements for your specific destination.
Has CIBTvisas received my documentation yet?
To track the status of your order, please visit Status Check where you can get up-to-date information on your order. You can track your order by using either the CIBTvisas order number and traveller’s last name or the travellers date of birth and last name. If you are a CIBTvisas account manager you can log in to your account and see all of the orders you are managing.
Why does CIBTvisas ask for two dates on the order form: the entry date and the date passport is required?
These dates are important because the traveller may require that his/her passport be returned in advance of their actual departure or entry date. Travellers may have an interim international trip scheduled. Please note that processing timeframes and fees are based on the date the passport must be back in your possession.
What is the difference between visa validity vs. duration?
Validity refers to the expiry date of the visa itself. Duration refers to the maximum stay permitted, based on the visa. A China multiple entry visa may be valid for 1 year, however, the maximum stay per entry is 30 days.
What are the differences between multiple, double or single entry visa?
A multiply entry visa allows the traveller to visit a country an unlimited number of times as long as the visa remains valid and the duration of stay is within the limits. A double entry allows two entries, and single entry visa allows the holder to visit a country only once before needing a new visa.
What is included in the fees I pay to CIBTvisas for my travel visa?
The fees to process a travel visa include a consular fee and a CIBTvisas fee. The consular fee is a fee charged by the country that is issuing the travel visa. These charges must be paid to the consulate issuing the travel visa whether the visa is issued by CIBTvisas or not. Please note that the consular fees are subject to change without advance notice at any time by various governments. The cost of using CIBTvisas varies based on the services you have requested and how quickly you need the documentation to be processed. The fees established by CIBTvisas are in place to facilitate and maintain the highest quality of travel visa and passport processing possible. CIBTvisas service fees and consular fees charged by the country issuing the travel visa will be clearly listed in CIBTvisas Application Packs. Please go to the Visas section of our website to see the travel visa requirements for your specific destination.
What forms of payment does CIBTvisas accept?
CIBTvisas accepts payment by Maestro and credit card including Visa, American Express and Mastercard.
What is the proper format for the business cover letter/letter of guaranty that will accompany my visa application?
In general, business cover letters must be on company letterhead, must be signed by someone in authority other than the applicant, and must include the nature of the visit as well as a guarantee that the company will pay the applicant's expenses.
Can I get a visa issued upon arrival?
Some countries will permit this but many will not. However, even if your destination country does allow issuance upon entry, CIBTvisas highly recommends procuring your visa prior to departure to prevent any possible delays or entry denials at the border.
Am I required to receive vaccinations for international travel?
Some countries require you to show proof of vaccination for certain diseases in order to apply for a visa. Any vaccinations required to apply for a visa will be clearly outlined in the CIBTvisas Information Pack. However, additional vaccinations may be recommended for you. To determine if vaccinations are recommended for your travel itinerary, please contact your local physician
