Travel America » Passport Travel

Travel in Safety in South Africa

admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:20:48 +0000

Welcome to South Africa.

We want your visit to South Africa to be special and filled with great memories; and we hope that you will visit again and again.

The Republic of South Africa lies at the southern end of the vast African continent, flanked by the Indian Ocean on the east and the Atlantic on the west. It is bordered by Namibia to the north-west, Botswana and Zimbabwe to the north, and by Mozambique to the north-east. South Africa’s area is one eighth the size of the United States and more than 5 times larger than Great Britain.

The various population groups of South Africa have combined to create a society of diverse historical and cultural backgrounds, which has often been described as a fascinating ethnic mosaic. Our country has a lot to offer. From wide-open spaces to a variety of modern cities. From wildlife to tribal life.

We access the situation as follows:

* Stay clear of the center of major cities at night and should you wish to go somewhere, please get the accommodation to get a taxi.

* Do not tour the Wild Coast of Transkei on your own.

* Talk to the local people before venturing into those unknown areas on your own.

* There is a great deal of goodwill to foreigner visitors.

The following hints to make your stay enjoyable and safe.

There are a few basic precautions you should take to ensure that your stay is as pleasant and safe as possible.

You could reduce the possibility of becoming a victim of crime.

Taking the following precautions:

At The Hotel:

* Never leave your luggage unattended.

* Hand the keys in at the desk whenever you depart the hotel.

* Carry a certified copy of your passport and travel documents with you at all times.

* Keep your room locked.

* Check who it is before opening the door in the hotel.

* Store all valuables in the hotel’s safety deposit box, including cash, jewellery and cameras.

* Be observant when entering parking or unlit areas.

In The Street:

* Carry your camera in a shoulder bag.

* It’s definitely not advisable to carry large amounts of money around.

* Whenever possible, do not walk alone.

* Explore our country in groups and stay in well-lit, busy streets.

* At night, steer clear of dark, isolated areas.

* A police or traffic officer will gladly direct you if you get lost.

* If you want to call a taxi, your hotel can recommend a good reliable service.

* When walking in the street be observant and guard against snatchers, pick-pockets.

* Carry your bag close to your body.

* Keep your change in your wallet, and credit cards and notes in an inside pocket.

In The Car:

* Keep the car doors locked at all times and wind the windows up.

* Plan your route in advance, and be sure of sufficient fuel.

* Make sure your vehicle is in good mechanical order.

* Use maps, and when in doubt as to the safety of specific areas, or which route to take, ask the police.

* Do not leave packages or personal items on the seats of the car.

* Park in well-lit areas at night.

* Never pick up any hitchhiker.

General:

* Keep a list of emergency numbers close at hand in case of an emergency.

* Be alert at all times.

* When using an elevator, always make sure that you are at ease with fellow users before entering.

* Avoid displays of expensive jewellery.

* Do not show large amounts of money.

* Should you possess a firearm, hand it in at your bank for safe keeping, unless you plan on carrying it on your person the whole time.

If you see any suspect activity, or experience an emergency please call the South African police emergency number: 10111

By: Gerald Crawford

Canadian Passport Requirements – Ensure That You Can Travel to the USA on Time

admin — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:31:40 +0000

I’ve just found a great deal on a trip to Miami, what documents do I need to have in order to travel?

This is a common questions that I am presented with. It is important to consider the requirements before booking an international trip of any kind: you would hate to miss your vacation due to being turned away at the airport!

You will need a passport. As of January 2007, Canadians flying into the USA require passports. You are still allowed to travel by car, train or bus without a passport, but by January 2008 these travelers require passports as well. I recommend getting a passport now if you have travel plans of any kind. Your passport should be valid until at least six (6) months after your return to Canada.

How do I get a passport, and how long does it take?

This depends on your situation, if you have a Canadian passport issued after January 2002 there is a new simplified process to obtain a new passport. Canadian Citizens applying for their first passport, or renewing a passport issued before 2002 have a more complicated application to submit. If you are a Permanent Resident (Landed Immigrant) of Canada, you are not allowed to apply for a Canadian Passport, and must follow a different process altogether.

All application forms/ instructions are available at your local post office. Be sure to check with Passport Canada for unique situations (my passport was stolen!), updates and office locations for applying in person.

Simplified Passport Renewal

If you are an adult looking to renew a passport that was issued after January 31 2002, and you do not need to change your name, replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport, you may be able to take advantage of the new simplified passport application. This option is available only to those that are residing in Canada and were 16 years of age or older and residing in Canada when the previous passport was issued.

This application allows you to skip the Guarantor process, and avoid submitting proof of identity, as well your birth certificate or citizenship card. You must submit the application form, two (2) new photographs, a processing fee of $87, and your previous passport.
Passports applied for in person can be ready in as little as two (2) weeks. Passports applied for by mail will take at least six (6) weeks.

Standard Passport Application

For those who do not have an adult passport issued after January 31, 2002, you must use the full application. This could be your first passport application, you were under 16 when your last passport was issued or you are residing outside of Canada.

For these applications you need to have a guarantor, but new rules allow almost everyone to have access to someone that can sign for them. Many Canadians by virtue of holding a passport themselves can now act as guarantors. You will be required to submit the application form, a fee of $87, proof of identity (ie. Driver’s Licence), two (2) photographs and original proof of citizenship.

Like the Simplified Application, passports applied for in person can be ready in as little as two (2) weeks, six (6) weeks by mail.

What if I am a Permanent Resident (Landed Immigrant) of Canada, not a Citizen?

You will need to ensure that you have a valid Permanent Resident (PR) Card. This is required to return to Canada after your trip. If you are unsure of the procedure to obtain a PR Card, you should get in touch with an Immigration Specialist like myself, or Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Generally PR Cards take about 6-8 weeks to process.

You will also need to carry a valid passport from your Country of Citizenship. If this passport is not current you will need to contact that country’s embassy or consulate in Canada to apply. Be aware that the length of time, fees, and the amount of documentation required varies greatly country to country. Some will be able to renew an existing passport the same day, others will find that it takes several months and involves a lot of supporting documents.

Depending on the passport you carry, you may need a visa in order to enter the United States. The United States does not view Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residence in the same way. The American authorities will treat you as a Citizen of the country whose passport you are carrying. Be sure to check out this requirement several months before you want to travel: American visas often take weeks or months to arrange.

Common Mistakes

When making an application of any type ensure that it is signed! Make sure you have included everything asked for on the checklist including the fee.
If your passport applications requires you to provide original proof of citizenship, make sure you know where your Birth Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship is! Passport Canada will not accept your current Canadian Passport as proof of citizenship. If you need to replace a Birth Certificate or Citizenship document, be sure to apply well ahead of time!

Be sure to carefully read all instructions from Passport Canada before applying.

By: Christopher Daw