Obtaining a visa can on occasion cause stress. Please tell us issues you've had at the border or on a website.
In February, we applied on line for the Saudi Arabia visa. It took a several days before we realized it was not being processed because we were using a visa credit card. Even thought the website said they took visa it wouldn't work. Once we converted to an American Express card things went well.
Please tell us your stories.
Reply to this Sure @Binkely I would love to share my story ..
We chose the Maldives for our honeymoon because it is one of the few countries that do not require a visa for almost all nationalities. In retrospect, it was our most expensive trip, but it was also our least stressful.
A summer vacation to Istanbul necessitated my going to the embassy and applying on his behalf. Our second honeymoon to Paris was nearly cancelled when we realized we might not receive Mr T's Schengen visa in time, and our first anniversary trip to Venice fared no better; we picked up his passport just hours before flying out.
Reply to this Currently citizens of the UK and Canada are among the very few countries worldwide that are not eligible for Indian evisas. Why? A continuing punishment as those nations made it very hard for Indians to gain their visas during covid. You may get an old fashioned paper visa, but only from your own country and waiting lists for appointments stretch into months. All spanks somewhat of shooting yourself in the foot as UK visitors are India's most numerous.
Of course it is impossible for a UK citizen (I imagine that also applies to USA) to obtain an Iranian visa for independent travel - not that a visit would be particularly sensible given the current problems (an aussie friend travelling there last month was strongly advised by kind locals to run to the border for his own safety).
Reply to this In response to: Msg #210048
OK, so as of mid-December the above India information is out of date... Hence we obtained visas and flights only to be scuppered (1st Jan 2023) by new covid regulations resulting from China's inspired idea to spread some new Corona virus around the world. We simply couldn't satisfy India's new (bizarre - why is Thailand high risk and Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia; hell, Laos... not?) covid entry requirements given our flight's date/Thai departure (day - on the back of a weekend = no available PCR tests) and complete all the travel required within the 72hrs time limit.. Hence, India miss out on several months of tourist revenue, we miss out on a friends wedding and lose on non-refundable tickets. India (and China) - two of our favourite countries - are starting to grate on us.... Ho hum....
Reply to this In response to: Msg #210152 Sorry to hear about your problems but getting an Indian visa has always been a problem. I was on a cruise ship that stopped for 8 hours in an Indian port and the authorities insisted that everyone had a three-month multiple entry visa - even if they were not getting off the ship!
Reply to this Pakistan was always a tricky one for independent travel, but in recent years they have made it far easier to obtain one. In theory you require a Letter of Invitation (obtainable for a price from a travel agency), but in practice proof of a first night's accommodation and a detailed (intended, not booked) itinerary should see you obtain one. We did just that and delighted we made the minimal effort because the north is a wonder and you'll not experience hospitality like it in many destinations worldwide.
Reply to this In response to: Msg #210369 I found Pakistan to be much more welcoming than other countries in the region - though this was in pre-taliban days. I spent several happy days in Swat and even was invited to dinner with the Wallie. Delightful man who had been to Cambridge University. Sad what has happened to the valley since.
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