Some Travel Destinations Require a Visa

Yes senior travelers, it could happen to you or to me, too.  A few days ago, my sister-in-law was ready to go to Brazil for a wedding.  She arrived at the airport, checked her bags, worked her way through security and arrived at the gate for boarding when her name was called to check with the boarding desk. They asked to see her visa and she said to the agent, “I have no visa, this is the first time this year that I’ve been planning this trip that visa has been mentioned.”

So be forewarned. You need to check carefully prior to departing the US to find out if a visa is a necessary to enter any particular country. Having just returned from the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary, my wife asked if I needed a visa. Those particular countries do not require a visa at this time.  However that can change for any country at any time.  

In 2012, Americans could travel to 169 countries visa-free, or with visa on arrival. Most western European countries do not require U.S. residents to obtain tourist visas. I was recently in London and U.S. citizens need only a passport to enter United Kingdom.  However, your U.S. passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date you plan to depart United Kingdom. In addition your passport must also have adequate unused visa pages to allow for entry and exit stamps upon arrival and departure from United Kingdom. Where you aware of those requirements?  I was not… so read on.

Places Senior Travelers Can Go Without a Visa, However…

 Some nations require visitors to apply for a visa before entering, like China, India, Russia, Brazil and Nigeria. American citizens can enter at least 169 places without having a visa in their US passport. Business or non-tourist visits may still require a visa application from an embassy or reputable visa agency.

The Helpful Listing

Wikipedia has a listing of those countries that require a visa for entry. For some you must have an invitation prior to seeking a visa. In the Bahamas, on the other hand,  you may stay for only 240 days but you don’t need a visa.

I knew from friends that if you were going to China, you would need a visa, but Brazil?  We didn’t know that. Brazil Fiesta claims to know Brazilian visa processing better than anyone on the market. I’m quite sure that if you go online yourself that you will be able to find other firms that specialize in helping you to obtain the necessary documentation for a visa.

International Travel for Seniors

The State Department’s Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (ACS) administers the Consular Information Program, which informs the public of conditions abroad that may affect their safety and security. Country Specific Information, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings are vital parts of this program. It’s a great link, providing the necessary information you will need to enter.  Look for addition information on visas with the next blog. jeb