There are two main types of US visa that anyone wishing to travel to the United States can apply for. A non-immigrant visa is for short visits, such as tourism, business and study reasons and an immigrant visa is for those who are looking to move to the country permanently.

US visas were issued to over 6 million foreign nationals last year, for a wide variety of reasons. There are huge economic incentives to travel to America, which is the epicentre of world capitalism. The country also presents the biggest opportunity for work and is a place in which it is possible to live in relative safety.

However, the thing that everyone should not forget about a US visa is that it is entirely a form of permission. The final decision on whether or not you will be granted permanent permission to stay in the United States of America will only be taken at the immigration office through which you try to gain access. The US visa acts simply as a pass card to get you to the point at which you will be subjected to a strict set of regulations, questions and investigations before being admitted.

Applicants for visas have to provide proof of the nature of their visit, the length of their stay and their intent to leave. If a single one of these cannot be proven to the satisfaction of the immigration officer, it is very likely that you will not be granted entry.

Belgium is the little country that could. Home to the headquarters of the European Union, this country is sadly often passed over when tourists are planning trips to Europe – most usually only stop over used as a stepping-stone on their way across the English Channel to London, Paris, or Amsterdam. But there’s a lot more here than simply the city of Brussels, and the mixture of fantastic cuisine, beer, people, countryside, and history make this little country a haven for the true traveller who wants to experience it all.

You do not require a visa at this point in time if you are a UK citizen, although regulations can change without notice. If you want to validate the current travel requirements you can see Belgium’s UK-based embassy website at www.diplomatie.be.

Belgium boasts a variety of undiscovered seaside towns, and the wooded gorges of the amazing Ardennes, dotted throughout with medieval castles, are rich with ancient superstitions and folklore. The historic Gothic buildings that sprout up throughout this country are testament to the charm of the era, and prove that there is much, much more to this country than first meets the eye.

The name Belgium is derived from “Gallia Belgica”, which was a Roman province populated by a mixture of Celtic and Germanic tribes. The history of Belgium  can be traced back to even before the Roman Empire, which gives this country a thick, rich background of historical waypoints to discover along with its natural beauty.

For undiscovered country, consider a trip to Belgium. This is a little-known destination within Europe that will be sure to sooth your travelling desires.

If you are looking for a value for money break this summer then a cruise holiday could be the way to go. Cruise holidays are very big business and there are a number of companies that are offering an excellent range of cruise deals.

Each company has something slightly different to offer, but the competition means that there is still space for good honest business in these harsh economic times. Thomson Cruise, Royal Caribbean and Independence, along with many others, currently have hundreds of good value cruise deals, with prices ranging from just under £100 to well over £1,000.

The destinations are not bad either, with something to interest everyone. If you fancy staying a little closer to home, you could travel in style to see some remote and beautiful part of Ireland or you could go half way around the world and explore the wonders that the South Pacific Islands have to offer.

Whatever your choice, you are guaranteed excellent value for money. When competition is so fierce, it is only natural for each of these companies to provide the best possible service for their customers. It is all about generating customer loyalty and repeat business, so they will be doing their utmost to persuade you to come back and take another one of their cruise deals.

Budget, duration, operator and ship preferences can all be catered for in what is quickly becoming one of the most desirable ways to spend your hard earned cash.

A visa is a necessity for all South African passport holders for them to enter the Schengen area. The Schengen countries comprise Austria; Belgium, Finland, France, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Iceland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and Spain.

If you are planning to visit just one Schengen country, you have to process your application for a Schengen visa at the embassy or consulate of that particular country.

If your plan is to visit several countries within Schengen territory, you need to apply for your Schengen visa at that country’s embassy or consulate where you are planning to spend the majority of your visit. If you are visiting France for five days, and the Netherlands and Germany for three days each, you need to process your Schengen visa application at the embassy or consulate of France.

However, if you wish to visit multiple Schengen countries, but have no major destination, you need to apply for a Schengen visa at the embassy or consulate of the country which is your first point of entry.

One Schengen visa is equivalent to a multiple visa, which allows you to enter all Schengen countries. There are different types of Schengen visas: a short-stay visa, a long-stay visa, a transit visa, a group visa, and an airport-transit visa.

For any visa application, just contact your respective embassy or consulate.

South Africans will be granted visas as a temporary passport if they are travelling in two months’ time and if they have South African identity documents. Be sure to inquire before you travel, as some Schengen countries do not permit access on a temporary passport.

The small island of Cyprus holds such a great deal to see and do that it seems directly contradictory to the size of the island. However, despite its size, this little island holds a vast trove of ancient relics from both the classic Greek as well as the Roman Empire and everything in between, making this one of the most talked-about destinations in Europe in terms of Mediterranean vacations.

Getting there is relatively easy, without any visa requirements. However, it should be noted that anyone entering the northern part of the country in the Turkish controlled portion, will be considered to be entering the country illegally and be fined if crossing over into the more tourist-friendly southern half. Known as the “green line”, this is enforced by the UN. Travellers should be prepared to provide proof of their monetary funding, as well as medical insurance for the duration of the stay.

Most travellers entering Cyprus come in by boat or air to Larnaca. This city has the distinction of being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and has an absolute treasure-trove of historical sights, which makes this a great place to set up as your headquarters for the trip. Accommodation is plentiful, travel is as easy as hailing a taxi or walking, and the island climate combines with everything to create a peaceful and relaxing location. 

Royal Caribbean Cruises are highly desirable these days, perhaps even more so than they used to be. If you think about it, cruises are quite economical, whether you are travelling solo, with a group, colleagues or family. All inclusive packages let you know ahead of time what your expenses will be (more or less) and take the worry out of unexpected travel faux pas like lost hotel reservations or the break down of your hired car. I think the thing that I like best about cruises is that you get to see many different places and only have to unpack once.

Royal Caribbean refers to itself as “The Nation of Why Not?” The motto makes sense. So many people work day in and day out to take care of responsibilities but rarely take time out for themselves. The thing is that the trips aren’t all that expensive and offer much more than traditional holiday packages. There’s always something to do and something to see.

Royal Caribbean’s website has a photo gallery of many of its passengers. The great thing about the photos is that they are real people who are truly enjoying themselves.

In total, Royal Caribbean visits 251 ports with their fleet of ships. If a ship has “of the Seas” in its name, most likely it’s one of theirs. You can have your choice of any of those ports from Canada to Mexico, South America to Australia. As far as the excursions go, they offer everything from ice skating to rock wall climbing.

If Belize is on your checklist of Caribbean destinations, you will not be disappointed. From the lush tropical jungles to the world’s only jaguar preserve, this Caribbean hotspot is a must-see for any avid enthusiast of travel.

But perhaps the most famous of Belize’s travel arrangements are the cave tubing adventures. Set out on a grand adventure of magnificent elegance as you float down the 7 mile stretch of the “River of Caves” trip. While this particular adventure is subject to water levels during the rainy season, it is a must-see part of any trip to Belize. You will be amazed as you float down the river through series of caves and jungles on a breath-taking ride that will leave you talking about it for years.

UK citizens require only a passport to visit Belize. A visa is not required, although you will need to provide the typical return ticket as proof of your departure. Traveller’s insurance is recommended, and you should have a bank-statement or cash on hand in case immigration officials request proof of your financial status for entry.

There are plenty of lodges, hotels, villas, and beaches to be found in Belize. Travel is as easy as stepping out the front door, as with most of the Caribbean destinations. You can either spend your time sunning yourself on the beach, or bring along a pair of hiking boots as you undertake one of the many jungle wanderings that can have you viewing the jungle tapir, or Belize’s own mountain cow.

Belize is a Caribbean holiday that should absolutely be included on your destination list. Prepare to be amazed as you witness the ancient Mayan culture brought to life by modern-day interpretation.

Once upon a time the only people who emigrated from their native country to live and work elsewhere were either diehard expatriates or specialists in their chosen field. Not any more! It is very common for residents of the U.K. to travel to other areas to live and work. Moving to Australia is particularly popular, no matter if it’s just for a student’s gap year or someone wanting a fresh start.

The great thing is that there are many jobs to be had in Australia in all different types of professions. At one time, those with a specialist skill would be at the top of the list to receive a visa. Now, there are visas for many different levels.

There is a test given regarding the visa that must be passed before the visa is granted. In this instance, I will refer to the Australian Skilled Migration Programme. The test uses a point system, with each area receiving a certain amount of points. For example, if you have worked in Australia previously in a skilled occupation, you could qualify for 60 points. A certain age gains points, as does speaking one of a list of languages. The Migration Bureau is eager to help sort out your options.

While there is a fair bit of paperwork when moving to another country – either for pleasure or work – it’s most definitely worth it. What formerly passed as winter at home now turns into a brilliant and endless summer. Australia is beautiful, fascinating, and one of the friendliest countries in existence.

Estonia is one of the newer countries within Europe and it has started to become a popular destination with travellers, for a variety of reasons. This northern country hosts a wild and lush series of forests, rivers, lakes, bogs, and islands, and the relatively small population – who mostly choose to live in the city – has left the surrounding countryside relatively untouched by human hands. As a result this is one of the more serene wildlife destinations to really get out there and experience nature without being bogged down by nearby resorts or trains and cars.

The countryside is sprinkled with relics of Estonia’s medieval history. The capital city of Tallinn was once part of the Hanseatic League in the 13th century, an alliance of trading cities that established a trade monopoly along the coast of northern Europe. As a result of this, Estonia became a rather wealthy nation, and one of the places where the Teutonic knights came in all their splendour and built the massive castles that dot the countryside, now left to the sands of time.
 
With such an impressive history, it is a wonder that Estonia has remained off the charts for tourists for so long. Some of that may have to do with it being a communist country until 1991, which means the country has had little time to develop into a tourist destination as accessible as some others.

You can fly in direct, and accommodation is plentiful. Countryside lodgings, hotels in the city, it’s simply up to you to decide how you want your trip to go. You do not need a visa, but you will need to provide proof of traveller’s health insurance before entry into the country is allowed.

One the multi-destination spots on any trip to Africa is the beautiful country of Tanzania. This African nation boasts some of the most famous of the African must-see sights, such as the Serengeti Plains, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Mount Kilimanjaro. But despite these most famous destinations, there are countless untold sights as Tanzania has some of the wildest wilderness areas in all of Africa, such as the Selous Game Reserve, and Ruaha National Park. And if you look to the west there are is the Gombe Stream National Park and the Mahale Mountains National Park, where you can go on a safari trek in search of chimpanzees.

But Tanzania is not all about wilderness reserves. This country also has some of the most unspoilt tropical beaches in Africa, such as Zanzibar, a name that evokes imagery of exotic spices, amazing architecture, and ancient Sultans.

You will need a visa to travel to Tanzania. You can find the relevant details on their London, England office, including hours and requirements, at Tanzania Online Depending on the area you are travelling to you might also want a malaria vaccination in advance.

There are two international airports in Tanzania, so once you pick your destinations you can fly in to either. Driving between safari destinations can often times be a huge hassle due to the size of open space in Africa, so your best choice of travel is to charter a regional flight staring with Arusha Airport, a 45 minute drive from Kilimanjaro International. Getting around while in Tanzania will require some planning in advance, as it’s not as simple as just renting a car and going off wherever you want to go.