I do know you have to have one to enter some countries, but I don't know why or when or which countries you need them for. How do they work? Thanks.

There isn't a lot of discussion about them here on this forum, because the majority of visitors are americans traveling to countries in europe where they are not required (essentially all of Western europe, maybe virtually all of Eastern and middle east also - - not sure on those details).<BR><BR>A visa is permission to enter a country required, depending on your country of origin and the country you want to visit. You need to check resources provided by the Secretary of State or Minister of State or Ambassador to the country you want to visit - - from the country where you are a citizen.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

once again rex says nothing in 2 paragraphs--what is a "minister of state"? tell me what countries have a "minister of state"

&lt;&lt;tell me what countries have a "minister of state"&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>I was indeed guessing on the term used from one country to another.<BR><BR>but since you asked: Canada, for sure - - see http://www.pco-bcp.gc.ca/lgc - - maybe Australia? Take a look at www.fed.gov.au for example - - I don't know where to start; maybe a schoolkid there with any class in civics knows.<BR><BR>I bet anything there are others; I don't think that the term "Secretary" is all that widespread.<BR><BR>It would appear that it's not always even the "State department".<BR><BR>Rita called herself "nitaoverseas" - - who knows what citizenship she holds?<BR>

topping<BR>

Forget the Visa. Bring your American Express Platinum, Rita!<BR><BR>

A visa is a stamp or a sticker (or sometimes a seperate document) put by a foreign government's representative (normally a Consulate or Embassy) in one's passport. When you are from a "rich" country (USA, Canada, all EU countries, Norway, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, and a few others) you normally do not need a visa to visit other "rich" countries for short stays. (up to one month, 3 months or 6 months depending on the country)<BR>A general rule seems to be that the poorer and less attractive the country you want to visit, the greater the chance you will need a visa. Some countries require visas from (almost) *all* foreigners (Russia), while others require visas only from citizens of certain countries. The best passport in terms of fewest visas needed is a Swedish passport, second best is a Netherlands passport.

Basically, a Visa is a proof (usually a stamp in your passport) that you've been allowed to enter a country by the government of said country. <BR><BR>Visas can be required for many reasons. In some countries it's mainly a way to make money since you've to pay for it. A kind of tax on tourism. In others visas are actually used to control who enters the country. Or they can be required from the visitors from a given country because there's some political issue between the two countries. In our rich countries, they're usually used to prevent illegal immigration.<BR><BR>Getting a visa can be a matter of minutes like asking for one at the boundary and pay whatever is required, or a lenghty process during which you've to say why you want to enter the country, where you intend to stay, prove you've enough money on your bank account to pay for your expenses during your stay, provide an invitation by a local or a reservation in a hotel,are part of a tour group, show your return ticket, whatever.... For instance, most arab countries are well known for refusing visas to anybody who has an Israeli stamp on his passport.<BR><BR>The US used to require, when you applied for a Visa, that you would fill a form stating amongst other things that you didn't enter the country with the intent to kill the president (and also to say if you were or used to be member of the communist party). I don't know if it's still true.<BR><BR>As already stated, getting a visa is much harder from citizens from poor countries, to the point it can be pretty much impossible for them to get one if they aren't some well known rich investor or sport champion.

Say [email protected], would you mind getting off Rex's butt? If you have a problem with his posts (too long one time, too short another) then take it up with him via e-mail rather than waste time showing off your boorishness. Your posts add nothing beyond sniping at the posts of someone who is trying to help.

So, where is Rita, to clear this up?<BR>

to the top<BR>

Here I am, and thanks for all the information. It appears to me, I won't need one when I go to Germany from the UK.

But... just to clarify...<BR><BR>Do you hold a passport from the UK?<BR><BR>Or are you an overseas visitor there?<BR><BR>

I live in Texas and created a hotmail account ("n" was a the trip to the UK and Germany this summer.

Sorry, some of the paragraph did not post for some reason. <BR><BR>The "n" was a typo in my e-mail address. I plan to visit England and Germany this summer. Thought I might need a visa to enter Germany.

i've got 3 visas and 2 mastercards a discover and an american express card.

Since you are in The US here is where you need to go on the web.http://travel.state.gov/<BR>http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html<BR>

Not sure why rita would need to visit that state department page. From the info here, it seems pretty clear that she does not need a visa for travel to either country. The only possible exceptions would be if she planned to get a job, or maybe if she planned to stay more than six months.<BR>

Please. This is obviously a troll. Well done, Rita.

E-mail her.<BR>