Visa terms, explained simply

42 visa terms explained in plain English: VFS, biometrics, 214(b), 221(g), the Schengen 90/180 rule, e-Visa vs visa on arrival, ETA, IHS, CAS, PCC and more.

Applying for a visa

VFS Global

VFS Global is a private company that runs visa application centres in India for many governments, including the UK, Canada, Australia and most Schengen countries. It collects your documents, fingerprints and photo, and passes your file to the embassy. VFS does not decide your visa; the embassy or immigration department does.

Biometrics

Biometrics are your fingerprints and a digital photo of your face, taken at a visa centre or embassy. Most visas for the UK, Canada, the US, Schengen countries and, since 26 October 2026, Australia (when requested) need them. Some countries reuse biometrics you gave recently, so you may not need to attend again.

Visa appointment

A visa appointment is the booked slot when you submit your application, give biometrics or attend an interview. For most countries you book it on the VFS or embassy website after filling the online form. Waiting times for slots vary by country and city, so book as soon as your documents are ready.

Cover letter

A cover letter is a one-page letter to the embassy that explains who you are, why you are travelling, your dates, who pays for the trip and why you will return to India. It ties your documents together and is expected for Schengen and many other visitor visas. Keep it factual and consistent with your bookings and bank statements.

Invitation letter

An invitation letter is written by the person or company you are visiting abroad. It gives their details, your relationship, your dates and whether they will host or pay for you. Business visas usually need one from the company you are meeting; family visits often need one from your relative.

Proof of funds

Proof of funds shows the embassy that you can pay for the trip. Indian applicants usually give recent bank statements (commonly the last 3 to 6 months), income tax returns (ITRs) and salary slips. A sudden large deposit just before applying without an explanation is a common reason for refusal.

NOC (No Objection Certificate)

An NOC, or leave letter, is a letter from your employer that confirms your job, salary and approved leave dates and says you will return to work. For students it comes from the college. It is one of the strongest proofs that you will come back to India after your trip.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance pays for medical treatment and emergencies abroad. It is mandatory for a Schengen visa, with medical cover of at least EUR 30,000 valid in all Schengen countries for your whole trip, and is required or strongly advised by several other countries. Buy it before you apply and match the dates to your itinerary.

Visa refusal

A visa refusal means the embassy decided not to issue the visa on the file it received. The refusal letter states the reason, and you can usually apply again with a stronger file, or appeal where the country allows it. Declare past refusals honestly on future applications; hiding one is treated more seriously than the refusal itself.

Types of entry

Visa-free entry

Visa-free entry means you can enter a country without applying for a visa in advance, for a fixed number of days. For Indians in 2026 this includes Thailand (30 days) and Malaysia (30 days until 31 December 2026). You may still need a digital arrival card, a return ticket, a hotel booking and enough money for the stay.

Visa on arrival

A visa on arrival is issued at the airport or border when you land, usually after you show your passport, return ticket, hotel booking and the fee. Examples for Indians include Bali (Indonesia) and the UAE for holders of a valid US, UK or EU visa or residence permit. Rules can change, so check before you fly.

e-Visa

An e-Visa is a visa you apply for and receive online, without visiting an embassy. You upload your passport and photo, pay online and get an approval by email, which you show at check-in and immigration. Vietnam, Georgia and many other countries offer e-Visas to Indians. Always use the official government website.

ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)

An ETA is an online pre-approval to travel for people who do not need a full visa. Sri Lanka uses an ETA for Indian tourists, which has been free since 25 May 2026 but must still be applied for. Other ETA schemes, such as the EU's ETIAS, are only for visa-exempt nationalities and do not apply to Indian passport holders.

Pre-arrival Registration (Hong Kong)

Pre-arrival Registration (PAR) is a free online registration Indian passport holders complete on the Hong Kong Immigration Department website before a visa-free visit of up to 14 days. If your PAR is not successful, you need a Hong Kong entry visa instead.

Sustainable Development Fee (Bhutan)

The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is a per-night fee Bhutan charges tourists. Indian nationals pay ₹1,200 (Nu 1,200) per night, and day visits of up to 24 hours to four border towns, including Phuentsholing, are exempt until August 2027. Indians enter Bhutan with a permit, not a visa.

Digital arrival card

A digital arrival card is a free online form some countries require shortly before you land, such as the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card and the SG Arrival Card for Singapore. It is not a visa. Fill it on the official site within the window allowed, usually the three days before arrival.

Airport transit visa

An airport transit visa lets you change planes in a country's international transit area without entering it. In 2026 Germany, France and Spain dropped this requirement for Indians, while the UK still requires a Direct Airside Transit Visa unless you hold an exempt document such as a valid US or Canada visa. If you must pass immigration, you need a full visa.

Single entry and multiple entry

A single-entry visa lets you enter the country once; when you leave, it is used up even if days remain. A multiple-entry visa lets you enter as many times as you like while it is valid. If your itinerary leaves and re-enters a country, for example a Schengen trip with a side trip to the UK, you need multiple entry.

Visa validity and length of stay

Validity is the window of dates in which you may use the visa; length of stay is how many days you may remain once inside. A US B1/B2 visa can be valid for years but each stay is decided at the border. Overstaying the allowed days, even by one, can lead to fines and future refusals.

US visa terms

B1/B2 visa

The B1/B2 is the US visitor visa: B1 covers business meetings and conferences, and B2 covers tourism, family visits and medical treatment. Indian applicants fill the DS-160, pay the $185 application fee, give biometrics and usually attend an interview. It does not allow paid work in the US.

DS-160

The DS-160 is the online US nonimmigrant visa application form. Every detail in it, from travel history to employer and family, must match your documents and interview answers. Mistakes or inconsistencies in the DS-160 are a common cause of delays and refusals.

OFC appointment

An OFC (Offsite Facilitation Center) appointment is a separate visit, before your US visa interview, where your fingerprints and photo are taken. In India you book it together with the interview. Carry your passport, appointment letter and DS-160 confirmation.

Interview waiver (dropbox)

The US interview waiver, often called dropbox, lets some applicants submit their passport and documents without an in-person interview. Since September 2025 it is limited mainly to B1/B2 renewals that meet strict conditions. Most first-time Indian applicants must attend an interview.

214(b) refusal

A 214(b) refusal means the US consular officer was not convinced you will return to India after your visit, under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. It is not a ban. You can reapply when your situation or evidence of ties to India, such as job, family and property, is stronger.

221(g)

221(g) means the US officer needs more information or administrative processing before deciding your visa. You get a slip listing what to send or explaining that checks are under way. Send exactly what is asked and track the case status online.

Visa integrity fee (US)

The visa integrity fee is a $250 US charge, set by a law passed in July 2025, that would be paid when a nonimmigrant visa such as the B1/B2 is issued, on top of the $185 application fee. As of 29 October 2026 we found no official notice that it is being collected from applicants in India.

Schengen and Europe

Schengen visa

A Schengen visa (type C) is a short-stay visa for the Schengen area, a group of 29 European countries with no passport checks between them. One visa covers all of them for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The fee for adults is EUR 90.

90/180 rule

The 90/180 rule limits short stays in the Schengen area to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. Every day you spent in Schengen in the previous 180 days counts. Since April 2026 the Entry/Exit System counts this digitally at the border.

Main destination rule

Under the main destination rule, you apply for a Schengen visa to the country where you will spend the most nights. If your nights are equal, you apply to the country you enter first. Applying to the wrong country is a common reason for a returned or refused file.

EES (Entry/Exit System)

The EES is the EU's digital border system that records your name, passport, fingerprints, face image and entry and exit dates when you cross a Schengen external border. It replaced passport stamps and has been fully live since 10 April 2026. Allow extra time at your first Schengen airport.

ETIAS

ETIAS is a planned online travel authorisation for people who can visit Europe without a visa, such as US or UK citizens. It does not apply to Indian passport holders, who still need a Schengen visa. If you also hold a passport from a visa-exempt country, ETIAS rules apply to that passport.

UK, Canada and Australia

UK Standard Visitor visa

The UK Standard Visitor visa covers tourism, family visits and business meetings for up to six months per visit. The six-month visa costs £135 from 8 April 2026, and longer two, five and ten-year versions are available. You apply online and give biometrics at a VFS centre in India.

Priority and super priority

Priority and super priority are paid UK visa services that get your application decided faster than the standard timeline. They are optional extras on top of the visa fee, and availability depends on the visa type and visa centre. They speed up the decision, not the outcome.

IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge)

The IHS is a fee most people pay when applying for a UK visa of more than six months, such as the Student visa. It gives access to the National Health Service during your stay. For students it is £776 per year, paid upfront with the application.

CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)

A CAS is the reference number a UK university issues once you accept its offer and meet its conditions. You need it to apply for a UK Student visa. The details in your CAS, such as course, dates and fees paid, must match your application.

PAL/TAL (Canada)

A PAL or TAL is a provincial or territorial attestation letter that most international students need with a Canadian study permit application. Since 1 January 2026, master's and PhD students at public institutions no longer need one, while undergraduate and college applicants still do.

Genuine Student requirement (Australia)

The Genuine Student requirement is the test Australia uses to check that a student visa applicant really intends to study. You answer questions about your study plans, course choice, ties and circumstances. It replaced the older Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement.

Indian passport and documents

Passport validity rule

Most countries want your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates, and some also ask for two blank pages. Airlines can refuse boarding if your passport does not meet the destination's rule. Renew early if your passport expires within a year.

Indian e-passport

The Indian e-passport has a chip that stores your personal details and biometrics, which speeds up checks at some borders. India has been issuing e-passports through Passport Seva in 2026. Your existing passport stays valid until its expiry date.

ECR and ECNR

ECR (Emigration Check Required) and ECNR are categories on Indian passports. ECR applies to some passport holders travelling for work to certain countries, mainly in the Gulf, who need emigration clearance through the eMigrate system. Tourists and most visitors are not affected.

PCC (Police Clearance Certificate)

A Police Clearance Certificate confirms you have no criminal record. Indians apply for it through Passport Seva. It is often needed for work, study, long-stay and residence visas, and some countries also accept or ask for a state police certificate.

OK to Board

OK to Board is a clearance some airlines flying from India to the UAE and some other Gulf countries ask for before you can check in, mainly for passengers on certain visa types. It confirms your visa is genuine. Check with your airline at least 24 hours before your flight.