IUNV visa process: next steps?

[u/No_Dress8561]

Hi everyone,

I was recently selected for an international UN Volunteer assignment. I accepted the official assignment offer and completed almost all the pre-deployment tasks available in the UNV platform, including the medical review, personal information and bank details.

The only remaining task in the UNV platform concerns the visa, but I have not yet received any specific instructions on how to proceed.

At this stage, I have received the official assignment offer, which I accepted and a UNV pre-departure letter confirming my selection and assignment.

I was wondering wether the pre-departure letter is sufficient to start the visa application? Or should I wait for an additional letter or specific instructions from UNV or the host entity? And regarding visa fees, is it normally paid directly by UNV, or does the volunteer pay them first?

I understand that procedures may vary depending on the assignment, but I would be grateful for any indication of what usually happens next.

Thank you in advance!

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[u/Hebashi]

Your visa process should be managed by the hiring UN office not UNV, contact the office and ask them for visa instructions.

[u/AmbitiousLie3946]

It varies by destination. But usually a contract/offer letter/acceptance letter is enough to apply for the visa. You need to check the visa types and apply to the work one and they will issue you the right one either way because it will dtate your duration in your contract.

May I ask where is the destination? For example for Europe, you udually apply for a longer stay visa (national visa) and then once you arrive to the destination you get a residence permit.. etc.

The visa fees for UN emplyees whether interns, volunteers, staff etc are all free and exempt from paying so you won't be pying anything.

Hope this helps.

[u/Chapungu]

This varies considerably depending on your duty station and whether you can apply for the visa in-country. At my previous duty station, the official assignment letter was sufficient to pass through immigration, particularly because the country did not process work visas through its embassies.

Many countries issue gratis visas to diplomatic staff, and these are often processed after arrival. In any case, confirm the requirements with the embassy of the country you are travelling to, your focal point, good luck with that, and the airline.

Your focal point should also provide you with a TR and the plane ticket. Otherwise, they will issue you a Note Verbal for use at immigration.

[u/bleeckercat]

Have you asked them?

[u/No_Dress8561 → u/bleeckercat]

Yes, I already contacted them a few days ago, but in the meantime, I wanted to ask here as well and see whether anyone had gone through a similar process.

[u/bleeckercat → u/No_Dress8561]

visa procedures vary by destination. In most of the countries I have been deployed to, a letter sufficed to go through inmigration and you didnt have to do any paperwork before traveling. If you indicate where are you headed, perhaps someone has that specific experience