Visa Information Hub Visas explained — every type, every requirement
A free, plain-English guide to visa types, eligibility rules, processing times, required documents, photo specifications and common refusal reasons. Browse our country hubs for detailed requirements, then preview your result with our photo tools before preparing a compliant application.
Browse by country
🇨🇦 Canada
Visitor, Study, Work, Express Entry
🇺🇸 United States
B1/B2, F1, H1B, L1, O1, EB
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Visitor, Student, Skilled Worker
🇦🇺 Australia
Visitor, Student, Skilled Migration
🇪🇺 Schengen (27 countries)
Tourism, business, study, family
What is a visa?
A visa is official permission, granted by a country's government, that allows a foreign national to enter, stay in or transit through its territory. It is typically issued as a sticker (vignette) in your passport, an electronic authorisation (eVisa, ETA, ESTA) or a residence permit card. A visa specifies the purpose of travel (tourism, study, work, family, transit), the maximum duration of stay, the number of entries allowed and any conditions attached — for example, "no work permitted" or "must register with police within 3 days of arrival".
Holding a visa is not the same as having the right to enter. Border officers can still refuse entry if your documents look inconsistent, you fail the questioning, or your circumstances changed since the visa was issued. That's why most consulates emphasise that a visa grants you the right to apply for entry, not entry itself.
The main types of visas
Tourist & Visitor Visas
Short-stay permits for tourism, sightseeing, family visits and short business trips. Usually 30–180 days. Often the easiest visa to obtain, but require proof of funds, return tickets and travel insurance.
Student Visas
Long-stay permits tied to enrolment at a recognised institution. Require an acceptance letter (CAS/I-20/CoE), proof of funds for tuition and living costs, and often biometrics. Most allow part-time work.
Work Visas
Issued against a confirmed job offer from a licensed employer (Skilled Worker, H1B, TSS 482, LMIA work permit). Usually require points-based or salary thresholds and labour-market testing.
Business & Investor Visas
For founders, executives, intra-company transferees and investors. Include the US L1, UK Innovator Founder, Canadian Start-Up Visa and Australian Business Innovation 188.
Family & Partner Visas
Spouse, partner, dependent child, parent and other family-class routes. Require proof of genuine relationship, sponsor income evidence and biometrics.
Permanent Residence
Permanent settlement routes — Canadian Express Entry, US Green Card, UK Indefinite Leave to Remain, Australian Subclass 189/190/491. Usually require years of qualifying residence or sponsorship.
Typical processing timelines
Processing times are estimates from official consulates and change with seasonal demand, embassy staffing and your nationality. Always check the consulate's current published time before you book travel.
| Visa | Typical time | Peak season |
|---|
| Schengen Type C (short stay) | 15 calendar days | Up to 45 days (Jun–Aug) |
| US B1/B2 | Interview wait 2–18 months + 7 days | Highly post-dependent |
| UK Standard Visitor | 3 weeks | Up to 6 weeks (Apr–Sep) |
| Canada Visitor (TRV) | 30–60 days | 60–90 days (May–Aug) |
| Australia Visitor 600 | 20–40 days | Up to 60 days |
| US F1 Student | 2–8 weeks after I-20 | Apr–Jul |
| UK Skilled Worker | 3 weeks (priority 5 days) | Stable |
| Express Entry PR (Canada) | 6 months | Stable |
Documents you almost always need
- Passport valid 6+ months beyond travel
- Compliant biometric photo (varies by country)
- Completed application form (online or paper)
- Proof of funds — bank statements, salary slips, tax returns
- Proof of accommodation — hotel bookings or invitation letter
- Travel itinerary or flight reservations
- Travel medical insurance (mandatory for Schengen)
- Evidence of ties to home country (job, property, family)
- Visa fee receipt
- Cover letter explaining the trip purpose
Top 10 visa refusal reasons
- Insufficient funds — bank balance below the per-day minimum or unverifiable deposits.
- Weak ties to home country — no job, property, dependents or other reasons to return.
- Incomplete forms — unanswered fields, mismatched dates or wrong category.
- Non-compliant photo — wrong size, background, head position or smiling.
- Lack of travel insurance — especially for Schengen Type C applications.
- Prior visa overstays — even short overstays can trigger 1–10 year bans.
- Suspicious itinerary — one-way tickets, no accommodation, unrealistic plans.
- Inconsistent statements — interview answers contradicting the application.
- Document fraud — fake bank statements, employer letters or invitation letters.
- Public-policy concerns — security database hits, criminal record or contagious disease.
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