Are you planning to visit another country or city soon? Do you want to be sure that you won’t have any issues at the border? What is the International Travelers Entry Permit? If so, you’ll need to get an international travelers entry permit from the country or city of your destination before you leave home.
But what exactly does it do? And how do you go about getting one? Read on to find out all you need to know about the international travelers entry permit!
All You Need to Know About the International Travelers Entry Permit
Who needs an ITP?
It can be difficult to figure out whether or not you need an ITP. Unlike a tourist visa, there are no hard and fast rules that make it clear if you’ll need one of these entry permits when traveling. That’s because sometimes your nationality makes it clear that you won’t need an ITP.
For example, if you’re going to Australia on a business trip, then clearly you’ll need your company letterhead, but it’s not nearly as obvious whether or not you’ll need one for a personal vacation.
To find out more about these permits and how they affect international travelers, check out FindLaw’s information section on Entry Permits for International Travelers. Here is some of what they say
How much does it cost?
The entry permit for international travelers costs $20 and is good for 10 years. Every visa applicant must apply in person. A passport photo, a receipt from a major credit card or bank account showing proof of employment or financial means, a copy of your previous entry permit (if you have one), a standard-size passport photo, proof of current nationality and/or citizenship and two letters of reference are required at time of application.
Applications may be submitted between 8:00am and 4:00pm Monday through Friday except on federal holidays. Applicants under 16 years old must appear with both parents or legal guardians. If only one parent or guardian appears, they will need to bring written permission from their child’s other parent(s) or legal guardian(s). All applicants over 16 years old need only appear in person. The entry permit is valid for entry into all countries that require a visa prior to arrival (including Canada and Mexico).
Applicants who wish to travel to multiple countries should purchase an additional entry permit ($20) per country they plan on visiting before returning home. In addition, it’s important that applicants keep their entry permits safe as there are no replacements available if lost; therefore it’s important not to misplace them during travel abroad.
What documents do you need?
Before you start thinking about getting an international entry permit, let’s talk about what documents you need when traveling outside of your home country. The most common form of ID is a passport, but other forms include national ID cards, driver’s licenses, birth certificates and/or green cards.
Because requirements vary from country to country—for example, some will require a longer stay before you can apply for an entry permit—make sure that you know what is necessary before booking your trip.
How long can you stay?
In some countries, there is no maximum limit to how long you can stay. If you’re staying in one place longer than 3 months, however, you might need a residence permit. This usually means that you’ll have to register with your local government, which may mean your employer or school needs to sign off on your absence. In other places—for example, Australia and New Zealand—there are strict limits on how long you can stay on a visa-free entry permit.
How do you apply?
If you want to visit other countries, one of your first steps is getting an entry permit. With a passport and an ETD, travelers can simply go through airport customs and begin their journey. Each country has its own regulations for who must apply for an ETD. For example, U.S. citizens are not required to get one when traveling within North America or Central America—they only need it if they’re traveling anywhere else in the world (you can read more about entry permits here).
Even if you don’t need an ETD, always check with your destination country’s embassy or consulate before planning a trip abroad—you never know when they might have information that could prevent headaches down the road!
Should you get an ITP?
First, it’s important to note that an ITP is not a visa. It’s a type of permit that allows you and your family (if applicable) entry into Qatar without requiring any additional paperwork or appointments with officials once you’re here.
If your trip will require side trips and is expected to last more than 30 days, an ITP may be appropriate for you; if your trip will last fewer than 30 days and only include Qatar, then you don’t need one.