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You already have your passport but you’ve recently learned that you may need a travel visa from the country that you wish to visit. Here are the basic steps that you need to take to obtain a travel visa so that your international travel goes smoothly:

First you should understand the difference between a passport and a visa. A passport is basically a long-term identification document for travel. A travel visa is a temporary travel pass allowing you into a specific country for a specified reason and amount of time. You’ll need to make sure that you have your passport before you get your visa. You should make sure that your passport is not near its expiration since many travel visas require that you have extended time on the passport after the end date of the visa to avoid any problems associated with travel delays.

Next you should make sure that you know how to access the most up-to-date information that is available about obtaining a visa. This information changes on an almost daily and is based on changes in the international political climate. Go to www.UnitedStatesVisas.gov to get the most updated information. If you are traveling from the U.S. to a foreign country, you’ll need to work with their embassy or consulate to get your visa.

Obtain an application for a travel visa. This can be done online from the aforementioned website. You can order this application from the embassy or consulate that you’ll be working with also. Pay all application fees in advance; these can often be paid online.

Call the embassy or consulate that you’ll be working with and make an appointment to complete your visa application. On the appointed day, take your application, your passport, other forms of ID and proof that you have paid your application fees.

Once you have your visa, you’ll be ready to travel. Make sure that you stick to the dates of travel and notify the embassy or consulate if there are going to be any changes in your plans. The visa eases international travel but it doesn’t give you a free pass to do anything you want!