Where to go
- Travel agencies and even specialised visa offices do not always have up to date and practical information about visas. Note that even embassies do not always have correct and up to date information. We try our best to have the latest and most practical information.
- Therefore, if you are in doubt always check the latest situations by using sources such as embassies, consulates, internet forms, visa offices and other travellers.
What to do
Passport:
- Before you start your journey make sure to extend your passport on time, especially when you leave last minute. Some countries expect you to have a passport valid for at least six months after your last day in the country (e.g. Indonesia and Tanzania).
- Make sure your passport has enough room for stamps. Many countries demand an empty page to stamp your passport when you enter the country and when you are leaving the country (business travel passport may need more room in there passport). For business travellers and travellers who will visit a lot of countries on there journey it is advisable to get a second passport.
When you apply for a visa take the following into account:
In certain countries:
- You might need a copy of your ticket or booking statement from your travel agency stating that you will leave the country after a certain period.
- you might be asked to provide a statement of good behaviour in order to get a visa. (It may take some time to get this)
- You might be asked to hand over a document (medical passport) to proof you have had certain vaccinations (mostly Cholera or Yellow Fever)
- You will be required to show an address where you are staying during your visit. If you do not have an address, pick a hotel from your Lonely planet.
- Multiple entry visa allow you to enter a country multiple times till the date of expiry of the visa. This will come in handy if you are planning on visiting other countries in the area.
- Applying for a visa can take a long time (several weeks). When applying for a visa check if it is compulsory to apply in advance or if you can get one at arrival into a country.
- When applying for a visa keep in mind that it might take some time to process it. and at times you might be required to personally visit the embassy during opening hours.
- If you need a multiple visa than it advisable to apply for one at a time because a mistake in the visa can lead to it being rejected.
How to get there and around
Visa
- Buying a visa on the way: When the visa is valid only for a certain amount of time which it is in most cases, or when entering the country at a certain time, than it is better to arrange the visa on time. At times there are possibilities of doing so by the embassy or consulates, but in most cases you need to do this at home so do your research well. At times you will be allowed to pay in dollars. The costs might be high.(Don’t really understand the importance of this info, check the dutch text again, you already said that you have to apply on time in the text above).
- More and more countries are discovering the use of e-visa, electronically request and giving of visas.read the sentence again, the way you put it it is not an advice
An international driving license
- An international driving licenses is always handy to bring along with you when you are travelling abroad (in most western countries and also in some less western countries it is not always necessary to have one)
- It might be handy to have it when wanting to rent a motor bike.
Without a return ticket you can not enter the country (Onward tickets required)
- A number of countries state that on entry you have to be able to proof that you will also leave the country after a certain period of time.
- If you have a single ticket because you would like to travel around a number of countries, or have a date on your ticket outside the date of expiry of your visa, this might cause problems entering a country.
- When you are not in possession of a return ticket you take the risk of being send back to your home country. Despite this the airline will be held responsible for passengers who are not in possession of the right ticket. Therefore, most airlines demand that before entering the plane you will be able to proof that you have booked a return ticket within the time limit of your visa (if applicable)
What can you do
- Apply for a visa that is valid until the return date on your ticket.
- Look for an airline that does not require a return ticket or a ticket with a specific date of departure. How do you find such an airline? Call local airlines and ask them if this rule applies to them. If they say it is not a problem always ask written proof of this.
Where to Stay & Eat
- Handing in your passport: At times you might be required by the hotel (proper English?)or hostel to give in your passport, not always the best option but at times you can not avoid it. If you give in your Travellers Cheques than it might help you to retain your passport(or you can give in your ISIC card or your international driving license).
- Noting down your passport numbers: In a lot of non western countries you might be required to note down your information(name, address, passport number) in the presence book in the hostel/hotel. It is very handy to know your passport number off your head.
How to communicate and Adjust
- Learn your passport number off your head because in many countries your might be required to register your passport number, date of issue, and the place where your passport was issued. When you constantly remove your passport from your bag it might attract attention for thieves. You can also note down the information on a piece of paper and place it in your pocket.
- If you are going to an Arabic country and you need a passport photo(visa/international driving license) than it is compulsory for women to wear a scarf on the pictures.
How to finance
- Documents that can save you some money are documents such as the International Students card
How to Insure
- If your documents have been stolen than most of the time it is covered by your travel insurance.
How to stay safe
- In some countries you have to bring ID when you are going out (e.g. Africa, USA). It is advisable not to bring your passport, but some other ID, such as an international driving license.
- In some Arabic countries it might cause some problems if you have an Israeli visa in your passport, then it is better to have an extra passport without an Israeli visa/stamp.
- Use a secured computer system (from your bank or another organisation) where you can safe the numbers and access codes of all your passes, passports and other important documents. You can also keep emergency and service numbers of your insurance company, telephone provider and bank here.
- You can also use internet services, such as hotmail, gmail and yahoo to save important documents. It is even better to scan documents, such as your passport and save these files on your personal account.
- Take a copy of your passport, Travellers Cheques and tickets with you, but also give them to your travelling partner and also somebody back at home.
How to stay healthy
- In certain countries it is usefull to bring a vaccination or medical passport with you. If you are under medication it can be handy to bring a document listing the types of medicine you are taking.
- Cholera: Note that it is possible to get (or buy) a stamp proofing you got your Cholera vaccination. When entering a country, or applying for a visa they might ask for this.
What to bring
- Passport photo: It is always handy to bring a few passport photos. When applying for a visa or when you have lost your passport and have to apply for an emergency document they come in very handy.