Posts Tagged ‘tourist visa’

Getting a São Tomé e Príncipe Visa

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

You’ve probably never heard of São Tomé e Príncipe, a small island nation off the coast of Africa. However, if you’re looking for a quiet, clean beach, it’s hard to do much better than this tropical paradise.

São Tomé e Príncipe was once a Portuguese colony.  In the 19th and 2oth centuries, the Portuguese imported  slaves to grow sugar, coffee and cocoa-so much cocoa, in fact, that they became known as the “chocolate islands.”

The islands, located in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of Gabon, became independent in 1975.  However, cocoa is still their top export.  The islands are also packed with biodiversity. In fact, they are home to 983 different plant species and many different types of animals, as well.  Visitors to São Tomé e Príncipe  get to sample excellent coffee and chocolate, explore amazing jungles and enjoy the hospitality of the local people.

How can you get to this island paradise before the rest of the world discovers it?  You’ll need your passport, of course, as well as a  visa.

You can get a São Tomé e Príncipe visa on arrival, or in the US. No matter where you get it, you will need the following documents:

  • A São Tomé e Príncipe visa application form
  • A passport photo
  • An International Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination
  • Your US passport, which must have at least 2 blank visa pages, not including pages 22, 23 or 24.

If your passport is valid but you don’t have enough pages, you can add extra pages before your trip.

RushMyTravelVisa can help you expedite a São Tomé e Príncipe visa if you prefer to apply in advance.  We can also help with visas for any other countries you might decide to visit along the way.

When you work with us, you get to work with a visa specialist who will research your visa needs, get  helpful instructions that make it easy to fill out the required paperwork, and get the fastest possible service.

Apply for your São Tomé e Príncipe visa today!

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Swimming with Whale Sharks at Ko Tao- How to Get a Thailand Visa

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

The  island of Ko Tao in Thailand is a scuba diver’s paradise. Blessed with crystal-clear waters and surrounded by colorful coral reefs, Ko Tao has plenty of opportunities for beginner divers to stick their fins in, so to speak, and enough magic to wow even experienced divers.

Ko Tao is also one of the cheapest places in the world to get your open-water dive certification.  If you want to stay dry, there are plenty of other activities available, ranging from rock climbing to just lounging on the beach. However, the real magic is in the water.

Diving at Ko Tao gives you the opportunity to encounter a variety of ocean creatures. Sea turtles, stingrays, fish and even the elusive whale shark all make their home off the cost of Ko Tao. The enormous but gentle whale shark is the prime attraction, but don’t get your heart set on seeing one-whale shark sightings are somewhat infrequent, even here.

If you want to test your luck, the best dive spot for whale sharks off Ko Tao is Chumphon Pinnacle. Even if you don’t see one of these gentle beauties, you’ll still have a wonderful time!

To learn more about the island and see pictures of what Ko Tao looks like for yourself, check out this excellent post from Wayfaring Travel Guide.

Ready to jump in? As you plan your trip, take a moment to make sure you understand Thailand’s visa system.  Americans entering Thailand don’t need a visa for stays of less than 30 days. However, if you’re taking a few months off to travel in Thailand and surrounding countries, you might want to stay more than 30 days.

In that case you can apply for a 60-day Thailand visa before you leave. To submit your application, you’ll need the following documents:

  • Your US passport
  • A completed Thailand 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.

RushMyTravelVisa.com can help you research the visa requirements for your next international trip.  Our visa specialists can also help you with the paperwork and submit your application to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible service.

Traveling to Thailand?  Apply for your visa today!

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A Tanzanian Visa: Your First Step To Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Mt. Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, is the highest mountain in Africa,  soaring up 19,336 feet above the valley below.  The challenge of making it to the summit attracts many tourists and adventurers. A big part of the draw is the fact that Kilimanjaro is the world’s highest walkable mountain.

However, it’s important to bear in mind that “walkable” does not mean “cakewalk,” even with porters to carry your baggage.  Every year people try to conquer Kilimanjaro and fail. According to Wikipedia, each year 10 climbers and 10-20 local porters die on the mountain.

To maximize your chances of success, here’s a list of things you’ll need to do to prepare:

  • Start training. You’ll need to be in top shape to tackle Kilimanjaro.
  • Book your trip through a reputable guide service. You can’t climb Kilimanjaro without a guide, but the quality of different guide services can vary considerably.
  • Allow yourself enough time to acclimatize to the change in altitude as you climb. You are more likely to get altitude sickness and have to turn back if you try to ascend too quickly.
  • Apply for a passport early, and consider applying for a Tanzanian visa before you leave as well. You can obtain a visa on arrival, but after spending so much time on a plane, you’ll probably want to clear customs and get to your hotel as soon as possible.

Here’s what you need to get a Tanzanian tourist visa:

  • 1 completed visa application form
  • 2 passport photos
  • A copy of a  recent bank statement
  • A yellow fever vaccination certificate
  • A travel itinerary. If you don’t have one yet, you can substitute a bank statement showing a minimum balance of $2,000.
  • If you’re going on an organized tour, you will need a letter from the tour operator showing you are paid in full.

RushMyTravelVisa can research your visa needs, help you with your paperwork and submit your application to the right embassy or consulate for the fastest possible processing.  With RushMyTravelVisa.com, you can ensure your trip gets off to a good start.

Apply for your Tanzanian visa today!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Kilimanjaro

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Do You Need a Panama Visa to Visit Panama?

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

Unlike other countries in Central America such as Costa Rica or Belize, Panama is not yet a well-known tourist destination. However, that may be changing-Wikipedia reports that tourism to Panama has been steadily increasing over the last few years.

It’s easy to see why-Panama is covered with lush, green cloud forests and fringed by picture-perfect white sand beaches.  It is also surrounded by tropical islands, including the island used to film the original Survivor!

If great views are what you crave,  check out Parque Nacional Volcán Barú,where you can climb to the top of a dormant volcano, Volcán Barú.  If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see all the way to the coast on both the Pacific and Caribbean sides of the country!

If you’re looking for wilderness, you might check out Parque Internacional la Amistad, located on the border with Costa Rica. This enormous park encompasses a variety of local habitats and protects many different species of plants and animals-so many, in fact, that it’s been a World Heritage site since 1984.  Among the animals that flourish in the park: anteaters, tapirs (a relative of the elephant), jaguars, mountain lions, ocelots, and many different types of birds, fish, insects, reptiles and amphibians.

To visit Panama, you may or may not need a Panama visa.  US citizens arriving in Panama by air have the option to purchase a tourist card in the airport. The card may even be provided by the airline and included in your ticket fees. If you’ll be stopping in Panama on a cruise, you don’t need visa or a tourist card unless you want to get off the boat. Your cruise line should provide a tourist card for you.

However, you can also apply for a multi-entry visa at a Panamanian embassy or consulate  before you leave.  And if you plan on crossing into Panama by land, you will definitely need to have your visa before you leave for your trip.

Here’s what you need to get a Panama tourist visa:

  • A valid US passport
  • 1 completed Panama visa application
  • 1 passport photo
  • A copy of your itinerary.
  • A copy of your plane tickets (if you’re flying in)
  • A  letter if invitation or a copy of your hotel reservation.
  • A  copy of your bank statement.

RushMyTravelVisa.com can help you through the visa application process. You’ll work with a visa specialist and get clear, easy-to-follow instructions to guide you through the paperwork, preventing common mistakes that could interfere with your application. Then, we submit your application to the embassy for you for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Panama visa with us today!

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Posted in Country-Specific Visas | 5 Comments »

An Indonesian Visa For a Holiday in Bali

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

If you’re already tired of cold and windy autumn weather, the island of Bali in Indonesia might be your dream vacation.

Bali is surrounded by crystal clear waters and colorful coral reefs, so it’s perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving.  In the warm waters off the coast of Bali, you could encounter a variety of different sea animals, including dolphins,  sea turtles, tropical fish, manta rays, sharks and more.

The interior of the island is a hotbed of biodiversity, as well, with 280 species of birds, monkeys, deer, bats, felines such as the leopard cat, enormous monitor lizards, snakes and more.

Bali is also one of the sources of the most expensive coffee in the world, kopi luwak. This is not your average Starbucks coffee-kopi luwak is made from coffee beans that have been eaten and then excreted by a catlike creature called the palm civet.

Yes, you read the sentence above correctly, and no, I am not making this up…Wikipedia says so!  Apparently, as the coffee cherries pass through the civet’s digestive track, the digestive enzymes take away the bitterness of the coffee and increase its aroma, resulting in an exceptionally smooth, fragrant cup.  Kopi Lawak can sell for up to $600 per pound.  Indonesian palm civets might as well excrete gold!

It’s hard not to wonder who first decided to try to roast and brew those coffee beans…

Anyway, tropical beaches, scuba diving,  sun, and interesting wildlife are only a few of the reasons to check out Bali. There are also gorgeous seaside Hindu temples, some of which are over a thousand years old, plus a rich and intriguing local culture.

To travel to Bali, an Indonesian visa is required. Here’s what you need to get one:

  • A valid US passport
  • 2 completed Indonesian visa application forms
  • 2 passport photos
  • A copy of your most recent bank statement
  • A letter from your boss verifying that you are employed or on a leave of absence. If you don’t have a job, you’ll need to include a detailed letter explaining that fact.
  • An itinerary letter explaining the  purpose of your trip.

RushMyTravelVisa can help you research your visa needs and secure all the necessary visas for your next trip. Apply for your Indonesian visa today!

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Get a Bolivian Visa to See Lake Titicaca

Sunday, October 18th, 2009

Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America, as well as one of the region’s prime tourist attractions. The lake, located on the border between Peru and Bolivia,  has several unique characteristics that make it worth visiting. First, it is located high in the Andes Mountains, 12,500 ft above sea level.  The blue of the lake contrasted with the white, snow-capped peaks of the mountains makes for stunning scenery indeed!

Second, the lake and the surrounding areas are home to native people with a unique and interesting culture. For example, some natives live on the lake on artificial islands made of reeds, called uros. The uros  must be rebuilt constantly with fresh reeds to replace the reeds on the bottom as they decompose into the lake.

On the island on Amanti, you can stay for a few nights in a small farming village with local people. Suriqui, on the Bolivian side, is famous for the art of reed boat construction.

As you might expect from a place with such an ancient history, Lake Titicaca is also full of interesting archael0gical sites, including the ruins of Incan cities and temples. In fact, according to Incan mythology, the Incan civilization itself was founded on the Isla del Sol on the Bolivian side of the lake.

You can see Lake Titicaca from Peru or Bolivia, but to get the full experience, it’s best to visit both sides.  US citizens don’t need a visa to enter Peru. However, Bolivia requires US tourists to get a Bolivian visa, either before leaving the US or at certain border crossings.

Here’s what you’ll need to get one: (more…)

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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 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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Get a Cambodian Visa To Experience the Magic of Angkor Wat

Friday, September 25th, 2009

One of the main tourist attractions in Cambodia is the ancient temple of Angkor Wat. The temple, built in the 1100′s by the Khmer king Suryavarman II, is an incredible work of architecture that rivals and even surpasses other, more well-known buildings.

Made out of stone, the temple towers over the surrounding landscape. It is richly decorated, both inside and out, with statues and bas-relief sculptures. Angkor Wat was built as a Hindi temple, dedicated to the god Vishnu. Then, later, in the 13th century, the new King Srindravarman changed the state religion of Cambodia from Hinduism to Buddhism and converted Angkor Wat into a Buddhist shrine.  However,  you don’t have to be Hindu or Buddhist to appreciate the temple’s monumental beauty and grandeur.

Over the past 20 years, restoration and conservation has been ongoing at the temple.  Tourism at the temple has boomed in recent years as well-according to Wikipedia, 561,000 tourists visited in  2004 and 677,000 visited in 2005. Angkor Wat is one of the defining features of the Cambodian landscape and is featured prominently on the country’s flag.

To visit Angkor Wat, you will need a passport and a Cambodian tourist visa.  You should definitely make sure that you have all your paperwork in order before you plan to leave. To get a Cambodian visa, you’ll need the following items:

  • A Cambodian visa application (available here).
  • Two passport-sized photos
  • A US passport that will be valid for at least 6 months after you enter Cambodia.
  • A copy of your itinerary.

When applying for a Cambodian visa (or any foreign visa, for that matter), using an expediting company like RushMyTravelVisa.com can make the process go faster and more smoothly. You’ll get help from a professional visa specialist, a handy checklist to help you gather all of the necessary information, and help with the paperwork.

Apply for your Cambodian visa today!

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