- by Erick Young
If you show up for your flight without the proper travel documentation, you are likely to be turned away. Even worse, you may get turned back after you've arrived at your destination. It is your responsibility, not the airline's, to make sure you have the proper papers for your trip. Since adventure travelers frequently visit some of the more exotic or less-traveled countries, this often includes getting more than a passport.
Since 1986, when the US State Department enacted its visa waiver program, many travelers haven't had to think much about visas. This meant when travelers from the US and 29 other countries traveled to one another, no visa was needed for tourist and business trips of less than 90 days. This included some of the most frequently traveled countries such as Andorra, Argentina, Austrailia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Uruagauy.
If you are traveling to a country other than these 29, a visa is likely still needed. Popular destinations like Brazil and China require visas. Saudi Arabia doesn't allow leasure travel for Americans, and requires a business traveler to have a letter of personal invitation. Russia requires a lot of extra time to have your visa processed due to its unpredictable bureaucratic system. Visas for African countries can also be delayed, though some offer visas at their border for a fee.
Tourist usually pay less for visas than business travelers, but visa fees can range from $30 to $105 per person. Because the visa application process can be frustrating, you might consider using a visa expediting service. Their fees usually add and extra $40 to $50 to the fee, but may be well worth it. Unlike consulates, expeditors also don't require you to mail your original passport to them, which can often cause an uneasy feeling.
Finally, don't forget to plan well ahead if you need to get your passport. It can be a 6 to 8 week process, plus time to collect paperwork and get a photo. You should always have a passport when traveling to any foreign country.
To find more about proper travel documentation, consider these web sites:
- See what requirements are required from all countries on the US State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs site, found at www.travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html.
- Find out about passports and other special requirements for US travelers at the US State Department site.
- To find an expeditor service, check the yellow pages in your closest large city, ask your local travel agent, or visit the website of TraVisa Passport and Visa.
- Going to Kenya, Nepal or some other far off site? Check out current health issues and shots you may require for locations around the world at the World Health Organization.
