OFFICIAL VISIT VISA 

What is an Official Visit Visa?

An official visit visa application covers the type of visa required for a government official, diplomatic officer or official representative to travel to another country for official business or diplomatic mission. This type of visa is issued to persons on official duty, such as diplomatic passport holders, government officials, employees of international organizations.

1. Visa Types:

Diplomatic Visa: This is a visa given to diplomatic passport holders and used for official state visits.

Service (Official) Visa: This is a visa given to state officials and members of official delegations. This visa is usually for people who are not diplomatic but traveling on an official mission.

Special Duty Visa: It can be applied as a separate visa type for people sent on a special mission in some countries.

Required Documents:

• Passport: A valid diplomatic, service or official passport.
• Invitation Letter: An invitation or acceptance letter from the official authorities of the country to be visited.
• Position Document: A document confirming the applicant’s official position (usually obtained from the institution where he/she works).
• Visa Application Form: A visa application form to be obtained from the consulate of the country to be visited.
• Biometric Photo: A current biometric photo that must be submitted at the time of application.
• Residence Permit: This permit may be required if the country to be visited is to be stayed for a long period of time.

3. Application Process:

• Place to Apply: Application is usually made through the embassy or consulate of the country to be visited.
• Application Period: Official visit visas are usually processed first. However, it is recommended to apply at least 4-8 weeks before the trip as it may vary from country to country.
• Visa Fees: Some countries may not charge visa fees for official visits, but this may vary from country to country.
• Interview: Sometimes an interview may be required; in this case, the applicant may have to attend an interview where the visa application will be evaluated.

4. Important Points:

• Protocol Rules: It is important to comply with protocol rules during official visits. Therefore, it is useful to be informed about the protocol rules of the country to be visited.
• Visa Duration: Official visit visas are issued for periods appropriate to the purpose of the visit, and this period may vary from visit to visit.
• Special Permits: In some countries, special permits or pre-determined points of contact may be required for official visits. This usually varies depending on the nature of the official visit.

5. Examples:

Germany: Germany may grant visa exemptions to diplomatic passport holders, but service passport holders may require a visa.

India: Persons traveling to India for official visits must provide detailed mission information and an invitation at the time of application.

Canada: For official visitors, Canada generally offers a fast visa process, with certain formalities.

This information is intended as a guide for those wishing to apply for a visa for official visits, and may vary according to each country’s own practices. Before applying, it would be best to contact the consulate or embassy of the country you will be visiting directly.