Visa while sailing

[dohenyboy]

There have been occasions in small countries and isolated ports of entry in such small countries where a large bottle of whiskey has persuaded officials to bend the visa rules.


Why can't things remain where i carelessly left them?

[MarkJ]

The last 2 replies about bribing officials or just going in illegally are fraught with danger.

In some countries bribing an official could have quite severe consequences.

Visa in each country are different, and can be different depending on the passport holder (try getting a Columbian in anywhere). Noosite is best to research where you are heading to.

Play by the rukes and you will not serve jail time.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

The last 2 replies about bribing officials or just going in illegally are fraught with danger.



In some countries bribing an official could have quite severe consequences.



Visa in each country are different, and can be different depending on the passport holder (try getting a Columbian in anywhere). Noosite is best to research where you are heading to.



Play by the rukes and you will not serve jail time.

+1

Never be the "one" to offer a bribe.

Read the tea leaves and know before you go - if a bribe is requested or intimated, search your soul before compliying. It may take longer to clear your boat without little baksheesh but I don't know of anyone going to jail for not bribing...


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[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by mattnone

...a last minute decision to go into a port/country that requires a vise and we were not aware of this what would be the first protocol for getting one and would there be any repercussion? ...

First off as master of the vessel it is your responsibility to know. In today's Internet connected world there is really no good excuse for not knowing. All countries I've ever been to have official web sites such as consulate/embassy that list immigration requirements. Sites such as NoonSight have unofficial, but generally good info. And you can post here with specific questions.

Generally, as stated, the requirements are no different based on mode of transportation. If you require a pre-authorized visa for visiting a given country then you will be required to apply for one before arriving on a boat.

Bear in mind that a country does not have any obligation to allow you entry. They may just simply deny entry if your papers are not in order...then you are in a pickle: you can sail back to where you came from and correct your papers or attempt to sail into somewhere else which may also deny you entry.

There is no upside to showing up unprepared.

[dohenyboy]

In a lot of these little countries the border control people don't always have access to the list of permitted visitors. Or the list they have is often wrong. One tropical country which many of you visit has the correct data in their computer systems but the consulate/airline system is different.my friends who work in immigration know about it but tell me that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs fails to correct the problem. How do you comply with rules when there is only a semblance of a state?
In other countries, try finding the actual immigration regulations. Its almost impossible. No one knows anything. I spent 2 hours at one government office waiting for them to find the applicable regulations.

Why can't things remain where i carelessly left them?