Passport and Visa Requirements
One of the most important things to do before you travel abroad is to check your destination's passport and visa requirements. Every country has different rules, and it can take several weeks or months to obtain the proper documentation, so advance planning is crucial.
First rule of thumb: Having a passport is not always enough. Many countries require that your passport be valid for up to six months beyond the end date of your vacation. For example, if your Singapore vacation ends in September, your passport must be valid until March of the following year. Be sure to check the U.S. Department of State's website for detailed country-specific information about your destination's passport requirements.
Some countries will not admit you unless your passport has a very specific number of blank visa pages at the end. If your itinerary includes multiple nations, make sure to check the blank-page requirements—either one blank page or two—for each country. If you need to add extra pages to your passport before your trip, follow these instructions and mail in the necessary fee with a completed form. But keep in mind that it takes approximately four to six weeks for applications to be processed (check here for updates on routine and expedited application-processing times).
After making sure your passport is up to snuff, find out whether your destination requires a visa in order to gain entry. The State Department's website allows you to search by country for your destination's entry requirements. You can also check the country's U.S. embassy website for detailed information about entry and exit requirements for American visitors. While some countries do not require a visa at all, others have a more difficult process that involves obtaining a visa in person from your nearest consulate.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you. Comments are welcome.
ivan