Determine which type of visa you require. If you are just visiting short-term for tourism or business purposes you only require a tourist visa -- the most common and easiest visa to secure. If you are a passport holder from the United States, Canada, Japan or Western Europe many countries have visa-on-arrival programs where you get an allotted amount of time in the country with only a visa stamp. Other type of visas are for study, work, spouses and immigration.
Ensure your passport is valid for six months after your intended departure date. Most countries require a passport be valid for three- to six-months after the date you intend to depart that country. Having additional time before your passport expires also helps in the event travel plans are delayed.
Visit the the country's embassy or consulate to know which documents are required for a visa. Accessing the official embassy or consulate's website is the easiest way to collect all the information needed to process your visa. Most countries require a visa application, two passport photographs and fee. Other needed documentation is dictated by which type of visa you need. The standards for getting a visa increase with the wealth of country, and depend on where you hold your passport.
Apply for your visa. All documentation should be put together in a visa packet, and sent with a self-addressed stamped envelope to the nearest consulate. If you are traveling abroad, and need a visa you should visit the nearest consulate to apply for your visa. Processing times vary depending on the country and type of visa, but are usually faster when applying in person. After you receive your visa check for accuracy.
Travel to the country. Upon arrival you will present your passport to an immigration officer who will give you an entry stamp. Be sure to check the stamp for the departure date. Do not overstay your visa as this can result in fines and complications when you apply for another visa. A few countries have the luxury of skipping right to this step when traveling for pleasure. More than 150 countries do not require visas for U.S. passport holders. The statistics are similar for residents of Western Europe, Australia, Japan and South Korea.
