| Before you travel overseas you need to make sure | | | | When to Apply: It can take from 30 days to three |
| you have your US tourist visa. Visas are required by | | | | months to have a visa request approved. Plan ahead |
| many countries to ensure that visitors to their | | | | and apply as soon as you have decided to travel to |
| country have a safe and exciting visit. | | | | a foreign country. The sooner you start the quicker |
| Who Needs a Visa: If you have a passport you most | | | | you will be able to finalize your travel details. |
| likely will need a visa. Countries that may not require | | | | What is Involved: The application process for a visa |
| visas may require that you have an enhanced | | | | includes making copies of your identification, a |
| passport. A visa tells the country you are visiting how | | | | background check, occasionally a financial disclosure |
| long you plan to stay, where you plan to visit and | | | | and your signature. Having your passport before you |
| that you intend to return home. | | | | begin a visa application is helpful. |
| Border Cards: Mexico offers border cards to | | | | Visa Costs: Most American visas cost $131.00 dollars. |
| Americans who wish to travel beyond the | | | | Countries that require a visa will charge you the same |
| “tourist zone.” This zone is roughly 70 miles | | | | to enter. Mexican Border Cards cost $20.00 dollars |
| past the border between America and Mexico. | | | | while a Mexican tourist card costs $20.00. |
| America offers a more permanent card for Mexican | | | | Visitor Waiver Program: A little over 20 years ago |
| citizens who travel into America often. This border | | | | many countries started a program that used the |
| crossing card is good for 10 years and is available | | | | enhanced passport to allow tourists to travel among |
| through the visa application office. | | | | them freely. The VWP now has over 35 participants |
| Where to Apply: Applications for visas are most | | | | and no longer requires a visa to enter. The general |
| often conducted during a face to face application | | | | length of stay is 30 days. Anyone wishing to remain |
| interview at the consulate or embassy of the | | | | longer will have to apply for a visa from the embassy |
| country you want to visit. Some countries now have | | | | of their home country. |
| online applications available. If you have booked your | | | | Planning your next vacation abroad includes applying |
| vacation through a travel agency many you may find | | | | for your US tourist visa early. |
| visa assistance is available through their office. | | | | |