Tips for Dealing With Embassies Overseas

If you’ve ever lost your passport while traveling or attempted to acquire a visa in a foreign country, you know dealing with overseas embassies can be a hassle. Varying requirements and crappy attitudes can make or break your ability to get what you need so it’s important to go in prepared.

Consult the Website

Nearly all overseas embassies have websites that detail the process. It’s imperative you study the site and figure out exactly what you need to get a passport or visa before going in. You’ll save yourself time and potential heartache.

Bring Multiple Forms of ID

Embassies can be stringent when it comes to identification requirements. Bring everything you’ve got to prove your identity. Passports and copies, driver’s license, social security cards, credit cards, birth certificates, registration cards and passport photos can all be required.

Safeguard Your Passport

When applying for a visa overseas there’s a good chance they’ll require you to hand over your passport for at least 24 hours. The tricky part of this is walking around without it is often illegal. Have copies on hand and prepare to make your case. If you must hand it over, keep other forms of identification and proof of your U.S. citizenship with you wherever you go.

Be Flexible

Some embassies issuing visas seem to take their grand old time getting things done, so go as early as possible when you know you’re going to need one. You could easily miss your flight waiting on them to get your visa approved.