Are you dreaming of going abroad but feeling daunted by the visa process? You're not alone! Applying for a visa is a common concern for many travelers. But the good news is that with the right steps, you can easily navigate the process. In this guide, I'll explain step-by-step what a visa is, what types of visas are available, how to apply, and most importantly, what you should pay attention to to increase your chances of acceptance. If you're ready, let's get started!

What is a Visa?

To put it simply: A visa is official permission granted by a country to enter. So, you can think of it as a kind of "visit permit." Each country's visa policy varies; while some are easily accessible, others may require more detailed documentation.

What are the visa types?

Tourist Visa

Used for holidays, family visits, or short-term trips. It is usually issued for 30-90 days.

Student Visa

Language school abroad is preferred for undergraduate or graduate studies. It can provide long-term residence permits.

Work Visa

It is received through an official invitation from a workplace. It usually requires a sponsoring company.

Transit visa

This visa may be necessary if you need to transit through another country to reach your final destination. Countries like the US and China, in particular, require this visa.

Schengen Visa

It's valid in 27 countries in Europe. It allows you to visit multiple countries with a single visa.

How to Apply for a Visa Step by Step?

Don't be intimidated by the prospect of obtaining a visa. You can make the process much easier by following these steps:
  1. Determine which visa you will apply for.
  2. Learn the required documents from the official consulate or visa application center website.
  3. Prepare documents completely and accurately.
  • Passport (must be valid and have blank pages)
  • Biometric photo
  • Travel health insurance
  • Flight ticket and hotel reservations
  • Financial status documents (account statement, etc.)
  • Invitation or event participation documents (if applicable)
  1. Fill out the online or physical application form.
  2. Make an appointment and submit the required documents.
  3. Provide fingerprints and biometric data if necessary.
  4. Wait for it to be processed (usually 5-15 business days).
If the question "how to apply for a visa" is bothering you during this process, the safest resource would be to review the official website of the country you will be applying to.

Which Countries Do Not Require Visa?

Maroon Passport

Countries such as Thailand, Montenegro, Albania, Colombia and Brazil allow visa-free entry for 30-90 days.

Green Passport

It provides visa-free entry to Schengen countries such as Germany, France and Belgium.

2025 Trend Routes

Routes such as the Balkans (Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia), South America (Peru, Ecuador), and Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Vietnam) stand out with visa-free entry.
For more detailed and up-to-date information, you can check out our blog post titled “ Visa-Free Countries ”.

Golden Rules for Getting Visa Approval

This section can determine the fate of your visa application. Consulates want to see the logic and intent behind the documents, not the actual documents themselves. So, how can a visa application be made more robust? Let's take a step-by-step look:

1. Prepare a Realistic and Coherent Travel Plan

Your plan should be consistent with the visa type and duration you're applying for. For example, planning to visit eight different cities for a five-day vacation is considered unrealistic. Such wild plans may call into question the seriousness of your application.
Moreover:
  • The flight ticket must be consistent with the departure and return dates,
  • Your hotel reservations should match your planned city and days exactly.
  • In short, your travel plan should convey the message, “I know what to do.”

2. Write a Strong and Sincere Letter of Intent

The unsung hero of the visa application: the letter of intent.
Why do you want to go? What will this trip bring to you? Why now?
You should express all of these in short, clear and sincere sentences.
Quick tips:
  • Write without exaggeration.
  • Provide clear reasons such as "cultural trip", "holiday", "art event", "visiting friends".
  • Don't forget to add a few sentences at the end of your article stating that you will return to the country after your trip.

3. Present Your Financial Situation Logically

Financial standing is crucial when applying for a visa. However, the key factor is not just how much money you have in your account, but also the source and mobility of that money.
Things you should pay attention to:
  • If you see a sudden large amount of money coming in on your account statement, explain it.
  • If you have regular income (salary, rent, scholarship, etc.), be sure to submit it with documentation.
  • Showing more money than necessary doesn't always earn you points; being reasonable is enough.

4. Guarantee Return

The consulate doesn't care if you're leaving, it cares if you're coming back.
The most effective ways to achieve this:
  • If you are working, get a leave letter from your workplace,
  • If you are a student, add your student certificate,
  • Indicate your family ties or property in Türkiye (home, job, children, spouse, etc.).
  • These kinds of documents give the message, "I have a system in my country, I will return."

5. If You Have Travel History, Use It to Your Advantage

If you've traveled to different countries before (even visa-free), this gives you extra points. It's especially reassuring if you've held visas from countries like Schengen, the UK, or the US.
If you're applying for the first time, don't panic. You don't necessarily need travel experience to get a visa, but your documents must be flawless.

6. There Should Be No Inconsistencies in Documents

Your flight dates, hotel reservations, letter of intent, travel insurance and bank statements must match.
For example:
  • If you present a hotel reservation for September 12-17 along with a flight ticket for September 10-15, it will raise questions.
  • If you write Paris and show an Amsterdam hotel, there will be a contradiction again.
  • Documents represent your credibility; every detail matters.

7. Be Prepared for an Interview

Some countries require face-to-face meetings, and here, honesty, confidence, and clarity are key.
Interview tips:
  • Answer questions without overwhelming them with unnecessary details.
  • Make sure your financial resources, the purpose of your trip and your intention to return are clear.
  • Simple statements like “I will be going on vacation, I will cover all expenses myself” are sufficient.
  • And most importantly: do not give false information, because this is usually noticed.

Don't forget:

Applying for a visa is essentially a test of confidence. If your documents, writings, and words support each other, the consulate will believe your words.
If everything is correct, complete and sincere... visa approval may be closer than you think!

Flight Ticket Reservation: Strategic Approach

  • You don't need to buy an actual flight ticket for a visa, but showing a reservation is a must.
  • You can easily make a reservation specifically for your visa application by searching for flexible dates on Bilet.com.

When Should You Buy Real Tickets?

  • After visa approval is received. Getting it early may result in financial loss.
  • Bilet.com Advantages:
  • Convenient options with flexible dates
  • Price comparison feature
  • Save money with campaigns
  • Instant ticket purchase and document acquisition in PDF format

To Avoid Losses in Case of Rejection:

Submit as a reservation and wait for confirmation. Thanks to Bilet.com's flexible terms, you can finalize your plans later.