Applying for your honeymoon visas together? Here’s all the documentation you’ll need.

Excited much for your forthcoming wedding celebrations? Of course, there is gaiety, laughter, and joy to keep your spirits high, even amid the humdrum of wedding preparations and what follows is going to be a trip of a lifetime!

Well you guessed it right, we mean the Honeymoon, your much-needed couple time and the best possible phase of your new life.  Have you zeroed in on the perfect cozy spot for the two of you? Have you booked your tickets yet? And Hey wait! Have you applied for the Visa yet?

Unarguably, applying for your travel visas as a married couple is going to be challenging with so many documents and pre-requisites to be met. We know, you have procrastinated this for long, so here we have it served on a platter for you. Here’s a list of the essential documents and approvals that will fasten up the application process and ensure you sail through it, smoothly.

International honeymoon destinations

• Visa or No Visa

First and foremost check out if your desired destination falls under which category. Most countries are divided into following three categories for Indian Passport Holders

1. No Visa Required
2. Visa on Arrival
3. Visa required before travel

Check it out from here: Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens

Many countries offer VoA

• Documentation

Most countries require a pre-specified set of documentation that is listed on their respective visa websites or their consulate web page. Here are a few essential papers you need to carry along when applying for the visa

1. Duly filled application form for the country of travel ( available on VFS website)
2. Cover Letter
3. Passport for both the individuals
4. Photocopies of the passports
5. A tentative itinerary ( includes tickets and hotel bookings)
6. 2 Passport size photographs each
7. Address Proofs (Aadhar Card, Voters id)
8. Id Proof  ( Any of no 4 or Pan card)
9. Financial Documents ( Bank statements, ITR Forms etc, salary slips)
10. Travel Insurance
11. Employer Letter /NOC

Note: The requirement of documents differs at each consulate, hence it is best to check on their respective website for clarity.

Passport and other travel docs

• Visa Validity

Most consulates grant a short term visa to tourists for nearly 15-20 days or sometimes for the exact number of days of the stay. However, with certain nations, a longer duration visa is a possibility, for instance, The Great Britain grants a visa for a minimum of 6 months and for a US Visa, one can apply for as many as 10 years of eligibility.

The much needed couple time

• Couple Requirements

For women who change their name after marriage, a fresh passport needs to be produced with the marital name. To obtain the same one has to apply for a new passport with the Regional Passport Office of the current city of residence along with the following documents

1. Notarized Affidavit
2. Notarized copy of first and last page of spouse’s passport
3. A joint photograph
4. Notarized copy of marriage certificate

Must have Docs

• Processing Time

Post filing the application at the specified VFS center or the Consulate, there is a usual processing time of 1-2 weeks (it varies from every country). Hence ensure that you apply for a visa at least 20 days before the expected travel date.

• Visa Fee

Depending on the choice of destination and the duration of the stay, the visa processing fee and the embassy fee is calculated and has to be paid while submitting the application. The majority of Visa centers accept only cash or demand draft as a mode of payment.