When it comes to a perfect apple pie recipe, take Martha Stewart’s advice. Ditto for decorating your kitchen. But when it comes to travel, you might want to think twice.
The lifestyle diva was denied a business visa to the UK last week, where she was to conduct meetings with a number of British companies and business leaders.
The reason? Stewart had been convicted on four counts of obstructing justice in 2004. The British Borders Agency said “we continue to oppose the entry to the UK of individuals where we believe their presence in the United Kingdom is not conducive to the public good or where they have been found guilty of serious criminal offenses abroad.”
Stewart is appealing the decision.
She isn’t the first celebrity denied a visa. In February, Amy Winehouse was denied a visa to attend the Grammys in the US, and in March, the UK denied rapper millionaire Snoop Dogg a visa for a series of concerts.
According to the US State Department, 6,444,256 non-immigrant (visitor) visas were granted in 2007. Many visitors coming to the US as tourists don’t need a visa, but business visitors, students, temporary workers and exchange visitors all need visas regardless of their home country.
If you think only a few visa applications to the US are denied, think again. In 2007, the US State Department denied 2,098,744 visa applications.
So what’s the biggest reason visas are denied in the US?
In 2007, the US denied 1,578,201 visas, or 75%, because the applicant failed to prove they weren’t trying to immigrate. To be considered a non-immigrant and get the visa, you’ve got to prove, yes prove, you’re going home by the time your visa expires.
Frankly, it’s the same the world over. Countries require visitors to prove they’ll leave, as promised, to get their visas.
If you’re a US citizen, you can visit London or Paris as a tourist without a visa, but if you’re going there to work, you need to obtain a visa first. Don’t even think about lying about your purpose for visiting another country. If you’re caught, you’ll be fined or imprisoned.
Some countries require a visa for US citizens to enter their nation for any reason. For most countries, its not particularly hard to legitimately obtain a tourist visa, but the rules have to be followed to the letter! It’s generally much harder to obtain a business visa.
Just ask Ron, a traveler from New Jersey I’ve had the pleasure of meeting at Tripso’s forum, TalkingTravelers. He found out how difficult obtaining a business visa can be, the hard way, when he needed to go to Brazil.
So how do you find out if you need a visa for your vacation out of the country, and if you need one, how do you minimize your chances of having it denied?
The first question is easily answered. Go to the US State Department Web site to Country Specific Travel Information. There you’ll find a link to the country to which you’re traveling, and its entry/exit requirements.
To minimize your visa being denied:
- Follow the application process to the letter. Don’t try any shortcuts.
- Provide every document required without exception.
- Check your passport expiration date against the requirements for the country you’re visiting. For example, many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months prior to its expiration date, on the first day of your visit.
- If necessary, provide a detailed itinerary of your visit.
- Be prepared to offer proof you’ll leave the country, via your round trip tickets, possessions, employment, social and family relationships, according to the requirements of the country you’re visiting.
Bon voyage.
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I frequently give lectures/workshops or perform consulting services abroad for a fee. In the past, I have told the agents that my trip was for a combination of business and pleasure (I usually include a day before the work and a day after in order to rest and sightsee). Next year, should I apply for a work visa?