- 1 February 2022
Are you taking an international trip? One of the most important things to do is take a look at your passport and travel documents. You will see that some Expat Explore tours state that people from certain countries may need a visa. Let’s have a look at what this document is, and how you can find out if you need one for your tour.
What is a visa?
The first important thing to know is that a visa is different from a passport. Everyone needs a passport when they travel, so they can show where they come from. Each country issues passports for their own citizens. It shows your photo, full name, birthday and gender. This is used to identify you at airports and borders between different countries.
A visa, however, is something different. It is an official note placed in your passport that shows that you have permission to enter, leave or stay in a certain country. It normally also says how long you are allowed to stay and what you are allowed to do (i.e. work or travel). You also get different kinds of visas. The most common types are: tourist/holiday, student, work/long stay and transit visas.
Sometimes a visa can be used for more than one visit. Certain visas need to be obtained before you go to the country, others you can get on arrival. Certain countries may ask for medical tests or an interview before they allow a visa.
Do I need one?
You might. It depends on where you are from and where you are going. Different countries have different rules for people from other countries. You can find out by:
- Visiting VisaHQ.com. They are the leaders of comprehensive visa information online.
- Using Google. Just type in: Do visitors from [your country] need a visa for [the country you’re visiting]. Easy as that!
- Asking a travel agent in your country to help. Show them all the countries you plan to visit and ask for advice.
- Asking us once you’ve booked your tour.
How do I get one?
The process is a little different for every country. The first thing you can do is to find the website for the embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting. Not sure what a consulate or embassy is? An embassy is the representative of a country’s government in another country. The consulate is the administration office in a foreign city. There can be more than one consulate in a country. They can mainly be found in capital cities. The consulate will normally have visa application forms available online that you can print and fill in at home. You will then have to post the original copies or take it to the consulate office in person.
Expat Explore travels to over 50 unique destinations. Here are a few helpful links to find out more about visa services of these countries:
- The Schengen Area is a coalition of 26 countries. You can find out more about this region’s visa laws on this official website.
- The United Kingdom consists of four countries – England, Scotland, Wales as well as Northern Ireland. Visit the official website.
- Russia is not part of the Schengen states and you might need an additional visa when crossing the border from one of the neighbouring countries. Visit the official website.
- Croatia is part of the European Union, but not a Schengen state. Here is the official website.
- Serbia is located in Europe but is not a Schengen state and not yet a member of the European Union. Some countries will not require visas for stays of up to 90 days while other countries may need to obtain a visa to enter Serbia. Malaysian and Mauritian nationals definitely require a visa. Find out more on the official website.
- The Arab Republic of Egypt states its visa requirements on this official website.
- The United States of America – there are different types of visas, if you’re going on tour then a B2 tourist visa is what you’re looking for. Find out more on the official website.
- Jordan visas can be obtained upon arrival for travellers from most countries. Check on the official website.
- South America:
- Argentina: Many countries do not need a visa to visit Argentina and will receive a 90-day travel stamp on arrival. Official Website
- Bolivia: There are three country categories and Type I countries do not need a visa to visit Bolivia. Official Website
- Brazil: Travellers to Brazil require a Visitor Visa (VIVIS) or will benefit from a visa waiver. You can apply for VIVIS either online or via the Brazilian consulate depending on your country of nationality. Official Website and list of Brazilian consulates around the world.
- Chile: Travellers to Chile will require a tourist visa. Visa requirements for Chile depend on your nationality. Official Website
- Costa Rica: Not all tourists visiting Costa Rica require a visa, however, it will depend on your nationality. Official Website
- Panama: Many countries benefit from visa exemption laws in Panama. Official Website
- Peru: Many countries do not need a visa to visit Peru for tourism purposes. Official Website
Need more help? Remember, we are always here to help you with anything you need to know about your tour. Just email or call us, so we can speak with you directly and help where possible.
Just received an email regarding Visas to travel, do I need need one? Traveling from USA.
Thank you,
Depends on where you are travelling to, Elvia? You can visit this website to check: https://www.visahq.in/
HI,
I am an American, living in Viet Nam. I have taken some GREAT trips with your company before. They were great. If I remember right I had no problem with my visa from Viet Nam, but I wanted to check to make sure there was no problem. Let me know if there is or what else I may need.
Thanks, Gene Morris
Hallo Gene! That’s great to hear. So glad you had a good time on tour. :)
Dear sir/madam,
We have a booking for 26 days, Ultimate Europe tour, starting August 12nd, 2017. My wife and I carry US passports for traveling. Do we needed to apply any VISA for any country on this trip?
Best Regards,
Sumeth Akaraparamest
Hello Sumeth! Our customers service team will be in contact with your shortly to answer your questions. :)
Hi I am an Australian citizen traveling to UK for Best of UK Tour. Am I correct that I do not need a visa ?
Hello Suzan! Looks like you won’t need one. For stays of up to 180 days. Find out more here: https://united-kingdom.visahq.com.au/
Hi ,
I am traveling from Australia on an Australian Passport do I require a Visa for my Best of UK Tour ?
Hello Suzan! Looks like you won’t need one. For stays up to 180 days. Find out more here: https://united-kingdom.visahq.com.au/
Hello Expat, my booking number is, 2017xxx, I have been waiting for weeks now for my invitation letter to send away for my visa to the Russian Embassy in Canberra Australia, last email I had said having problems with the Federation, will send in 48hrs, but it has been 4 days and nothing, I have all the paperwork ready to go and only need the letter, please send to me before its too late, regards Patrick.
Hello Patrick! Our team will be in contact with you as soon as possible.
Hi
sorry but do we need visas for the Eastern Highlights tour if we are from Australia and New Zealand.
Ros & Paul
Hello Roslyn! It looks like you won’t need one for Eastern Europe. We use VisaHQ to check visa requirements. You can check it out at this link > https://www.visahq.com.au/
I have a US passport travelling from the Philippines. Do I need anything else . I am doing the European Vistas on Sept. 9. Thank you.
Hello Marjorie! You can stay in Europe for up to 90 days with a US passport and you won’t need a visa. You can find out more on this site: https://www.visahq.com/
Hi :)
Am from South Africa, we are doing the 8 day cruise around Croatian border. Do I need a Visa for Croatia? Does it need to be Schengen?
Hello Eloise! Croatia is not a Schengen state. You will need a Croatian visa. You can find out more here >> //www.vfsglobal.com/croatia/southafrica/Tourist.html But, it seems that a two or multiple entry Schengen visa can also be valid for entering the Republic of Croatia >> //www.vfsglobal.com/Croatia/India/faqs.html
If you have more questions, please reach out to our customer service team (https://expatexplore.com/contact-us/)
Hold an Australian passport and booked { Booking #2017XXXX} on tour EH150917 please advise do I need visa ?
Hello Geok, you won’t need a visa if you stay in Europe for less than 90 days. To be sure, please go check out visa HQ here >> https://www.visahq.com.au/
Mam/ Sir,
I need your help Urgently, Im a Filipino nurse working presently in Makkah-jeddah, I paid My seats reservation worth 200$ for 2 adults but i might travelling Alone, question is Can i cancel the 1 seat? and as A filipino citizens, i needly badly now please the rquirements Needed for schengen Visa and UK Visa as fpr filipino. Thanks a lot.
Hello Hatima, our team will be in contact with you as soon as possible to help where we can!
Hi I’m from Australia and this will be my second tour with expat and I’m did nit require a visa last. I am not aware of any chances to the visa laws. Since my last trip in 2015.
Cheers Julie-Ann
Hi Julie-Ann,
Thanks for the message and we’re delighted to welcome you back on our tours! You can use this nifty tool to check if you will need one >> https://www.visahq.com/. If you need our help, please contact our team here >> https://expatexplore.com/contact-us/
I am holding a Australian passport. Do I have to get Visa for this tour?
Hi Anthony,
Thank you for the message. Which tour are you thinking of joining? Here’s a helpful link for Australians travelling >> https://visalink.com.au/visa-quick-check
I was under the impression we could get our visa in egypt. Do we need to fill in any paper work before we get there? Do we need to bring a photo?
Hi Kim,
It depends on your nationality – if you are able to receive your visa upon arrival then the visa fee is US$25 and your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Egypt. Here is a helpful link >> https://www.mfa.gov.eg/english/ConsularServices/Pages/VisaApplication.aspx
i have a passport but not sure if i need a visa. i booked the European tour and i am coming from the usa
Hi Bobby, US citizens can travel to the Schengen (European) countries without a visa. Please take a look at this helpful link here >> https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/schengen.html
I’m a Canadian citizen and we are traveling for Europe 7 days tour starting June 24/18. Do I need a visa for this tour? Thanks a lot
Hi Lelanie, You’re welcome to take a look at this helpful website >> //visaservicescanada.ca/countries/schengen.php – a member from our team to contact you in case you have any more questions or concerns.
I have an updated Visa from US. I just would like to confirm based on the information provided I do not need a Visa to go to Spain, Portugal and Andorra. Is that correct? Thank you, Alessandra.
Hi Alessandra, Thanks for your message. I have asked someone from our team to contact you regarding your visa query – we would need some more information regarding the passport you currently hold.
Travelling from US as US citizen, taking Croation Eastern Delights Aug 12-25, please conform if we need further visa for any country.
I checked US citizen does not need visa for Germany, Serbia, but what about other countries?
Hi Jagadish, so exciting that your Croatian Eastern Delights tour is around the corner! There is no need for you to acquire a visa for your tour.
Hi
We are Canadian Citizens going on the South Africa trip. Do we require a Visa?
Hi Gloria, We are pleased to inform you that Canadian citizens do not need a visa for a stay less than 90 days in South Africa.
Since I have panamenian passport I don’t need visa to Russia Let me know which other visa I need thanks Maria murphy
Hi Maria, I have asked a member from our team to contact you regarding your visa requirements and any other queries you may have. In the meantime, here is a helpful link for you: https://www.etiasvisa.com/etias-requirements/panamanians
Hi, I signed up for the 22-day Europe tour from 9/1-9/22. I have a US passport and am a US citizen; do I still need to apply for the visa? Thank u very much!
Hi Yiting Lau, as a US citizen you do not need a visa for Europe so it sounds like you are all set for your tour! If you do have any questions please contact us here >> https://expatexplore.com/contact-us/
I am a United States Citizen. I do not need a visa to travel to Europe.
I have health Insurance.
I already completed your information.
Hi Natalia, Thank you for your message! It sounds like you are all-set for your trip. If you do require any assistance, please contact a member from our team here >> https://expatexplore.com/contact-us/
Am 55.female..married.and retiree from the Philippines it is my dream and plan next year to travel and visit “western Europe” my favourites as follows UK..France..Italy..Portugal..Switzerland..Austria..Greece..now how can you help me to land first in Europe ..what airplane..and to acquire S.visa.too.pls.reply i want to know…
Hi Sarah, We’ve asked a member from our team to contact you and help you plan an amazing tour! You can take a look at our multi-country tours here.
Hi I am an Australian citizen, planning to do the Europe Escape 12 day tour. Am I correct that I do not need a visa ?
Hi Vasie,
We’re so excited to hear that you would like to join an Expat Explore tour!
Australian citizens do not require a visa for this tour. Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
I’am a US citizen book Nothern Explorer for 4/15 /19 w/c included Russia.need an assistance to acquire Visa to enter Russia
We are 4 member travelling.
Do we need VISA for other country as well that included in this trip?
Thanks
Hi Josephine,
Thank you for your message. How exciting that you will be going on an adventure with us! You will be receiving communication from us shortly explaining the visa process for your trip.
Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
My family and I are booked for your European Vista 8 days tour this coming April drom Auckland and we are travelling using NZ passports.Are the countries we will be visiting require visas?
Hi Delia,
You will most likely not require a visa for this tour.
You are welcome to check VisaHQ online for confirmation.
We hope you enjoy this tour, happy travels ahead!
I am australian and am travelling to Egypt at the end of April. Can I get a visa on arrival in Cairo Airport?
Thank you
Hi Chris,
How fantastic that you will be going on an adventure of a lifetime with us!
Australian citizens are able to obtain a visa upon arrival in Egypt at a cost of US$25.00. You are welcome to check VisaHQ online for confirmation.
We hope you enjoy this tour, happy travels ahead!
We are joining the Expat Jewel on April 21-May4 and we are already fully paid with our tour. We already have a Schengen Visa that more than cover the 2 week duration of the tour. However, my husband and I will be flying straight to Amsterdam at least 3 days earlier and will be joining the tour in Amsterdam on April 21. What is the name of the hotel in Amsterdam? Where should we join the tour? At the hotel? What time should we join the tour? Also, we are leaving the tour in Paris on May 4 and will not be going back to London. What is the name of the hotel in Paris? Will our Schengen visa cover all the countries in the tour?
Hi my husband and myself are Australians and we have booked 26 days Ultimate Europe starting 27th May 2019, do we need to apply for any VISA for any countries on this trip?
Regards
Rita
Hi Rita,
Thank you for your message.
Australian citizens do not require a visa for this specific tour. You are welcome to visit our website for more information.
Feel free to contact us should you require any additional information.
Any help will be appreciated travelling with family first time on this tour.
Hi Riaz, a member of our team will contact you shortly to assist you. You’re also welcome to contact us, we’d be happy to assist!
Hi Riaz
Thank you for your message. How exciting that you will be going on an adventure with us in a few weeks!
Should you require a visa for this tour, we will supply you with visa supporting documents that you would then need to take to the Italian Embassy. One of our customer service representatives will contact you shortly to give you more information about the visa process.
Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
I hope to do the Northern Explorer Tour next year, however it will depend if I can get my Russian visa in time. I will be leaving Australia a month before I plan to go on tour so will need my passport back in advance of my departure. Will I be at risk not getting my visa in time? Thanks Sally
Hi Sally,
Thank you for having a look at our tours.
It is fantastic that you are interested in our Northern Explorer Tour!
One of our agents will contact you with more information.
Feel free to contact them should you require assistance with your travel arrangements.
Hello, I am on Eastern Europe tour with my family in July, we are US passport holders. I don’t think we need visas, but just checking to be sure. Let me know thanks.
Hi Riza,
As a US passport holder, you will not require a visa for this tour.
We hope you enjoy your upcoming tour with us!
Dear Team,
I had opt for the Europe Jewel tour, I am holding Pakistani passport, Qatari Resident holder and fly from Qatar and will be back to Qatar. Please confirm the country embassy to arrange the Schengen visa from.
Regards,
Nadir Hussain
Hi Nadir ,
Thank you for your message, how exciting that you will be going on an adventure with us.
You will be required to apply for a visa at the Czech Embassy for your tour. Click here to find out how the visa process works.
Feel free to contact us should you require assistance with your travel arrangements.
Hi there Expat Tours, my husband & I are travelling to Europe from Australia on New Zealand passports & I think the only place we need a visa for after our tour on our stopover on our way home is Singapore & it looks like we just buy this at Singapore airport when we get there…does this sound right?
Hi Jennifer
Thank you for your message, how exciting that you will be going on an adventure of a lifetime with us in a few weeks!
Accordingly to Visa HQ, citizens of New Zealand do not require a visa for Singapore, click here for more information. We do encourage our travelers to contact their local embassy for confirmation.
Should you require any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Hi, I Booked a trip to Egypt and my passport is malaysia do i need visa?
Hi Lim
Thank you for your message, how exciting that you will be going on an adventure with Expat Explore once again!
According to Visa HQ, Malaysian passport holders can obtain a visa upon arrival in Egypt for $25.00 USD. Our representative in Egypt will collect you and assist you through customs.
Should you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We are Australian citizens doing the 13 day UK/Ireland tour. I don’t believe we need a Visa for this trip. Can you please confirm.
Hi Deborah
Thank you for your message.
Australian passport holders do not require a visa for this specific tour.
Should you require additional information about your tour, please feel free to contact us.
I am travelling from Australia with New Zealand passport for 12 days Europe Escape in Sep19
Do we need visa
Hi Alma
Thank you for your message, how exciting that you will be travelling with us!
New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa for this specific tour. Click here to find out more information about visas.
Should you require more information about your tour, feel free to contact us.
I am a Canadian taking your Israel & Jordon tour in September and I do not need a visa for Israel but saids I need one for Jordon but was under the impression that Expat was going to take care of that as we were just going to Petra. After reading this email it looks like I need to get my visa on my own? Am I reading this right? I am confused now. It also saids I need a photo and that the price is near $200 for a visa? Can you clear this up for me.
Thank you
Hi Linda
Thank you for you message, a customer service representative will contact you in the next 48 hours to answer all your queries.
Should you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We are holders of australian passport and doing the taste of italy tour.
Do we need to apply for any visas please
Hi Alma ,
Thank you for your message.
If you are a Australian passport holder, you do not require a visa for this specific tour. Please see link for more information.
Should you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Hi I just recieved an email regarding visa. I lived in United States and I am american citizen. Do I need to get a visa for my Ultimate Europe tour?
Hi Ivy ,
Thank you for your message.
If you are a U.S passport holder, you do not require a visa for this specific tour. See link for more information.
Should you require any further information , please do not hesitate to contact us.
I am travelling from South Africa to the US and Mexico on a British passport. Do I need visas for either countries?
Hi Fiona ,
Thank you for your message.
A customer service representative will contact you in the next 24 hours to assist you with your query.
Should you require additional information, please feel free to contact us.
I received an email saying I might need a visa for my trip.
Europe Christmas & New Year Escape – 12 days
I checked the different locations on the itinerary and couldn’t find one that needed a visa.
Is this correct or did I miss something?
Hi Janet
Thank you for your message.
I have checked your citizenship (as you are USA citizen) you will not require a visa for this tour.
Should you need to recheck, please Click Here
You are welcome to contact our Customer Service Team, for any other queries
We’re very excited to welcome on tour with us!
Hi, my family is travelling from New Zealand and we are holdimg a NZ passport. We are visiting 8 countries stated in the Europe Escape Tour. Do we need a visa to visit these countries?
Thanks to confirm.
Hi Bernice
Thank you for your message
As a New Zealand citizen, you do not require a Visa, however you may also Click here to be 100% sure.
We look forward to seeing you on your upcoming tour.
Hi
I am a Liberian citizen and I want to travel to the USA or GERMANY or France or Italy.
Do I need a Visa to get in any of these Countries.
Hi Patrick,
Thank you for your comment. As a Liberian citizen, you will be required to apply for a visa to the United States of America. You will also need a Schengen visa for the EU countries. The EU countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
I hope you have a wonderful day further. Take care and stay safe.
I need two visit visa
Hi Mr Khan,
Please see the information below regarding the process involved in our tours. Take note that Expat Explore is not a registered Visa Agent.
We can provide travelers requiring visas with visa support documents on a request basis, providing that you are within the required cut off dates and times. The documents will be emailed to you and you must print them and take them with you as a hard copy. This will include (if necessary):
E-ticket
Tour Itinerary
Accommodation List
Visa Letter
Please note that you are required to pay for your tour in full in order to receive the documents. This is an embassy/consulate requirement by law. Once you have made the full payment and have received an email confirmation from our accounts department please contact us on info@expatexplore.com to request the documents, and allow at least 3\5 working days for your documents to be issued. Please note that you can only request these documents if you are traveling within the next 3 months.
I hope you have a great day further,
Yours in travel
Expat Explore
I am actually in need for visa
Hi Hafza,
Thank you for your comment.
Please advise which tour you are interested in? For our European tours, certain nationalities need a Schengen visa and/or UK tourist visa. We strongly advise you to speak to the relevant Embassy in your home country. Apply to the embassy of the country where you spend the most amount of nights on tour. If there is more than one destination with the same amount of nights then you must choose the embassy of the country that you enter first. Please check this link //expatexplore.com/visas/ for more information.
We can provide travelers requiring visas with visa support documents on a request basis, providing that you are within the required cut off dates and times. The documents will be emailed to you and you must print them and take them with you as a hard copy. This will include (if necessary):
E-ticket
Tour Itinerary
Accommodation List
Visa Letter
Please note that you are required to pay for your tour in full in order to receive the documents. This is an embassy/consulate requirement by law.
Yours in travel,
Expat Explore
Me like usa me need visa
Hi Naveed,
Thank you for your comment.
Take note that Expat Explore is not a registered Visa Agent. We can provide travelers requiring visas with visa support documents on a request basis, providing that you are within the required cut off dates and times. The documents will be emailed to you and you must print them and take them with you as a hard copy. This will include (if necessary):
E-ticket
Tour Itinerary
Accommodation List
Visa Letter
I went to go us
Hi Md shahidul Islam,
Thank you for your comment.
For more information on our USA tours, please see this link https://expatexplore.com/search/?keyword=USA&tours=eastern-usa-canada-escape-new-york+eastern-usa-canada-escape&departures=&date=&countries=&city=Any&durations=&startin=Any&endin=Any&sort=k_mr&types=
Hello
Do I need to apply for a visa to serbia, I am a Jordanian citizen and I applied for a self assessment and got the approval for Serbia only for 15 days, as a tourist
So my question is the PCR and the self assessment application is enough to enter Serbia from Turkey !
Hi Dana,
Thank you for your comment.
As a Jordanian citizen, you will need to apply for a Serbian visa. You will also need to present a negative PCR test upon arrival at the airport.
Hello everyone on this forum – thanks.
My name is Mark and i am from luxembourg
best regards :)
Appreciate the recommendation. Let me try it out.
Hi, I’ am currently living in the UK and got an Australian passport, I am doing the Balkan Explorer tour on May 28th, I have tried looking up information on the countries I am visiting during this tour but I wanted to check if I need a visa for any of the countries on this tour?
Thank You.
Hi Shayne,
Australian passport holders do not require a visa for Europe so for the Balkan Explorer, no visa is needed. Visahq.com Is a great resource if you have any additional queries! :)
Yours in travel,
Expat Explore
Hi asking if we need visa on our coming tour, the Best of Europe tour with 15 countries to visit. Do we need visa in waxh county to visit? We are traveling from US this June. Me and my husband are traveling on this package tour and we have the US passports.
Hi Hazel, thank you for your message! US citizens travelling on US passports will not require any visas for the Best of Europe tour :)
I don’t think I need a visa. I traveled to Ireland June 2018 and only had my passport. Nothing has changed for me. Could you please let me know if I need a visa now
Thank you,
Shelia Lewandowski
Hi Shelia, thank you for your message! What passport do you have and are you still visiting Ireland on your upcoming trip? Visas are dependent on nationality. Thanks!
We are tow old Iraqi men 59 & 61 years we are planning to join best of UK & Ireland with booking no. 202209381 We have already multi i trance visa for 2 years did I need extra travel insurance or the visa it’s already include
Thank you for your message Ahmed! Travel insurance is required for all Expat Explore travellers and we advise investing in a fully comprehensive travel insurance policy. This can be purchased through official travel insurance providers – you can find out more in this blog – https://expatexplore.com/blog/travel-insurance-closer-look/