How to prepare a visit visa application

A visit visa is usually refused for avoidable reasons: a missing document, unclear travel plans or weak proof that you will return home. This guide shows how to prepare well. The decision is always made by the embassy or the immigration authority, never by a travel agency.

1. Check whether you need a visa at all

The rules depend on your passport and on the country you visit. Some nationalities travel without a visa, others need one in advance. Always check the official government website of the country you visit. Our visa check shows what we have researched for the destinations we help with most.

2. Collect the documents most embassies ask for

• A valid passport, with enough validity left after your trip
• The completed application form and recent photos
• Proof of money for the trip, usually recent bank statements
• Proof of accommodation and a simple plan of your trip
• Proof of ties to your home country, for example your job, family or property
• Travel medical insurance where the country requires it

3. Know the official fee and the usual time

Two examples from official sources, researched in October 2026:

• Schengen area (for example Germany): EUR 90 for adults, EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 11, free under 6. Processing takes about 15 calendar days and up to 45 days in busy periods. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180 days. Travel medical insurance with at least EUR 30,000 cover is required.
• United Kingdom, Standard Visitor visa: GBP 127 for stays up to 6 months, with a decision usually about 3 weeks after your biometrics appointment. Work is not allowed on this visa.

Fees and rules change, so confirm them on the official website before you apply.

4. Apply early

Appointments at visa centres can be booked out for weeks. Apply as early as the rules allow, and do not buy non refundable tickets before you have your visa.

5. Be honest and consistent

Every date, name and amount should match across your form, your bank statements and your bookings. If you were refused a visa before, say so: hiding a refusal is a common reason for a new refusal.

How we help

We check your documents, help with the form and prepare you for the appointment. Our service fee is separate from the official fee and is always named before we start. Start with our visit visa page.