Visas and Passport Information
Depending on the country you visit and where you are from, you must obtain a travel Visa. A travel Visa allows a visitor to stay in that country for a set period of time.
There are many types of visas including holiday visas, working visas and entry visas. Some countries will require you to contact their embassy in your home country and apply for a visa prior to leaving your home country. In this case, ensure you leave yourself enough time to apply as some embassies may take a month or so to process those applications. Other countries allow you to enter the country and apply for an entry visa on arrival while others have online applications. Each country is different. You will need to check online or by contacting the country’s embassy.
Ensure you have at least 6 months from your departure date on your Passport or you may experience difficulty entering some countries. You should check these requirements at the time you enquire about your Visa.
Travel Insurance Information
Travel insurance is compulsory when you book a project through O2E. Ensure that your travel insurance provider can offer you the appropriate Travel and Medical cover. When taking out insurance, read the policy carefully and ask questions if it is not clear or there are omissions.
O2E does not recommend travel insurance providers, however, we can point you in the right directions. Companies that MAY be able to assist you with your insurance needs are:
- Volunteer Card
- 1Cover
- World Nomads
Insurance providers typically like to change their insurance policies each year so be sure to ask lots of questions about the “ifs” and “buts” of while you’re away.
Travel Checklist
Before You Go
Check the latest travel advice for your proposed destination. The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issues up to date travel advice at http://smartraveller.gov.au/countries/Pages/default.aspx. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office issues up to date travel advice at http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/
Organise comprehensive travel insurance and ensure it covers you for the destinations you plan to visit and the activities you plan to undertake.
Check that your passport has at least 6 month’s validity from your planned date of return.
Check out if you are considered a dual national of any of the countries you intend to visit and if so, find out if holding a dual nationality has any implications for your travel. You should contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or countries you plan to visit to obtain this information.
Find out early what the visa requirements are for your destinations by contacting the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of the countries you plan to visit.
Leave a copy of your travel documents – passport, itinery, tickets, visas and insurance policy with your family or a friend and take a copy with you.
See a travel doctor as soon as your travel is confirmed to discuss travel health issues and to allow time for any recommended vaccinations.
Check out any medications you plan to take with you are legal at your destinations by contacting the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of the countries you plan to visit. If in doubt, you could consider carrying a letter from the doctor detailing what your medicine is, and that it is for personal use.
Organise a variety of ways of accessing money overseas, such as debit and credit cards, travellers’ cheques and cash easily convertible currencies.
While you’re away
Always obey the laws of the countries you are visiting, even if they are different from those in your own country.
Don’t use, carry or get involved with drugs overseas. Consular assistance cannot override local law, and in some countries the death penalty or life imprisonment is imposed for drug offences.
Respect local cultures and customs, dress appropriately and always ask permission before taking photos of people.
Coming Home
Be aware of current quarantine import restrictions so that you avoid bringing back items of quarantine concern. You must declare all food, plant or animal products on your Incoming Passenger Card. For more information, visit the customs and quarantine websites in your own country.
Packing List
It is important to be prepared for anything and everything when travelling on one of
our projects. Our project information guides feature a comprehensive packing list of things you need to pack for your time away.
Vaccinations
We advise you to consult your GP or travel health centre for up-to-date information about vaccinations. Since we are not medical experts, our advice on vaccinations and other medical matters can only be informal. Ensure you discuss the countries and specific regions you are going to live and work in with your doctor as some countries require you to have certain vaccinations prior to your entry into the country, for example, yellow fever is required in many African countries.
