Getting a Foreign Visa (2024)
Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. Foreign governments often require you to get a visa before they let you enter. A visa is a travel document that allows you to enter a foreign country for a specific period of time.
In most cases, you have to apply for a visa before travelling, either at an embassy, consulate, or online. Sometimes you can also obtain a visa on arrival. This page provides general information only.
We can’t provide specific information about the kind of visa you’ll need to enter a foreign country, or which entry and exit rules apply to you.
Contact the embassy or consulate of the country you’ll be visiting for visa advice specific to your needs and circumstances.
This page provides general advice and information about visas overseas. It covers:
- types of visas
- how to get a visa
- visa-free entry
- consequences of breaching your visa.
Visa requirements can change at short notice. The Australian Government can’t provide definitive information for every destination or situation. It’s your responsibility to make sure you have the right visa. If you don’t, the Government can’t help you.
This page is for people looking for information about visas to travel overseas. If you’re from elsewhere planning to visit overseas, see getting an a visa.
Types of visas
Types of visas include:
- transit visas, if you’re just passing through
- visitor or short stay visas, usually for tourism, business, study or volunteering
- long stay or immigrant visas, if you’re going overseas to live or work.
Within each type, there are usually many variations. The specific visa you need often depends on the nationalities you hold and the activities you plan to do there.
For example, a country may have a general tourist visa that covers most short-term visitors who want to see the sights. They may also have a series of tourist visas for specific activities. This could include yoga, Hajj, medical tourism or working holidays.
To find out which visa you need, ask an authority from your destination. Contact their embassy or consulate.
How to get a visa
Each country determines their own process for visa applications and approvals.
- Check the travel advisories for all destinations you’ll be travelling to or through. Some provide basic visa information.
- Visit the websites for your destinations’ embassies or consulates in Australia. They usually detail the process for visitors.
- Some foreign embassies and consulates will direct you to an official immigration website. Others may refer to an authorized commercial service.
- Read and understand all conditions on your visa. If you get the wrong visa, or breach your conditions, you’re breaking the local law. You could be arrested or jailed overseas.
Visa on arrival
Some countries grant short-term visitor visas to individuals on arrival. This means you may not need to organize it beforehand.
A visa on arrival is not the same as visa-free travel. The authority at the border still issues you a visa. They may issue it electronically or in your passport as a stamp, sticker or attachment.
Applying for a visa directly or online
You may need to apply for a visa directly with your destination’s authority. For some countries, you can apply through one of their embassies or consulates. They may ask you to apply in person, by mail or online.
Some ask you to give your passport to their officials for processing. This could take some time. In the meantime, you won’t have your passport and can’t travel anywhere else. Don’t leave your application to the last minute.
Applying for a visa through commercial visa services
Some governments authorize commercial services to coordinate or issue visas on their behalf.
Don’t get tricked into using a commercial visa service if you don’t need to. In some countries, legitimate services pose as official services online. Some charge more for visas.
Check the destination’s government authority for their visa application process. Make sure any commercial service is authorized and legitimate.
Don’t get scammed.
If they are legitimate, compare their costs to the government option. Some overcharge to make more profit.
Avoiding visa scams
Watch out for visa scams. There are illegal operators that take your money and give you a fake visa.
A fake visa won’t be recognized when you arrive. In some cases, you might be able to buy a real visa at the airport. You’ll just lose the money you paid. In other cases, you could be accused of trying to enter the country illegally. You could be arrested or jailed.
Visa-free entry
You may not need a visa to visit some countries for certain types of travel. This includes European countries in the Schengen area and destinations with visa waiver agreements.
Schengen area
The Schengen area is made up of 26 European countries that have common entry and exit requirements. This means you may not have to apply or pay for a visa to visit short term That is if you are from the area or from Australia.
Most travelers in the Schengen area can move freely between member countries. They don’t have to go through border controls or get separate visas for each country.
Special visa rules apply in the Schengen area. See our general advice about travelling in the Schengen area.
Bilateral visa waiver agreements
Some other countries like Australia has agreements with some countries to waive some visa requirements. This means you may not have to apply or pay for a visa for short visits as a tourist. You can enter and travel freely on your passport.
Countries can change their entry or exit requirements at short notice. Before you travel, get current visa information. Contact your destination’s embassy or consulate in your country.
Consequences of breaching your visa
You could face consequences if you have visa problems. This includes getting the wrong visa or breaching a condition of your visa. Even if you didn’t mean to make a mistake.
Consequences can include:
- jail
- fines
- deportation.
The Government can be limited in how and when it can help people overseas. They can’t tell you what visa to get or what to do if you get into trouble. They can’t get you out of trouble or out of jail. It’s your responsibility to stay within the law when you’re overseas. This includes making sure you’ve got the right visa.
The Basics
Learn about your destination
- Read our travel advice for your destination. We’ll tell you the key risks and advise you how to stay safe. Learn
- what each advice level means in our travel advisories.
- Subscribe to our travel advice and we’ll update you when things change. Also follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
- Familiarize yourself with COVID-19 entry and exit rules in your destination.
- Research the local laws of the countries you plan to visit. If you’re a dual national, check if this will have any implications for your trip.
Organize your documents and insurance
- Confirm your passport is valid for at least 6 months from when you think your trip will end.
- Get the right visa for countries you’re visiting or transiting through. Smart traveler can’t help you with visas. Visa conditions change regularly so check the Embassy of the destinations you’ll visit before every trip.
- Get comprehensive travel insurance to cover you and your belongings. Check the fine print – get insurance that’s right for you and covers your activities in the places you’ll go. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.
Get an international COVID-19 vaccination certificate.
- Check if extra documents are needed if you’re travelling with children.
- If you’ll drive overseas check out the local traffic laws and practices. You’re likely to need an International
- Driving Permit (IDP) as well as your country’s driver’s license.
Plan for your health
- Consider if you’re physically and mentally healthy enough for travel. Get advice from your doctor if you’re unsure.
- See your doctor or travel clinic at least 8 weeks before you go for a basic health check. Get the vaccinations needed for the places you’ll go.
- Check if your medication is legal and available in the places you’re going. Take enough of your prescribed medicines to last the whole trip. Carry copies of your prescription and a letter from your doctor.
Tell people where you’re going
- Tell your bank you’re travelling and check if your cards will work. Have several payment options. Check how much local and foreign currency you can bring into your destination.
- Share your itinerary with friends or family members. Give them copies of your passport and visa.
- Give a trusted contact copies of your passport and visa, key documents such as prescriptions, your insurance policy and documents for travelling with children.
Plan for if things go wrong
- Know what to do if there’s a crisis where you are overseas.
- Keep a list of contacts in case you need assistance.