Hi guys,
Was wondering if you guys when applying for a toursit visa disclose the fact that you will be travelling through the land borders when applying for a visa.
For example, for my pakistani visa application i did mention it, and as a result i may have to wait a month or more, as i have to write in formally to the Singaporean Pakistan office who will then send it to Pakistan for approval. Alternatively i could have kept my mouth shut and got a tourist visa in a few days.

What do you guys normally do?
Cheers
Dalbir

Hi Dalbir

I think your experience applying for the Pakistani visa speaks for itself. A useful rule of the road is: 'Never volunteer information.' This applies whether you are seeking visas, crossing borders or dealing with bureaucrats or banks in your home country.

Many people (unenlightened, miserable people) think that travelling overland for long periods on a motorcycle is demented, and will make unfair judgments about your moral character and sanity as a result of your disclosing your intentions to them.

So, best not to tell them! Don't tell your bank that you're leaving the country to travel overland on a bike, or you may suddenly find that they want their credit cards back.

Don't tell the vehicle registration office that you're out of the country when it comes time to renew your registration, or they might insist you fly the bike back home in order to do so (this has actually happened to more than one traveller, including us!)

For some useful info on crossing borders, see this link:

Don't think of all this as being deceitful, think of it as just not confusing officials with too many facts, so as not to give them an excuse to say 'No'.

Cheers


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Susan Johnson

'One world, two wheels'
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com



[This message has been edited by Susan (edited 20 February 2003).]

__________________
Susan Johnson

Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Hi Susan,
Thanks for the reply. I thought so too, just wanted to see what u guys normally do. An underwriter for my travel insurance has pulled out from insuring me, cause he saw the newspaper article in which i was interviewed. You are right, the less info the better. Will see how this goes now.
Thanks and keep up the great work!

[This message has been edited by Dalbir (edited 20 February 2003).]

Hi ;

Same experience here. I informed Indian embassy of my intention to enter the country from Pakistan through Wagah and had to wait for about five weeks for visa.

But i am learning fast.