Many countries require a person wishing to visit the country to first acquire a travel visa. The travel visa acts as a form of official permission granted by the government of the country you are entering. Generally, visas allow you to stay within the country for a set period of time, on a set number of dates, and may limit your activities. For example, some visas may allow you to travel or study, but not engage in business. To travel around the world, you would need to acquire a number of different visas.

Getting A Visa

To get a visa, you need to apply directly to the government of the country you wish to visit. Each government has its own rules for applying for a visit, but generally you will need to visit one of the country's embassies, usually well in advance of the dates you wish to travel, or else apply by mail. The country will likely ask you for proof of identification and about the purpose of your visit. A government is not obligated to extend you a visa, and your request can be denied for any number of reasons. In addition to visas, to enter a foreign country you will need to produce a valid passport. Unlike the visa, you must apply for a passport from your own government. However, whereas the visa is good only for specific dates, a passport lasts for up to ten years.

Countries Requiring An Advance Visa

In many countries, you can apply for and receive a visa upon arrival. However, many require you apply in advance. These include China, India, North Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Russia, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Australia, Brazil, Iran, Nigeria, Paraguay, Saudi Arabia, Suriname and Pakistan. As rules can change, make sure to consult the diplomatic offices of the countries you wish to visit ahead of time about their entrance requirements.

Complications

Not all visas are easy to receive. For example, some countries require that you appear in person at an embassy. Occasionally, a country will not have an embassy in the United States, meaning that you will have to travel to another country where the country does maintain an embassy, at which point you will have to wait while the visa is processed. Even then, the visa could still be denied. So, be sure to consult with the country well in advance of applying.

Restricted Countries

There are a number of countries where successfully receiving a visa is extremely difficult. Several countries, such as Russia and Saudi Arabia, require letters of invitation. Others, such as North Korea and Iran, do not have diplomatic relations with the U.S. and are therefore reluctant to grant visas to U.S. citizens. In some cases, applying for a visa is merely expensive. For example, China charges $130 simply to apply for a visa. (See Reference 5)

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About the Author

Based in New York City, Joseph Eliot has been a writer since 2007. He holds a master's degree in journalism, with a focus on cultural reporting.

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