Do you have a relative or family member abroad you want to visit? If yes, you should acquire a family or tourist visa. Take note that these visa types only allow you to stay in a foreign country you want to visit for at least three months to one year.
In line with that, it is worth noting that how long you can stay during your visit to a foreign country will be determined according to the situation. Primarily, your length of stay will be written on your visa grant letter.
There are two reasons that would affect your length of stay in a country. These are the following:
- Your desired length of stay in a country
- Why you want to visit the country
Remember that either of these visa applications does not allow the inclusion of any family members. Therefore, each family member must also submit a separate visa application even though they are already listed on your passport.
Understanding Visitor Visa
If you want to enter a foreign country, you should first acquire a visa. You can apply for an immigrant visa if you want to stay in the country for good or a non-immigrant visa for a short stay.
A visitor visa is a type of non-immigrant visa. So, if you want to enter a foreign country for a short time, no matter your reason – either for tourism, business, or both – acquiring a visitor visa can be a great choice.
Eligibility Criteria for Visitor Visa
The following are the specific criteria you should meet to be eligible for granting a visitor visa:
- Must be healthy and should pass the health requirements set by a country
- Must have a stable source of income or enough funds to sustain yourself during your stay in a foreign country
- Must be a visitor
- You should meet any good character criteria
Understanding Family Visa
Another type of visa you can apply for if you want to visit someone in another country is an F3 family member visa. Just like a visitor visa, a family visa lets you enter a foreign country for a specific time. Aside from that, the first requirement for having a family visa is to show proof that your family member, a child, sibling, parent, partner, or spouse is living in another country and you want to visit them.
Eligibility Criteria for Family Visa
Here are the essential documents you should ready before applying for a family visa:
- Health insurance
- Biometric information
- Evidence showing your accommodation
- Police certificate
- Proof of relationship can be shown through either a marriage certificate, proof of cohabitation, certificate of registration, or shared child custody.
- Passport pictures
- Passport valid for six months
- A family visa application form
Which Should You Choose Between a Visitor Visa and a Family Visa
A visitor and a family visa are two common types of visas commonly acquired by individuals wanting to visit their family members and loved ones abroad. Although it has the same goal, which is to let you enter a foreign country for a specific time, it also has a few differences.
One of the most significant differences they have is their cost. It would cost you around 365 Euros to apply for a visitor visa. Aside from that, it also comes with extra costs related to subsequent application charges, health checks, biometrics, and police certificates.
On the other hand, applying for a family visa would only cost you 145 Euros. This is way more inexpensive than acquiring a visitor visa. However, the sponsor may also require you to pay the security bond fee. Moreover, it will also charge you for other documents needed, including biometrics, police certificates, and health checks.
Final Thoughts
People with family members or loved ones outside their home country would like to take a quick visit to see and bond with them again. However, it is not an easy leap. Aside from acquiring a passport valid for six months, you must also acquire a visa for visitation or reunification purposes.
In line with that, you may apply for either a family or visitor visa. Either let you be with your loved ones – a partner, parent, child, or sibling – in another country. The only difference between the two is the cost associated with the application.
If you have a limited budget, getting yourself a family visa is better. But what about a visitor visa? If you are willing to spend a little more, you may consider acquiring a visitor visa.
