Tips about passports and visas when moving

A little planning and forethought to make sure you understand the requirements, complete all the forms and account for any government bureaucracy, will help to ensure everything goes smoothly when applying for a visa or passport. To ensure your required documents such as your passport, visa and permits etc. are correct, start by contacting the consular office of your host country’s embassy. They know the latest rules and registration requirements because documentation regulations may change on short notice.

Tips about passports and visas:
• Passports
A passport is an official verification of the holder’s nationality and, with a few exceptions, is required to enter another country. In many cases, a visa will not be issued unless you have a passport. Each member of your family should have a passport. Some countries will refuse entry to visitors whose passports expire during the period of their stay, so make sure passports for you and your family members are valid for well past your stay.

• Visas
A visa allows a foreigner to enter a country for a specific purpose and duration. It’s usually stamped in the visitor’s passport, although sometimes it may be on a separate document. It may authorize a single visit or multiple entries to the country.

Once you’re ready to make the big move, countries require longer-term visas. When inquiring about the regulations, make sure you specify that you are relocating to the country. Real problems can result if you obtain the wrong type of visa. The last thing you want, when starting your life abroad, is to find yourself escorted across the border in the wrong direction.

By preparing and making sure your passport and visa and other documents are all in order, it will ensure your move will be uneventful.

Safe moving!