Passport and Visa – Top 5 Tips For Backpackers

Here are five tips for travelling with passport:

1. Make sure that you have enough time to get a visa before you leave. It can sometimes take quite a while. If you do not need a visa it may be useful to print a page from the embassy web site stating that. This gives you some proof which can be useful, especially if you plan on arriving at small border crossings which may not always be updated with the latest regulations (or who like to make a little money on the side).

2. If you are going for a visa on arrival instead of getting it in advance make sure that you have what is needed (cash in the right currency, passport photo, etc) and that it is possible to get a visa on arrival at the border crossing you plan to use. It may not be possible everywhere and having to turn around to get a visa will suck.

3. Visas can be expensive. The price can also vary from country to country so if you plan on visiting several countries getting a visa may be cheaper once you are on the road.

4. You may have problems entering a country if you have a visa from another country in your passport (e.g. entering Saudi Arabia with an Israeli visa stamp). If this is the case you can ask to have your visa stamped on a separate piece of paper.

5. Memorize your passport number, you will have to fill it out several times. If you have problems remembering your passport number there is a simple MNEMONIC-technique you can learn.