Frequently Asked Questions
What is a visa?
This is an endorsement on a passport indicating that the holder is allowed to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in a country.
Visas come in many different types. The type and where you obtain them from (i.e. airport or embassy) depends on the country and visa.
How can you obtain a visa?
Visas are usually obtained either at the airport on arrival or before flying from the relevant embassy.
Many countries do not allow you to obtain a visa on arrival. You must obtain it before travelling (e.g. you must have a Saudi family visit visa before you fly to Saudi Arabia from the UK. You cannot obtain it on arrival).
What types of visas are available?
There are many different types of visas. These completely depend on the country you require a visa for.
Please be aware that not all countries offer tourist or/and business visas. For many countries a business or tourist visa is usually the two main visas they offer.
How does Gulfvisa obtain a travel visa for me?
Gulfvisa obtains travel visas by submitting a completed travel visa application and all other required documents, to embassies or consulates on your behalf.
We eliminate the need for you to undergo the communication, visiting and correspondence with the embassy, therefore making the situation as easy as possible.
Where do Gulfvisa obtain the visa from?
Visas are obtained either from an embassy, consulate or visa centre. This depends on the country. Usually we will visit, correspond and communicate with the relevant centre/embassy on your behalf. You will usually not need to visit the centre.
* There are a select limited few countries that require the applicant to go to the centre/embassy/consulate to present in person. Usually this is for biometrics etc.
Is my passport required to obtain a travel visa?
For the majority of countries, a travel visa is stamped or affixed onto the passport on one or more of the free pages. However, there are a few exceptions.
The requirement list on any visa page will highlight specifically if a passport is needed.
Do nationals of countries other than the United Kingdom need a travel visa?
Gulfvisa provides visa requirements for travellers of many nationalities. Please note that there are usually extra requirements for those who have a non-UK passport. Specific requirements are shown on the relevant country and visa pages.
How long will it take for Gulfvisa to process my travel visa?
The duration for obtaining a travel visa depends completely on the destination country. Some countries can provide a visa on the same day, whereas others can be up to a week or more.
Go to the 'Visas Services' and select your country and visa type of travel to determine the travel visa processing time. The duration should be clear at the top of each page beside the visa name.
Has Gulfvisa received my documentation yet?
To track the status of your order, go to 'My Account' and then click on 'Track Your Service'. This will give you up-to-date information on your order.
You should already be receiving updates regarding your application by email.
What is included in the price I pay to Gulfvisa for my travel visa?
We think its important to be completely transparent and direct with our customers. We show clearly our prices from the beginning, before you've made your order and we don't rack up the costs as you go along. What you see is what you pay.
We also show our prices as one complete cost. This includes but is not limited to the cost of the visa from the embassy, our service fees and UK special delivery back to you.
What forms of payment does Gulfvisa accept?
We offer a variety of ways to make payments includes: Credit/Debit Card (0% fee as per the new legislation early 2018); UK Cheque; Bank Transfer
Where can I find the latest travel warnings?
For the latest information on Travel Warnings, Public Announcements, and Consular information sheets for countries world wide please look online at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
What happens if my visa expires?
You will need a new visa. You cannot visit a country with an expired visa.
Do GulfVisa guarantee a successful application/attestation?
We at GulfVisa will use our long years of experience to ensure that you have the absolute best chance of a successful application. Due to our experience, applications/attestations very rarely get rejected. However, it is impossible for anyone to guarantee a successful application/attestation. There is a simple reason for this. We are not a government body/organisation. Therefore, it is not up to us to accept or decline your documents.
How long after receiving the documents will GulfVisa submit my documents?
Although this depends on the particular service and country involved, GulfVisa aims to submit documents the next working day from receiving your documents (as long as documents have arrived to GulfVisa Ltd Offices before 7pm)
How can I see what services you offer?
Simply go to our homepage or any relevant category page, then in the search box select the relevant drop-down boxes. The website will automatically take you to the relevant product page with all the information regarding the requirements, prices and any other information involved.
