Visas - What is it, who needs it and why?

What is a visa? A visa is an official note placed in your passport that gives you permission to enter, leave or stay in a certain country. It should also dictate the length of stay and your reason for travel. 

A visa is an official note placed in your passport that gives you permission to enter, leave or stay in a certain country. It  dictates the length of stay and your reason for travel. 

Why is a visa necessary? While some nationalities can travel freely over certain borders, others require advanced permission to enter. While Expat Explore is unable to issue visas  we can make life a little easier by providing you with the required documents for a visa application. Before requesting supporting documentation, it is important to be aware that embassies require tours be paid for in full before applying for a visa. This means that your tour should be paid in full before we can issue the documents required. 

When you have made the final payment simply reach out to our support team to request the documents. This can also be done by replying to the “your booking is now confirmed” email sent by our accounts team once payment has cleared. We will require the full names of all the travellers and may ask you to answer a few easy questions about the embassy you are applying to. Please allow 5 working days for the documents to be sent. 

Please note: Visas are each traveller’s personal responsibility, and we recommend that you give yourself plenty of time to allow for visas to be applied for. 

When applying for your visa please ensure that the proper research is carried out before you apply, and that you deal directly with the embassies or certified agents with regards to acquiring correct and timely information. Expat Explore cannot take responsibility for customers whose visas are rejected or expired. 

Schengen Visa

The Schengen Area currently consists of 27 countries in Europe. Of these, 23 are European Union member states, plus Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

You can visit any of the Schengen countries for a duration of up to 90 days within a 6-month period, or visa-free if you’re a citizen of one of the countries that has visa agreements with the EU.

Three EU member states - Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus - are not yet part of the Schengen Area, although they may allow travellers with multi-entry Schengen visas to enter.

If you require a Schengen visa, please keep the following points in mind:

• You need to apply to the embassy of the country where you will spend the most amount of time/nights. If there are two or more countries which have an equal number of ‘most nights’, you must apply to the embassy of the country you will visit first (see our list below for which embassy to apply to). 
  Please Note: If you are travelling in Europe before and/or after your Expat tour, or are taking a one-way Expat tour, you may need to apply at a different embassy to the one listed. Please check which country in which you will spend the most amount of time and confirm to us which embassy you are applying to when you request your visa support documents).
• Your tour must be paid in full before we are allowed to release visa support documents.
• To request visa support documents once your tour is paid in full, email us at info@expatexplore.com.
• Booking appointments can be tricky as the embassies can get busy, particularly in the run-up to the peak summer travel season. Please allow plenty of time for your appointment, which must be made prior to your departure date.
• We cannot give a full refund if visas are rejected. Refund amounts will be based on the number of days remaining, prior to departure, as per our Terms & Conditions.
• With certain UK visas, you are not permitted to travel on a Schengen Visa within the last 3 months prior to expiry. Please be sure to check the details of your specific visa.

More information on the Schengen Area and Schengen visas, including the application process, is available here.

Which embassy for which Europe tour?

Please note:

• The embassies listed below are given as an indication only - factors such as additional travel before/after your tour may change the embassy you should apply at. Please read all the information above to ensure you apply at the correct embassy.
• If there is a number listed after your tour please see the important notes at the end of the page.

Europe Rail Tours

• Amsterdam to Budapest Rail Explorer - Austrian Embassy
• Italy Rail Express - Italian Embassy
• Milan to Amsterdam Rail Express - Swiss Embassy
• Prague to Budapest Rail Express - Austrian Embassy
• Rome to Amsterdam Rail Explorer - Italian Embassy
• Scotland Rail Express - British Embassy

Europe Multi-Country Tours

• Amsterdam to Budapest Rail Explorer - Austrian Embassy
• Amsterdam to Barcelona Rail Explorer - French Embassy
• Best of Europe - Italian Embassy (1)
• Best of Eastern Europe - Austrian Embassy (10)
• Best of Western Europe - French Embassy (11)
• Best of Scandinavia and the Baltics - Polish Embassy
• Classic Europe - Italian Embassy (5)
• Copenhagen to Helsinki - Norwegian Embassy
• Croatian and Eastern Delights - Croatian Embassy (2)
• Eastern Highlights - German Embassy
• Europe at Leisure - French Embassy
• Europe Escape - Italian Embassy
• Europe Explorer - French Embassy
• Europe Highlights - Italian Embassy
• Europe Jewel - Czech Embassy
• Europe Taster - French Embassy
• European Vistas - French Embassy (6)
• Great Britain - British Embassy
• Great Britain & Europe Delights - UK visa from UK Embassy and Schengen visa from French Embassy
• Helsinki to Warsaw - Polish Embassy
• Northern Explorer - German Embassy (8)
• Rome to Amsterdam Rail Explorer - Italian Embassy
• Scandinavian Escape - Danish Embassy
• Ultimate Europe - Italian Embassy
• Western Adventure - Italian Embassy
• Western Europe Delights - UK visa from UK Embassy and Schengen visa from French Embassy

Eastern Europe Tours

• Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia - click here for more information 
• Balkan Explorer - Greek Embassy (9)
• Croatian and Eastern Delights - Croatian Embassy (2)
• Eastern Adventure - Italian Embassy (4)
• Eastern Highlights - German Embassy
• Scenic Europe - Italian Embassy
• Taste of Eastern Europe - German Embassy

UK & Ireland Tours

• Best of UK & Ireland - British & Irish Embassies (7)
• Great Britain - British Embassy
• Irish Explorer - Irish Embassy (3)
• Scotland Rail Express - British Embassy

Italy Tours

• Italian Delights - Italian Embassy
• Italy Explorer - Italian Embassy
• Italy Rail Express - Italian Embassy
• Highlights of Southern Italy & Sicily - Italian Embassy
• Taste of Italy - Italian Embassy

France, Spain & Portugal Tours

• Highlights of Spain & Portugal - Spanish Embassy
• Spain & Portugal Explorer - Spanish Embassy
• Taste of Spain - Spanish Embassy

Christmas & New Year Tours

• Best of UK & Ireland Christmas & New Year - British & Irish Embassies (10)
• Eastern Highlights Christmas & New Year - German Embassy
• Europe Christmas Taster Tour - French Embassy
• Europe New Year Taster Tour - French Embassy
• Europe Christmas & New Year Escape Tour - Italian Embassy
• Europe Christmas & New Year Jewel Tour - Czech Embassy
• Europe Christmas & New Year Explorer Tour - French Embassy
• Highlights of Spain & Portugal - Spanish Embassy
• Taste of Italy Christmas - Italian Embassy
• Taste of Italy New Year - Italian Embassy

Greece Tours

• Athens, Mykonos & Santorini - Greece is in the Schengen Area. If you require a visa to enter the Schengen Area, please apply at your local Greek embassy.
• Best of Greece - Greece is in the Schengen Area. If you require a visa to enter the Schengen Area, please apply at your local Greek embassy.
• Taste of Greece - Greece is in the Schengen Area. If you require a visa to enter the Schengen Area, please apply at your local Greek embassy.

USA & Canada Tours

• Eastern USA & Canada Escape - see the 'Visa & Passport' section of the Help Centre for this tour - click here
• Eastern USA & Canada Escape (incl. New York) - see the 'Visa & Passport' section of the Help Centre for this tour - click here

Middle East & Africa Tours

South Africa Tours

• Cape Town And The Garden Route - South African Embassy
• Kruger Safari And The Panorama Route - South African Embassy
• South Africa Escape - South African Embassy

Egypt Tours

• Nile Adventure & Nile Jewel tours - Please refer to your local embassy to confirm if you require a visa in advance or are eligible to receive a visa on arrival. Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at a cost of US$25, with payment due in cash at the airport.

Egypt & Jordan Tours

• Egypt - Please refer to your local embassy to confirm if you require a visa in advance or are eligible to receive a visa on arrival. Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at a cost of US$25, with payment due in cash at the airport.
• Jordan - Please contact your local Jordanian Embassy to apply for a visa before arrival. Alternatively, visas can be obtained upon arrival at a cost of 40 JOD.

Israel & Jordan

• Highlights of Israel & Jordan tour - please refer to the Help Centre for this tour for more details.

Turkey Tours

• Highlights of Turkey - most nationalities can purchase an e-visa in advance. Please double check here to confirm.

Asia Tours

Certain nationalities can obtain an e-visa, other nationalities will need to apply for a visa at their local Vietnamese, Cambodian Embassy and/or Japanese Embassy. Please click the relevant link below to view more information in the Pre-Departure Information for your tour:

• Highlights of Vietnam - Help Centre
• Taste of Cambodia - Help Centre
• Vietnam & Cambodia Explorer - Help Centre
• Highlights of Japan - Help Centre

South America Tours

• Brazil & Iguazu Highlights - Brazillian Embassy + Argentinian Embassy
• Brazil, Iguazu & Argentina Delights - Brazilian Embassy + Argentinian Embassy
• Sacred Peru - Peruvian Embassy 
• Panama & Costa Rica Escape - Panama + Costa Rican Embassy

Very Important Notes

• (1) Best of Europe - Please ensure that you apply for a multi-entry Schengen visa as well as a UK visa. The United Kingdom is not in the Schengen zone and it is essential that you check in advance of your tour if you require a UK visa. 
• (2) Croatian & Eastern Delights - Please ensure you apply for a multi-entry Schengen visa. Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina are not in the Schengen zone and visas can not be obtained at the border or on the tour. It is essential you check in advance of your tour if you require a visa for Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
• (3) Irish Explorer - Please note that you will visit Northern Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland on this tour. Schengen and UK visas are not valid for the Republic of Ireland whilst certain nationalities will require a UK visa to visit Northern Ireland.
• (4) Eastern Adventure - The embassy listed is for the tour itinerary only. If you are travelling in Europe before starting the tour this may change which embassy you will need to apply to.
• (5) Classic Europe - If you require a UK visa, please note that you will need one in addition to a Schengen visa.
• (6) European Vistas - If you are staying in the Netherlands before and/or after the tour, you may need to apply at the Dutch embassy.
• (7) Best of UK & Ireland - Please check with your local British and Irish Embassies to confirm if you require a visa to visit the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland, respectively.
• (8) Northern Explorer
  - If you require a Schengen Visa you will need to ensure you apply for and receive a multi-entry Schengen visa
  - If you are staying in Amsterdam pre and/or post-tour you may need to apply at the Dutch embassy.
• (9) Balkan Explorer - Please ensure that you apply for a multi-entry Schengen visa. A separate visa may be required for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Bulgaria.
• (10) Best of Eastern Europe - If you are extending your stay in Rome before starting the tour, you may need to apply at the Italian Embassy.
• (11) Best of Western Europe - If you are extending your stay in Rome after the tour, you may need to apply for your visa at the Italian Embassy.
• (12) Egypt & Jordan Tours
  - Egypt - Please refer to your local embassy to confirm if you require a visa in advance or are eligible to receive a visa on arrival. Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at a cost of US$25, with payment due in cash at the airport. Please note that as of 1 October 2023, Canadian passport holders can no longer apply for e-visas and will be required to apply for visas via the Egyptian embassy or consulate.
  - Jordan - Please contact your local Jordanian Embassy to apply for a visa before arrival. Alternatively, visas can be obtained upon arrival at a cost of 40 JOD.