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Visa Requirements
For all our tours travellers must investigate their personal visa requirements and obtain/be in possession of a valid visa and a passport valid for min 6 months, in advance of travelling. No visa costs are included on any of our tours. We provide this chart as a guideline only. Please contact your own embassy for current visa information.
The Imaginative Traveller recommends www.travcour.com for all visa processing. Remember, no refund will be given if you are refused entry as a result of an incorrect visa.
| Country | UK | Ireland | EU | Australia | NZ | Canada | S. Africa | USA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Argentina | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Belize | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N |
| Benin | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Bhutan 1 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Botswana | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N |
| Brazil | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Bulgaria | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Cambodia/Laos 2 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Chile 3 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| China 4 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Costa Rica | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Croatia | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Cuba | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Czech Republic | N | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N |
| Ecuador | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Egypt 5 | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) | Y | Y (aoa) |
| Estonia 6 | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Ethiopia | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Finland | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Gambia | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Ghana | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Greece | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Guatemala | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Hong Kong 4 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Hungary | N | N | N | Y | N | N | Y | N |
| Iceland | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| India | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Indonesia | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Iran 7 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Italy | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Japan | Y | Y | Y (aoa) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Jordan | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Kazakhstan 8 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Kenya 9 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Kyrgyzstan 8 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Laos 2 | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Latvia | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Lebanon | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) | Y | Y (aoa) |
| Lesotho | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Lithuania | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Madagascar | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Malawi | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Malaysia & Borneo | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Mali | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Mexico | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N |
| Mongolia | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Morocco | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Mozambique | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Namibia | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Nepal | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| New Zealand | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y |
| Norway | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Pakistan | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Peru | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Poland | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Romania | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Russia 10 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Rwanda | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) | N | Y (aoa) | N |
| Senegal | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Slovakia | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Slovenia | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| South Africa | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| South Korea | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Spain | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Sri Lanka | Y | Y | Y (aoa) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Swaziland | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Sweden | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Syria 7 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Tanzania/Zanzibar 9 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Thailand | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Tibet 4 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Togo | N | N | N | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) | N | Y (aoa) | N |
| Tunisia | N | N | N | Y (aoa) | Y | N | Y (aoa) | N |
| Turkey | N | N | Y (dn) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Uganda | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Uzbekistan 8 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Vietnam | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Zambia | Y (aoa) | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
| Zimbabwe | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) | Y | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) | Y (aoa) |
Notes
- Y = Visa required
- N = Not required
- Y (aoa) = Visa available on arrival
- Y (dn) = Visa normally required, but dependent on nationality
Requirements are dependent on nationality. Please note that in most cases where it is possible to enter a country without a visa a maximum stay (usually of at least 30 days) applies. If your visit is likely to exceed the maximum stay you may need to apply for a visa or an extension in country.
Visa Requirements
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a valid passport and visa for your travels. A passport valid for a minimum of 6 months is required for all tours operated by The Imaginative Traveller. Visa costs are never included in the price of holidays featured in this brochure. We can take no responsibility for any traveller who is not in possession of the correct visas. We regret that no refund can be given if you are refused entry as a result of an incorrect visa. We stress that the following information should be used as a guide only and all information is subject to change without notice. You must double check your visa requirements with your travel agent, visa service or nearest relevant Embassy or Consulate before you travel. If your nationality is not listed please check your visa requirements with your nearest relevant Embassy or Consulate.
Footnotes
1. Bhutan
Due to the limited number of travellers allowed into Bhutan, visa requirements are strict. Visa applications are processed by the Imaginative Traveller and all information must be received at least 5 weeks prior to departure. A maximum stay of 10 days is allowed and you must hold an onward air ticket, all documents required for your next destination and proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
2. Cambodia & Laos
Where possible we recommend that you obtain Cambodian & Lao visas in advance either in your home country or in a neighbouring country (i.e. Thailand or Vietnam). If this is not possible visas can often be obtained on arrival however if you plan to do this it is very important that you contact your nearest Cambodian / Lao Embassy or Consulate for up to date information shortly before you travel as this service is occasionally withdrawn.
3. Chile
Citizens of the US, Canada and Australia must pay an arrival tax. This costs US$30-100.
4. China - Tibet - Hong Kong
Entry into Hong Kong from the mainland is treated as an exit from China. Anyone planning to re-enter the mainland must have a double entry visa or re-apply for a new visa in Hong Kong. If entering Tibet from China you should NOT mention your visit to Tibet on your application for a Chinese visa (a Tibetan group tourist permit will be organised by our agents upon your arrival in China and is included in your tour cost). If entering Tibet from Nepal it is not necessary for you to obtain a Chinese visa. A group permit for travel to Tibet will be arranged at the start of the tour.
5. Egypt
Although most nationalities (except South Africans and those from Eastern Europe) can obtain a visa on arrival in Egypt, we recommend where possible that visas are obtained in advance to avoid potential problems. Multiple entry visas cannot be obtained on arrival in Egypt.
6. Estonia
South African citizens can enter Estonia with a valid Latvian or Lithuanian visa.
7. Syria & Iran
Entry to Syria and Iran will be refused if you are an Israeli citizen or if Israel is listed as your place of birth. Entry will also be refused to all other nationalities if your passport contains evidence of travel to Israel, even if you have been granted a Syrian or Iranian visa. Note that this restriction is not confined to having an Israeli visa stamp in your passport; if you have a Jordanian or Egyptian entry or departure stamp, obtained at an Israeli border, you will also be denied entry. Visas MUST be obtained in advance and you should allow plenty of time for this process (visas for Iran can take up to 6 weeks to arrange).
8. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan
Many nationalities require an invitation letter in order to obtain a visa for these countries. Please consult your trip dossier for futher information.
9. Kenya & Tanzania
Visas for Kenya and Tanzania are available on arrival for most nationalities. However note that if you are arriving overland, purchasing a visa can be time consuming. You should therefore consider purchasing these in advance.
10. Russia
We will provide you with a visa authorisation letter and service voucher to enable you to arrange your Russian visa. In order to do this we will require your full passport information and confirmation of the city where you wish to process the application at least 30 days before the tour starts. Please consult your trip dossier for further information.