What is that visa life all about?
Well, let me start at the beginning. I was born in Kenya but I carry a Congolese (DRC) passport. This passport that I proudly bear as a symbol of my roots is also a symbol of my greatest travel hurdle … the visa process.
Many people travel between countries with little to no issue and to some, the visa struggle is one that they have never experienced. However, people who carry my passport or one that is in a similar category, go through what feels like moving heaven and earth in order to gain entry into other countries. And this isn’t for immigration purposes (another story for another blog) but simply to visit: to see how others do life, to gain new perspectives and to enjoy some of the wonders that this world has to offer. The travel visa requirements vary by country and require an individual’s attentiveness to the asks in the application along with the required supporting documentation.
What do I mean by moving heaven and earth?
Well, before I get to South Africa or Dubai or even Toronto, I need to apply for visas online and show up at embassies/consulates in person, which usually means that I am getting on a bus, train or plane to get to an embassy or consulate. These offices are all usually located out of state (Massachusetts) in DC or New York, and I have to pay for the trips to get to these locations along with any and all associated visa processing fees. And all this doesn’t guarantee that I get the visa. Countries reserve the right to turn down visitors, which adds mounds of anxiety to an already high pressure process. You usually don’t get the visa immediately you submit an application and show up for an interview, which means that I have to get back home without knowing whether or not all this effort paid off a.k.a did I even get the travel visa? So, on average, this is what it takes for me to visit a different country.
Yes, folks – in this section of the blog, I will be documenting my visa application woes, joys, tips and tricks, which will hopefully empower you to be a savvy and empowered traveler in the process.
Buckle up folks – we are about to hit some rough air!
