What documents are required for a tourist visa?
A tourist visa typically requires a valid passport, application form, photo, hotel bookings, return ticket, travel insurance, financial proof, and a cover letter explaining your trip.
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Standard tourist visa documents
Most countries require a similar set of documents to evaluate a tourist visa application. The exact list varies by destination, but the core documents below are almost universal.
Document checklist
- Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your return date and 2 blank pages.
- Completed visa application form, signed and dated.
- Recent biometric passport photo (typically 35 x 45 mm with white background).
- Confirmed round-trip flight reservation.
- Confirmed hotel bookings or other accommodation proof for the entire stay.
- Travel insurance covering medical emergencies and repatriation (mandatory 30,000 EUR cover for Schengen).
- Bank statements from the last 3 to 6 months showing sufficient funds.
- Proof of employment or business ownership (employer letter, payslips, tax returns).
- Cover letter explaining the purpose of your trip, itinerary, and ties to your home country.
- Visa application fee paid (varies by country).
Country-specific extras
Some destinations require additional documents. The US asks for the DS-160 confirmation page and may request property documents or family invitation letters. The UK asks for a sponsor declaration if someone else is funding your trip. Schengen countries may request specific medical insurance documents and a detailed day-by-day itinerary.
Tips for a strong application
Submit clean, organized documents. Translate non-English documents into the consulate's official language. Avoid handwritten amendments. Bring originals plus two photocopies of every page. If you book hotels through trip1, print the booking confirmation as your accommodation proof - it includes hotel address, dates, and your name.
Tourist visa documents - FAQ
Most countries ask for a valid passport, a completed and signed application form, a recent photo, a round-trip flight reservation, hotel bookings for your whole stay, travel insurance, recent bank statements and proof of employment. A cover letter explaining your trip helps. The exact list depends on your destination and your passport, so use the consulate's own checklist.
The US State Department does not publish a minimum balance. The consular officer looks for evidence that you can pay all costs of the trip, along with your reason for travelling and your ties at home. Recent statements showing steady income and enough money for flights, accommodation and daily costs are the usual proof.
You need the core tourist visa documents plus two Schengen extras: travel medical insurance covering at least EUR 30,000 and an itinerary for every Schengen country you will visit. Your passport must be valid at least three months after you leave the Schengen area. Some consulates also ask for a day-by-day plan.
For a Schengen visa, yes: your insurance must cover at least EUR 30,000 of medical costs, including hospital treatment and repatriation, for your whole stay. Other countries set their own rules, and some make insurance a condition of the visa, so check your destination's official checklist. Even where it is optional, it is worth having.
Usually, yes. Most consulates want proof of accommodation for every night of your stay, before they decide. Book a refundable rate on trip1 and print the confirmation, which shows the hotel address, your dates and your name. If your visa is refused or delayed, you can cancel without losing money.