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Visa advice please

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LesTiao
  9/7/2019 09:04 EST

I am so frustrated trying to obtain info for getting a visa.

My wife is has Cambodian passport. The internet sites say she is eligible for a :"On Arrival visa" but nothing about how many days are granted in the country.

We want to book flights so we need this information.

We have written to 6 different Nicaraguan consulates or Embassies and only one (in USA) has replied but only to send a visa application form. There are NO instructions where to send it, NO answer to confirm that a Visa On Arrival is available and therefore bring the form on arrival and most importantly NO answer to how many days is the duration of the visa.

Is this typical for Nicaragua Embassy personnel? Am I doing something wrong, any suggestions?

Does anyone know the answer to our questions?

Thank you.

elzorro
  9/7/2019 14:40 EST

Really can be certain as of a Cambodian passport. I can only tell you about my experience. When I asked for a visa before coming from the U.S. I was told I was going to get one upon arrival and did not need one before. Upon arrival I received a 90 days visa no questions asked.

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calsrf
  9/8/2019 18:34 EST

Yes very tipical for Nicaragua. In my case I would get ninety days. Bring a print out of the article about the "arrival" visa, especially if it is from an official site.

LesTiao
  9/8/2019 20:56 EST

Thank you for your reply. Are you from one of the Visa on Arrival countries listed here?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Nicaragua#Visa_on_arrival.

It lists the countries but does not specify the number of days. If I guess wrong the I pay $'s for flight changes. Frustrating the embassies are not helping.

LesTiao
  9/8/2019 21:02 EST

Yes you are one of the lucky countries I read that do not even need a visa, USA, UK, EU countries etc.

elduendegrande
  9/9/2019 08:07 EST

Assume 90, which is really 89, and hope for the best. As above, bring whatever written proof if a problem comes up.
At the airport you buy a tourist card, $10 US cash. The chicken scratch says 90 days.

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Melvinkelvin
  9/9/2019 10:33 EST

Be aware that the little slip of paper which represents your tourist visa will state that it is valid for 30 days only. It is not. Tourist visas are good for 90 days.

LesTiao
  9/9/2019 21:03 EST

Hi MelvinKelvin,
Thanks for the reply, so does this mean they could try and charge "overstay" fees beyond the 30 days ?
Does Nicaragua have overstay fees?

elduendegrande
  9/10/2019 09:37 EST

I don't get tourist cards because I am a resident, but it doesn't surprise me Nic still has the 30 day boilerplate. The usually illegible markings in the passport say 90 days. Ask or verbally request 90 days.
Overstays are no big legal problem, they charge you per day at the airport,

Travel for people from failed/failing nations is getting to be a bigger pita. I have a Nica wife and the visas are annoying if she can get them. Land borders are worse.

The only Nica friendly country in the region is Panama, with Guate OK, I think, if you go by air and don't pass thru Honduras.

If you think you need a photo copy of anything, or even if you don't, make 2 copies.

Melvinkelvin
  9/10/2019 09:46 EST

I've been coming and going there for some time. In spite of the misprint on the paper receipt, I've never experienced, nor have I heard of, anyone getting hit with a fine for overstaying based on a 30 day limit. Yes, there is a fine for overstaying the 90 day limit. It accumulates daily and is paid at the airport or border upon exiting the country. I don't recall the amount, but it's modest for most budgets.

elduendegrande
  9/10/2019 09:58 EST

Correction. Panama is Nica friendly but you need a yellow fever card to get back into Nic.

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elduendegrande
  9/10/2019 11:22 EST

Does your wife have a US green card or equivalent from other successful country? If so many countries will let her in despite her passport.

If so, make photocopies of both sides and carry them at all times with the green card.

JustSomeGuy
  9/11/2019 23:08 EST

Folks in Nic as tourists will visit Costa Rica and then come back as a tourist for another time period. Perhaps that would work for you if you get a short time as a tourist when you arrive.

LesTiao
  9/12/2019 04:37 EST

That is a great option for most passports but Costa Rica need a pre-approved visa for my wifes passport and that requires a police report from her home country and the application must be done from her home county also. Unfortunately not an option to do a border run.

johnchip
  10/4/2019 07:47 EST

My experience is when it comes to residencies and immigration, lawyers, internet advisors, translators all are coming 'off the wall' with advice (and fees). At the end, when I went and spoke in my innocent, respectful broken Spanish with the 'person in charge' of immigration. I was serviced quickly and with their help and respect. Respect goes a long way in the beaurocracy of Nicaragua immigration, as most are women working for other women and in the service of their country they respect. May sound 'corny', but this is a socialist country of poor people all seeking a better position in their world, and in the end, they want to have done the right thing and earn respect for doing so. If you have nothing to hide, you can just go ask. If out of the country, go to the nearest consulate. Don't waste your time or put your eggs in the basket of someone who does not have the authority to resolve your issue.

bhagyam
  12/7/2019 23:40 EST

Hi Tiao:

I have a green card and hold an Indian passport.

Here is what I learnt.. When you land there, your passport should be valid for at least 6 months... more the merrier.

I had to pay $50 (It was $40 2 years ago) because of my Indian passport.

I think you can go land in Managua, and they will provide you with a visa at the counter...as long as your passport is valid for 6 months or more.

Good Luck

Ranjit

elduendegrande
  12/9/2019 09:09 EST

Having a US green card is golden. Many countries will wave the consular visa for a US legal resident with a non-US passport. You have to read the fine print for each country.

Good you can travel freely, but with just an Indian passport the list of visa free travel would be short. Wikipedia has unofficial lists that give an idea.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Indian_citizens

Cambodians have a similar short list

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Cambodian_citizens

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