COVID slowed us down for a couple of years, and now a few health issues challenge us. We're still traveling if not writing about it quite so much. Our goal in 2022, get to all seven continents in one year!
We hope all of you are well and staying safe... and that you find some inspiration here for YOUR future travels.
We have some tips on getting a visa...
The steps you need to follow will depend on whether you need to get the visa before you leave home or if you can get it at the airport on your arrival.
We're going to deal with tips for U.S. citizens getting visas to other counties.
Getting a visa for foreign citizens to come TO the U.S can be long and involved...
...and from what we've heard... a little frustrating.
Citizens from countries in the visa waiver program should have no problem visiting the U.S.
But we're not going to deal with that here... This is for US citizens traveling abroad.
Sometimes you will be getting a visa when you enter a country... We did that in Cambodia a few years ago.
This is pretty straight forward. You fill out your application on arrival...
You'll have passport size photos and fees available as needed, and after you get through the bureaucratic line, you're on your way.
This is what happens more often... Some counties require that you get a visa before you leave on your trip.
This usually means that you need to get some sort of an official stamp or page glued into your passport.
You can use your travel agent or a visa service.
Some travel agents can help you get necessary visas. Or, you can even hire a service to get visas for you for an additional fee.
We've always gotten our own visas.
There are a few countries that are beginning to issue visas electronically.
Australia, for instance, now grants them electronically for eligible citizens of many countries.
When we went on the Trans-Siberian railroad, we had to send paperwork in electronically, then visit the consulate to turn it in physically.
Most countries still require you to fill out paperwork and submit it to the appropriate government agency before you leave on your trip.
You can generally download a visa application from the internet. Go to a website for the Embassy or a Consulate of the country you want to visit. If you need a visa, they should have a downloadable application along with all the rules and requirements.
You can also contact the Embassy and have them mail you an application.
Once you have filled out the application and collected the documentation you need, you will then have to carry your passport, application, photos and fee to one of the appropriate government offices if you live near one.
If
you don't have an Embassy or Consulate close to you, you will have to
mail your passport with the application, fee, and photos to them. You can also use a service like FedEx.
You will probably have to provide return postage as well.
If you have to send your passport off, do so in the most secure way possible.
Each country has it's own rules and requirements, check on the web or with an official representative to get the appropriate information. Read through all the rules and follow them... then you shouldn't have a problem getting a visa.
I will admit that some applications are complicated. Using our Trans-Siberian trip as an example again, the company that set up the tour for us sent us explicit directions... step by step... for how to fill out the application.
There's a headline I seem to use a lot! ...Allow plenty of time.
If you live in or near a city with a Consulate, you can drop off your passport and application yourself and pick it up... sometimes later the same day.... sometimes later in the week.
Some Consulates will mail your passport back to you, some won't.
If you have to use the mail or an express
delivery service it will take longer.
Requirements may change from time to time, so even if you think you know what the requirements are because you checked years ago.... check again. You don't want to ruin a trip because you didn't get the visa!
Requirements may change from time to time, so even if you think you know what the requirements are because you checked years ago.... check again.
You don't want to ruin a trip because you didn't get the visa!
Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark
Curious about what else we've written about? Search our site for a destination or travel tip.
But... We'd love to have you share this page or comment on it…
Thanks, Judy and Mark
Return to International Travel Tips
Go to MouseToursTravels Home Page
Spring is here in the Northern Hemisphere...
or soon will be.
The almonds and mustard are blooming
The grapes will soon bud out
It's Fall in the Southern Hemisphere
Great time for an
Australian Wine Tasting Drive.
It's a great time to travel almost anywhere in the world...
If only we could....
Health issues are keeping us home for now, but we still dream of travel.
We hope you are dreaming and planning travels too...
AND
You can get some armchair travels in by looking around here...
Enjoy!
Are you planning your travels?
The weather can be changeable, so be sure to pack layers and some rain gear...
See all of our Packing Lists and Tips.
Where Do You Want To Go?
Things to See in Europe
Travel In America
Does Africa Call?
Don't just dream about it...
Start making plans!
Custom Tour Planning List
International Travel Planning Tips
Foreign Is Fun - Not Scary!
Check Your Passport
Do you have yours? Is it up to date?
Get Your Passports and Visas
Search MouseToursTravels
Travel questions or destination info?
Find our answers faster...
We want you to feel comfortable out in the world and on our pages - so surf away in your own language...
Document Information
Passports and Visas
Passports
What Is A Passport
Passports - How To Get One
What Do Passports Cost?
Acceptable Identification Document
Collecting Passport Stamps
Visas
What Is A Visa?
All About Visas
Getting A Visa
Visa Requirements
Other Documents
U. S. Passport Card
U. S. Travel Authorization
Like Our Site Top Left
Like Our Fanpage Below
Thank You!
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Did it help with your travel planning and preparation? Eager to leave on that next vacation? Please leave your tips or comments in the box below.