Visit your home country's embassy or department of immigration's website for information on visa requirements per country. Look for links or sections on the homepage with key phrases such as "for citizens," "foreign entry requirements" and "abroad travel." Often your country's immigration-services websites will break down visa information by country and by visas offered.
Locate your destination country and read through all the information on its entry or visa requirements for people from your country. Typically, the information includes links to the destination country's embassy or immigration website for additional information or visa applications. To learn as much as possible about entry or visa requirements, follow the links provided even if you are not required to obtain a visa before your visit.
Determine whether your destination country requires advanced visa application and how long the application takes to be processed, visa fees and currency requirements, and required materials for entry. Some countries' customs will require you to present materials such as bank statements and proof of return flight, along with your passport, before granting you a visa.
Find a visa application on your destination country's embassy or immigration website and fill it out entirely. Accompanying information will often list the materials you will need, such as passport, Social Security number and information about recent trips abroad. Some applications require completion in one session, while others allow you to log in and log out of the application at your convenience.
Submit your completed application and note the date of submission and any application confirmation or tracking numbers. If you know the approximate processing period, the submission date will give you an estimate of when to expect to hear whether your visa was accepted or rejected. If you encounter any problems with your application or do not hear back by the expected time, contact the destination country's department of immigration and give them your confirmation or tracking numbers.
