Travel Tips: The ultimate visa checklist

Passport prep: The most crucial document is your passport. Make sure that it is valid for at least a year from the date of application and has a minimum of five pages blank for the visa stamp. Get organised: Go to the visa website of the country concerned and make a list of all the documents/paperwork required. Check things off the list as you get each item in order. Maintain a folder of all the documents and file them in a sequence to avoid confusion. Include a cover letterthat lists all the documentsincluded in the application. Money matters: Keep all your financial documents filed together. This includes payments made for forms, your letter of invitation etc. Another thing to check online is the application fee and order your demand draft accordingly. Make allowances for bank holidays and weekends and double check the amount. You don't want to have to change your travel dates because you didn't get your visa in time! Picture perfect: Each consulate has special requirements for the photograph of the applicant. Most photo-studios have a list of requirements. Be especially careful to check the requirements for the US and the UK visas as they have distinct instructions for the picture. Last minute tips: Some consulates require an interview before processing a visa application. Make sure you clear your schedule for a couple of hours. Keep an extra copy of all your documents handy, just in case you happen to lose something. It seems like a daunting and a tedious process but if you remain organised and calm, it should not be much of a hassle and the holiday will surely make up for all the red tape you went through! Aug 9, 2012 Ayushi Amin http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report_travel-tips-the-ultimate-visa-checklist_1725732