Visagov: complete guide to applying for tourist and business visas online
What Visagov is, who is behind it, how its online visa process works, company figures, advantages, when to use a platform versus applying directly, step by step, common mistakes and FAQs.
Applying for a visa can be one of the most stressful steps of a trip: forms in other languages, changing requirements, payments on unclear official websites and the fear of making a mistake that delays your journey. Visagov is a Barcelona-based technology platform that processes tourist and business visas online, connecting directly with each government's systems. In this guide we explain what Visagov is, who is behind it, how it works, what advantages it offers and when it makes sense to use it.
What Visagov is
Visagov is a software-as-a-service platform specializing in processing tourist and business visas online. It was founded in 2021 in Barcelona by entrepreneur Virginia Carmona and investor Javier Martín. Besides visa processing, it offers ancillary services for the travel industry.
Its model combines direct sales to travelers with a business channel: according to published information about the company, it works with more than three thousand five hundred travel companies, such as agencies and tour operators, that offer the service to their customers.
Company figures
According to the announcement of new majority shareholders in 2024:
| Indicator | Figure |
|---|---|
| Visas processed in 2023 | More than 168,000 |
| Reported success rate | 99.7% |
| Partner companies | More than 3,500 |
| Gross revenue | More than €15 million |
| EBITDA | €3 million |
In 2024, Begreat Capital, Coremind Ventures and Laren Capital became majority shareholders, while the rest of the capital remained with the founders and key team. Visagov has customers on five continents, with its main markets in the United States, the United Kingdom, northern Europe and Australia.
Visagov is also part of the traveler services ecosystem that includes Globely travel insurance and the Roamic eSIM.
How the process works
The typical process on a visa management platform is as follows: the traveler chooses the destination and type of visa, fills in a guided form with their personal and trip details, attaches the required documents, pays, and the platform reviews the application before submitting it to the relevant government system. It then reports the outcome and delivers the visa or authorization.
Visagov's advantage is that it connects directly with each government's systems, which speeds up submission and reduces errors.
Electronic visas and travel authorizations
Many countries have replaced or supplemented traditional visas with electronic visas or travel authorizations applied for online. They are faster than consular visas but require forms to be completed precisely. An error in your passport number, dates or an answer can cause a refusal or a delay. A specialist platform helps avoid those mistakes.
Advantages of using Visagov
Guided forms that reduce errors.
Prior review of the application before submission.
Direct connection with government systems.
A high reported success rate of 99.7% in 2023.
Large-scale experience, with more than 168,000 visas processed in a year.
Service for travelers worldwide and a channel for agencies.
Using a platform or applying directly
You can always apply for a visa directly on the government's official website, paying only the official fee. A platform such as Visagov also charges a service fee. When is it worth it?
Use the platform if: the form is in a language you don't master, you're short on time, the process makes you uneasy, you're traveling in a group or with family and want to centralize applications, or you're an agency handling many applications.
Apply directly if: you know the process, the form is simple and you'd rather save the service fee.
What matters is knowing both options exist and choosing with full information.
How to use Visagov step by step
- Open Visagov from the link in this guide.
- Choose your destination and check the type of visa or authorization you need for your nationality.
- Fill in the form with the exact details from your passport.
- Attach the requested documents, such as a photo or passport copy.
- Review everything before paying.
- Pay and wait for confirmation.
- Download the visa or authorization and keep it on your phone and on paper.
What to check before paying
- That the destination and type of visa are correct.
- That your details match your passport exactly.
- Your passport's validity; many countries require at least six months.
- Processing times and whether there's an urgent option.
- What the price includes: official fee and service fee.
- Refund conditions if the application doesn't succeed.
Visas and travel insurance
Many visa applications require or recommend travel medical insurance. Before applying, check whether your destination asks for it and buy a policy that meets the requirements. In our network you have Globely, from the same ecosystem as Visagov, as well as IATI, Assist 365, GO! Assistance and Protege tu Viaje.
A special case: visas for Colombia
If your destination is Colombia and you need a visitor, migrant or resident visa, or a digital nomad visa, the application is made to the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. CoVisas Colombia, part of our network, specializes in Colombian immigration law and handles the complete application, including health insurance that meets the regulations.
Common mistakes in visa applications
Errors in passport details. The most common cause of refusals.
A passport close to expiry.
Applying late. Some processes take days or weeks.
Confusing a visa with a travel authorization. They are different documents.
Not saving the confirmation. Carry it printed and on your phone.
For agencies and companies
Visagov has a business channel with thousands of partners. For travel agencies, tour operators and companies sending staff abroad, integrating a visa management service simplifies operations and reduces errors. If you're an agency, ask about partnership options.
Why accuracy matters so much
Electronic visa systems often automatically cross-check application data against passport data and other databases. A changed letter in a surname, a passport number with one wrong digit or a mistyped date of birth can mean the authorization doesn't match your travel document and the airline won't let you board. That's why guided forms and prior review are so valuable: they reduce the risk of errors that are sometimes discovered at the worst possible moment.
Family and group trips
When a family or group travels, each person needs their own visa or authorization. Handling all applications at once, with the same trip details, avoids inconsistencies. For minors, requirements may include parents' details or additional authorizations. A platform that centralizes applications makes it easier to track each one.
Processing times
Times vary a lot by destination: some electronic authorizations are resolved in hours, other visas take days or weeks. Start the process as soon as you have your travel dates, especially in high season, when government systems can be slower. If your trip is urgent, ask whether there's a priority processing option and what it costs.
What to do if your visa is refused
If an application is refused, read the stated reason carefully. Some refusals are due to correctable errors in the form; others are decisions by the immigration authority. Ask the platform what options you have and whether you can reapply. Avoid buying non-refundable tickets before your visa is approved.
Privacy and data protection
A visa application includes sensitive personal data: passport, photograph, address, family information and sometimes background details. Before using any platform, review its privacy policy and how it protects information. Use a secure connection and avoid applying from public wifi networks. Keep your receipts and don't share your visa confirmation on social media, as it may contain data that makes identity theft easier.
Passport strength and visa requirements
For many travelers, visa requirements are one of the factors that most influence where they go. Some countries in Europe, Asia or Oceania require visas or authorizations for certain nationalities, while others allow visa-free entry for short stays. Before planning a trip, it's worth checking which destinations are most accessible with your passport and which need more preparation. A platform such as Visagov makes destinations with electronic processing easier; for complex consular visas, you may need to go to the consulate.
Combining the visa with the rest of the trip
The visa is the first step of orderly planning: once it's approved, you can buy non-refundable tickets, take out insurance with your final dates, buy your eSIM and, if you have long layovers, a VIP lounge pass. Within the Visagov ecosystem, Globely provides insurance and Roamic the eSIM, so you can handle the next steps consistently.
The customer experience
What travelers value most in a visa service is clarity: knowing which document they need, how much it will cost, how long it will take and what status their application is in. A platform that keeps you informed at every step reduces the anxiety of waiting for approval. If you have questions during the process, use the platform's support channels and keep the answers in writing.
Business travelers and corporate agencies
Companies that frequently send staff abroad need to handle visas quickly and in an orderly way. A specialist service lets them centralize applications, track progress and reduce administrative errors. For employees, it means less time on forms and more time to prepare the trip.
Apply early
Start the process as soon as you have dates; that way you'll have room to fix any problem.
Summary
Guided forms, prior review and a direct connection with the government: that's what Visagov adds compared with applying on your own.
Renewals and repeat trips
If you travel often to the same destination, check whether your visa or authorization allows multiple entries and how long it's valid. Some authorizations last several years, which avoids repeated applications. Note the expiry date and apply for renewal well before a trip.
When to get professional help
If your case has particular features, such as a previous visa refusal, a criminal record, dual nationality or an unusual reason for travel, it's worth consulting a professional before submitting. A poorly framed answer can affect future applications. For Colombian visas, CoVisas Colombia offers specialist immigration law advice.
Keeping track of multiple applications
If you travel often or apply for several people, keeping track of applications becomes important. Create a simple spreadsheet or note with each traveler's name, passport number, destination, type of document, application date, reference number, status and expiry date. Update it whenever you receive news from the platform or the government system. Store confirmations and approvals in a shared folder that every traveler can access. Set reminders a few weeks before each authorization expires so you can renew in time. If you change passports, note which applications were linked to the old document and check whether they need to be redone. For agencies and companies, this kind of tracking is essential to avoid last-minute problems at the airport, and many use the platform's business tools to centralize it. Even for a single family, a short table saves time and avoids the stress of searching through emails the day before departure.
Checklist before applying
- Entry requirements checked for your nationality.
- Passport valid for the required period.
- Exact details and documents ready.
- Travel insurance if the destination requires it.
- Enough time before the trip.
- Confirmation saved.
If your trip takes you to Colombia, CoVisas Colombia handles Colombian visas end to end, and Colombia Visa Legal explains the country's immigration law.
Conclusion
Visagov is a solid platform for applying for tourist and business visas online, with more than 168,000 visas handled in 2023 and a reported success rate of 99.7%. Use it if you want to save time and reduce errors, and remember you can always compare with applying directly. If your destination is Colombia, CoVisas Colombia supports you through the whole process. Message us on WhatsApp if you need guidance.
Frequently asked questions
What is Visagov?
A Barcelona-based platform, founded in 2021, that processes tourist and business visas online by connecting with each government's systems.
How many visas did Visagov process in 2023?
More than 168,000, with a reported success rate of 99.7%.
Is it more expensive than applying directly?
The platform charges a service fee on top of the official fee. In return, it offers guided forms and prior review.
Does Visagov handle visas for Colombia?
For Colombian visas, CoVisas Colombia, part of our network, specializes in applications to the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Do I need travel insurance for the visa?
Some destinations require it. Check the requirements and buy a policy that meets them.
What happens if I get a detail wrong?
Errors can cause refusals or delays. Review everything carefully before paying.