Posts Tagged ‘Middle East’

Israel Passport Stamps and Travel Visas

Friday, September 24th, 2010

Israel is one of the most popular countries in the Middle East for American tourists. US citizens do not need to apply for a travel visa in advance to visit Israel-all you need is a passport valid for at least the next 6 months and you’re good to go. However, having an Israeli stamp in your passport can make it difficult to get travel visas for certain other countries. For example, if you have an Israeli stamp in your passport, the following countries will not issue you a travel visa or allow you to enter the country:

  • Libya
  • Sudan
  • Lebanon
  • Syria
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Kuwait
  • Yemen
  • Iran

For this reason, most travel guides recommend making Israel the last stop on your Middle East tour. You can also ask the Israel customs officials to stamp a detachable sheet of paper inside of your passport rather than the passport itself. In most cases, they will comply, but the US Department of State advises that making this request means that you “may face additional, often time-consuming, and probing questioning by immigration and border authorities, or may even be denied entry into Israel, the West Bank, or Gaza.”

You do have another option: applying for a second passport. US citizens are able to get a duplicate valid passport with authorization from the State Department. The second passport is valid for only two years, but if you’re a frequent traveler, it’s a good investment anyway because it makes applying for travel visas much less of a headache.

No matter where you’re going, RushMyTravelVisa makes it easy to determine exactly what documents you’ll need. We’ll research your itinerary and walk you through the application process, helping you avoid common mistakes and ensuring that you get your travel visas as quickly as possible.

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Posted in Government Regulations | No Comments »

Travel Visa Requirements To Follow in the Footsteps of Alexander the Great

Friday, May 21st, 2010

From 336 to 323 BC, the Macedonian army, led by Alexander the Great, blazed through the Middle East as Alexander strove to conquer Darius, the king of Persia.  Although Alexander’s reign was short, his impact on history was tremendous. Now, reporter Theodore May is retracing the path the army took, on foot.

Currently in Lebanon, he is blogging about his journey here.  For real-time updates, you can also check out his Twitter feed here.

Of course, travel visas weren’t really an issue back when Alexander the Great traveled this route. Even if they had been, I seriously doubt he would have cared. You, however, are not Alexander the Great, and you don’t have the entire Macedonian army at your back. If you want to undertake a similar journey, researching travel visa requirements is an important first step.  Here’s a breakdown of the visa requirements for each country:

Turkey- Visas are required, but as long as you’re traveling as a tourist, they are easy to get and can be obtained for $20 on arrival.

Syria-You do need a travel visa to enter, and make sure you apply in advance. Also, you will not be allowed to enter if your passport shows entry/exit stamps from Israel.  For more information, see Syrian Visa Requirements for Tourists.

Lebanon-You do need a visa, but if you are an American citizen you can get a tourist visa at the airport.  Entry/exit stamps from Israel will get you into trouble here, too.

Iraq-You need a visa, and you need to apply in advance. Although you can get in via the Kurdistan Region without one, you won’t be able to travel anywhere else in Iraq unless you get an Iraqi visa prior to your trip.

Israel- You need a passport valid for at least 6 months, proof that you can support yourself financially in Israel and an onward ticket, but you should be able to get a visa on arrival.  Please note that the Israeli authorities may question you extensively and will do a background check, and if they see anything they don’t like, they don’t have to let you in.

Egypt- You need a passport and a visa. If you are flying in, you can get a visa on arrival at the airport or get one ahead of time. If you are entering via land, apply for your visa in advance For more information, see Egyptian Visa Requirements for Tourists.

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Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

Getting a Qatar Tourist Visa

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Tourism is a growing industry in Qatar, a wealthy, oil-rich nation in the Middle East.  According to the Qatari Embassy website,  the development of more tourist facilities was prompted by “the firm policy adopted by HH the Emir, HH the Heir Apparent and the government to open up to the outside world.”

Qatar’s attractions include spectacular markets, interesting historical sites, and Khor Al Udeid. Also known as the Inland Sea, Khor Al Udeid is a spectacular field of white towering sand dunes that surrounds a channel ending in an inland lake.  There is no road  that leads to Khor Al Udeid, so you’ll have to arrange a tour in an off-road vehicle.

To enter Qatar, US citizens need both a passport and a Qatar visa.  If you enter Qatar through the airport (which all tourists are required to do), you can purchase a visa upon arrival.

However, applying for your Qatar visa ahead of time may be the better choice.  According to the US Department of State’s website, “U.S.-citizen travelers will be able to clear Qatari immigration more quickly and be granted a longer stay in country by obtaining visas prior to arrival.”

Whether you decide to apply in advance or to wait around and get your visa when you arrive, you will need the following documents to apply for a Qatar visa:

  • One Qatar visa application form
  • Two passport photos
  • A copy of your airline tickets showing return or onward travel (you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay in Qatar)
  • A letter stating the reason for your visit.
  • 2 copies of the identification pages of y0ur passport.

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Posted in Country-Specific Visas | 1 Comment »