This will be the first long distance trip for many pilgrims attending the wyd in Madrid. Travelling can be fun, but it can also be a hassle with increase vigilance on security, especially when the governments are very concern on illegal immigrants.
One way for immigration officers to determine if you are a genuine traveller or an illegal immigrant is by looking at your passport. If your passport is well used with many stamps to various countries, it indicates that you are a genuine traveller. If your passport is brand new or with little usage on it, you may be subjected to further questionning.
So here are some travel tips to make your jouney as smooth as possible. These are general tips intended to help you on your journey and by no means gurantee your entry into any country as that remains at the discretion of the immigration authorities. It has worked for me so far.
1. Passport - Ensure that your passport is valid. Please check there is at least 6 months prior to the expiry of your passport. Many governments will not admit you into their country if you have less then 6 months validity on your passport. Most airlines will refuse you to board the aircraft if you do not have 6 months validity, as the governments will hold the airlines liable for passengers without proper travel documents
2. Visa - check with the local Spanish embassy if you require a visa to enter into Spain, which is a Shengen country. Generally a Shengen visa will grant you entry into any Shengen countries. Similarly a visa waiver from a shengen country will allow you entry into any Shengen countries. Do note there are special visa procedures for pilgrims and also there is a difference between a Shengen visa and a country specific visa. A country specific visa only allows you into the issuing country. Also note that a Visa does not gurantee entry into the country, as that is at the discretion of the immigration officer. Similarly airlines will deny boarding if you do not hold the proper visas for your journey.
3. Confirmation of accomodations - most immigration officer will want to know where you will be staying during the the duration of your visit. Bring along proof that you have confirmed your accomodations in the country or a home address of a friend if you are staying with them. A local phone number will also help if asked.
4. Return flight ticket - bring proof of your confirmed return flight tickets back to your home country. If you have plans to travel to another country or location, show your travel plans including confirmed tickets of arrangements made.
5. Finances - you will need to show proof that you are able to support yourself financially when in the country. Typically a reasonable amount of cash, travellers cheques and credit cards would be sufficient.
6. Vaccination - if you are coming from a country where certain diseases are endemic such as yellow fever, internationally recognized vacination certificates from proper health authorities may be required. Best to check with your local Spanish embassy.
7. Proof of employment or status - while this is not commonly required, you may be asked for a verification of your employment status. A letter from your employer or your school acknowledging your status as an employee or student may be helpful.
8. Copies of travel documents and credit cards - make copies of your travel documents in case they may be stolen. What I do is to scan these copies and load it up into an email account such as Gmail , where i can access it in case of emergencies.
9. Transit - if you are transitting via another european city, where you plan to break journey , prior to arriving into Madrid or even after WYD, you may be asked for the reason of your journey. Bring along proof that you will be continuing on to Spain as well as proof of your plan in Spain. This includes confirmed onward transportation details such as tickets, confirmed hotel booking and your Madrid11 registration form.
10. Dealing with the immigration officer - be truthfull and straightfoward in your replies to the immigration officer. Do not make long winded answers that are confusing. Keep the answers short and sweet, and most importantly make sure you answer the question asked. They have thousands of people to process, and will likely have very little patience. If you cannot speak english or the local language fluently, please inform the officer when asked a question.
Hope this helps the many travellers making their way to Madrid , and in general anyone who is travelling internationally.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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