Why do I need a visa for some countries and not others?
Most visa requirements are based on reciprocal requirements between two countries. Some countries base visa requirements on diplomatic or historical relations..

How do I obtain a visa?
Foreign embassies and consulates in the United States are authorized to grant visas. Appropriate documentation must be submitted to these authorities for a visa to be issued. TDS obtains visas on behalf of our clients by submitting visa documentation in proper order to the the various embassies and consulates, generally eliminating the need for the individual traveler to visit or correspond directly with foreign consular officials. Please review the the relevant page for your country of travel on this site (Visas) to determine specific visa requirements and documents you must send to us in order for us to serve you.

I hold a valid passport from a country other than the U.S.. Do I need a visa?
Visa requirements listed on this site pertain to U.S. passport holders only. Please contact us for current, specific requirements for non-US passport holders.

Why must I have a full blank visa page in my passport when I need to get a visa? Why can't a visa be issued on a blank amendment pages at the back of my passport?
Most visas are stamped, or affixed, in your passport on the pages specifically marked for them, and foreign consular officials require that visa stamps be placed on those pages that do not contain any other stamps or marks. The amendment pages at the back of your US passport are specifically reserved by the US Passport Agency for changes and endorsements to a passport. and foreign consular officials generally refuse to stamp visas on these pages.

What is the difference between a tourist visa and a business visa?
Visas are issued to permit entry into a country for a specific purpose The visa requirements for , tourist and/or business visas may vary. In general, "tourist" visas are issued specifically for the purpose of travel for pleasure, while a "business" visa permits a traveler to engage in normal business-related activities.

Some countries do not require a visa for US citizens traveling as a tourist for short periods of stay (typically 60 to 90 days). In these instances it may be sufficient for the traveler to present an adequately valid US passport as well as a ticket showing a scheduled date of departure from the country being visited.

Many countries that do not require tourist visas for US passport holders do, however, require them to have business visas Depending upon the country, business visas are most often required for a traveler who has a commercial agenda in the destination country. Each country defines what activities are allowed under their "business visa" category. Contact TDS regarding specifics for the country you intend to visit. ”Business activities” generally include the following: attending meetings and discussions, visiting customers, providing non-technical sales support, gathering market information, conducting short-term research, attending a business seminar, making a presentation, discussing regulatory changes, negotiating and signing contracts, participating in a conference or symposium, or meeting with government officials.

How long will it take to process my visa?
Every country is different. Some have very rigid guidelines regarding the length of time to process while the speed with which others process visas is solely determined by their current workload. In many cases it is possible to pay an additional expediting fee in addition to the regular consular fee in order to process the visa more quickly. Please refer to the page for your country of travel on this site (Visas) for specific information regarding currently expected processing times.

What is a visa invitation or confirmation?
Visa invitations /confirmations are documents, often directly approved by the Foreign Ministry of the country to be visited, that authorize a particular traveler to visit their country. They typically indicate specific information regarding the dates and cities of stay, the name of a hosting organization, as well as an “official” reference number and seal of approval. Required formats for invitations and confirmations vary by country country. Please refer to the page for your country of travel on this site (Visas) for specific information regarding any required invitations or confirmations.