The dreaded visa. Who knew that a little piece of paper could be so powerful? If you don’t have one, it’ll stop you in your tracks and kill that work abroad dream flat. Before you leave make sure you check if you’ll need a visa to enter your chosen country. This will depend on where you’re from and where you’re travelling to. A simple online search for your country of choice’s embassy is all you need to determine which documents are required.
Although we always recommend getting the most up to date information directly from the embassy of your chosen destination – here is our quick and simple guide to get you started.
- No visa needed. Depending on where you’re from and where you’re going, there are a few lucky places where you won’t need to worry about a visa at all. For Europeans travelling within Europe for example, there is no permit needed; simply saunter over the border stress free.
- Visa on arrival. Just like it says on the tin. For destinations where a visa on arrival is needed there’s no need to do anything prior to getting on that plane. Fill in a simple form, either on the plane or at the airport, and you’re off. Be aware though, some require a passport photo, a small fee and an onward ticket so you may need to prepare these things in advance and have them with you when you land. Watch out as there is an expiry date here. Be sure to get your facts straight and get out before your time is up to avoid a hefty fine.
- Visa applications. For certain destinations, or if you’re staying for a long period of time, you may need to apply for a visa before you even leave home. Some forms are lengthy and demanding but, although you can hire agencies to fill these out on your behalf, they are doable on your own. Gather all the details you’ll need to supply (these often include dates of arrival and departure, accommodation address, type of activity you’ll be engaging in, an onward ticket, a passport photo etc.) and get cracking. Although many forms can be completed online, you may need to make a trip to the embassy in person for passport stamps and other formalities.
- Work permits. Here’s where things get a little tricky. Depending on where you’re from and where you’re going, the rules may be different if you’re entering the country as a tourist to if you are intending to work there. Further, work permits come with their own set of rules; duration of stay, type of work and your age are all factors you’ll need to consider. Check out Justlanded.com for a country by country guide and official embassy websites for the specifics.
Jetsetter Jobs Top Tips for Visas:
- Give yourself plenty of time before leaving home to organise a visa – we’re talking months. Embassies are notoriously slow and the process is highly inefficient. Not to mention the errands on your side: the forms, the photos, the filing. Get started as early as possible to avoid any visa-related stress.
- Check all the facts are correct. Once your passport is stamped and you’ve got the go ahead, double check all the key dates, names and locations are correct. A simple mistake, like listing your birthday wrong, could get the gates closed on you once again. Double, then triple, check it all.
- Check out Visamapper.com for a fun and informative way to research visas. Simply tell the interactive map where you’re from and it’ll present you with a world map detailing which countries you can travel to without a visa, which can be obtained on arrival and which you’ll need a visa for beforehand. Be sure to double check on official embassy websites for up to date information.
