.....Visa Requirements
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Visa Requirements in Asia
FAR EAST
China and Mongolia require advanced visas, while North Korea is a bit of a tricky one! Otherwise it's fairly simple.
Japan
90 days without visa, onward or return ticket required.
South Korea
90 days without visa, onward or return ticket required.
North Korea
Visas are required to enter North Korea. Only permitted to enter through guided tour, independent travel isn’t possible.
China
Visa required in advance, from Chinese embassy or travel service. Can be arranged in Hong Kong. Special permits are required for travel to Tibet.
Hong Kong
180 days without visa.
Macao
3 months without visa.
Taiwan
90 days without visa, can be extended by 90 days once in Taiwan.
Mongolia
Visa required from Mongolian Embassy before visit. Usually 30 day visas issued.
SOUTH EAST ASIA
South East Asia is a backpacker mecca so well used to receiving thousands of travellers each year. This isn't always a good thing as some of the governments and officials have wised up to ways to make money out of backpackers as they enter/depart their country.
Vietnam
Visa required, get before travel or on arrival for $25 if you apply online through one of the companies offering this service. 90 days normally given.
Laos
30 day visa can be obtained on arrival for $30. Check before travelling as changes are common. Visas can be obtained in advance from the Lao Embassy in Bangkok or Hanoi.
Cambodia
1 month visa can be obtained on arrival at airports and most border posts for $20.
Thailand
30 days without visa if arriving by air. 15 days without visa if arriving at land crossings. For longer stays you can get an extension. 60 day visas can be arranged at the Thai embassy in London for £28.
Myanmar (Burma)
28 day visa issued on arrival at Mandalay and Rangoon Airports for $30. Can be obtained before visit from Burmese Embassy. You are required to exit from the same port as where you entered. There are limited border crossings open to tourists and travel is restricted in many regions.
Malaysia
3 months without visa.
Singapore
30 days without visa.
Indonesia
30 day visa issued on arrival for $25. Can be extended for 30 days.
Brunei
30 days without visa.
East Timor`
30 day visa issued on arrival for $30.
The Philippines
21 days without visa. For longer visits 59 day visas can be obtained from the Philippine Embassy.
SOUTH ASIA
This part of the world takes a fair amount of planning as several countries require visas in advance. It should be fairly easy to arrange visas before leaving home thanks to the large South Asian community in the UK which ensure there are many embassys and consulates. Online immigration is becoming more common also, which makes things a fair amount easier.
India
Visa must be obtained before visiting India. Visa is valid for 6 months from the day you get it. The Indian Embassy has outsourced visa issuing so visit http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/ for visa.
Pakistan
Visa required before visit. Many areas are consider very dangerous for British and other nationalities including Lahore close to the Indian border, so do plenty of research before visiting.
Sri Lanka
30 day visa issued on arrival free of charge.
Bangladesh
Visa required to enter Bangladesh. Online immigration has recently been introduced http://www.immi.gov.bd/
Bhutan
Visa required prior to travelling. Travel is highly restricted and you can only enter at certain points.
Nepal
Visa required for travel to Nepal. Multiple entry visas can be obtained from Nepal Embassy. £20 for 15 days, £35 for 30 days, £75 for 90 days.
The Maldives
30 day visa issued on arrival
CENTRAL ASIA
Not exactly a backpacking hotbed and it's unlikely to change any time soon while visa restrictions remain so much hassle.
Kazakhstan
30 day visa must be obtained from nearest Kazakh embassy before visit
Uzbekistan
Visa must be obtained from Uzbek embassy before visit.
Turkmenistan
Visa and letter of invitation required. Letter can be obtained from travel agents.
Afghanistan
Visa required before visit. £50 for one month.
Tajikistan
Visa required before visit. Normally eligible for 2 months.
Kyrgyzstan
Visa on arrival at Manas airport, otherwise obtain before visit. One month visas can be extended by two months whilst on the country.
MIDDLE EAST
The Middle East is forever portraid as some screwed up fanatical warzone by the media but actually the vast majority of it is fascinating and safe to visit. Nonetheless sorting out a visa is a pain but a necessary pain if you want to head to this region. People who have visited Israel will have big problems getting into some of these countries so if you are in that position it may be worth applying for a second or new passport before you go.
Iran
Visa required and should be obtained well in advance of visit. £95 for month visa from Iranian Embassy in London. Entry refused if you have any evidence of visiting Israel.
Iraq
Visa required in advance unless travelling only to Kurdistan, in which case you can get it on arrival.
Syria
Visa required. Stays of greater than 15 days you will need to extend visa in country. You won’t get in if you have a stamp in your passport that shows you have visited Israel.
Lebanon
Apply for visa on arrival. This is free at airports, but may have small cost at road crossings. You may not be allowed in if you have a stamp in your passport that shows you have visited Israel.
Israel & The Palestinian Territories
No visa required for stays of upto three months. Things are alot more complicated if you want to visit Gaza and the Palestinian territories and you should research the current situation. Be aware that you will almost certainly get your passport stamped when entering Israel even if you ask them not to, and this will prevent you from travelling to a number of other countries in the region.
Jordan
Visa on arrival at any port except those bordering Israel. Cost is 10 Jordanian Dinars for 1 month and can be extended by 3 months once in the country.
Saudi Arabia
Visa required before visit and should be obtained from a Saudi accredited travel agent.
UAE
30 day visa issued on arrival and can be extended by 30 days in the country.
Oman
Visa on arrival can be obtained at all ports of entry. 1 month combined tourist/business visa costs 6 OR.
Qatar
Visa on arrival. Apply in advance.
Yemen
Visas must be obtained in advance from Yemeni Embassy.
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