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Visa & Passport Services, Archived Knowledge Base
Saturday, February 23, 2008
It wasn't supposed to happen this way; you had been planning this for months, probably closer to a year. So, why weren't you on that plane that was taking everyone to Rio de Janeiro? Or more specifically why did you miss Carnival 2008?
This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and you had planned on having a good time all 4 days. You thought you had covered everything and yet, it didn't happen. With all of the different travel regulations and requirements changing almost daily keeping up with everything can be close to impossible. Were you aware that among the entry requirements for Brazil for US citizens one is that both a Passport and Visa are required when traveling to Brazil for any purpose? The Visa must be obtained in advance from the Brazilian Embassy or consulate closest to your place of residence. All Brazilian visas, regardless of their length of validity must initially be used within 90 days of the issuance date or will no longer be valid. US citizens reentering Brazil must be able to show an entry stamp in their passport proving that the visa was issued within 90 days, or they will not be allowed reentry. As indicated, there are regulations concerning all parts of traveling, most of these requirements have been updated recently, so it requires up to date knowledge at all times. In order to avoid any type of delay or cancellation you may want to consider contacting a company that specializes in obtaining the correct travel documents. They will be the most up to date on the regulations and paperwork required. Don't miss another Carnival in Rio, make sure you have everything you need. Labels: brazil travel, passport, passport applications, passport renewal, passport services, passports, travel, visa @: TexasTower.net 0 Comments 
Thursday, February 21, 2008
A passport is an official government document that certifies one's identity and citizenship. The passport serves two purposes: to regain entry to the country of citizenship and is a requirement by many countries to gain entry to the country you are visiting. For example if you live in the United States and are traveling to Brazil you will need the passport to get into Brazil as well as needing it again to return home to the United States.
A visa is an official government document that temporarily authorizes you to be in the country you are visiting. Many countries also require a visa to gain entry and it is usually in the form of a stamp inside the passport and is obtained from the country you are visiting. All US citizens require a visa to travel to Brazil, whether for business or tourism. Ok, so you need a visa to go to Brazil, what kind of visa is necessary? A tourist visa would entail visits to relatives and/or friends, scientists, professors or researchers attending cultural, technological or scientific conferences, seminars or meetings. Any of the services provided must not be paid by organizations/corporations in Brazil, except for reimbursement for expenses or per diem allowances. Tourist visa holders are not allowed to engage in any paid activity in Brazil. Business trips, except when the trip involves the provision of technical assistance services or any nature, travel for media coverage or filming, flight or ship crew members not holding an international crew card. Business visa holders are not allowed to engage in any activity under employment contract with a Brazilian organization. Ok, so is all that perfectly clear? Didn't think so, it really can be confusing trying to figure out what passport or visa or whatever is needed. In order to hopefully avoid any delays or errors you may want to get in touch with a company that specializes in securing the correct traveling paperwork. It really can help avoid those unnecessary delays that tend to happen. Labels: brazil travel, passport applications, passport renewal, passport services, passports, travel, visa @: TexasTower.net 0 Comments
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Where were you on July 13th, 2001? You are more than likely thinking I can't remember that, it was too long ago. While many would have no idea, there are some that knew exactly where they were and possibly what they were doing. You can bet that many people from Toronto and Paris knew where they were when it was announced that Beijing was selected over their cities to host the 2008 Summer Olympics, the 29th Olympiad.
Considering the fact that ticket applications for the lottery began in April 2007 and tickets available to the public began in Oct. 2007 if you haven't already purchased your ticket there is a good chance few will be available. If you have already gotten your tickets then you are good to go, or are you? Of course you have already checked everything out, gotten your reservations in order and all that is left is the flight. Unless, like many people, you are not completely up to speed with new travel requirements and regulations. Even if booked through a travel agent, there are times when things get overlooked. How do you avoid this type of problem? You could always go on-line and see what information you can find, but again, you are taking the chance that the information is not current. A better way to spend your time is by contacting a company that specializes in obtaining travel documents for China, not just for some countries, but everywhere. Using such a company ensures that all relevant regulations required for travel will be current, meaning less hassle for you. It is far better to be over-prepared (if that is possible) so that on August 8, 2008 you will be watching the XXIX Olympic Games opening ceremony. Labels: china travel, chinese visa, olympics, passport @: TexasTower.net 0 Comments
Saturday, February 9, 2008
With all of the new laws and regulations being implemented there are times that the lesser issues may get overlooked or forgotten. Sometimes a refresher course might be in order.
For instance, do you remember one year ago new passport requirements went into effect if traveling to Mexico and many other places? The first stage was if you were traveling to Mexico, the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama and Canada by air or sea you were required to have a passport. The 2nd part of that law went into effect on 1/1/08, meaning the passport requirement was extended to include the land border crossings as well. However, there are still other requirements that have been in effect but often get over-looked until it happens to you. If you are thinking about traveling over the border into Mexico you now need a passport and depending on the vehicle that is used to cross the border there may be additional requirements. If the vehicle you are taking has a lien holder you may need permission from the financial institution to take the vehicle over the border. Most lien holders require you to purchase Mexican insurance and you must have a letter from them giving you authorization to cross the border. Of course knowing the laws could very well be a benefit in other ways. If you travel frequently between the US and Canada, you may not need a passport if you qualify for the NEXUS program. Basically it is an opportunity for low risk, pre-screened travelers to be processed with little or no delay at the border and you need only to present the NEXUS photo id card. Of course background checks are required along with other regulations. The point is that if you are planning any type of travel or if you frequently travel between 2 countries you may want to speak with a company that specializes in obtaining the correct travel documents and perhaps your future travel will be a little easier. Labels: birth certificate, canada, canadian travel, passport, passport applications, passport renewal, passport services, passports, travel, visa @: TexasTower.net 0 Comments
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Ok, if you had to measure the level of excitement you felt when you opened that special present this year, what would it be?
A 9? Or 10? If you are like most people it may have been off the graph. How many people do you know that open a present and find a ticket to Morocco? Well, not just one ticket, two tickets. Yep the folks even agreed to pay for a ticket for your best friend to go with you. They said you had worked really hard these last two years at college and thought a summer trip to just relax and enjoy yourself before it's time to go back to school is just what you needed. Boy, you can say that again! You had originally told your parents that you wanted to take a year off before starting college, but of course they were worried you wouldn't want to go after that. So they had said if you went for a couple years they would try to help out with a trip later on. Naturally you thought they would forget all about it, thinking it was just something to get you to go to school. But, good old mom and dad had really come through this time, you guys were going to climb the High Atlas Mountains and definitely do some hiking. Total excitement until your friend called saying she didn't have a passport, worse yet she couldn't even find her birth certificate she needed in order to get the passport. Plus all of this would probably take a lot of time and you were planning on leaving in about 10 days. Her parents had no idea where her birth certificate was at all. So, like a good friend you tell her you will not go without her. Naturally you were disappointed and ready to give up, but your parents knew you had worked hard and needed this. So after a little research they located a company that specialized in obtaining documents that may be needed for travel. They were able to speak with your friend and walk her through everything that was going to be needed and were even able to help expedite the whole process. So, even though you are in college isn't it great to have parents that know exactly what to do when needed? Although it was a good thing this all happened because the company wanted to make sure you had everything in order also. So, when looking over your travel documents they noticed your passport was expiring and it would need to be renewed before you even left. Guess everyone was so busy trying to get everything else in order that it kind of slipped by you. Moral of the story? When in doubt contact an expert in your particular field of need. It is always well worth it. Don't forget to take lots of pictures! Labels: Morocco, passport applications, passport renewal, passport services, travel @: TexasTower.net 0 Comments
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Traveling abroad has always had a certain appeal, perhaps because it sounds exotic and brings about a feeling of importance. Of course there are others that may see it as all in a days work. But for now, go ahead, let your imagination go and travel abroad.
Where would you go? What would you do there? Or perhaps a better question would be what do you need in order to not just get there, but to actually be allowed into the country? It's true, just because you managed to get there does not mean that the country has to automatically let you in. While some documents are necessary just for travel, still others may be needed to gain entry. For example, if you arrive in Argentina and your passport appears to be damaged they may refuse entry and be returned to the US at their own expense. The Embassy there cannot provide guarantees for travelers so you would be on your own. If Kenya, Africa would be your destination you need to be sure that your passport has at least two blank (unstamped) visa pages each time entry is sought. Otherwise, the traveler even if they are in possession of a valid African visa may be refused entry and again be returned at their own expense. As there are so many different entry/exit requirements it can be difficult keeping up with them all. To be on the safe side if you are traveling to a foreign country get in touch with a company that specializes in obtaining travel documents. They would be up to date on the requirements needed for any country. Not only would this be time saving for you but you would also be sure that you are able to actually enter the country you want to visit. Labels: africa travel, passport, passport applications, passport renewal, passports, travel, visa @: TexasTower.net 0 Comments
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