Archive for January, 2010

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Paraguay Visa Requirements For Business Travelers

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

If your company decides to send you on a business trip to Paraguay, one important step that you will need to take to prepare for your trip is obtaining a Paraguay business visa. You will not be able to apply for a visa upon arrival in Paraguay, so you must apply in advance at the Paraguayan Embassy in Washington, DC or the nearest Paraguayan consulate.

To ensure that your visa application is approved in a timely fashion, it is important to make sure that all of the necessary documents are included. Here’s what you need to get a Paraguay business visa:

  • 2 copies of a completed Paraguay visa application form
  • 2 passport-sized photos
  • 2 copies of the vital data pages of your passport (the first 2 pages that have your personal information on them).
  • 2 copies of your return airline tickets or your itinerary
  • 2 copies of a business letter from your employer. The letter  should state the purpose of your trip and the name and address of your host company. Your employer must also provide you with a guarantee of financial support and return transportation.

A visa expediting company like RushMyPassport.com can help you through the visa application process, ensuring your trip to Paraguay goes smoothly. We’ll research your visa requirements and provide you with a handy checklist that will help you avoid common mistakes that could delay your application. Then, we forward your Paraguay visa paperwork to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible service.

Apply for your Paraguay visa today!

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Posted in Country-Specific Visas | 2 Comments »

Ghana Embassy Visa Requirements for Tourists

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

If you are a US citizen and planning to visit Ghana, you need to apply for a travel visa from the Ghana Embassy.  Visa requirements vary depending on the purpose of your trip.  Here are the requirements for tourists:

  • The Ghana Embassy requires you to complete 4 copies of their visa application form. You can photocopy the application, BUT each form must have your original signature on it. So, if you don’t want to fill out the form 4 separate times, fill it out but don’t sign it, make copies and then sign each copy individually.
  • A copy of your international yellow fever vaccine certificate. Keep the original-you will need to carry it with you to enter Ghana.
  • A copy of your round-trip plane tickets or your travel itinerary.
  • Your US passport, which must be valid for at least 6 more months and have a blank page in the back where the visa can be attached.

Single-Entry visas cost $50 and are valid for 3 months from the date they are issued, while multiple-entry visas cost $80.00. If you require expedited service, the Ghana Embassy charges an additional fee of $30.00.

When trying to get visas from foreign embassies, it is always helpful to have someone on your side who is familiar with the process.  When you apply through RushMyTravelVisa.com, you’ll get personal attention and clear, easy-to-follow instructions every step of the way.

We’ll assist you with the paperwork, helping you avoid common mistakes that can hold up the application process, and then we’ll forward your application to the Ghana Embassy for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your visa with us today!

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Posted in Country-Specific Visas | 3 Comments »

Algeria Visa Requirements for Tourists

Sunday, January 10th, 2010

Algeria is a large country located in the north of Africa. The country has a long, fascinating history and a lot of interesting places to visit, but American citizens do need visas to travel there. Getting an Algerian visa can be easier said than done. Here are the requirements for tourists:

  • 2 passport-sized photos
  • 2 Algerian visa application  forms.  The Algerian Embassy will not accept handwritten forms- you must download a copy of the form from the Embassy website and fill it in on your computer. Additionally, forms must be typed in all capital letters. Remember, the Caps Lock key is your friend!
  • A copy of your travel itinerary and hotel reservation confirmation.
  • If you are visiting family in Algeria, you must also provide a letter of invitation from your host. The letter must be notarized at the city hall of the place of residence of your Algerian host.

The Algerian Embassy reserves the right to ask for additional information from any Algerian visa applicant, and they often do. For example, they may ask for a copy of a recent bank statement to prove that you can support yourself while you are in Algeria.

Applying for an Algerian visa is much easier with the help of a visa specialist.  However, a lot of visa expediting companies don’t provide service for Algerian visas.  RushMyTravelVisa is happy to help you with your visa application, providing assistance with the paperwork  to help you avoid common mistakes and forwarding your application to the Algerian Embassy for the fastest possible service.

Apply for your Algerian visa today!

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Posted in Country-Specific Visas | No Comments »

Mauritanian Tourist Visa Requirements for Banc d’Arguin National Park

Sunday, January 10th, 2010

This week’s UNESCO World Heritage Site of the week is located in the African desert, in the country of Mauritania. Banc d’Arguin National Park lies along the west coast of  the country. The area is remote, and travelers should read the State Department’s Country-Specific Information page on Mauritania to make sure that they are taking the proper precautions.

However, the park is a paradise for birdwatchers. Located where the desert meets the ocean, Banc d’Arguin National Park shelters a wide variety of birds through the winter, and serves as breeding grounds and nursery for 25,000 and 40,000 pairs of birds representing 15 different species.

Birds that either winter in or nest in the park include flamingos, several species of terns, white pelicans,  plovers, herons and spoonbills.  Sea turtles also nest on the beaches, while dolphins swim in the waters off the coast.

To visit Banc d’Arguin National Park, you will need a Mauritanian visa. Here’s what you’ll need to apply for a tourist visa:

  • 2 completed Mauritanian visa application forms
  • 2 passport photos,
  • An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever
  • Round trip plane tickets or a copy of your itinerary
  • A copy of a recent bank statement or a reference letter from your bank

The US Department of State notes that  your visit may also require a sponsor or an invitation and states that ” Americans who apply for Mauritanian visas are experiencing significant delays, often waiting several months if their applications are approved at all.”

So, it’s important to apply early, and to make sure all of your paperwork is correct. RushMyTravelVisa can help research the visa requirements for your trip, assist you with the paperwork, and forward your application to the appropriate embassy for the fastest possible processing.

Let us help you apply for your Mauritanian visa today!

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Posted in World Heritage Site of the Week | No Comments »

Russian Transit Visa Requirements

Friday, January 8th, 2010

If you are traveling through Russia on your way to somewhere else, you need a Russian visa.  Even though you’re just passing through, you still need the Russian government’s approval. Without a transit visa, you probably won’t make it out of the US.

In the event that you do make it to Russia without a transit visa, the US Department of State says that “Russian authorities may refuse to allow a U.S. citizen who does not have a transit visa to continue with his or her travel, obliging the person to immediately return to the point of embarkation at the traveler’s own expense.” That doesn’t bode well for the rest of your trip!

You need a Russian transit visa even if you just have a layover or are changing planes  in a Russian airport, although you can also get a transit visa for train travel through the country.

Here’s what you need to apply:

  • 1 completed copy of a Russian visa application form
  • 1 passport-sized photo
  • A copy of your itinerary
  • Your US passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months after you plan to enter Russia and contain at least 1 blank visa page.
  • If your final destination country requires that you have a visa, you need to get that visa first.  Your visa application will be turned down if you don’t have the visa from your destination country attached to your passport when you apply for your Russian transit visa.
  • If you plan to travel through Russia by train, you may be asked to provide additional information about your itinerary.

Russian transit visas are good for a maximum of 72 hours if you are traveling by air, and a maximum of 10 days if you are using other methods of travel. So, try to avoid delays if possible-make sure you’re on time for your flight!

The US Department of State calls Russia’s visa system “restrictive and complicated.” Applying with RushMyTravelVisa.com makes navigating this system much easier. We’ll help you with the application process and forward your paperwork to the embassy for the fastest possible processing. We can also help you apply for any other visas you need for your trip.

To apply for your Russian transit visa, contact us today!

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Posted in Country-Specific Visas | 1 Comment »

Nigeria Business Visa Requirements

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

If you are going on a business trip to Nigeria, it is important to make sure that you have all of your paperwork in order before you go. You will need not only your US passport, but a Nigerian business visa as well.  And you’d better apply ahead of time, because Nigeria doesn’t issue visas on arrival.

Here’s what you’ll need to apply:

  • 1 passport-sized photo
  • A letter from your employer taking responsibility for you while you are in Nigeria and explaining the nature of your business and what you’ll be doing while you are in Nigeria.
  • 1 copy of your Nigerian visa application form.  The form must be printed off from the Nigerian embassy website. You should also print off your payment confirmation for the application fee.
  • A copy of a recent bank statement
  • A copy of your itinerary
  • A copy of your hotel reservation confirmation

RushMyTravelVisa can help you with your Nigerian visa application. We’ll walk you through the application process and forward your paperwork to the appropriate Nigerian embassy or consulate for expedited processing.

Let us help you make preparing for your business trip a little bit easier-apply for your Nigerian visa with us today!

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Posted in Country-Specific Visas | 2 Comments »

Top 5 Reasons To Get a Travel Visa In 2010

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

The new year has arrived, and that means that it’s time to think about the places you’ll go and the things you’ll see in 2010.  To help you get a leg-up on planning your 2010 itinerary, here are some expert picks for destinations to visit in 2010:

  • Burma (Myanmar): Concierge.com named Burma as one of its top destinations for 2009 for the country’s history and culture, as well as the newly created opportunities for ethical travel there.
  • Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyzstan also made Concierge’s list of top destinations for its unparalleled opportunities for adventure travel, including horseback riding, heli-skiing in the Tian Shan mountains, and camping out with locals.
  • Vietnam: Hanoi, Vietnam made Frommer’s list of the top destinations for 2010 for its architecture, food, nightlife, art and shopping.
  • Nepal- Nepal made the Lonely Planet’s list for 2010, as the country’s much-improved political situation has made it much more hospitable for travelers.
  • Suriname: The Lonely Planet also listed Suriname as an up-and-coming destination for 2010 for its amazingly rich cultural diversity.  Awesome jungle treks don’t hurt, either.

What do all of these destinations have in common?  If you’re an American citizen, you’ll need a travel visa to visit any of them. No matter where you’re going, RushMyTravelVisa can help you research your itinerary to determine what visas you’ll need to apply for.

RushMyTravelVisa can also help you with the travel visa application process, providing you with an easy-to-use checklist to make the paperwork a snap. Then, we will forward your visa application to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest processing possible.

Let us help you apply for your travel visa today!

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Posted in Destinations | 1 Comment »

Travel Visas for a Southeast Asian Backpacking Trip

Monday, January 4th, 2010

The countries of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, are popular destinations for American backpackers in search of an adventure.

Many backpackers plan routes that carry them across the region, often hitting more than one country.  Your route will depend on how much time and money you have, of course.

To help you get started, here is a guide to travel visa requirements for each of the countries in Southeast Asia:

  • Indonesia: US citizens need a passport with at least 6 months validity left and a visa. Visas are available on arrival at the following airports:  Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Medan, Padang, Pekanbaru, Manado, Biak, Ambon, Balikpapan, Pontianak, Kupang, Batam, and South Sumatra. Some seaports can also issue visas, but if you entering from anywhere else, you need to get an Indonesian visa ahead of time.
  • Malaysia: Backpackers who are entering the country as tourists don’t need visas for visits of less than 90 days.
  • Myanmar (Burma): You need a visa, and you need to apply in advance. The Burmese government often turns away visitors who try to enter the country by land and who are not part of an approved package tour.
  • The Philippines: American tourists do not need a visa to enter, and are usually allowed to stay 21 days, with additional extensions possible if you apply before your visa expires.
  • Singapore: US citizen tourists do not need visas for stays of 90 days or less.
  • Thailand- US citizen tourists arriving by air can stay for 30 days or less without a visa. However, if you entering by land, you may only stay 15 days without a visa.  You can apply for a longer visa ahead of time or  get extensions inside Thailand, but must leave the country and apply for a new visa after you’ve spent 90 days in Thailand during a 6 month period.

RushMyTravelVisa.com can review your itinerary and help you understand the visa requirements for your trip. We can also help you with the application paperwork and will deliver your visa application to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible processing.  Contact us today!

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Posted in Destinations | 5 Comments »

World Heritage Site of the Week: Get an El Salvador Visa To See Joya del Cerén

Saturday, January 2nd, 2010

This week’s featured UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in El Salvador, in the shadow of volcanoes.  Thousands of years ago, Joya del Cerén was a small Mayan farming community that was ruled by the larger nearby city of San Andrés.

The volcanoes periodically caused problems for Joya del Cerén-the entire area was abandoned once in 250 AD when the nearby Ilopango volcano erupted. Eventually, though, people moved back, built houses and began to farm again.

Then, around 590 AD, the Loma Caldera volcano erupted and covered the town in ashes. Joya del Cerén is often called the “Pompeii of the Americas” because of the similarity between the fates of the two towns.

If you visit Joya del Ceren, you won’t see any of the haunting plaster images of dead victims of the volcano, as you would at Pompeii. The people of Joya del Ceren were more fortunate, and they managed to escape. They didn’t have any time to pack up their possessions, though-in many cases, there is evidence that they left food half-eaten on their plates in their rush to get away from the ash.

Because they had to depart so quickly and because the town was buried so deep, Joya del Ceren is an amazingly well-preserved archaelogical site that has given researchers a wealth information about what day-to-day life was like for Mayan farmers in El Salvador.

To visit Joya del Ceren, you will need a passport and an El Salvador visa. American citizens staying in El Salvador for less than 30 days have two options when it comes to applying for an El Salvador visa- apply for one in advance, before leaving the US, or get a tourist card at the border. If you are staying longer than 30 days, you cannot get a tourist card 0n arrival and you must request your visa in advance. Here are the documents you will need to apply:

  • Your  application form
  • 2 passport-sized photos
  • Your itinerary or round-trip plane tickets.

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

  • Evidence that you have a job at home
  • Evidence that you are financially stable enough to take care of yourself while you are in El Salvador.

RushMyTravelVisa can help you apply for your El Salvador visa as well as for any other countries you may visit on your journey. Contact us today!

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Posted in World Heritage Site of the Week | No Comments »

Do I Need Shots to Visit Africa?

Friday, January 1st, 2010

One of the more unpleasant aspects of international travel is making sure you are vaccinated against diseases that might be present where you are traveling. Of course, as unpleasant as it is to your arms stuck full of holes, it is a thousand times worse to get seriously ill overseas.

Also, some countries won’t let you get a visa if you don’t have the appropriate vaccinations. For example, yellow fever vaccinations are often required for travelers visiting countries where the disease, which causes flu-like symptoms and sometimes fatal liver damage, is present.

This guide will show you what shots you need to get a visa for each country in Africa. However, please talk to your doctor before your trip in case there are vaccinations that aren’t required but that you should get anyway.

Visa Vaccination Requirements for Countries In Africa

  1. Algeria- None
  2. Angola- International Certificate of Vaccination  for yellow fever
  3. Benin- International Certificate of Vaccination  for yellow fever (The US Department of State advises you to bring the certificate with you to Benin, also).
  4. Botswana- No vaccination requirements, but they advise travelers to get malaria shots.
  5. Burkina Faso- International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is not required to get a visa but IS required to enter the country.
  6. Burundi- International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever (also, bring it with you to get into the country).
  7. Cameroon- International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever
  8. Cape Verde- Yellow fever vaccination is required if you are entering from areas in Africa or the Americas where yellow fever is endemic.
  9. Central African Republic- International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever required for everyone.
  10. Chad- None.
  11. Comoros- None.
  12. Republic of Congo- International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever required to enter the country.
  13. Democratic Republic of the Congo- International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever.
  14. Cote d’Ivoire- International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever (bring it with you to the airport or you’ll have to get vaccinated upon arrival)
  15. Djibouti- International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever.
  16. Egypt-  None
  17. Equatorial Guinea- Visas aren’t required for US citizens in most cases, but you do need an International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever to enter the country.
  18. Eritrea- None
  19. Ethiopia- None (more…)

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Posted in Government Regulations | 2 Comments »

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