PAPERWORK
What documents you will need for a round-the-world trip
Once upon a time, in very ancient times, people could move across the planet without asking anyone’s permission. You could get on a horse and ride into enticing distances, overcoming only physical barriers, testing the strength of your spirit and body. Then greedy humans divided all the land, stretched barbed wire, placed guards, and created the Great Bureaucratic System, which only wise travel agents and travelers with a high level of moral resilience could overcome. Then the apocalypse struck, and now people are forbidden from any curious-moving impulses, leaving them only in our dreams. But today, I will tell you about my set of valuable scrolls and preparation for travel in the Era of Open Borders.
I underwent a good training in obtaining coveted colorful stickers while working at the Minsk Motovelo Plant. At that time, I often had to compile thick folders of recycled wood with letters and numbers stamped on the pages to submit to embassies so that my bosses could fly to another country for negotiations about the future of the Belarusian motorcycle industry.
I underwent a good training in obtaining coveted colorful stickers while working at the Minsk Motovelo Plant. At that time, I often had to compile thick folders of recycled wood with letters and numbers stamped on the pages to submit to embassies so that my bosses could fly to another country for negotiations about the future of the Belarusian motorcycle industry.
ГThe main challenge of obtaining visas for a round-the-world trip is their short validity period. In 90 percent of cases, countries issue visas that require entry within the next 2-3 months, regardless of the length of stay permitted inside the country. During the first 2 months of my journey, I only reached Japan, so I obtained the visa for Japan in advance in Minsk. The next continent was Australia, whose reasonable authorities understand the difficulty of reaching them and allow entry within a whole year with a stay of 3 months inside. A similar system exists in the USA—even if you enter on the last day of the allotted 365 for entry, you can still stay in the country for a full 6 months. Convenient! However, all other visas had to be obtained on the road, and sometimes these processes became unbearable obstacles, wedging into the wheels of my dreams.
For example, Costa Rica requires a special document from the police or Ministry of the Interior that justifies you in the eyes of strict bureaucrats, guaranteeing that you are not a serious lawbreaker, haven't been in prison, and are not wanted. The document must be original, with a translation and an apostille.
In contrast, Colombia nearly deported me, deliberately delaying the issuance of a new visa until I became an illegal resident. They smiled at me and started processing deportation and a hefty fine five minutes later.
Generous and beautiful Mexico granted me a visa valid for 10 years! Yahoo, señorita Katrina!
The process of obtaining visas on the road +- the same..
1) First, I check if a visa is required or if there are any exemptions (for example, with a valid US visa or Schengen visa, you can often enter many countries without further requirements). I use visareq.com for this, which I find user-friendly and visually clear. They source their information from the international Timatic system, but I also double-check on timaticweb.com myself.
2) I estimate when I'll approximately be in a country requiring a visa and look up nearby countries with embassies. I visit the embassy's website to thoroughly read all details, especially regarding visa fees. Frequently, payments must be made in a specific local bank and no cash is accepted at the embassy.
3) Before leaving home, I make multiple copies of all documents, which has proven very useful. I also prepare various photos with different hairstyles and attire (to avoid running around Managua looking for a photo salon) and ensure they meet each embassy's specific requirements. I upload everything to the cloud and keep copies on my phone in case of theft. Additionally, after crossing each border, I photograph the entry stamps.
4) Everywhere, they ask for a recent bank statement from the past few months. It's great to have a foreign currency card with internet banking to easily print these statements. No bank stamp is usually required; simple statements suffice.
5) It's beneficial to have a well-written cover letter in electronic form in multiple languages, explaining that I am an explorer embarking on a cultural expedition to document various aspects of the country for newspapers, magazines, or national television. Most people in the world love their country and are happy to assist.
6) While embassies aren't obligated to assist, requesting support from my country's embassy can be helpful. A diplomatic note may seem like just a piece of paper, but it carries significant weight in the document package.
7) Approach the visa application process openly and honestly. Answer questions calmly and respectfully—remember, you are a guest requesting entry into their country, and it's their rules that apply.
For example, Costa Rica requires a special document from the police or Ministry of the Interior that justifies you in the eyes of strict bureaucrats, guaranteeing that you are not a serious lawbreaker, haven't been in prison, and are not wanted. The document must be original, with a translation and an apostille.
In contrast, Colombia nearly deported me, deliberately delaying the issuance of a new visa until I became an illegal resident. They smiled at me and started processing deportation and a hefty fine five minutes later.
Generous and beautiful Mexico granted me a visa valid for 10 years! Yahoo, señorita Katrina!
The process of obtaining visas on the road +- the same..
1) First, I check if a visa is required or if there are any exemptions (for example, with a valid US visa or Schengen visa, you can often enter many countries without further requirements). I use visareq.com for this, which I find user-friendly and visually clear. They source their information from the international Timatic system, but I also double-check on timaticweb.com myself.
2) I estimate when I'll approximately be in a country requiring a visa and look up nearby countries with embassies. I visit the embassy's website to thoroughly read all details, especially regarding visa fees. Frequently, payments must be made in a specific local bank and no cash is accepted at the embassy.
3) Before leaving home, I make multiple copies of all documents, which has proven very useful. I also prepare various photos with different hairstyles and attire (to avoid running around Managua looking for a photo salon) and ensure they meet each embassy's specific requirements. I upload everything to the cloud and keep copies on my phone in case of theft. Additionally, after crossing each border, I photograph the entry stamps.
4) Everywhere, they ask for a recent bank statement from the past few months. It's great to have a foreign currency card with internet banking to easily print these statements. No bank stamp is usually required; simple statements suffice.
5) It's beneficial to have a well-written cover letter in electronic form in multiple languages, explaining that I am an explorer embarking on a cultural expedition to document various aspects of the country for newspapers, magazines, or national television. Most people in the world love their country and are happy to assist.
6) While embassies aren't obligated to assist, requesting support from my country's embassy can be helpful. A diplomatic note may seem like just a piece of paper, but it carries significant weight in the document package.
7) Approach the visa application process openly and honestly. Answer questions calmly and respectfully—remember, you are a guest requesting entry into their country, and it's their rules that apply.
For a motorcycle you can issue an international customs declaration Carnet de passage en douane (issued by Switzerland for Belarusians or local automobile federation (for Russia - RAF), allows entry to 5-25 countries (according to the number of pages), simplifying customs clearance to two stamps.
Read more – www.carnetdepassage.org.
The Carnet is mandatory in many countries in Africa, Australia, and certain countries in Asia. It is required for the temporary importation of your vehicle without paying customs duties and taxes. This document allows you to temporarily use your motorcycle in these countries.
The essence of the Carnet is that you pay for a yellow booklet (approximately 330 euros) and provide a deposit for your vehicle (Swiss authorities assessed 3000 euros for my motorcycle). The deposit is refundable. Once you send back the stamped carnet and evidence that you've exported the motorcycle from the country, the deposit is returned to your account. The amount is calculated based on the market value of your vehicle and the countries you intend to enter. For example, Australia requires a 100% deposit of the vehicle's value, while Egypt requires 500%. However, requirements may vary in other countries. This was the system I dealt with in Switzerland. The Carnet is valid for one year, after which you need to obtain a new one. I've already returned mine to get the deposit back and plan to travel South America.
Read more – www.carnetdepassage.org.
The Carnet is mandatory in many countries in Africa, Australia, and certain countries in Asia. It is required for the temporary importation of your vehicle without paying customs duties and taxes. This document allows you to temporarily use your motorcycle in these countries.
The essence of the Carnet is that you pay for a yellow booklet (approximately 330 euros) and provide a deposit for your vehicle (Swiss authorities assessed 3000 euros for my motorcycle). The deposit is refundable. Once you send back the stamped carnet and evidence that you've exported the motorcycle from the country, the deposit is returned to your account. The amount is calculated based on the market value of your vehicle and the countries you intend to enter. For example, Australia requires a 100% deposit of the vehicle's value, while Egypt requires 500%. However, requirements may vary in other countries. This was the system I dealt with in Switzerland. The Carnet is valid for one year, after which you need to obtain a new one. I've already returned mine to get the deposit back and plan to travel South America.
© Kate'n'Ride, 2024. All rights reserved (my Dad is a lawyer)
