The Most Difficult Visa to Obtain, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the visa you think is the most difficult!
Updated on Apr 26, 2024 06:26
Travelers often encounter a maze of requirements when applying for visas, each with their unique set of challenges. Identifying which visas are the hardest to obtain can help future travelers prepare better and set realistic expectations. By sharing experiences and ranking these difficult visas, visitors can benefit from collective insights and strategize accordingly.
This list, shaped by your votes, reflects real-world experiences and provides a snapshot of current travel barriers. Whether for planning purposes or simple curiosity, your participation helps build a useful resource. Your vote contributes to a clearer understanding of global travel complexities, assisting all levels of travelers in navigating their international journeys.
What Is the Most Difficult Visa to Obtain?
-
145votesObtaining a visa to North Korea is extremely difficult due to the country's strict regulations on foreign visitors. The process can take several months, and visitors are often required to travel with an organized tour group.The North Korea Visa is a travel document that grants permission to foreign individuals to enter and stay in North Korea.
- Restrictions: The North Korea Visa is highly restrictive and allows visitors to travel only to specific areas, usually with designated guides.
- Government Control: The visa is tightly controlled by the North Korean government, and the rules and regulations can change with little notice.
- Tour Operator: Visitors must book their trips through approved tour operators who will handle the visa application process.
- Limited Duration: Visas are issued for a specific duration and purpose, such as tourism, business, or humanitarian activities.
- No Independent Travel: Visitors are not allowed to travel independently within the country and must be accompanied by their tour guides at all times.
-
228votes
Saudi Arabia Visa
Government of Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia has stringent visa requirements for foreign visitors, including a sponsor or invitation from a Saudi national or company. Additionally, the country restricts visas for certain nationalities and requires extensive documentation.The Saudi Arabia Visa is a travel document that allows foreign nationals to enter and stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for various purposes, such as tourism, business, or to perform Hajj pilgrimage. It is considered one of the most difficult visas to obtain due to its strict requirements and extensive screening process.- Travel Purpose: Tourism, Business, Hajj pilgrimage, etc.
- Validity: Ranges from a single entry visit to multiple entries within a specific period
- Duration of Stay: Varies depending on the purpose of the visit
- Sponsorship Required: Usually requires a sponsor, such as a Saudi Arabia-based individual, employer or organization
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs Approval: Visa applications need to be approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia
-
323votesSyria's ongoing civil war has made it virtually impossible for foreign visitors to obtain a visa. The country has suspended its visa issuance process, and even if it were to resume, travelers would likely face significant security risks.The Syria Visa is a travel document issued by the Syrian government to foreign nationals who wish to enter and stay in Syria for a specified period. Due to political instability and ongoing conflicts in the region, obtaining a Syria Visa is considered one of the most difficult and restrictive visas to obtain.
- Strict Requirements: The visa application process for Syria involves extensive paperwork, background checks, and stringent requirements.
- Limited Eligibility: Certain nationalities may have limited or no access to obtaining a Syria Visa due to political reasons or strained diplomatic relations.
- Political Considerations: The Syria Visa may be subject to political considerations and visa policies may change unpredictably depending on the political climate.
- Complex Application Process: The application process for a Syria Visa can be time-consuming and requires multiple visits to the Syrian embassy or consulate.
- Sponsorship or Invitation: Applicants may need to provide a sponsor or an invitation from a Syrian host, such as a business or family member.
-
425votes
Iran Visa
Islamic Republic of IranIran's visa application process is notoriously difficult, requiring extensive documentation and a lengthy wait time. Additionally, visitors may face additional scrutiny if they are from certain countries or have visited Israel.The Iran Visa is a travel document that grants individuals permission to enter and travel within the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is known to be one of the most difficult visas to obtain due to the strict regulations and lengthy application process.- Eligibility: Open to citizens of most countries, except for a few designated nationalities.
- Application Process: Requires completing a detailed application form, including personal information, travel plans, and invitation letter.
- Visa Types: Various types including tourist, business, work, student, and transit visas.
- Invitation Letter: A mandatory requirement for most visa types, obtained by an Iranian host or sponsor.
- Approval Process: Applications are reviewed and approved by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
-
517votesTurkmenistan requires a letter of invitation from a resident or company in the country, making it difficult for tourists to obtain a visa. Additionally, the country has a reputation for being one of the most closed-off and secretive in the world.The Turkmenistan Visa is a visa that allows foreign nationals to enter and visit Turkmenistan for various purposes such as tourism, business, or employment. It is known to be one of the most difficult visas to obtain due to the strict requirements and complex application process.
- Application Process: The application process for the Turkmenistan Visa is lengthy and requires multiple documents and forms.
- Invitation Letter: An invitation letter from an approved organization in Turkmenistan is mandatory for most visa types.
- Travel Agency: Foreign nationals are usually required to apply for the Turkmenistan Visa through an authorized travel agency.
- Embassy Visit: In some cases, applicants may be required to visit the Turkmenistan Embassy or Consulate in their home country for an interview.
- Financial Documentation: Applicants are often asked to provide proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay in Turkmenistan.
-
618votes
Eritrea Visa
Government of EritreaEritrea's visa application process is complex and time-consuming, with applicants required to provide extensive documentation and a letter of invitation from a resident or company in the country. Additionally, the country has a reputation for being repressive and authoritarian.The Eritrea Visa is a travel document issued by the government of Eritrea to foreigners wishing to enter and stay in the country. It grants permission to visit Eritrea for various purposes, such as tourism, business, or family visits.- Visa type: Single-entry or multiple-entry
- Application process: Through an Eritrean embassy or consulate
- Application requirements: Valid passport, completed application form, proof of purpose of visit, travel itinerary, invitation letter if applicable, yellow fever vaccination certificate
- Visa validity: Depends on the purpose of the visit, usually up to 90 days
- Processing time: Varies, can take several weeks or longer
-
75votes
Libya Visa
Government of LibyaLibya's ongoing conflict and political instability have made it difficult for foreign visitors to obtain a visa. The country has suspended its visa issuance process, and even if it were to resume, travelers would likely face significant security risks.The Libya Visa is a type of travel document that grants permission for foreign nationals to enter and stay in Libya for a specified period. It is known to be one of the most difficult visas to obtain due to strict regulations and ongoing political instability in the country.- Application Process: Extensive documentation and rigorous screening process.
- Embassy Approval: Approval from the Libyan embassy or consulate in the applicant's home country.
- Letter of Invitation: In some cases, a formal letter of invitation from a sponsor or host in Libya may be required.
- Security Clearance: Thorough security background check conducted by Libyan authorities.
- Ongoing Conflict Zones: Restrictions on travel to certain conflict zones within Libya.
-
89votesYemen is currently experiencing a civil war, making it nearly impossible for visitors to obtain a visa. Additionally, the country is considered one of the most dangerous in the world due to ongoing conflict and terrorism.The Yemen Visa is a document issued by the Republic of Yemen to allow foreign nationals to enter the country for various purposes, including tourism, business, or employment.
- Difficulty Level: Extremely difficult
- Required Documents: Valid passport, application form, passport-sized photos, proof of purpose of visit, proof of accommodation, proof of sufficient funds
- Approval Time: Varies, can take several weeks or months
- Application Process: Visa application must be submitted in person or through an authorized agent at a Yemeni embassy or consulate
- Security Checks: Stringent background checks and screening procedures are conducted
-
95votesSomalia's visa application process is complex and time-consuming, with applicants required to provide extensive documentation and a letter of invitation from a resident or company in the country. Additionally, the country is considered one of the most dangerous in the world due to ongoing conflict and terrorism.The Somalia Visa is a travel document issued by the Federal Government of Somalia to allow foreign nationals entry into the country. It is known to be one of the most difficult visas to obtain due to the challenging political situation in Somalia and the strict documentation requirements.
- Application Process: Complex and time-consuming
- Documentation: Extensive documentation required, including proof of purpose of visit, invitation letter, travel itinerary, and supporting documents
- Security Clearance: Thorough background checks and security clearance process
- Travel Restrictions: Limited entry points and restricted travel within the country
- Political Situation: Challenging political environment with ongoing conflicts and instability
-
104votesAfghanistan is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world, and obtaining a visa is extremely difficult due to ongoing conflict and terrorism. Additionally, the country has a reputation for being repressive and volatile.The Afghanistan Visa is a document that grants permission to foreign individuals to enter and stay in Afghanistan for a specific period of time. It is known to be one of the most difficult visas to obtain due to various reasons such as security concerns, political instability, and strict immigration policies.
- Application Process: The application process for an Afghanistan Visa usually involves submitting an application form, along with supporting documents such as a valid passport, invitation letter, travel itinerary, and proof of financial means.
- Security Clearance: Applicants for an Afghanistan Visa often undergo a thorough security clearance process, which may include background checks and interviews.
- Restricted Areas: Certain areas within Afghanistan may be restricted for foreign visitors, and special permits may be required to enter them.
- Validity: The validity period of an Afghanistan Visa varies depending on the purpose of travel, and it is typically granted for a single entry or multiple entries.
- Extension: Extending an Afghanistan Visa can be a complex process and requires approval from the Afghan authorities.
Missing your favorite visa?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for difficult visa
-
Application requirementsThe complexity and number of documents required for the application process. Some visas may require extensive documentation, such as proof of financial stability, employment, and sponsorship, or even medical examinations and police clearances.
-
FeesThe cost of the visa application and any additional fees that may be required, including document translation and legalizations fees, and visa processing fees.
-
Processing timeThe time it takes for the receiving country's consular or immigration authorities to review and issue the visa. The longer and more unpredictable the processing time, the more difficult it may be to obtain the visa.
-
Success rateThe percentage of visa applications that are ultimately approved. A low approval rate could indicate that the granting country has stringent requirements or that the visa is particularly difficult to obtain.
-
Interview requirementWhether or not an in-person interview is required for the visa application process. Interviews can be time-consuming, stressful, and may require travel to the nearest consulate or embassy of the destination country.
-
Visa validity and durationThe length of time that the visa is valid and the amount of time that the visa holder is permitted to stay in the country. A visa with a short validity period or limited duration may be more difficult to obtain, as it may require frequent renewals or extensions.
-
Restrictions and conditionsAny restrictions or conditions that apply to the visa, such as allowable activities while in the country, limits on extensions or renewals, or the requirement for an exit visa.
-
Subjectivity in decision-makingThe degree to which the decision to grant or deny a visa is based on subjective factors, such as the applicant's nationality, age, occupation, or personal circumstances, rather than objective criteria. This can make the visa process more unpredictable and potentially more difficult.
-
Diplomatic relationsThe political relationship between the country issuing the visa and the applicant's home country. Strained diplomatic relations can lead to more restrictive visa policies and increased difficulty in obtaining a visa.
-
Travel historyWhether the applicant's travel history to certain countries or regions, or lack thereof, can affect their likelihood of obtaining the visa. This may be a factor in evaluating their risk level and reasons for travel.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult visa to obtain. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or visa is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1825 views
- 177 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each visa once every 24 hours. The rank of each visa is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most difficult visa to obtain
Visas are legal documents that allow people to travel and stay in a foreign country for a specific period of time. While some visas are easy to obtain, others can be quite challenging. The most difficult visa to obtain depends on various factors such as the applicant's country of origin, the purpose of their visit, and the immigration policies of the country they wish to enter. In general, visas that require extensive documentation, high financial requirements, and strict background checks tend to be the most difficult to obtain. These visas include work visas, student visas, and immigrant visas. However, each country has its own set of visa requirements, and the difficulty of obtaining a visa can vary greatly depending on where you are traveling to.
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
