wantmygcnow
Volunteer Moderator
VISAS NOT REQUIRED: Transit or Short Term STay Visa(90 days)
Germany
Ireland
Singapore (http://www.mfa.gov.sg/newyork-consul/USA visa regulations.html)
ALL European Countries Require a Visa to enter their territories. See Exceptions below:
France:
Visitor Visa:
If you have a RTD and NO GREEN CARD IN HAND. You can not enter France. Period. France only issues visas to RTD holders with a Green card.
Transit Visa:
NO Transit Visa's required for holders of RTD. No matter if you have GC in hand or not. See link:
http://www.consulfrance-washington....cle=383&var_recherche=refugee+travel+document
You cannot enter the country though but only Transit in the airport. For instance, if you did not have a GC and were going to Germany through France, you would not need a visa and could go to the gate that boards your flight to Germany.
United Kingdom
Visitor Visa: Required for every RTD holders with or without a GC. You will also be fingerprinted upon entry.
Transit Visa: Not required if you have a Green card in Hand.
http://www.britainusa.com/visas/other_show.asp?SarticleType=25&Other_ID=313
India
Visitor/Transit: RTD holders are required to submit for visa 4 months in advance. Best of luck.
Thailand:
Visitor/Transit: It takes 1 week or less to get a visa. Very easy.
Japan:
Visitor/Transit: It takes 1 week or less to get a visa also. Very simple and easy. Make sure you bow
once you pick up your passport.
Australia:
Visitor/Transit: Australians are the nicest people and they treat RTD like royality. THe Visa's
are issued in 1 week. No health insurance needed but sufficient proof of funds needed. Nice
experience I had with them mate.
New Zealand:
Visitor/Transit: Lil bro of Australia, If you have a valid Australian Visa, you can stay up to 30 days.
CAnada:
Visit/Transit: if you hold a Green card, you do not need a visa otherwise you need a Visa.
Mexico:
Visit/Transit: Visa needed no matter what. Very rude embassy.
Bahamas:
Visit/Transit: Visa needed.
Switzerland:
No Visa Needed if you have a Green card in Hand and valid National Passport.
Visa is needed if you have Refugee Travel Document and even a green card
They do not recognize the Rentry Permit.
http://www.eda.admin.ch/houston_cg/e/home/houston.html
Frequently Asked Questions:
Question: I have a Refugee Travel Document and I am visiting Germany which doesn't require a visa. Can I land in Germany and travel all over Europe?
Answer: If you do that, be prepared to be turned back to Germany since you do not have a schegen visa. Many members including me have travelled to Europe once entering Germany but it may be pure luck or just the policies that European Police do not know. I would advise if you want to feel safe, apply for a visa. If you do not give rat's ass, then go to germany
and travel Europe get a visa...If you do-not-give-a-damn-what-the-cops-say then proudly show your RTD when asked for a visa and say "keine visa"
Thats NO visa in German.
Question: My RTD expires in 2 month, Can i travel to Germany, Ireland or Singapore without a Visa?
Answer: I have travelled germany with less than 2 months on my RTD and no problems but what if the snow-storm of the century hits Europe and you are burried..Then what huh?
Question: I am going to apply for a schegen Visa but where do I get the Insurance?
Answer: Google for insurance or your local American Express can give you insurance also for few bucks.
Question: I have a Rentry Permit. Do I need a visa, Can i go to germany without one?
Answer: NOt so fast mister. Rentry Permit technically means you are taking a leave of absence from U.S and Germany requires a visa. Even though both Rentry Permit and RTD look the same, inside the booklet, it is clearly written, Rentry permit rather than Refugee Travel Document.
Question: I just came back from Germany and I feel like going back again in a week. Can I?
Answer: Wow you must be loaded. Yes you can go every week for the rest of your life as long as you have a valid RTD with 2 months left for expiry(say that fast now). Germans only care that you have a valid RTD And they rarely look at when you entered or left the country.
Germany
Ireland
Singapore (http://www.mfa.gov.sg/newyork-consul/USA visa regulations.html)
ALL European Countries Require a Visa to enter their territories. See Exceptions below:
France:
Visitor Visa:
If you have a RTD and NO GREEN CARD IN HAND. You can not enter France. Period. France only issues visas to RTD holders with a Green card.
Transit Visa:
NO Transit Visa's required for holders of RTD. No matter if you have GC in hand or not. See link:
http://www.consulfrance-washington....cle=383&var_recherche=refugee+travel+document
You cannot enter the country though but only Transit in the airport. For instance, if you did not have a GC and were going to Germany through France, you would not need a visa and could go to the gate that boards your flight to Germany.
United Kingdom
Visitor Visa: Required for every RTD holders with or without a GC. You will also be fingerprinted upon entry.
Transit Visa: Not required if you have a Green card in Hand.
http://www.britainusa.com/visas/other_show.asp?SarticleType=25&Other_ID=313
India
Visitor/Transit: RTD holders are required to submit for visa 4 months in advance. Best of luck.
Thailand:
Visitor/Transit: It takes 1 week or less to get a visa. Very easy.
Japan:
Visitor/Transit: It takes 1 week or less to get a visa also. Very simple and easy. Make sure you bow
once you pick up your passport.
Australia:
Visitor/Transit: Australians are the nicest people and they treat RTD like royality. THe Visa's
are issued in 1 week. No health insurance needed but sufficient proof of funds needed. Nice
experience I had with them mate.
New Zealand:
Visitor/Transit: Lil bro of Australia, If you have a valid Australian Visa, you can stay up to 30 days.
CAnada:
Visit/Transit: if you hold a Green card, you do not need a visa otherwise you need a Visa.
Mexico:
Visit/Transit: Visa needed no matter what. Very rude embassy.
Bahamas:
Visit/Transit: Visa needed.
Switzerland:
No Visa Needed if you have a Green card in Hand and valid National Passport.
Visa is needed if you have Refugee Travel Document and even a green card
They do not recognize the Rentry Permit.
http://www.eda.admin.ch/houston_cg/e/home/houston.html
Frequently Asked Questions:
Question: I have a Refugee Travel Document and I am visiting Germany which doesn't require a visa. Can I land in Germany and travel all over Europe?
Answer: If you do that, be prepared to be turned back to Germany since you do not have a schegen visa. Many members including me have travelled to Europe once entering Germany but it may be pure luck or just the policies that European Police do not know. I would advise if you want to feel safe, apply for a visa. If you do not give rat's ass, then go to germany
and travel Europe get a visa...If you do-not-give-a-damn-what-the-cops-say then proudly show your RTD when asked for a visa and say "keine visa"
Thats NO visa in German.
Question: My RTD expires in 2 month, Can i travel to Germany, Ireland or Singapore without a Visa?
Answer: I have travelled germany with less than 2 months on my RTD and no problems but what if the snow-storm of the century hits Europe and you are burried..Then what huh?
Question: I am going to apply for a schegen Visa but where do I get the Insurance?
Answer: Google for insurance or your local American Express can give you insurance also for few bucks.
Question: I have a Rentry Permit. Do I need a visa, Can i go to germany without one?
Answer: NOt so fast mister. Rentry Permit technically means you are taking a leave of absence from U.S and Germany requires a visa. Even though both Rentry Permit and RTD look the same, inside the booklet, it is clearly written, Rentry permit rather than Refugee Travel Document.
Question: I just came back from Germany and I feel like going back again in a week. Can I?
Answer: Wow you must be loaded. Yes you can go every week for the rest of your life as long as you have a valid RTD with 2 months left for expiry(say that fast now). Germans only care that you have a valid RTD And they rarely look at when you entered or left the country.
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