Expired Passport w/ Valid Visas

I recently (ie the other day) had my first experience traveling with and using valid multi-entry visas within an expired passport.

My advice, if you find yourself in this scenario?

First you want to make sure that your destination allows entry with travel documents within an expired passport. Most countries do, but there are a few places where this wouldn't be allowed so be sure to check with the embassy of your destination. If this is allowed, you will need to travel with your current passport and the expired one. Show both passports when you reach immigration so that the official can document that you have a valid visa.

Piece of cake!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Let Go and Let Brasil (but be sure to have your visa sorted!)

If you’re planning to head to Brasil and you happen to be American (and by ‘American’, I mean one of those North American, US citizen types), you want to make sure that all of your “T’s” are crossed and your “I’s” are dotted as you prepare for your departure. US citizens are required to obtain a visa prior to entering the country.  I was very particular about reading all of the fine print and created a checklist for myself.  I had heard a few horror stories regarding the visa process, but I personally had no problems at all in getting a visa, which was turned around in about a week.

The cost is $160 dollars, a fee that is reciprocal for the fee that the U.S. charges Brasilian nationals for visas to visit the U.S. You have to secure the date and time to drop off your application with the Brasilian consulate.  In order to secure your date to drop off your application, you will need a protocol number, which you can obtain after you fill in your visa application form online. Some websites state that they will expedite the process for you, but eventually all of these sites will lead you back to this one: https://scedv.serpro.gov.br/

Here you will need to fill in the application after which you will receive your protocol number. 

Checklist…..You will need the following:

·         A valid passport with an expiration that is at least 6 months after your intended date of arrival in Brasil.

·         One visa application per person.  You will need to bring the receipt page with the bar code.

·         One passport size color front view photo that has been taken within the last 6 months.

·         Proof of travel – You need a printed copy of your itinerary which includes your full name, confirmed itinerary, flight number/vessel name and dates of arrival and departure.

·         $160.00 USD reciprocity fee.  Cash, personal checks and credit cards are not acceptable forms of payment.  All consular fees must be paid in U.S. Postal Service money orders. The fee is paid on the day of the visa appointment.

You can go to the consulate in person to drop off your application or you can have someone drop it off for you. If you elect to have the application dropped off for you, it will cost you an additional $20.00 fee. 

I was able to get an appointment within two weeks of filling out the form online.   For the Brasilian consulate in San Francisco, visa applications are accepted from 9:00am to 12:00.  I was told that you cannot choose the length of time for the validity of the visa that you are granted, however I believe that 10 years may be the default at this time.  I was granted a 10 year multi entry visa, which is longer than the expiration of my current passport.  I was told that once I obtain a new passport, I can show the valid visa in my old passport to be allowed entry in the future.

The only issue that I encountered was my arrival in Brasil.  After an 8 hour flight from Miami, I had gone to the washroom soon after departing the plane.  I inadvertently ducked under a rope to reach the end of the line at immigration, an action which led to a pretty intimidating federal police interrogation and multiple threats to be repatriated immediately back to the US. 

My suggestion: 

**** Do not duck under any ropes in the immigration line and if possible use the washroom during the flight as soon as the last seat belt call is announced prior to landing.****

Once you make it here, I’m sure you’ll find that it’s well worth the hassle as it's really quite an incredible place. As a child, I always thought that musicals were absurd, because it was my belief that people would never just burst into song in real life.  I’ve seen folks erupt into song in Salvador da Bahia, and often. The occasion isn’t carnaval, but rather a Tuesday evening on public transportation. 

Pelourinho - Salvador da Bahia

Thank you Brasil, my love – for I’m now permitted to be held again in your embrace for 180 days per year over the next 10 years.  My heart overflows with gratitude to finally return. 

Sunset at Porto da Barra - Salvador da Bahia

The Visa on Arrival

The Grounds of Wat Pho

I had initially planned to stay in Bangkok for a maximum of one week and now it’s been a full 10 days.  As we waited for visa approval letters for Viet Nam during the holiday period, one day easily became two, which naturally became three.

I think after a couple of trips here, I’ve finally managed to fully grasp the concept of allowing myself to become a part of the traffic when crossing the street.  The traffic here is a sort of friendly chaos that makes crossing the street part instinctive, part intuition and all confidence that the approaching vehicles will effortlessly swerve around you if need be.  Everything is to be taken one lane at a time.

Khaosan Road at Night

The locations where we’ve stayed so far have been in close proximity to Khaosan Road, a well developed backpacker haven somewhat known for its debauchery.  Every evening the street explodes in bright collisions of colorful lights, with the bass lines of several dance tracks grooving at different intervals from the bars on the sidewalk and right now there’s no escaping ‘Gangnam Style’. It can be fun, but too much of a good thing can be an assault to the senses.  In contrast, a short ride on the Chao Phraya River will bring you to Wat Pho, where you can immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere while visiting the place where the largest reclining Thai Buddha resides.  It’s also possible partake in a massage at the excellent massage school on the premises.  I was fortunate to take a private long boat through several undulating curves of the city’s canal network and along the way had the chance to dangle bits of bread with my fingers into the water from the side of the boat to feed a large population of thick plump grey catfish with hungry oblong mouths.

Usually when the term ‘visa on arrival’ is used, it means that the entry visa is stamped in your passport at immigration when you arrive at a border with little preparation beforehand.  Although the visa for Viet Nam is consistently referenced as a visa on arrival, what I didn’t realize is that this visa is really a pre-arranged one.  This means that we had to obtain approval letters beforehand to be presented when entering immigration in order to obtain the actual tourist visa.  The visa approval letter did eventually arrive by email and I was very much looking forward to traveling to Ho Chi Minh City today only to be told this morning that my flight had been cancelled.

Inside the Long Boat

With yet another added day in Bangkok, I took the opportunity to revisit the Chao Phraya River. Gently rocked in the river’s bosom, I slowly fell into a light slumber amidst the sound of the water.  Although the boat was swaying, the surroundings today seemed eerily still as even the wind seemed to hold its breath.  I’m anticipating what tomorrow will bring and I’m quite certain that I’ll finally be on the way to my next destination.  In the meantime, I’ll enjoy the stockpile of mangosteens that I’ve gathered…those small dark purple coloured fruits with thick skin and citrusy flavor.  Like Bangkok, these delightful balls of perfection are slightly sour and incredibly sweet at the same time.