 Travel Links
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Much as I try to argue that we're all 'World-Citizens, Man', it just doesn't seem to impress too many immigration officials these days. So it's probably best that you find out if they'll let you in before you turn up at the border.
Use these sites to find out if you need a visa in the first place, and if you do, then search for foreign embassies in your country, or your embassy abroad, or even foreign embassies abroad, the permutations are endless (much like the application procedures). It may be a lot of hassle, but it's a lot easier (and cheaper) than getting sent home.
If you know of a site which I have missed and which you think highly of, click  submit a link - if it's as good as you say, I'll include it. | 
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All links open in a new window. |
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Embassy World |
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You can search Embassy World to find any particular country's embassy or consulate in any other country, or alternatively, to find which countries are represented in your chosen country.
It will list those embassies with websites, and those without, as well as providing other useful info, including the time-saving  map search. which submits your chosen country to several map websites, and returns a wide range of maps to explore. |
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It's definitely not comprehensive - it'll be many years yet before every embassy on the planet manages to drag itself online. Consequently the site focuses more on developed nations who have joined the online revolution, but nonetheless, it has more embassy listings than any other embassy site I've come across, and it doesn't take long to search, so it's worth a try.
Rather than using the search box, you may prefer to select from the alphabetical list and go straight to the host or guest nation's full entries. |
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Expedia - Passport/Visa Info |
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Visa-requirements information from the last-minute specialists.
Choose your destination from the map or the extensive list of countries and Expedia will provide detailed information about who needs what visa, for how long and how much. |
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I've never been a fan of Expedia, but their passport/visa section is one of the best I've come across.
You may find their country listing (by region rather than alphabetically) slightly annoying. In the absence of an A-Z list, your best strategy is to click directly on the map, rather than searching through the haphazard regional list.
Their list of countries appears near-comprehensive and the level of information given for each country is exceptionally high. |
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F.C.O. Travel Advice |
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The U.K. Foreign & Commonwealth Office website provides official travel advice for U.K. citizens.
The travel advisories are continually updated as war, terrorism and oppression ebb and flow in particular countries (or around particular disputed borders).
Much of the site is irrelevant to us, but two sections we are interested in are the Country Profiles (which provide facts and figures summarising each country's political systems, geography, industry, economy, ethnicity etc.) and the Country Advice section which has a 'hotlist' of the regions that F.C.O. currently advise against travelling to (scroll down for this), and provides information (via the drop down menu) and current official U.K. travel advice for anywhere in the world. |
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The site looks good, works well, and has an effective navigation system - a rare feat in any website, let alone a government one.
The Country Profiles are not as thorough as those in the CIA Factbook or the Library of Congress' Country Studies but they are well presented, and still well worth reading.
The Country Advice section has a hot-list of hot-spots (which will remind you just how unstable much of our little planet is) and an advisory for everywhere. Remember of course that the F.C.O. will tend to err on the side of caution (since a lawsuit from your parents would be rather messy) so compare their advice with that from all your other sources.
Forewarned is forearmed, however, and only an idiot would go to the showdown without getting the lowdown.
The rest of the site is mostly dull stuff about running an empire. |
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U.K. Passport Service |
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Apply for your U.K. passport online. Just fill in the online form, wait for the postman, sign the form and send it back. Easy.
The site also contains info on what to do if your passport is lost or stolen.
For general enquiries dial 0870 521 0410 |
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One of the most user-friendly forms I've seen online, and having just recently applied for my passport via this form, I can vouch for it. A hassle-free procedure - as long as you remember to include your photos!
Remember: when applying for visas, and often when appearing at borders, many (read 'most') countries require that your passport has at least 6 months life left. The passport office will credit up to 9 months unused time onto your new passport, so this gives you a 3-month period to get it renewed without compromising your right to roam too much.
The process takes 2 to 3 weeks. Go check your passport. |
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U.S. Dept. of State |
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Official U.S. Government advice, but still mostly relevant to U.K. travellers.
Consular information sheets (detailing health conditions, minor political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, drug penalties and more.) are available for every country in the world (except USA, of course).
Travel Warnings are issued for countries where the U.S. government advises against travel.
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This part of the site (the only part we're interested in) has an extensive list of countries (scroll down for them). Click on a country and you'll get the most up to date 'situation report' available. The depth of report will vary depending on the nature of the country, but typical entries include customs regulations, traffic safety, criminal penalties, cultural differences etc. Look out for any 'Travel Warnings' underneath your chosen country, which will supersede the main entry. |
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Visa Requirements Database |
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The online form, powered by the Timatic database, provides extensive visa information for the nationality and destination of your choice. |
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The Timatic Database was the best thing since sliced bread, then I got broadband, and it never worked for me again. It may work for you though, so give it a try. If it works, you'll get the most accurate and detailed account of your visa requirements available.
The form also allows you to specify your departure country and any transit-countries. |
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idiot guide
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