Visa central

Shelley Ketchum Dickerson

We are doing the Kenya Tanzania June 27 tour. Is there a need to do the concierge service provided by Visa Central? I am traveling with my mom and want to be sure I get this right!

AlanS

I just completed the visa process for our 13 June K&T safari. I did not use Visa Central and had no issues- sent our passports and visa applications to the Kenyan Embassy first and when the passports came back about two weeks later I immediately sent them out again with applications to the Tanzanian Embassy. The total turnaround time for both applications including FEDEX delivery time (to/from North Carolina and the embassies in DC), was about three weeks. I had questions before I started but most were answered by folks here or the info was available on the Visa Central website (e.g. in-country points of contact.) I just didn't see a need for Visa Central or their concierge service. Some folks might be less concerned and find it easier going through Visa Central.

I made it as easy as possible for embassies- with each application submission I included clear copies of the airline itineraries and a document I crafted from the top portion of the Tauck confirmation letter and an MSWord version of the tour itinerary to which I added the full addresses and phone numbers of each hotel on tour. I also added a check-off list with each of our names and application requirements. I paid with US Postal Money orders instead if checks. It may have been overkill, but I couldn't argue with the quick turnaround. I don't know how much if any I saved, but I could have saved more enclosing just one instead of two FEDEX return envelopes with each submission. I wanted to be sure there would be no problem getting both passports back if the applications were separated and processed by different individuals at each embassy. I could have also saved a few bucks by sending the applications to the embassies using USPS instead of FEDEX, but it was just easier having FEDEX prepare the outgoing envelope at the same time as the inner return envelopes.

jdurkin

That's a great post, Alan, and thanks for detailing the process in a lineal, how-to way. Had you thought of cross posting your tips in the general Travel Tips forum? For other Americans starting out the process or thinking it might all be too hard, your post could be that little ray of sunshine they need to boost their stamina and start their journey to Africa ... or any other journey requiring visas.

Cheers,

Jan

British

Wow Alan, you are awesome! I am really looking forward to hearing about your trip when you get back. I hope my tips to you about looking at the Vias Central paperwork helped. I'm still not sure I could figure all this out to do it myself. Best wishes, British

travelingteacher

I am leaving on the May 16th Kenya/Tanzania safari and have spoken with Nyla at Visa Central. She could not have been more helpful. For my trip, she suggested I wait a few more weeks before sending my paperwork and passport in to her, and said the same thing as AlanS, it takes just a few weeks for them to process the visas.

Nyla informed me that the Kenya visa information is on the website and is 2 pages however, Tanzania is 1 page inside the kit. The kit is 16 pages long (so you can choose what you want to print up)....as well as the order number (to track the progress of the visas). It is a 6 digit number beginning with the letters US. The shipping label comes after using the SEND button.

She also said that it is not a problem to call back as I navigate through the paperwork.

Shelley Ketchum Dickerson

You all are awesome. Thanks so much for the tips! I am traveling with my mom so having to fill out double the forms! I have started with Visa Central but chose to NOT pay extra for concierge. We are very excited for our upcoming trip!!

AlanS

jdurkin wrote:

That's a great post, Alan, and thanks for detailing the process in a lineal, how-to way. Had you thought of cross posting your tips in the general Travel Tips forum? For other Americans starting out the process or thinking it might all be too hard, your post could be that little ray of sunshine they need to boost their stamina and start their journey to Africa ... or any other journey requiring visas.

Cheers,

Jan

British wrote:

Wow Alan, you are awesome! I am really looking forward to hearing about your trip when you get back. I hope my tips to you about looking at the Vias Central paperwork helped. I'm still not sure I could figure all this out to do it myself. Best wishes, British

Thanks!

Some evening I may try to make a simplified, more graphical version that I will post in the general Travel Tips forum. I was and still am unsure about a few points, e.g. one application had this line; "Funds available for your visit". My daughter, who worked in Passports and Visas in the Consular section of the US Embassy in Libya said this is a typical question along with the requirement to provide return flight info, to help deter illegal immigration and ensure travelers have the means to travel in country and home again. We all know it really isn't an issue with someone who travels with Tauck, but you never know if a worker in the visa section of a foreign embassy knows that. In any case, I answered the question "Yes" which seemed to work just fine. As I said, I could have applied much later but did it early just in case.

British, yes, your tip about the info on VisaCentral website was most helpful, especially the in-country points of contact. Frankly, that info should be resident somewhere on the Tauck website.

On the other hand and depending on any financial agreement, Tauck might find it is easier to let a third party like VisaCentral whose sole job is to help people process visas, than to have a sufficiently staffed office of their own keep up with visa requirements and the application processes for all Tauck foreign destinations. Tauck does have an in-house Visa Specialist who can be reached at 866-951-0077 (toll-free in the U.S.). I haven't dealt with VisaCentral, but the way they have their Tauck section divided by specific Tauck tours seems well organized.

jdurkin

"Funds available for your trip" ..... Yes. So logically lateral. So very Sir H.U.M.P.H.R.E.Y! God bless your daughter's public service experience!

Cheers,

Jan

Edit: Who knew Sir H.u.p.h.r.e.y Appleby now worked for Tauck!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humphrey_Appleby
Let's see it that works!

British

I think on our forms the previous Visa company Tauck used put something like Prepaid Tour.

AlanS

jdurkin wrote:

"Funds available for your trip" ..... Yes. So logically lateral. So very Sir H.U.M.P.H.R.E.Y! God bless your daughter's public service experience!

Cheers,

Jan

Edit: Who knew Sir H.u.p.h.r.e.y Appleby now worked for Tauck!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humphrey_Appleby
Let's see it that works!

Wow, he is quite the "character" in every sense of the word! Unlike those I've seen here on PBS (Dr. Who, downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, Sherlock, Mr. Selfridge, Inspector Lewis, Are You Being Served?, As Time Goes By, Upstairs Downstairs, Doc Martin, etc., etc., ) I don't believe Yes, Minister or Yes, Prime Minister have made it across the pond.

jdurkin

I guess the TV programming boffins thought the Westminster System of government was too upsetting for you over the pond. ) But given some of the Australian programmes I've seen on PBS in the States, I have to wonder why Sir H.U.M.P.H.R.E.Y didn't make it to your screens.

Cheers,

Jan

Dottie D

I don't recall seeing Yes, Prime Minister on PBS either, but it is available on Amazon Prime Video. I think there is a free version if you will put up with ads. Very funny show.

Shelley Ketchum Dickerson

I have had a very positive experience working with Visa Central. Melissa has been awesome. I got everything filled out and all necessary forms mailed very conveniently using the prepaid UPS overnight label. I brought it to my UPS store and easy Peasy. Off it went. I was contacted the next day that all was received safely. If anything at all concerns you, a quick email to Melissa and within minutes you are taken care off. So far so good. Our passports are presently at the Tanzania Embassy and Melissa said they will send them to the Kenya Embassy when they come back from Tanzania. My sister and brother are just a few steps behind Mum and I in the process. I was able to walk them through it quickly, as I had all addresses and phone numbers. One step closer to our June tour! Thanks for all the comments!

travelingteacher

It's comforting to know that Melissa provided the same experience as the one I had with Nyla. I'll be contacting Visa Central again in another week or so to complete mine for the May 15th safari. As I periodically look at the availability page, I'm excited to see the trip getting closer and closer (which my arm knows from the myriad of shots I've been getting)!

Shelley Ketchum Dickerson

Traveling teacher, what shots did you settle on and did your doctor arrange them?

British

Shelley, I am sure you have read all the stuff on the forum here about shots. There is no substitute for seeing a travel doctor specialist who you can discuss your medical history with. Take your Tauck itinerary with you. You can read all the stuff on the CDC website and the WHO website before you go so you can understand the background for decisions. I have done three different Tauck Africa tours. We love AFRICA and have always taken all the necessary meds or shots. Meanwhile, we just got back from New Zealand with Tauck a week ago and poor Mr. B is in the hospital with after effects of an infection he picked up there, so it just goes to show you can survive Africa and India and fall ill in pristine NZ!

jdurkin

Dear me! Sorry to hear about Mr B. Hope he's on the mend soonest. But it certainly does reinforce your point. Bad stuff can happen anywhere, but why would you choose to make things even tougher.

Cheers,

Jan

travelingteacher

Hello Shelley- my doctor suggested I get my shots at a travel clinic, as they stock the vaccines doctor's offices don't. In my area here in Colorado, there were 2 nearby, and I used the one my doctor knew. I also opted to take my shots individually, rather than taking them all at once. I felt that if I had a reaction to something, I wanted to know which vaccine it was. Not something done by most people, but I felt it was wisest for me. That said, I had Hep A & B (which is a series of 3 shots...the first one I had last month and the second a month later. The last one will be when I return home), I am getting my Yellow Fever in March as I was told to plan on a period of 10 days to possibly have a fever from the shot (fever can come after day 3) and needed to ensure I had 10 days with nothing important I might have to miss). I also had my typhoid last month as well. Malaria will be taken as pills (I'll fill that prescription closer to when I leave). They are taken daily while away. None of the shots (or pills) are covered by insurance....so be prepared, they were not cheap, but the travel clinic sent me home with an armload of paperwork explaining each vaccine, the risks to support why to have them, possible side effects, and everything else you never thought you might want to know about each. My initial appointment lasted almost an hour!!! It shocked me that there would be so much information to share, but they were very thorough, going over CDC reports, literature about the shots, my itinerary and anything else that might be of interest. Since I am also (overdue) for a tetanus shot, I was told to get that at my internists office as that one is covered by insurance. It is up to you whether or not to have everything done in one day. I have had no side effects, but still felt it was wiser for me to spread them out. I was the exception, not the rule....and the travel clinic is the way to go. I am sure you could ask your doctor who he recommends or Google travel clinics to find one in your area. Hope this helps.

jdurkin

I couldn't agree more about spreading the shots! I always seem to get a sore arm lasting quite a few days, at the very least, after shots. I can't imaging having everything at once. ....... Admittedly, a few years ago now, before my wonderful trip to the Galapagos, my doctor started out with the shots a good 12 months ahead. I thought, and said, it was all a bit "previous", but in the end ... with the various shots you have described, I was really glad that when it came down to actually preparing me for the trip I didn't have to carry a limp arm or fevered brow!

Cheers,

Jan

British

jan, thank you for your good wishes. Mr. B is getting bombarded with drugs tonight. Glad this did not happen on one of our more exotic trips.

jdurkin

British wrote:

Glad this did not happen on one of our more exotic trips.

Heck, yeah! And it depends what you call exotic! )

Cheers,

Jan

British

Ha ha ha! Not THAT exotic!

Shelley Ketchum Dickerson

Once again, you all have provides great information. We have a place in town called Passport Health. I will ask my Dr first, before jumping in. Our trip is not until the end of June but I gather we should get a move on the shots!
Thanks!

travelingteacher

I think your doctor will agree to go through them as this is what these businesses specialize in.....and yes, if you choose to spread the shots out, get started. Everything has gone well for me, but my yellow fever is yet to come! I'm putting good thoughts out there for this one and am sure any reaction will be a minor one (as a fever is the worst of it)....but as we get older, fevers feel the way they did when we were toddlers. I have plenty of chicken soup in the freezer.