choosing a visa type and country, collecting documents (application form, passport, photo, documents confirming the purpose of the trip and financial status),
submitting (online or through a visa center/consulate),
waiting for a decision (from 2 to 45+ days depending on the country and urgency),
receiving a passport with a visa (or refusal).
MAIN STEPS:
Preparation, submission, review, receipt. However, deadlines and procedures vary significantly by country.
1. Preparatory stage
Determining the purpose of travel and visa type: tourism, study, work, transit (Schengen, USA, United Kingdom, etc.).
Studying the requirements: checking the requirements of the relevant country’s embassy or visa application center.
Collecting documents: international passport, photograph, visa application form, proof of accommodation, flight tickets, financial guarantees, certificates from work or educational institution.
Booking an appointment: in most cases, prior appointment at a visa application center is required (for example, TLScontact for Germany).
2. Submission Stage
Filling out the application form: online or in paper format.
Making payments: consular and service fees.
Submitting biometrics: fingerprints and photograph (required for many countries).
Submitting documents: through a visa application center (VFS Global, TLScontact) or directly at the consulate/embassy.
3. Review Stage
Processing time: from 2–3 days for electronic visas, up to 15–45+ days depending on the country and urgency.
Verification: the consular section checks the authenticity of the documents and their compliance with the requirements.
Additional requests: additional documents may be requested, or the applicant may be invited for an interview (for example, for the USA).
4. Collection Stage
Notification: receiving a notification about passport readiness.
Passport collection: collecting the passport at the visa application center or via courier (with the visa issued or refused).
Visa verification: checking the visa dates and the correctness of the visa type.