Some are not a surprise like Saudi Arabia , but Brazil?
I went to Brazil many moons ago and it didn't seem hard to get a visa.
Guess times have changed.
BUDGET TRAVEL TIPS
DO NOT ENTER: 8 Countries That Don't Roll Out the Welcome Mat
Some places are just a downright hassle to visit.
We'd never suggest you cross them off your list just because you have to jump
through some bureaucratic hoops, but here's what you need to know before you go!
By Fran Golden, Wednesday, Feb 26, 2014, 6:00 PM
http://www.budgettravel.com/feature/...t,7963/?page=1
BRAZIL
Apply at least a month in advance.
Fee: $160
Why Go: Rio de Janeiro being named site of the 2014 World Cup, the 2016 Olympics, and the Christ the Redeemer Statue making the list of New 7 Wonders of the World has helped boost Brazil's status as a must-do tourism destination in recent years—as if the giant party that is Carnival in Rio, the rain forests of the Amazon, the amazing Iguazú Falls, and one of the world's most beautiful cable car rides weren't enough.
Why It's Complicated: When it comes to visas, Brazil has a process made confusing by the fact that each of its consular and visa-services offices around the U.S. can set their own rules (you have to go to the office that covers the jurisdiction where you live—the list is on the embassy's website). For instance, the Los Angeles office, according to Habimana, has been known to ask married travelers making a solo trip to São Paulo to provide a letter from their spouse saying it's OK for them to make the journey. That rule doesn't apply in Atlanta, but the Atlanta office is known as one of the slowest—Habimana has seen visa processing take up to 24 working days there.
What to Do: First, call your consular office to find out what their specific requirements are for procuring a visa. Then give yourself at least a month to go through the process. The Brazilian visa is also among the priciest—$160, plus $20 if you don't present your application in person.
SAUDI ARABIA
At least two weeks in advance, if you can get one at all…
Fee: from $500 for a hajj (religious tourism) visa
Why Go: The holy Muslim cities of Mecca, to which all able Muslims must undertake a pilgrimage, and Medina are the country's big tourist calling cards. There are other sights of interest, too, including the ancient elaborately carved tombs of Madain Saleh, Saudi Arabia's version of Petra (as in Jordan, the temples at Madain Saleh were carved by the Nabataeans).
Why It's Complicated: But good luck going to see these amazing sites—Saudi Arabia discourages visits by U.S. citizens and is not currently issuing standard tourist visas. For those lucky enough to get approved, the rules are strict: female travelers under the age of 30 must travel with their husband or brother, or with a group—it is only OK for men and women to travel together if they can prove they are married or are part of a larger group.
What to Do: The embassy will occasionally make an exception for religious tourism, but you must apply through a licensed U.S. travel agency representing the consulate, and the prices are high (from $500 to $600 per visa if you're approved). If you are visiting as a business traveler, you need to have an invitation from a local company you are doing business with and visas can take months to process. Women visitors traveling alone need to be met by sponsors at the airport or may face delays in entering the country, according to the U.S. State Department. And overstaying your welcome is also not looked upon kindly—go beyond the dates on your visa, and you may face a fine of at least $2,667 and incarceration.
I went to Brazil many moons ago and it didn't seem hard to get a visa.
Guess times have changed.
BUDGET TRAVEL TIPS
DO NOT ENTER: 8 Countries That Don't Roll Out the Welcome Mat
Some places are just a downright hassle to visit.
We'd never suggest you cross them off your list just because you have to jump
through some bureaucratic hoops, but here's what you need to know before you go!
By Fran Golden, Wednesday, Feb 26, 2014, 6:00 PM
http://www.budgettravel.com/feature/...t,7963/?page=1
BRAZIL
Apply at least a month in advance.
Fee: $160
Why Go: Rio de Janeiro being named site of the 2014 World Cup, the 2016 Olympics, and the Christ the Redeemer Statue making the list of New 7 Wonders of the World has helped boost Brazil's status as a must-do tourism destination in recent years—as if the giant party that is Carnival in Rio, the rain forests of the Amazon, the amazing Iguazú Falls, and one of the world's most beautiful cable car rides weren't enough.
Why It's Complicated: When it comes to visas, Brazil has a process made confusing by the fact that each of its consular and visa-services offices around the U.S. can set their own rules (you have to go to the office that covers the jurisdiction where you live—the list is on the embassy's website). For instance, the Los Angeles office, according to Habimana, has been known to ask married travelers making a solo trip to São Paulo to provide a letter from their spouse saying it's OK for them to make the journey. That rule doesn't apply in Atlanta, but the Atlanta office is known as one of the slowest—Habimana has seen visa processing take up to 24 working days there.
What to Do: First, call your consular office to find out what their specific requirements are for procuring a visa. Then give yourself at least a month to go through the process. The Brazilian visa is also among the priciest—$160, plus $20 if you don't present your application in person.
SAUDI ARABIA
At least two weeks in advance, if you can get one at all…
Fee: from $500 for a hajj (religious tourism) visa
Why Go: The holy Muslim cities of Mecca, to which all able Muslims must undertake a pilgrimage, and Medina are the country's big tourist calling cards. There are other sights of interest, too, including the ancient elaborately carved tombs of Madain Saleh, Saudi Arabia's version of Petra (as in Jordan, the temples at Madain Saleh were carved by the Nabataeans).
Why It's Complicated: But good luck going to see these amazing sites—Saudi Arabia discourages visits by U.S. citizens and is not currently issuing standard tourist visas. For those lucky enough to get approved, the rules are strict: female travelers under the age of 30 must travel with their husband or brother, or with a group—it is only OK for men and women to travel together if they can prove they are married or are part of a larger group.
What to Do: The embassy will occasionally make an exception for religious tourism, but you must apply through a licensed U.S. travel agency representing the consulate, and the prices are high (from $500 to $600 per visa if you're approved). If you are visiting as a business traveler, you need to have an invitation from a local company you are doing business with and visas can take months to process. Women visitors traveling alone need to be met by sponsors at the airport or may face delays in entering the country, according to the U.S. State Department. And overstaying your welcome is also not looked upon kindly—go beyond the dates on your visa, and you may face a fine of at least $2,667 and incarceration.
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