Do I Need a Visa? My Very Best Tips for Safe, Easy Border Crossings

First, this is written for Americans holding US passports. Big qualifier here because if you are one of the lucky world citizens to hold this gem, treasure it. A US passport simplifies travel like few others, ranked 7th in the world in terms of access to other countries. In fact, of the 195 countries recognized by the UN charter in 2023, you can visit 187 if them without a visa.

Okay, what IS a visa?

Visas allow you to enter a foreign country’s borders if more information than is provided with your US passport is required. There are different types of visas but for our purposes, I am focusing on Tourist Visas. These usually last from 30 days to 3 months depending on the country.

When and why do I need one?

You will need one in order to be processed through customs upon arrival at the first border checkpoint or airport in your country of destination. Some countries will allow visa application process upon arrival but most do not. You should always check visa requirements when planning…and I do mean in the dreamy, wouldn’t it be great to see the Great Wall, bucket-list check-off, late night fantasy part of your planning. Visas can be super easy and fast or complicated and tricky. But we’ll get to that.

How do I know if the country I’m visiting requires a visa?

Your US government has all of that information right here. The US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs. Click on link for country specific information.

How do I get one? What if I need more than one?

This is where it gets a little more confusing. Many, but not all countries have online application portals. These allow you to input your information and pay by credit card. Some are extremely simple, (India for example) and others are more complicated, may require translation services (Laos) or even copies of your travel invoices detailing arrival and departure dates, addresses while in country, cities of arrival and departure. They often want to know where you’ll be before you arrive in their country and where you’re headed when leaving. Some countries won’t let you in if you have Pakistani ties. You can’t go to Saudi Arabia directly from Israel. Fun things like that.

Add in Covid vaccination requirements and health insurance mandates on the part of some countries, too.

Can I do it myself?

If your country of destination accepts E-visas, you are golden. You can apply online. They are less expensive, and you’ll get them quickly. The key here is to check to make certain that your port of entry in that country has the means to process an e-visa. If not, you will need to fill out the visa application and then (gasp!) send your precious US passport via FedEx or other trackable delivery service recommended by the embassy’s processing department of said country. Many require photos. Passport-style. They’ll specify.

If you plan to visit multiple countries on the same jaunt (like my Southeast Asia trip in February), logistics are critical. But you have options. I needed visas for Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Three different embassies, three different languages, three different currencies…yeah. One mistake and I’m, well…you get it.

So planning is crucial.

How much do they cost?

Depends. Not a lot until you add administrative fees, translation if needed and if you’re up against the clock, expedited processing and shipping can triple the cost. My e-visa for India is $75. My visas for three countries in Southeast Asia including an extra $49 for a translation fee and Fedex signature upon delivery will come close to $400.

Should you use a Visa Processing Service?

For the Southeast Asia trip, I am using Genvisa. There are other reputable services who will walk you through the process, give you the specifics for your tour destinations, handle the paperwork and ship you back your passport with visas included and ready to go. CIBT Visas has a good reviews and there are many others. If you are booking through a tour group, they will have relationships and can make suggestions. Both Globus and Gate 1 suggested Genvisa and I have used them for trips to Russia, China, Kenya, and my prior trip to Southeast Asia. They are responsive, reliable and thorough. Key points for all things visa-related.

Big takeaway here. Yes, you can do and certainly try to do this on your own. But if it seems too complicated, it probably is. At least chat with a service and get a feel for the process and the costs involved.

The customs process is super easy when you have your paperwork in order and impossibly stressful when you don’t. But you’re a savvy broad traveling abroad and you’ve done your homework. So sail across those borders with all the right documents and enjoy your adventure!

xo