A visa is a stamp in a passport allowing you to enter a country.

Countries require you to obtain a visa in order to make sure that:

• you will not seek employment illegally,
• you have the means to support yourself whilst there,
• you do no intend to take part in any illegal or terrorist activity whilst there,
• you have a compelling reason, such as family, employment, property, in order to return home.

Requirements vary from country to country - these may include:

• medical insurance,
• travelers cheques,
• air tickets,

They will nearly always include:

• a completed and signed form
• a photo
• and a travel agents letter confirming travel arrangements.

Visa costs vary from country to country depending on the reciprocal agreement with South Africa. Some visas such as the Austrian are free. Costs are based in the country's own currency and the converted into Rand at the prevailing exchange rate. This makes a visa very expensive. The funds collected in this manner are used by the consulate towards their administration costs.

The Shengen Agreement currently includes Austria, Belgium, France. Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

The agreement allows South African passport holders now to obtain only one visa to visit all the above countries.

In the move to unify Europe, border controls no longer exit between these countries allowing free flow of traffic. Thus the onus is now on the first country of entry to ensure that the traveler fits all the criteria required when applying for his visa.

The visa requirements have become stricter since the Schengen visa was introduced, but processing times are generally faster and the process becomes less expensive as only on Visa is required.