By: Lindsay Hogg
Country entry and exit requirements for obtaining a passport visa can often become overwhelming. Especially if you do not know where to obtain this information from.
First thing you should know: information is always changing. If you read in a travel blog that a Travel Visa to Australia is $50 US and allots you a year there, it is a good start, but the chance that that writer often checks with the Australian Consulate to ensure this information is up to date is highly unlikely.
As a traveller, it is your responsibility to be educated on travel and country requirements in relation to where you are going.
How do you do this?
Rather than type ‘travel visas’ into a search engine, the best way to find up to date information about Travel Visa’s is to go directly to government websites. (Specifically your government’s ‘Foreign Affairs and International Trade’ site). If you have trouble finding this, you can go to your countries largest Airline and find the link there:
For example, I am Canadian – I went to Air Canada, clicked on ‘Travel Documents’ and under ‘Travel to and from International Destinations’ I found the link to the CAN Government FAIT. Then under ‘Travel Visa’ I clicked on ‘Australia’.
On the Australian website I found that changes had been made to eligibility and the application process just last year (2008). For an Australian ETA you can apply and pay online through their site. (ETA is an Electronic Travel Authority – which is for travel less than 3 months).
Thus, you understand that this is always changing. DON’T GET YOUR INFORMATION SECOND HAND!
If you are booking through a travel agent, they will have the up to date information on Travel Visa’s that you need and researching this yourself is not required.
Extra Notes and Tips:
– Requirements vary depending on your Country of origin.
– Some Visa’s can take longer to obtain, especially if you are receiving your Visa via post. Make sure you apply for your Travel Visa well in advance.
– Also be prepared when entering certain Countries, that you have documents proving sufficient funds. (That you are able to support yourself through the period of your stay).
– Other documentation and/or information is required when entering specific Countries. (The address where you will be staying and vaccination documentation are examples of some of these).
3 Comments
I know you are super busy and I COMPLETELY understand if you don’t have time to get back to me. You are an amazing inspiration. i will follow in your path soon but was wondering how you handle and or get around all of the visa and country restrictions for all of the different places you go?
it seems most have a restriction on how long a US citizen can stay in their country on a tourist visa? any info would be a great help. I plan on staying for over three months in different countries. thanks again and keep on traveling :))
Russell
Hi Russell,
Thanks so much! Are you planning to travel soon?
You should not have too much trouble getting travel Visa’s being a US citizen. It all depends on where you are going as well. The best way to get information about travel or working Visa’s is to check directly on the government website of the country you are planning to travel too. You should not have any major issues getting one to stay somewhere for 3 months. Where are you looking to go for that long?
Hi hogga,
Thanks so much for writing me back.
I was thinking of going to live abroad for more than 3 months. Perhaps a year or 2 and just exploring the world.. I know from my ex girlfriend that living in the schengen countries in Europe it is not possible to just travel outside of the country every 3 months and then you are “cleared” to stay for another 3 months.. it has to be 3 months out of a 6 month period. Im not sure if or how strictly they enforce this but I don’t want to take the chance that I could be barred from visiting a country again…etc
I was thinking about Australia, Thailand, new Zealand…etc and just hopping around from place to place. I work for myself trading stocks so although id be on est time zone I can potentially do this anywhere with a high speed connection.
Any suggestions for stays of over 3 months in lets say Thailand? Or other Asian countries? Or are there rules similar to schengen countries in western Europe?
Thanks again 🙂
russell