· Most countries require that your passport is valid for 6 months after the end of your trip.
· In the good / bad old days we had to apply and pay for a visa before going to a country and then pay a departure tax when we left. These days most of the taxes are included in the airline ticket which saves a lot of mucking around.
· Many countries will give you a month visa free or visa on arrival these days. Sometimes with a fee of around US$30. Some countries have E-visas you can do online. If you want to stay longer or go to countries that don't have these systems you will need to go through their embassy and apply for a Tourist Visa. It’s best to go to their website online to see exactly what you need to do. Go to the Government website for that country. Beware of fake sites that say they will organise a visa for you especially for Vietnam. This website is a handy tool for finding out visa and other travel requirements.
· Embassies are usually located in the capital city of a country. Sometimes they will have a consulate in another city or tourist area. If you need to send your passport by mail, make sure you, do it with secure return Registered Mail. Do it with plenty of time to spare (6 weeks) in case there are problems. You will have to pay, fill in a form and supply some passport photos.
· You will usually have about three months to activate the visa. They may want to see an air ticket out of the country, proof of funds and hotel bookings. You can get single or multiple entry visas. It's hard to generalize too much as every country has their own rules.
· Europe is easy as they have the Schengen Area which has 26 member countries and lets many countries in for 90 days. Once in it's easy to move from one country to the next. Schengen is a town in Luxembourg where the agreement was signed in 1985. Check online for the latest information.
· Countries sometimes have a tit for tat system. If your country is kind to their citizens, they will be kind to you. Some have memories that go back to the colonial days. This can be good or bad. If you're going to multiple countries and need several visas you may be able to pick them up along the way in the neighbouring countries.
· Crossing land borders can vary quite a bit. Airports are pretty uniform and straight forward.
· I recommend a money belt that hangs around your neck as you will need to get out your passport and boarding pass every time you go through a security check. One that straps around the waist is uncomfortable and everything inside becomes crumpled and soaked in sweat.
· Generally, the only time you will get stopped and searched going through Customs is when you get home. Declare what you've got and they will usually be quite helpful.
· Land borders can vary a great deal and may require some patience. Do your homework for each particular crossing. Check out their opening and closing times and try to get there early. You may get less time on your visa at a land border.
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A new world is waiting for you once you've cleared customs - Nakhon Phanom, Thailand
· Sometimes you can cross land borders for a few hours or so. You leave your passport with immigration and come back later the same day. It's a great way to add something a little different to your trip and sneak in an extra culture. You'll be amazed how different life across a geographical line can be. Plus, you can stock up on a few of the local treats.
· Sometimes touts who offer to help you through can be invaluable and at other times just a pain in the rear end. Sometimes you may need to grease the wheels of motion with a little baksheesh, or tip of a dollar or two for some sort of local "tourist fee". You can stand your ground but you're not going to win and sooner or later sooner or later you'll be coughing up that dollar or heading back to where you came from. No man’s land (the area between borders) may be quite a distance and sometimes transportation may be needed.
· Land borders aren't normally a good place to change money. They have the poorest exchange rate and scammiest money changers so getting a little local currency beforehand can relieve the stress. You might meet someone in the border town coming the other way with some. Small denomination US dollars also come in handy in this situation.
· Don't let people rush you about, tell you what to do or pretend to lead you. Stay calm, focussed and remember you're the boss.
· Prescription drugs can be a problem in some countries. Take a letter from your doctor listing all the pills you will be carrying and stating that you need them for your health.
· Taking counterfeit goods into some countries can get you into trouble. Also, weapons, drugs, food items, wooden items, too much alcohol or tobacco can result in problems. So be aware of the rules of the country you are entering.
· When you pack to leave a country, it doesn't hurt to go through everything and make sure you're not accidentally carrying any unwanted surprises. Then lock your pack.
· Immigration Officers aren't always the friendliest of people. It seems against their credo to smile or even acknowledge your existence sometimes. Don't bother with the small talk with these guys. Just present your passport, immigration card and boarding card. Customs Officers were similar but in recent years I must admit they've become a lot friendlier. They will want to see your passport and customs form.