One of the biggest hurdles for travelers from developing countries is the visa. Venturing into international travel with a powerless passport can be scary. Especially with confusing and often times conflicting visa requirements. It is often difficult to research visa requirements. There is no one source out there that gives you a complete picture. You have to contact consulates, read up on blogs, check with airlines and search on the internet to figure the visa procedure.
I have been traveling the world for over 3 years now. In these 3 years, I have applied for a lot of visas. I have contacted consulates and embassies. I have asked people on the forums and blogs. I have spent a ton of time on the internet researching and consolidating visa information.
Over the time, I have learned the most efficient way to research visa requirements and find the information that I am looking for. With my experience and knowledge, I have put together the list of sources that you can rely on for your visa information.
01. Visa guides on this website
In the last 3 years, I have traveled to a lot of countries. I have applied for many visas. I have made phone calls and sent emails to consulates asking for requirements and procedures. I have spent a ton of time researching and consolidating visa information online.
I have put together Visa Guides for all the visas I have applied so far. These visa guides are the best source of visa information out there. They include detailed information on requirements, eligibility, documentation, application procedure, visa fee and processing times.
I have personally applied for all of these visas. All information is from my personal experience. It is well researched and verified. I have traveled to all of these destinations myself. I have even documented the entry and exit formalities that you would need to follow at the destination airports.
02. IATA Travel Centre
IATA (International Air Transport Association) is the trade association of the world’s airlines. Most airlines in the world are part of this association. IATA Travel Centre provides travelers with most up to date international travel restrictions and requirements. It’s the most accurate and trustable source of information on visa requirements for any country in the world.
03. TIMATIC
TIMATIC (Travel Information Manual Automatic) is an international database containing cross border passenger documentation requirements. All airlines and travel agents use this database to verify visa requirements. It is mandatory for all airlines to refer to this database as the fines levied by immigration authorities are high.
TIMATIC database is managed by IATA (International Air Transport Association) and it can be integrated with back offices of travel agents and airlines. Here is United Airline’s TIMATIC interface.
04. Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
Pretty much every country these days have their own Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. They usually have a visa section dedicated to travelers interested in visiting their country. Here is an example, the visa section from the Foreign Affairs of Germany website.
Do a quick search on the internet for the Foreign Affairs website of whichever country you are planning to travel. Quickly glance through the menu to find the visa section.
05. Consulate website
Check if there is a consulate of the foreign country in your city or nearby. The consulate website usually has information on the visa requirements and application procedure.
If they do not have all the information you need, there should at least be a phone number or email. You can call or email them asking for specific visa information.
06. Travel blogs from your country
More and more travelers from developing countries are venturing into world travel. There are quite a few blogs out there that have excellent information on the visa requirements for specific nationalities. Here are a few examples
For India nationals – https://bkpk.me/
For Philippines nationals – http://iamaileen.com
07. Lonely Planet’s Thorntree forum
Lonely Planet’s Thorntree forum is another great resource for visa related questions and information. Go to a specific country forum and search for “visa requirements”. For example, here are the results when you search for “visa requirements” in Mexico forum.
08. Google search
Do a simple search on Google to see if it pops up any relevant information. Consulate websites and blogs usually show up in the search results. Try different search string variations depending on your country and the country you are planning to travel.
For example, if you hold an India passport and are planning to travel to Mexico, follow the below search string variations for accurate search results.
- Mexico visa requirements
- Mexico visa requirements for Indian citizens
- Mexico visa requirements for Indian passport holders
- Mexico visa requirements for Indian citizens in UK
- Mexico visa requirements for Indian citizens with US visa
09. Tourism website of the foreign country
Pretty much every country these days have their own tourism website. They usually have a section dedicated to visa requirements. For example, here is the visa section of Colombia Tourism website.
10. Embassy website of your country in the foreign country
Do a quick search on the embassy website of your country in the foreign country. For example, here is a news article on Embassy of India in Colombia website on Indian nationals not needing a visa if they hold a valid US visa.
11. Consulate website of the foreign country in other cities
First, look up for visa information on the consulate website of the foreign country in your city. Then, do a quick lookup on consulate websites of the foreign country in other cities or countries.
Some countries do not maintain a centralized source of information. Information varies from consulate to consulate and sometimes you may not find all the information on just one consulate website.
For example, the Consulate of Costa Rica in Washington DC does not mention anything about permanent residents in European Union. Where as the Consulate of Costa Rica in Toronto says that passport holders with permanent residency in any country of European Union do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica.
12. Wikipedia
Wikipedia has accurate and up to date visa information for most nationalities. For example, here is the Wikipedia page on visa requirements for Indian nationals.
13. Project Visa
Project Visa is a database of visa requirements. It has reliable information on visa requirements for most countries. Do a quick search here as well to confirm your visa requirements.
14. Visa Map
Visa Map also maintains a database of visa requirements for most nationals. The website seems to be down and it’s not being maintained anymore.
15. Facebook Groups
There are quite a few Facebook groups for specific visas and countries. FB group Visa Talk is a good place for overall visa advice for any country. Thai Visa Advice for Thai visa specific information.
Do a quick search in such Facebook groups for visa requirements or ask any specific questions you may have.
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Geeta Kowalli says
Hello Thirumal, I was just going through the Lonely Planet website and thought of updating you. I believe “Thorn Tree Forum” is coming to an end.
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/landing/lonely-planet-community. As Lonely Planet embarks on a new journey to bring you even better guidance, support, and information for your next trip, we’ve made the difficult decision to completely close down and remove our Thorn Tree forums.
Thirumal Motati says
Hi Geeta! That’s sad, but I understand. People have moved on from forums like Thorn Tree to FB groups these days. I will update the article accordingly.
Ademola odekunle says
How do I join your Facebook group? Please put me through.
Thirumal says
Hi Ademola! Here is the link to the Facebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/visatraveler
Drame says
Hi, I have a US travel document. Can I travel to Belgium without a visa?
Thirumal says
Hi Drame! When you say “US travel document”, are you referring to US passport or US visa? If you have a US passport, then YES, you can travel to Belgium without a visa. Just your US passport is enough. But if you have a US visa, then NO, you cannot travel to Belgium with your US visa. You need a Schengen visa.
Peter says
Hi, I’m a Greek citizen but permanent resident of Canada traveling from Canada to Greece and back but I have an expired passport. Can I fly?
Thank you.
Thirumal says
Hi Peter! You CANNOT fly or enter a country with an expired passport. The airlines will not let you board the plane and immigration officials will not let you enter the country. You must renew or get a new passport.
T.R.Subramanian says
I am traveling from London to Mumbai via Munich on 9-8-2019 with Lufthansa. Do I need a transit visa for Germany? I have a valid USA visa.
Thirumal says
Hi T.R.Subramanian! You DO NOT need a transit visa for Germany since you hold a US visa. If you hold a US or UK visa, you can transit through Germany.
Upamanyu Roy Chowdhury says
One of my friend (Indian nationality) will travel to the Philippines on a visit visa by Oman airline. His visa duration is 7 days. But his ticket is 14 days round trip.
As per the Philippines embassy in Muscat, he can extend his visa in the Philippines. I want to know if it is necessary to change the ticket and make that 7 days only? Thank you!
Thirumal says
Hi Upamanyu! Oman airlines may not allow your friend to board if the return ticket is beyond the validity of his visa. He has two options to manage his situation –
1) Get a return/onward ticket from Expedia or an online travel agent. This is only to show to the airline staff while boarding. Refer to my article on how to get a proof of return ticket.
2) Get a letter/email from the embassy of the Philippines in Muscat. He can show that letter/email to the airline staff if asked.
Haris says
Hi Thirumal,
I have a valid B1/B2 visa of USA and recently visited New York everything went smoothly with me and family, now we are planning to apply for Canadian visit visa need your kind guidelines.though we have travelled to France on Schengen visa, also Malaysia, Turkey and we lives in UAE
Thirumal says
Hi Haris! Glad that you and your family had a great time in New York. Looks like you have a nice travel history, which will definitely help you in your Canada visa. Yes, of course, I can help you with your Canada visa application. Let me know what questions you have. Meanwhile, take a look at the Canada visa guide to know more about Canada visa process.
Smith says
This post is really nice. Providing great tips for research visa requirements for any country. It seems really helpful.
Thirumal says
Thank you, Smith! I am glad the article was helpful to you.
Exchange Student says
This is a great article. I studied one year in the United States. The strategies you mentioned are really helpful. I usually write about Study abroad and travel. I will definitely consider your article to be shared in my friendship circle. Keep it up!
Thirumal says
Thanks! I’m glad that the article was helpful to you. Please share with your friends. The more people this article can help, the much better. Thanks again!
Wai Hnin Thu says
Hello Thirumel
Nice meeting u. I m from Myanmar citizen. U have pretty much experience about travelling to many countries. I would like to ask u favour about macedonia visa. I have US visa as well (C1/D and B2 visa) coz i m working on cruise ship. I have no idea how to apply for macedonia visa and US visa is possible me to go that country. Pls help me. Coz my fiance is from macedonia.
Thirumal says
Hi Wai Hnin Thu! Nice to meet you as well. If you have a valid US B2 visa, you DO NOT need a visa for Macedonia. You can use you US visa to enter Macedonia for 15 days. You can find more information on the Macedonia Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.