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For those bitten by the travel bug, the only barrier to your journey is legal compliance of the visa process. While some countries open their doors, welcoming any and all visitors wholeheartedly, others take a much stricter approach to guests. Visa processes change greatly from country to country, differing on basis of corporate law, immigration policies, permanent citizenship and many other factors.

Lawyered provides an online platform for legal discovery, connecting travellers with the best lawyers in Delhi, Mumbai and all across India, offering free legal advice and information regarding legal compliance of varying visa processes.

Toughest countries to get a visa in

• North Korea
  The elusive nation of North Korea provides very little information on its attractions, let alone the visa process. In fact, the only legal way of getting into North Korea is through an organised and closely monitored tour from China!
• Documents required (tourism):
• • Passport valid for three months from date of Visa application
  • Two visa forms (photocopy allowed).
  • Two passport-size photographs.
  • Confirmed onward/ return air ticket.
  • An invitation from North Korean national is required through the Ministry of External Affairs.
  • Onward visa and proof of funds.
  • Visa is valid for 90 days and is issued for a stay of 30 days for single entry only.
• Average time to get VISA: 2-3 weeks for approval. +5 days for processing.
• Cost of the entire process: INR 1,700/-
• Difficulty of legal compliance: Very High

• China
  China’s visa process is an extremely lengthy one that can last for months. A neverending list of documents, from hotel reservations to daily itinerary falls under mandated legal compliance for those planning to stay in the country longer than 30 days.
• Documents required (tourism):
• Original passport with 6 months validity from day of arrival in China.
• Two color photographs with white background, matt finish, size 33mm X 48mm, 80% face size.
• Covering letter mentioning the details of the travel, details of the traveler.
• Original personal bank statements for last 6 months updated with a balance of INR 1,60,000/- closing balance.
• Confirmed hotel booking required on hotels letterhead mentioning the details of the passengers. Online portal bookings not accepted.
• Confirmed air ticket.
• Day to day Itinerary
• Original leave sanction from company – if employed
• Average time to get VISA: 5 days for processing. 3 days for quick processing.
• Cost of the entire process: From INR 5,177/- to INR 13,000/- depending on time of stay and number of entries.
• Difficulty of legal compliance: Very High

• Russia
  Visa processes can become fairly simple for those holding passports from countries like UK, USA or those in the EU. But not in Russia! Entry to Russia is riddled with legal compliances that need to be followed to the letter, regardless of what passport you hold! The process is one of the lengthiest today, involving biometric scanning of fingerprints and recounting dates for every trip taken in the last decade!
• Documents required (tourism):
• Original passport with 6 months validity from date of arrival. + Old passports if any, with at least 2 blank pages.
• Visa Application forms.
• 2 recent photographs: 35 X 45mm, white background matt finish, 80% face size.
• Covering letter mentioning the details of the visit and travel itinerary.
• Original Confirmed Tourist Voucher. Tourist confirmation (in Russian language) from a receiving Russian travel agency, registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. The confirmation must contain the agency’s reference number and registration number.
• Confirmed Air tickets
• Average time to get VISA: 6-7 days for processing. 3-4 days for quick processing.
• Cost of the entire process: INR 4,800/-
• Difficulty of legal compliance: High

• Saudi Arabia
  While the corporate law in Saudi Arabia provides a tax haven for organizations, comfortably existing in this profitable economic bubble, travel to the nation is less lenient. The visa process is extremely biased for women in particular, who are forbidden from travelling alone without a male ‘sponsor’, who is required to hold the woman’s passport for duration of the visit. Furthermore, couples travelling to Saudi Arabia are expected to be married.

• Documents required (tourist Visa not permitted, only business Visa):
• Original Valid passport for 06 months from the date of travel + Old passport.
• 1 Form
• 2 Photos with white background
• Covering letter on the company letter head with round seal of the company is mandatory
• Original Higher education documents like degree certificate.
• Approval from the ministry of Foreign Affairs Saudi Arabia (MOFA) or recommendation letter from chamber of commerce of Saudi Arabia to the requesting embassy to grant the visa.
• Registration copy of the Saudi company
• Original Letter from the chamber of commerce from India
• Itinerary/return Ticket
• Original personal bank statement updated for last 3 months with bank seal and sign
• Average time to get VISA: 8-12 days for processing
• Cost of the entire process: INR 8,200/- to INR 19,000/- depending on time of stay and number of entries.
• Difficulty of legal compliance: Very High

Countries with easy visa processes

• Kenya
  Providing a mixture of modern infrastructure and wide, sprawling wildlife reserves, Kenya asks for very little from visitors. Those holding an Indian passport are eligible for a visa on arrival, which is valid for up to 3 months!
• Documents required (tourism):
• Original valid passport for 6 months from date of arrival + old passports, with at least 1 blank page in passport.
• 1 recent photo : 35X45mm, white background matt finish, 80% face size.
• Hotel bookings.
• Travel itinerary
• Return ticket.
• Average time to get VISA: 2-3 days for processing
• Cost of the entire process: USD 52/- (payment accepted in USD)
• Difficulty of legal compliance: Easy

• Nepal
  Nepal offers the most lenient legal compliance for visa processes. Indian passport holders can enter the country without need of a visa, and stay indefinitely if they’d like to!
• Documents required (tourism):
• No Visa required, only valid government ID proof.
• Average time to get VISA: -
• Cost of the entire process: -
• Difficulty of legal compliance: Very Easy

• Maldives
  Matching the Kenyan visa process, Maldives offers access to its mesmerising clear blue water beaches with minimal legal compliance required. Offering on arrival visas, which are valid for up to 3 months, Maldives is a luxury destination for those looking to take a dip!
• Documents required (tourism):
• Original passport valid for 6 months
• 2 Photos
• Accommodation proof
• Air tickets
• Sufficient foreign exchange.
• Average time to get VISA: On arrival
• Cost of the entire process: -
• Difficulty of legal compliance: Very Easy

• Thailand
  From crystal clear lagoons to a bustling city filled with delicious aromas and vibrant colours, Thailand even lets visitors land on it shores with an on arrival visa, which is valid for 15 days.

• Documents required (tourism):
• Original passport valid for a minimum period of six months after the expiry date of the visa (passports issued more than ten years ago are no longer accepted) + 1 old passport, if applicable, plus one copy of the first and last page of the current passport. The passport should have 2 blank pages.
• Visa application form.
• 2 recent photographs not older than 6 months. The photograph must be 35 mm in width X 45 mm in length. The length of face must be 32 to 36 mm from bottom of chin to the top of the skull (besides hair). Face coverage has to be 60-70 % of the photo.
• Hotel reservation showing names of all passengers.
• Occupation proof is compulsory.
• Confirmed return air tickets.
• Original last 3 months savings bank statement, with bank seal and balance 700 USD per person, or credit card statement with 700 USD per person, or forex with 700 USD per person or 20, 000 Thai baht.
• 6 Months bank statement with current balance of at least Rs 4,00,000/- for multiple entry visa .
• Average time to get VISA: 4 days for processing
• Cost of the entire process: INR 2,760/-
• Difficulty of legal compliance: Moderate

Be prepared! Get in touch with Lawyered to fill any gaps in your knowledge regarding legal compliance of visa processes and any other legal issues.

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