10 Jun The low down on Travel Visas

Visa – Not the credit card

In my packing blog I mention checking the visa entry requirements for the country you are visiting before taking off, this seems standard, but even I forget to do it occasionally, and if you are not a frequent traveler it is something that can put a dent in your trip.  Every nationality will have different requirements to enter every country.  If you are a U.S. passport holder you’ll be lucky and have visa free travel to several countries.

How do I know if I need a visa?  

For U.S. passport holders, visit the Travel.State.Gov website to find out exactly what you will need.  If you are a national of another country, I am going to assume that your Department of State has a similar website.  Be aware that visa requirements can change on whim based on political relationships.  Example – in October of 2017 Turkey temporarily suspended travel visas to U.S. citizens.

Most countries that don’t require visas still require that your passport is valid for at least six months from your date of entry.  My advice, if you have less than a year left on your passport, start the application process now.  You don’t want to be invited to a last-minute trip to Mexico or the Caribbean and not be able to go because your passport is nearly expired.

What to do if you need a visa

• First read about requirements.  Can it be done online, upon landing, or (rarely) do you have to appear in person at an embassy?
• Once you determine the type of visa you’re getting, make sure you fulfill all landing stipulations- some countries require along with your visa, an exit ticket, booking arrangements, passport pics, etc to pass through immigration.
• Every country is different so it’s vital to read throughly . Example – When I went to Myanmar, I had my e-visa with me at check-in at the Bangkok airport, however they would not give me a boarding pass without proof of an exit ticket.  I quickly stepped out of line, bought a ticket online, and got back in line and showed the agent that I was in fact, not going to try to live in Myanmar indefinitely.

Visa on arrival vs. e-visa

If your destination gives you the option to get an online e-visa or visa on arrival, always get the e visa.  Here are the outlined reasons:

• If you’re going to be denied entry, it’s better to know over email than before you debark a long haul flight.  
• Visa on arrival counters can be extremely hectic.  When I landed in Turkey a few years ago I did an e-visa and I am not exaggerating when I say there was a line of probably 200 people waiting to complete visa on arrival.  That could’ve been hours in line that I avoided.
• What if you have a flight arriving at midnight?  Is the visa on arrival counter even going to be open?  
• Having an e-visa already with you allows you to skip one step on arrival.  
• In some cases it’s cheaper to do an e-visa.
• Once you are granted your e-visa, print two copies of it.  Staple one in your passport and keep one separate with your other travel documents.  Generally the immigration agent will remove the paper copy and replace it with an official stamp.

Good luck!