Travel insurance & Visas - SE Asia / Oz / NZ / Fiji / USA

Hi Guys,

been a while since I've been on....but still in the middle of planning the RTW.

Travel Insurance

Haven't a clue. So many figures to compare whenever you get quotes which is so confusing. Can anyone recommend any companies? We're away for approx 6-8 months, in the countries listed above, and don't think we'll be doing anything major like bunjee jumping or skydiving. Any help would be great.

Visas

Have been doing some research and i'm receiving conflicting info. I think i read somewhere before that we need to get our Thailand visa before we go? Is this true, and how is it obtained?

How about the visa's for the other countries - can these be obtained in the previous country?
i.e. can we get our Vietnam visa in Bangkok? our Cambodian visa in Ho Chi Minh? What about for when we fly south from Phuket to Kuala Lumpur - where should that visa be obtained?

Similarly, do i need tourist visa's for Oz/Nz/Fiji/USA?

Thank you

ps - TP is frickin amazing.

[ Edit: Edited on Aug 18, 2007, at 12:38 PM by Darren7 ]

Quoting Darren7

Have been doing some research and i'm receiving conflicting info. I think i read somewhere before that we need to get our Thailand visa before we go? Is this true, and how is it obtained?

If you're not going to stay in Thailand for more than 30 days (continuously), you do not need to get a Thai visa before leaving. All you have to do is show up and you'll be given a 30-day Social Visit Pass. Check out the Thai Visa FAQ thread in the Asia forum for more info.

How about the visa's for the other countries - can these be obtained in the previous country?
i.e. can we get our Vietnam visa in Bangkok? our Cambodian visa in Ho Chi Minh? What about for when we fly south from Phuket to Kuala Lumpur - where should that visa be obtained?

For Cambodian visa, you can either get it from the airport or border upon arrival (see requirements), or apply online here.

Take note of the airport departure tax of USD25 if you're leaving by plane.

Similarly, do i need tourist visa's for Oz/Nz/Fiji/USA?

Australia: Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
New Zealand: Visa-Free Countries
Fiji: 4-month visa on arrival
USA: Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

Good info from Hein.
You only need a visa for Thailand if you are planning on staying more than 30 day in a row. If you go to Thailand, leave for Cambodia after 26 days and then come back 5 days later, then that is not 31 days in a row. When you reenter you will be given a new 30 day stamp for free. Malaysia will also not requie a visa and so you can show up and they will give you a free tourist at the border.
Things change fast in Asia and since I've been to Indochina visa requirements have changed so I'm not sure what countries require them in advance. But what does not change is how easy it is to get visa for any of these countries in Bangkok or HCMC or whatever city you happen to be in.
Sorry I can't help with health insurance because it works different for Canadians than it would for you.

Quoting Degolasse

Malaysia will also not requie a visa and so you can show up and they will give you a free tourist at the border.

Yep, UK citizens get a 90-day social visit pass on arrival. There is no limitation on the number of days/times in a year like in Thailand.

Thankyou very much guys. Hopefully this will be the last question i bug you with....

I'm looking at the vietnam visa options here. For the visa on arrival i've been checking out vietnammpressive.com.

It says i would have to pay the $25 for the stamp on arrival, but that I also need an approval letter?? which they will process for $23 per person....

Does this sound normal?

I'm looking at using the Vietnam Embassy option whereby i do it via post....but can't see any prices!

http://www.vietnamembassy.org.uk/consular.html

It'd be a better idea to apply for the vietnam visa before you left home instead of the visa on arrival thing. On the website you listed it states "Visa fees are various and depend on the length of stay and number(s) of entry, please contact the Embassy for further information". So that'd suggest you'll need to either phone them up or contact them through the enquires form and state how long you wish to be in Vietnam for (and whatever else it asks for on the form) to get the cost.

hi, i have just got my vietnam visa by post cost £32 plus £5 for delivery back to you special deliv. i think they have now updated the website to include the price.

About travel insurance i looked at loads as i was lookig insure an SLR camera as well as me and my girl friend. the best deal i found was staysure i think? they had a basic cover which was ok but even with all the optional extras to cover the camera it came out cheaper than others for a 7 month trip world wide.

Re: the insurance - i checked that staysure website there mate, and the quote i got for 8 months was £255ish.

However, my gf researched it for a while there and found 'flexicover direct' via moneysupermarket.com.

our quote for that one for 8 months £140ish.

If someone could take a look at it, let me know what you think?