Archive for October, 2009

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Getting a Thai Visa For The Full Moon Party

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

Every month, thousands of people gather on a beach in Thailand to celebrate the full moon. It’s said that the party started among a group of backpackers in 1985.  More and more people gathered with each full moon at Haad Rin Beach in Koh Phangan, and what was  once an informal gathering has become an institution. Now,  over  20,000 people attend an average Full Moon Party.

As the name suggests, Full Moon Parties last from sundown to sunup on the beach, every full moon. What happens at a full moon party? Imagine a giant dance party held under the moonlight. Vendors line up on the beach selling both alcoholic cocktails and supercharged energy drinks (Red Bull is based on a Thai energy drink formula, but the original is said to be even more powerful.)

Thai fire dancers and jugglers put on a show for the partygoers, as dance music plays. Everybody dances until they can’t dance any longer or until the sun comes up-whichever comes first. Check out this post from Gadling for a much more detailed, first-person account of the festivities.

Sound like fun? If you want to attend a full moon party, there are a few things you’ll need to do first. To travel to Thailand, you will definitely need a US passport.

You may also need a  Thai visa, depending on how long you plan to stay in the country. Americans can enter Thailand and stay up to 30 days without a visa. However, you may want to stay longer, especially if you are backpacking around the region.

To stay longer, you can apply for a 60 day Thai visa before you leave. To get one, you will need the following:

  • Your US passport
  • A completed visa application
  • 2 passport photos
  • A copy of your round-trip ticket
  • A copy of a bank statement showing a balance of   $500 per person or $1000 per family.

At RushMyTravelVisa.com, we can research your travel needs and help you get the appropriate expedited travel visas.

Apply for your Thai visa today!

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Getting a Nigerian Visa To Visit Yankari National Park

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Want to take a walk  on the wild side?  Nigeria’s Yankari National Park is your chance to see in person what most people only ever see in zoos or on the Discovery Channel- iconic African wildlife like lions, elephants, monkeys, antelope, hartebeest, African buffalo and hippopotamuses.

The Yankari is also a bird watcher’s dream, with over 350 different types of birds, including storks, vultures and hornbills.

When you get tired of watching the animals, you can soak in the relaxing warm water of one of the park’s hot springs, the largest of which is the Wikki spring.

According to Wikipedia, Yankari National Park has been a national park since 1991, and the area has been a protected game reserve since 1957.   It is Nigeria’s largest tourist attraction, with over 20,000 visitors in 2000.

If you’d like to visit the Yankari, you will need a passport and a Nigerian tourist visa.  Once you get your passport, there are a number of requirements you will need to meet to get a visa:

  • Fill out an application form online, and print the summary of the application that appears after you have submitted it.
  • Pay the fee of $112 and print the payment confirmation form.
  • Submit a copy of a recent bank statement showing you have the funds to support yourself on your trip.
  • Submit your round-trip plane ticket.
  • Submit a hotel confirmation or letter of invitation.
  • If you are staying with a private citizen instead of at a hotel, the person you are staying with must provide a copy of their Nigerian passport.

Getting a Nigerian visa is easier with a private visa expediting company like RushMyTravelVisa.com.  You’ll work with a trained, professional visa specialist who will research your visa needs to ensure you get the appropriate documents. Plus, you’ll get an easy-to-follow checklist to ensure you don’t miss any steps and avoid mistakes that could hold up your visa application.

Apply for your Nigerian visa today!

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Surfing in El Salvador: Do You Need an El Salvador Visa?

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

When you think of surfing, California is probably the first place to come to mind. However, the world is full of interesting and exciting destinations to catch  a wave. One up-and-coming surf spot is the small Central American country of El Salvador, known for gorgeous beaches and perfect waves.

According to this post on the La Cocotera Resort’s blog, surfers visit El Salvador for “ideal surfing conditions, unique wildlife, beautiful beaches and captivating culture.”

If you are considering a surfing vacation in El Salvador, you will need a valid passport and the appropriate visa. If you are staying less than 30 days, you can get an El Salvador visa ahead of time or apply for a tourist card when you arrive at the El Salvadorean border.  For longer stays, you should apply in advance for a visa. Here’s what you will need:

  • A completed visa application form
  • 2 passport photos
  • A copy of your round-trip ticket.

For stays of more than 30 days, you may be required to supply the following:

  • Evidence that you are employed in the US
  • Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself during your visit.

Before you set off for any foreign country, it is important to make sure that you understand the country’s entry requirements and have all the necessary documentation.

RushMyTravelVisa.com can research your visa needs and help you apply for an El Salvador visa for the surfing trip of a lifetime.

Apply for your El Salvador visa today!

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Getting Visas To Go Backpacking In South America

Monday, October 12th, 2009

Europe has long been a favorite destination for backpackers, but what if  you’d like to get off the beaten path? Adventurous backpackers might want to consider backpacking in South America.

For example, STA Travel is chronicling the journeys of Melanie, a 24-year -old from B0ston who plans to spend four months traveling through 6 different countries.  The first of series, this article discusses the basics of planning for a South American backpacking trip.

This article, from the Aquinian, describes a student’s  journey through Uruguay, Boliva, and Peru.  It is a great description of the ups and downs of life on the road in South America.

There’s so much to see…rainforests, mountains, beaches, and towering ancient cities like Macchu Picchu are just a start.

However, before you go, you need to make sure you know which countries require visas and what you need to do to get them.  Here’s a handy list to help you plan your trip:

  • Argentina- No visa required for US citizens staying less than 90 days.
  • Bolivia- A visa is required for US citizens to enter Bolivia. You can apply at the border, but make sure you have all of the necessary documents in hand.  For requirements, see Getting a Bolivian Visa For an Ecotourism Adventure. (more…)

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Getting an Egyptian Visa To See The Pyramids

Friday, October 9th, 2009

“I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shatter’d visage lies…” Ozymandias, by Percy Bysshe Shelley

The pyramids of Egypt have captivated the world for thousands of years. In fact, the Great Pyramid was named the 7th Wonder of the Ancient World around 140 BC by the Greek writer Antipater of Sidon. It’s the only monument on the list that’s still standing!

There are actually several different pyramid groups in Egypt, but the pyramids of Giza (which include the Great Pyramid) are the most frequently visited by tourists.  When you visit Giza, you can also see the famous statue of the Great Sphinx, the subject of the poem at the beginning of the post.

The Sphinx remains a mystery to Egyptologists and archaeologists, but it is most commonly believed to have been built around 2500 B.C. by the pharaoh Khafre.

To visit Egypt and see the pyramids for yourself, you will need a valid passport and an Egyptian tourist visa. If you’re flying in, you can generally get a visa at the airport. However, if you will be entering Egypt by land, you should definitely get a visa ahead of time.

Even if you are flying in, it’s still a good idea to have your visa before you get on the plane.  After sitting in a airplane for so many hours, the last thing you are going to want to do is wait in line and apply for a visa!

When you apply for an Egyptian visa, here’s what you will need:

  • A valid US passport.
  • A separate passport photo.
  • Plane tickets or a copy of your itinerary
  • A completed Egyptian visa application.

RushMyTravelVisa.com can help you apply for and expedite your visa to Egypt. The pyramids are waiting- Apply for your Egyptian visa today!

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Schengen Countries: Do You Need a Travel Visa?

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

The Schengen Agreement is an agreement between 24  countries in Europe. It is designed to encourage travel between member countries by eliminating border checkpoints between them.  This means that if you enter one Schengen country, you have up to 90 days of continuous travel in all Schengen countries.

The 24 Schengen countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

What does this mean to you? Well, if you are an American citizen traveling to any of these countries for business or tourism and you plan on staying less than 90 days, you don’t need a travel visa at all-just your passport. The US Department of State notes that if you are traveling to a Schengen country for a different reason (like to study or for employment), you should check with the country you are staying with to see if you need a visa or not.

If you are a legal permanent resident of the US, however, your situation may be more complicated.  Whether or not you will need a travel visa depends on your country of origin.  RushMyTravelVisa.com will be happy to help research your travel visa needs.

If you need a visa and don’t have to appear in person for an interview, we may be able to expedite your visa for you.  Contact us today!

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Getting a Ghanaian Visa For An Ecotourism Adventure

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Ghana may not seem like an obvious vacation choice, but tourism in the country is gradually increasing thanks to the efforts of the government and local conservation groups.

According to the National Conservation Research Centre, tourism makes up 4.5% of Ghana’s Gross National Product. The government of Ghana wants to attract more tourists, enough to make tourism Ghana’s principal source of foreign exchange income.

Most tourists come to Ghana for the wildlife-Ghana has successfully created a variety of local ecotourism models to encourage both tourism and conservation. Eco-tourism works because it rewards local communities for conservation with a source of income.

In Ghana, prime ecotourism attractions include the Boabeng-Fierna monkey sanctuary, where black and white colobus monkeys and mona monkeys, considered sacred by local tribes, roam undisturbed. Another popular place is Kakum National Park and Assin Attadanso Resource Reserve, which is filled with wildlife including butterflies, parrots, elephants, primates and red riverhog.

If you decide to go on an ecotourism adventure in Ghana, you will need a Ghanaian tourist visa.  To get a visa for Ghana, here’s what you’ll need:

  • 4 completed copies of a visa application form. Each form must have your original signature on it, so if you decide to save time by photocopying the completed application, make sure you do so before you sign it. Then, sign each copy individually.
  • International yellow fever vaccine certificate (you don’t have to send the original, you can send a copy).
  • A copy of your round-trip plane tickets or your itinerary.

A private visa expediting company like RushMyTravelVisa.com can make getting a Ghanaian visa easier and faster. With RushMyTravelVisa.com, you’ll get personal attention from a trained visa specialist and help understanding and completing the paperwork.  Then, we’ll submit your visa to the appropriate consulate for you for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Ghanaian visa today!

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Posted in Visa Processing | 1 Comment »

Getting an Indian Visa To See The Taj Mahal

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

The Taj Mahal is one of India’s most famous tourist attractions, and with good reason.  It rivals the Egyptian pyramids for the title of the largest and most elaborate tomb ever built!

The story of the Taj Mahal is also a love story. The building was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his third and favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.  According to Wikipedia, the Emperor renamed his wife “Mumtaz Mahal” after their marriage-the name means “jewel of the palace.”

When she died giving birth to their 14th child, the emperor was inconsolable, and ordered the Taj Mahal built as a tomb.  The immense white marble building with its familiar onion-shaped dome is unforgettable, and its grandeur assures that the love story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal lives on even today.

If you want to visit the Taj Mahal, you will need an Indian tourist visa.  Here’s what you need to apply:

  • A valid US passport
  • 2 identical passport photos
  • A completed Indian visa application form. India is strict about the form-your writing must be legible and there must not be any typos. Also, when you fill out the form, if you are traveling to India as a tourist you must write “tourism” on the form where it asks you the purpose of your visit. If you write  anything else (for example, “to visit family” or “to see the Taj Mahal),” the form will be declined.
  • A copy of your itinerary or round trip plane tickets.
  • India’s visa system is “jurisdictional,” which means that you have to submit your Indian visa application to the right consulate, based on your home address. So, you’ll need a clear copy of your driver’s license or a utility bill for proof of residence.

A private visa expediting company like RushMyTravelVisa.com makes it easy to get a visa to go to India.  You’ll get help with the paperwork and a handy checklist that tells you exactly what you need to apply. Then, we’ll forward your application to the appropriate consulate for you.

Apply for your Indian visa today!

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Getting a Chinese Visa for a Business Trip

Sunday, October 4th, 2009

Did you know that one-fifth of the world’s population resides in China? According to Wikipedia, China also has either the third or second largest economy in the world, also (depending on how you calculate it). It is also one of the world’s fastest growing economies.

With China’s role in the global economy rapidly increasing,  more and more Americans are traveling to China on business.  If you have a business trip to China on the horizon, you need to make sure you have the proper paperwork: a valid US passport and a Chinese business visa.

To get a Chinese visa for a business trip, you will need the following documents:

  • Your US Passport
  • A completed application form
  • 1 passport photo
  • If you’re going on a business trip, you must fill out the part of the visa application that asks you to describe who is inviting you to China.
  • A business letter from the US company you represent
  • A business letter from the Chinese company you will be doing business with.
  • For rush processing (necessary if you need your visa within the next 7 days), you will need a copy of your itinerary showing that your departure is scheduled within the next 7 days.
  • You do not need an itinerary if you are applying for a Chinese visa with regular processing.

To make the application process as simple and painless as possible, apply using a visa expediting service like RushMyTravelVisa.com. With RushMyTravelVisa, you’ll work one-on-one with a knowledgeable,  professional visa specialist.

You’ll get help completing the paperwork plus a handy checklist that shows exactly what you need to apply for the visa, reducing the chance of mistakes.

Don’t risk a business travel disaster-apply for your Chinese visa with us today!

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Getting a Bolivian Visa for an Ecotourism Trip

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

Bolivia is not the most well-known tourist destination in South America, but that may be slowly changing as tourists discover its incredible ecotourism potential. In fact, one of Bolivia’ richest resources is its biodiversity.

Currently, Bolivia’s natural parks encompass 15.6% of the country, according to the BBC. Just one of those parks, Madidi National Park, is said to contain 11% of the world’s plant and animal species.

Ecotourism is also providing new economic opportunities for native Bolivian tribes.  For example, as this article in the Latin American Herald Tribune notes, the Tacana tribe runs a hostel for visitors along a river near Madidi National Park.

So, ecotourism not only helps the environment, it also helps local people. In the Latin American Herald Tribune article,  Nicolas Janco, an agent with a Bolivian tourist agency located near Madidi, says ,“Tourism is an engine that is helping us greatly to improve our quality of life. Especially for the Tacana.”

Of course, to take an ecotourism trip to Bolivia, you will need a Bolivian visa. Here’s what it takes to get a Bolivian tourism visa: (more…)

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Posted in Visa Processing | 4 Comments »

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