( The visa requirements described in the following post pertain to citizens of the United States )

Prior to planning my twelve-month, around-the-world adventure I did not completely understand visas.  I did not know who needed a visa and who did not, or how to obtain a visa.  For someone who admittedly does not have a wealth of international traveling experience, I assumed as long as you had a valid passport you were able to travel anywhere and stay as long as you wished.  Then I started to research my upcoming trip and all that changed.

I discovered the wide variety of rules and regulations that countries have established to control who crosses their borders and for how long they remain in country.  There also exists little uniformity in the entrance requirements of different countries.  New Zealand, for example, does not require an American citizen to obtain a visa if their stay in country is less than 90 days. However, Vietnam requires American citizens to obtain a 30-day visa for a $100 fee. Many countries have a number of ways to obtain a visa depending on long you plan to stay.  India allows you to obtain an electronic visa if your stay does not exceed 30 days. However, if you wish to remain in India for longer than 30 days you must apply for a paper visa via the Indian consulate.

When mailing a visa application to the consulate of the country you intend to visit, it is vitally important to include all the required paperwork.  If you fail to include everything, your application will be denied and you will forfeit your application fee.  But, that does not mean you have to rework your entire itinerary and avoid that country.  You can file a new application, include all necessary paperwork and pay the application fee once again.  During my research I found that some countries list their required paperwork much more clearly than others.  I recently obtained my Vietnamese visa after mailing the required application to the consulate in New York along with the $117 fee.  They required no additional documents.  India, on the other hand, requires a number of additional documents.  I am still in the process of compiling all this paperwork to mail to their consulate.

Something you must also take into account is the validity of the visa you are applying for and when you will enter that country. A number of visas are only valid for 30 days from the date it is issued.  This is not a problem if you arrive within 30 days. But, on an extended trip that may not be the case.  As a result, you have to obtain that visa as the date of entrance draws closer.  Luckily, you do not need to be a citizen of the country you are in when applying for a visa to a different country.  For example, as an American citizen I can apply for a Vietnamese visa in New Zealand or Australia if necessary.

Lastly, you must research if your destination country issues visas on arrival.  If you wish to enter via vehicle, you must ensure that visas are issued at the border crossing you intend to traverse.  It is common for countries to issue visas at some border crossings and not others.  Myanmar, for example, only issues visas on arrival at their major airports.  As a result, I am flying from Thailand to Myanmar to ensure I obtain the appropriate visa upon landing.

For citizens of the United States, the State Department website has a wealth of information on visa requirements of each country.  However, I also recommend reading the visa requirements listed on the embassy or consulate website of each particular country you wish to enter.