Here we take a looking at two of our most popular work and travel destinations, America and Asia and give you some much needed answers to the visa process.
If you’re planning a backpacking trip to Asia or travelling to work in America then there are a couple of things that you may need to consider before you go.
Knowing exactly what you’re going to be doing, and exactly where you’re heading is the most important part so you can fully prepare and pack everything that you need. If you’re heading abroad on a working holiday, then you may need to pack a few different essentials that if you’re heading to volunteer in the jungle.
One of the biggest questions however, when it comes to travelling abroad to a number of countries in the world, is how long it takes for a travel visa to turn up.
United States
While you may not need a visa to get to Europe, you definitely need one before you are even considered entry to the USA, and it is important to apply in advance for your ESTA visa.
If you live in one of the qualifying countries under the ESTA Visa Waiver Program, you may find that getting your visa is a lot easier, than if you don’t. These countries include most countries in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and a few others.
You can only apply for an ESTA online, and you can be told within seconds if your application is accepted or rejected. Nevertheless, a decision can actually take up to 72 hours, so it is important to keep an eye on your status and continue logging in, as application status may even change.
However, it is important to know that an ESTA is not a visa allowing you to work in the country. This is just a travel visa, so if you are considering working, you may have to apply for a different kind of visa. However, your placement should be able to provide you with the information that you will need in order to ensure that you get your travel visa when you need it.
Also, with an ESTA you may only stay in the U.S. for up to 90 days at a time, and there should also be a reasonable amount of time between visits – or a CBP officer may think that you are trying to live in the country, leading to removal from the country.
Asia
Asia is a fantastic destination to head to if you are considering a traditional working holiday, but you can also volunteer in Asia generally on a tourist visa.
Tourist visas in Asia typically last for around 30 days, but you may also look into the option of multiple entry visas if you’re planning on travelling to and from a number of countries around Asia. However, each country is different. In Hong Kong, you can have a visa for up to 12 months, but the primary purpose must be a holiday.
Nevertheless, in Japan, South Korea and Malaysia, you may find temporary working holiday visas that allow you to stay with an employer for a short amount of time. Nevertheless, the processing time of each application will take a different amount of time, but again it is important that you turn to your placement in the country, in order to get the right idea about the visa requirements and processing time.
If you need any help or advice about travel visas get in touch with us today.
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