The Schengen Area consists of 26 countries. The Schengen agreement eliminates all types of border control along the mutual borders allowing easy passage for the tourists traveling to other Schengen countries. The 26 Schengen countries are

 1. Austria

Austria is famous for its historical and architectural wonders and the breathtaking views of natural landscapes. Some of the must-see spots include Salzberg, Salzkammergut, Vienna, Graz, Wachau.

2. Belgium

Belgium is a small country where you can see around easily on a road trip or a train. Major highlights include Antwerp, Brussels, Bruges, Namur, Durbuy.

3. Czech Republic

Prague has been a frequent itinerary stop for most of the worldwide travelers and the rest of Czech where we experience their actual culture, the charming medieval cities, and adventurous hiking trails is often overlooked. There’s more to Czech than Prague. Cities like Kutná Hora, Ceský Krumlov, Lednice and Valtice, Karlovy Vary are worth seeing.

4. Denmark

World’s best modern art museum in Louisiana, the Tivoli Gardens (the second-oldest operating amusement park in the world), the ancient city of Roskilde, 16th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site Kronborg Castle in Copenhagen are few of the popular places in Denmark.

5. Estonia

The biggest island in Estonia, Saaremaa is a well-known tourist spot. Apart from this, Abruka (a notable zoological park and botanical reserve), Lahemaa National Park(huge waterfalls, lakes, rivers) situated in the north of Estonia and national park Soomaa is worth visiting

6. Finland

Helsinki, Lapland. From the fascinating landmarks like e Cathedral to the spectacular Aurora Borealis (the northern lights) in Lapland. Finland had been a major attraction for worldwide tourists.

7. France

The most visited country in Europe. France is the home to the world-famous wonders the Eiffel tower, the Louvre, the Notre Dame de Paris, Disneyland, river Seine, Nice… and the list goes on

 8. Germany

With being the largest economy in Europe, Germany has the largest population in the European Union. Munich, Hamberg, Berlin, Frankfurt, Mosel Valley are some of the popular tourist’s hubs.

9. Greece

The archaeological sites and the historical landmarks will definitely take you back in times. Santorini with its white houses is something you cannot miss.

10. Hungary

Budapest being the central attraction for the country will amaze you with its small towns like Szentendre, Tojak still maintaining the culture with its proximity to nature

11. Iceland

The home of the first parliament in Europe. Iceland is a great place to see both the Northern Lights and experience the Midnight Sun.

12. Italy

The Uffizi Gallery in Florence, the scenic town hills of Tuscany, the world-class museums in Milan, the gorgeous Venice, the ancient ruins in Pompeii, the island of Capri at the coast of Italy are some of the must-see destinations in Italy.

13. Latvia

Gauja National Park, Gutmanis and Viktors caves are some of the major attractions in Latvia

14. Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein, land with mountains, valleys, rivers, and castles. The beauty of the land attracts many visitors to the country. The country with no airports.

 15. Lithuania

The calm and peaceful country has various spa resorts apart from the Polish, German and Russian influenced monuments. Vilnius is the capital city of Lithuania.

16. Luxembourg

Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in the world and the least populated country in the European Union. The country’s most famous attractions is the Bock Casemates, a 21-kilometer underground tunnel network.

17. Malta

Blue Lagoon is its biggest attraction. Malta has one of the oldest structures in the world. The Citadel, limestone megalithic temples, Hagar Qim are popular attractions.

18. Netherlands

Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the house where Jewish diarist Anne Frank hid are major tourist spots in the country’s capital, Amsterdam.

19. Norway

The deepest fjord in Norway is the longest in Europe. Other must-see attractions are the famous Holmenkollen ski jump, the new Opera House and the Norwegian Folk Museum on the peninsula of Bygdøy.

20. Poland

Poland, an architectural wonder makes it difficult to leave. Be sure not to miss, Kraków, Warsaw

21. Portugal

The oldest country in Europe. Portugal has 15 UNESCO world heritage sites, apart from an amazing surfing facility at Praia do Norte in Nazaré.

22. Slovakia

Slovakia has the most spectacular mountains. The highest range is a designated UNESCO biological reserve.

23. Slovenia

The “peaceful” country in literal means. Lake Bled has mild thermal springs that warm the water of the impossibly beautiful cobalt-blue lake to 26°C. You can find some of the cheapest ski resorts in Slovenia.

24. Spain

Spain has it all – beautiful ski slopes, great beaches, and great food. Spain is a major tourist location ranking 3rd in the most visited place in the world. Events like Bullfighting, La Tomatina attract tourists all over the world.

25. Sweden

Sweden was the first European country to create a National Park due to the Swedes’ love for nature and wild. Archipelagos are one of the must-visit places if you visit Stockholm

26. Switzerland

The country will charm you with its architectural wealth, lets you experience the Swiss postcard-like landscapes in Valais or Grisons. The mountainous landscape and botanical garden in Geneva, the vast green spaces in Basel and Freiburg are some must-see places.

1 visa, 26 countries

Some facts you should know before you apply for a Canadian Tourist Visa

1. Valid travel document: Passport should have a minimum of 6 months validity from the date of travel. If you’re traveling from a different country other than your home country, a 6-month validity on your residence permit is mandatory.

2.Purpose of visit: You need to present a cover letter clearly stating the purpose of your visit. The summary of what you intend to do on your stay, your past travel experience along with your preference of a single or multiple entry visa details. Also, attach the necessary documents like a letter from the employer.

3. Good health: You might need to submit a medical clearance certificate for visa application

4. Clean record: Any kind of involvement in criminal activity or human rights violation or any kind of organized crime would make you ineligible making your wish to visit Canada a distant dream.

5. Strong ties to your country: You will need to submit documents that show your social and professional ties to your country. This means they need an assurance that you are not planning to overstay, find work illegally, and eventually stay there forever. A letter from your employer like a NOC, or a payslip or a covering letter from the company, or income tax reports if you are an entrepreneur would be necessary.

6.Financial subsistence: Documents that prove that you have enough funds in your bank account to support your travel and stay in Canada.

7. Mode of application: Canadian visa can be applied online or on paper (only for online visa-exempt countries.) Online applications are processed quicker and save with no postal expense. An online account keeps you updated on the status of your visa.

8. Apply via VFS: The passport and registration details should be submitted at the VFS Canada center in your country. If you apply for a Canadian tourist visa , find the nearest VFS Global office at your location to submit your biometrics and passport for visa processing.

Ensure you meet all the basic requirements for a Canadian visitors’ visa.

Take your first step to plan your trip to Canada

U.S visa appointment Schedule.

Step 1. Choose your visa. If your purport is tourism, the visa type is B1/B2.

Step 2. Fill in the online application form (DS-160) that is available on their official website in English. Fill in all the details accurately. You will require to have documents such as a valid passport, travel itinerary, past visits to the U.S if any, your resume and several extra documents depending on your purpose of the visit while applying. You will receive a confirmed application number and any error on the application can lead to a visa denial.

Step 3. A user account has to be made at the Official US Department of State Visa Appointment Service. Your DS-160 application confirmation number need to be entered.

Step4. US visa appointment dates can be booked online while the payment for your visa application is done. Collect all the supporting documents which you will have to submit during the time of appointment or the interview.

Step 5.  You have to arrive at least half an hour before the appointment time. The interview may take about 5 to 10 minutes. Abide by the instructions given by the consulate after the interview and track the status of your visa on the official website.

Applicants falling under a certain age group and those who are renewing their US visas are relieved from taking an appointment. This eligibility of appointment waiver is determined based on the information furnished during the application process.

Worried about how to do this? We can assist you from the very first step for an easy and hustle free visa!!!

Applying for a visa to any country can be extremely hard, entangled, and tedious. An ideal visa consultant would know how to accomplish your desires for visiting or settling abroad. It sounds so simple and easy. With immigration and policies getting more complicated than ever, choosing a proficient and ingenious agent seems to be a difficult task in applying for a visa.

So how do you choose one? Here are a few tips where you can make use of:

Experience and resourcefulness – The only source of knowledge is experience. A visa application is a complex maze of questions that can only be cracked with the guidance of an experienced agent. The most experienced agents are considered to be the best in the business. Experience goes a long way in guiding applicants in the right direction and continuous follow-ups.

Certification – Visiting or migrating to a foreign country is a sensitive matter where the safety of your family is of great concern. Any scam can lead to challenging situations. Finding a certified visa agent near you will be beneficial. Make sure you check that your consultant is legitimate before making the payment. Better be safe than sorry.

Professionalism and transparency- Inform an applicant about the process of the application – the necessities, the price to be paid, and so on. Besides their relational abilities, the agent should be able to facilitate and motivate the applicant along the entire process. Having professional help with proper planning on how to and when to apply can have a huge impact on your application.

Honesty- It’s funny how everybody considers honesty a quality, yet no one wants to hear the truth!!! An applicant would need nothing else than to hear just the favourable things and possible positive results of their application. Though in most cases, the challenging truth is not all applicants are accepted on their first try. A decent visa consultant shows his/her honesty and shares the matter with the applicant with the aim that they will know not to keep their hopes too high and will not ask them to give false information under any circumstances.

Reference– Always ask for references. By contacting them, we can know about the quality and reliability of the service provided by the visa consultant.

Website: Check out the website and services they provide. Nowadays all the information can be obtained via the website, even the prices. So doing detailed research will help you to differentiate and finally go along with the right visa consultant. Planning your holidays overseas! We got a wide variety of holiday packages including visas.

Why do most of the ex-pats choose Canada?

Safest and most secure country -Canada has been ranked as the 6th most peaceful country according to the Global Peace Index 2018. Canada has stringent laws on gun control and lower crime rates.

World-class Education and Healthcare: High-quality education that is free of cost attracts most of the immigrants with younger dependants. Some of the top universities in the world are present in Canada. Another good reason to migrate to Canada is the free health care that permanent residents and citizens of Canada receive.

Must read this if you’re planning to study in Canada

Wide job opportunities Canada is a huge country with a strong economy despite the international economic circumstances. There are a plethora of job opportunities available throughout the country. Even though there is a downside to Canadian experience for every job, if you have the right skill and the mentality, you will be where you want to be in the next 2 to 3 years. There are different immigration programs based on skills or qualifications (NOC) that will open a wide range of choices for skilled immigrants.

Immigrant friendly– Well known for its multicultural diversity, the tolerant and friendly attitude of the Canadian community helps the immigrants to feel at home and settle easily in Canada. 

Planning a visit to Canada? Contact us to know more about Canada visa application.

21st June 2019, Qatar.

People had scared the hell out of me with the recent hype of rejections. I was going through different websites, Quora, many interview threads. The more I was searching I was only able to find more rejection threads, it was more than enough to give me the “jitters”

Anyways, I was so confident that I’d be rejected, I couldn’t stop smiling.

I was practising all night looking in the mirror, role-playing with my neighbour about what sort of questions they would be asking and how I’d answer them. I was applying for a B1 visa (Tourist visa) 

Finally, the day arrived, I went through security checks before being in the final line that led into the interview rooms. I saw person after person walking away with passports in hand, disappointed. I thought this was normal. There was a counter each on either side, with one person being interviewed and two waiting behind them.

Starting from the right, an old cute couple were going to visit their daughter and they were smiling and communicating in the local language and I had a strong feeling that the officer was also speaking in their same language instead of being translated by someone and their visa was approved. I was like,” Yay! Good for them, mine will be too… “

While on the left side, there was a kid finishing his interview. The officer asked him, “Do you have any property here or your father?” He replied, “yes, a couple.”

“Can I see the property documents?”

“Yeah,” he opens his file and pulls out a couple of papers in a moment.

“Thank you, I may have to keep your file for more investigation and study (I think that’s what I heard), this does not guarantee you a visa, we will inform you of a decision when it’s ready. The time could range from N days to NN weeks, you can check…”

I couldn’t hear the conversation anymore. I thought to myself, “what the heck, I’m not carrying any possession documents.” The kid left with a disappointed face.

I was smiling, probably the only one in the room smiling, not thinking this might happen to me too.

So at the other counter, where there was a new candidate now, a man in his mid-30s, fancy clothes and shoes, gold chain and whatnot. That’s when I looked around and observed everyone was dressed to impress. I then looked at myself and I was so simply dressed in a blue plaid shirt sleeves folded, chinos and casual shoes.

Back to the interview,

The officer asked, “So what’s your purpose of visiting the United States?”

“I’m attending a Talk.”

“I see. How were you invited to the Talk?”

“I got an email from a club that I’m a member of.” That answer seemed super vague to me.

She then asked him “Do own any property here?”

Instead of answering a simple yes, he goes about saying “ Yes, I have two flats in the city, and Xyz acres (don’t remember the actual number) of property, I own a cafeteria here from which I get a yearly turnover of XXXX QAR, I have the papers here if you want to see..” and proceed with opening a huge file and going through it.

She looked at him for a few seconds and I knew what was going on in her head. “Did I ask you how much property? Did I ask you where you had property? Did I ask you for any property-related document…?

But she simply told him “I don’t need to see the documents, I’m sorry, but your visa cannot be processed this time” and hands him his passport. He couldn’t believe it. Miserably, he took the passport and walked out. I guess his talkative nature got him!!!

Read to know all about Schengen visa on Schengen visa 101

Since you have got an idea of what a Schengen visa is I‘ll get started on explaining how I got my Schengen visa started from Bahrain. The best time to start your application is 6 months before the trip. Before you start your application, these are the 2 things you must have made a

– A valid passport

– Funds to support your travel

These are the list of documents you need when you apply for a Schengen visa.

a. 2 Recent photographs– 35mm in width and 45 mm in height

b. Proof of residence in U.A.E – Copy of residence permit with a validity of at least a minimum of three months from the travel date

c. Cover letter – should state the reason for the visit, countries you’re visiting the duration of your visit. Enclose invitation if any.

d. Proof of accommodation and travel reservations and itinerary – Copies of round tickets from Bahrain to the Schengen country, your hotel/hostel bookings, and description of the places you’re going to visit.

e. Bank statements – Confirmation that you have enough financial means to cover the whole trip

f. Travel Insurance -Travel insurance is required in case of any medical emergency, accidents or illness that is valid in all Schengen states.

g. Employment status– Letter from the employer stating the purpose of visit, copy of your employment contract, income tax return. If you are a student, you would require a letter from your no objection letter from your university and a copy of your admit card. If you’re a business person, you need to present a copy of the business license, tax return.

The processing of the application takes 10 to15 days at the embassy/consulate /VFS. So to find your respective embassy depends on your port of entry in the Schengen area or your duration of stay in the Schengen country if you’re visiting more than 2 countries.

This is just the first step and always take a second opinion. A visa/ travel consultant can advise you on the procedures that are required to follow and assist in follow-up and create an error-free application.

1 visa – 26 countries 

Planning your dream trip to Europe? Let us plan it for you- from visa, flights, hotels, tours, to pick and drop- we will be your travel partner in every step.

How to apply for a UK tourist visa if you’re a Pakistani Citizen residing in the UAE

  Am I eligible to visit the U.K?

   Yes, on these three conditions, you are eligible for a U.K visa.

1. You must able to cover all your travel expenses- how much you think your trip will cost, must be able to support yourself and any dependents for the duration of your trip.

2. Show strong ties to your country or prove to them that you wouldn’t overstay your trip.

3. No criminal record.

  Which visa type should I apply for?

  A Standard Visitor visa is applied for

a) Tourism purpose, for example on holiday or to see your family and friends

b) Business – Attend meetings or conferences or take part in business-related activities.

c) Sports or creative events, academic research purposes.

d) Also to receive any medical treatment.

If you believe your purpose falls in these 3 categories, then you need to apply for the same.

 Can I visit Ireland with my standard visitor visa?

  No, you have to apply for a different visa for Ireland (C visa.)

 When should I start my application?

  Apply at least 3 months before the date of travel.

 How long can I spend in the U.K?

 The validity of the Standard Visitor visa is up to 6 months. You can extend your visa for:

• For medical treatment – up to 11 months

• For academic research, while you are on sabbatical- you, your spouse or civil partner may be able to stay for up to 12 months

 What documents do I need to inhand before application?

 Documents required for U.K visa 

 One recent photograph

 Valid Pakistan passport with at least a blank page on both sides.

 Previous travel documents to show travel experience for the past 10 years (as per your passport.)

 Documents that prove your legal residence in the country such as your resident card copy or Emirates ID with a minimum of 6 months validity (Since you are an expatriate from Pakistan.)

 Letter from your employer.

 Travel itinerary and hotel and flight reservations.

 Travel Insurance. How do I apply?

 You can apply online. When you apply online, you will be provided with a reference number and a convenient appointment at the visa application center in Dubai or Abu Dhabi or Sharjah. All the documents should be uploaded online at the time of the application.

 Can I approach a travel agent for my visa application?

 Yes, your travel agent can guide you and prep your application ready for submission. They will provide continuous follow-ups so your visa application should be the least of your worries.

Also, Read more about how to choose your travel agent

So without any delay, start your application right now

If you would like to visit Uk for the purpose of leisure, you have to apply for the UK tourist visa that falls under the category of Standard visitor visa.

Generally, a standard visitor visa is applied when the purpose of visit falls under the following category.

a) Leisure purpose – holiday, to visit family or relatives

b) Business – Attend meetings or conferences or take part in business-related activities.

c) Sports or creative events, academic research purposes.

d) Also to receive private medical treatment.

Which citizens can apply (Which citizens have to apply?

If you’re not a citizen of the United Kingdom or Europen union, non-EU members of European Economic Area, or any OCT countries, you are required to apply for a Standard Visitor visa, to visit the U.K The citizens of a few countries including the U.S, Australia, Canada, Hongkong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore that only require a valid passport if their stay is no longer than 6 months. There are countries such as Kuwait, Oman Qatar, U.A.E that can get an electronic waiver that allows the citizens to enter the UK to visit or study with a duration no longer than 6 months. Though there are about 56 countries outside that do not need a visa to enter the U.K, but an entry certificate to enter if the duration of stay 6 months or less. If their stay extends this period they require a visa.

What is the validity of the UK Standard Visitor visa?

The validity of the UK tourist visa is up to 6 months. However, validity can be extended. For Medical care – up to 11 months. For academic research, while you are on sabbatical- you, your spouse or civil partner may be able to stay for up to 12 months.

When should I apply?

Apply at least 3 months earlier from your date of departure.

How long it will the process take?

Provided you have all the right documents you should get your UK standard visitor visa within 15 working days

How much it cost?

The visa application costs 128 USD, but this may vary when you apply via visa consultants

Can I get a multiple- entry visa?

Generally, the standard visitor multiple entry visa is issued for 6 months. Applicants who intend to get a long term 2,5 and 10 years multiple entry tourist visit visa should get the short term visa at least once or twice.

What are the basic documents I need to apply for a UK tourist visa documents checklist?

1. Recent photograph as per embassy norms

2. Valid Passport -A minimum of 6-month validity from your date of travel with at least a blank page on both sides

3. Documents that support your previous travel documents to check any travel experience for the past 10 years

4. Documents that prove your legal residence in the country (Since you are an Indian expatriate.)

5. Documents that support your financial status in the form of bank statements, etc

6. Employment documents like NOC or any confirmation letter from your employer.

7. Documents that support your Business registration if you’re self-employed.

Falsification of any documents can lead to rejection.

What will you do if you get rejected?

It seems that there is no time frame for reapplication after rejection especially if the grounds of rejection are not justifiable. However, it is always recommended to analyze your application carefully to check any reasons that might lead to rejection and overcome the hindrance that caused your previous rejection. Some of the reasons for rejections include – Falsified documents, not enough funds to support the trip or any deposits to your bank account without any documentation, not enough travel history, unclear itinerary and covering letter, not enough supporting documentation from the employer

Is there any interview process?

Generally, Standard visitor visa applicants are rarely called for interview unless if the consulate officials review your application and decide they want to talk to you.

Do you I need IELTS?

IELTS is not required to apply for a visitor visa but is required if you’re planning to study in the UK.

Can I take my spouse with me on my tourist visa?

Yes, you can take your spouse along with you provided she has also applied for a visitor visa with supporting documents.

Can I visit Ireland?

No, you can not visit Ireland using U.K visitor visa. You have to apply for a short term C visa. There is also a British Irish Scheme which allows you to visit Ireland with Uk visa which is currently applicable only for Indians and Chinese.

What is the visa consultant processing time for a UK tourist visa?

If you go through a visa consultant company, the processing time takes from 72 hours to 15 working days.

Do I need to book flights before applying for a UK visa?

No, you should not book your flight to the UK with an approved UK visitor visa. You can prepare your flight itinerary using flight reservations or even purchase refundable air tickets.

Is travel insurance mandatory for UK tourist visa?

Travel insurance is not mandatory for a UK tourist visa. But it is always recommended to have insurance in case of any medical emergency, delay or cancellation of flight tickets, lost baggage or documents.

Travel companies can help traveller all round the clock clearing their doubts by providing a transparent and quick claim settlement process.

Can I visit Europe with UK visa?

You cannot visit Europe with your UK tourist visa. You can travel around Europe with a Schengen visa.

How can I apply for a U.K visa?

To begin your application, visit the UK official website. Choose your visa type and start an account, fill out the application, pay the fees, fix an appointment and submit at the visa application centre of your country. It is always recommended you approach an experienced visa consultant the first time you apply. This is to reduce any errors or hassles while filling the application form. These visa experts have much easier and quicker processing and they can get you the best available slots for consulate appointments.

Applying through a visa consultant can be done easily at the comfort of your home and space.

Eligibility

You should meet these basic criteria to be eligible for a

 A valid Indian passport

 Financial Subsistence

 Have strong ties to your country to ensure you wouldn’t overstay your trip.

 Good Health*

 No criminal record

 No intention to work or study**

Document requirements

1.Valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity from the date of travel 2. Valid residence permit of your residing GCC country.

3. Travel History: Details showing the history for instance copies of visas issued in the past 5 years in the current of previous passports.

4. Travel Itinerary: Copy of flight and hotel reservations.

5. Financial documents like Bank statement showing transactions details in the past 3 months.

6. Employment documents including a confirmation letter from the employer on the company letterhead with a format adhering to the guidelines of giving a brief introduction and the employment status of the applicant. Self-employed applicants should provide a copy of their trade business registration license.

7. Invitation from the friends or family if any – Details of your host in Canada including copies of proof of their residence in Canada.

8. Recent photograph: 2 recent (not older than 6 months) good quality

Use a certified translator to translate your documents if they’re not in English or French.

* Need to give a medical exam If your visit exceeds for more than 6 months if you’re a resident of Qatar

**can enrol for courses less than 6 months without a study permit.

You will need to submit your biometrics for your Canada tourist visa application which is valid for ten years. Submit the application and the biometrics at the visa application centre. You will need to make an appointment for this.

The processing time for Canada tourist visa is from 24 to 36 working days, but it may var. It is always recommended to have a consultant’s expertise in these areas. They provide you with relevant documents, assists you in the completion of forms and helps you to avoid any potential errors.