Visas
What is a visa?
A visa is an authority issued by the Embassy/Consulate of a country that permits a traveler to visit that particular country. The majority of visas are stamped inside your passport. (A small number of visas are either separate documents to be carried with the passport or issued electronically) Visas are issued with specific limitations regarding purpose of visit, length of stay, validity of visa, etc. It is the travelerŐs responsibility to obtain necessary visas for their travel itinerary.
How do I obtain a visa?
The Embassies and Consulates of various countries are authorized to grant visas. Appropriate visa documentation must be presented to the Embassy/Consulate in proper order for the visa to be issued.
NTS will determine if a visa is required for a U.S. citizen to enter your designated country. A packet will be provided listing complete instructions on each required element for this international visa. An exact application form for your designated country will be provided. Be prepared to provide additional passport photos, verification of funds, travel itinerary and/or letters of invitation. The cost of this visa will be determined prior to the visa process. Please check IMBŐs web site for more details at: http://thetask.org/students/Approved/visas.htm
Do I need to send my actual passport?
For the majority of countries, a visa is stamped on a visa page inside your passport. However, there are a few exceptions. Please contact NTS for exact details.
What is a visa invitation or confirmation?
Visa invitations/confirmations are documents approved by the Foreign Ministry of the country of travel which authorize a particular traveler to visit their country. Most often, they indicate specific information regarding the itinerary (dates of stay, name of hosting organization, cities of visit) as well as an official reference number and seal of approval. Required formats for invitations and confirmations vary per country. Please contact NTS for specific information regarding your travel visa.