| Let the Adventure Begin! A Week-by-Week Guide to Moving Abroad
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18 Weeks Until Overseas Move: Passports & Entry Visas - Obtaining a Passport, Visa & Int'l Driving Permit
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Although there is a lot in the press these days about people taking "staycations" where they take their vacation at home, don't be lulled into thinking that means quicker processing of passports. There were many travelers affected a few years ago by the backups at the Passport Office who can tell you through hard experience that the sooner you apply for your passport the better. The last thing you want to worry about is not arriving on time for your first day of work in your new country because you haven't received your passport yet.
Even if you have an existing passport, don't assume that you are fine for your move. Check the expiration date as some countries refuse entry if your passport will be expiring in the near future. Always have photocopies of the passport stored in multiple locations for safety reasons. For example, a friend or family member who can fax it to you if it gets lost or you can carry an extra copy on you in a different place than your real passport in case you misplace it. Having a copy of the passport will expedite the replacement process if you find yourself in a situation where it is lost or stolen.
If you are applying for a new passport, when you get your passport photos taken, it would be a good idea to purchase some extras. That way if something happens to your passport, you have the photocopy and extra pictures to more easily get a new one. Also, once you have made your international move, you will likely want to do some traveling on your vacations and some countries that require tourist visas require photos and you will then already have those available.
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What is a visa? A visa allows you to travel to a country's port of entry and ask immigration to allow you entry to that country. It is still up to the judgment of the immigration officer to permit you entry. Whether you need a visa generally depends on your citizenship, the intended duration of the stay, and the activities that you may undertake in the country. Different countries apply different requirements for obtaining a visa which can include things like proof of health status, the ability to support oneself in the country, evidence of intent to eventually return to the person's home country, etc. Check with the embassy or consulate of the country to which you will be moving on exactly what the requirements are.
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| International Driver's Permit
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Many people discover that one of the unexpected benefits of a move abroad is the fact that sometimes owning a car and driving isn't necessary as public transportation might be a more efficient way to get around. It also might be less nerve wracking to take public transportation than to drive in unfamiliar surroundings where the rules of the road and habits of other drivers might be far different than you are used to. However, if your situation requires a car, make sure you apply for an International Driver's License.
AAA International Driver's Permit Section
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| This Issue Written by Kendra Redman
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Kendra Redman is a well traveled writer with a B.S. in
Journalism and a Master's in Writing. She has lived in
six countries and draws on her experience to write
about her adventures and misadventures. One of her
greatest travel accomplishments was once returning
from a trip with two end tables and two lamps as her
"carry on luggage."
She has been a contributor to websites such as
InsideOutmag.com, freshome.com, iVillage.com,
Vagablond.com and was a former country host for
ExpatExchange.com. Kendra can be reached at:
kredman2001@yahoo.com
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