Visa information

Do I need a Visa?

Most nationalities require a visa for Russia and you must apply for it in advance. Visas are not available on arrival or en route.

You will need a Letter of Invitation (LOI), sometimes referred to as a Visa Support letter to submit with your visa application. Sundowners Overland will provide the necessary documentation including your Letter of Invitation and Cover Letter that is required to support your visa application.

Once you have received your Cover Letter, Russian Travel Confirmation and Invitation Letter from us, you will be able to start the application process to obtain your visa. The earliest date you can apply for your Russian visa is three to six months prior to your intended entry date, depending on nationality. Please check with your local consulate/embassy.

Russian visas are issued with a specific start date and expiry date based on the Letter of Invitation and will only be valid for the duration of your pre-booked Sundowners Overland arrangements. All travel must be completed within these dates. Completed visas cannot be changed or extended. Note: In order to ensure that your visa covers all days when travelling overland, as well as safeguarding against unforeseen delays or rail schedules, the dates on your visa will be longer than those on your actual itinerary.

If you would like to stay or travel in Russia before or after the commencement of your Sundowners Overland arrangements, please contact us to discuss your options and the visa procedure as you may be required to obtain a second Letter of Invitation. Please note each embassy has varying restrictions on the number of Invitation letters that you can submit, with most only allowing a maximum of two.

Visa Registration

In Russia and some countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS – States of the former Soviet Union) you are required to pay a visa registration fee when you check in at hotels and hostels.

You must register your Russian visa no later than 7 days after your arrival into the country. You will need to register your visa at each city, please ask hotel reception to do this for you. Although the process is now electronic, we recommend you ask reception for a hard paper copy that can be kept with your passport and immigration card at all times. It is strongly recommended that you keep your passport and all original documents in a money belt and have photocopies of your passport, visa and the original hotel card/immigration card ready for presentation to police if requested. Travellers who lose this departure card or do not obtain the necessary registration will not be able to check-in to hotels and will be liable for a substantial fine imposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and administered by the local police.

All costs and responsibility for registration lies with individual travellers and is usually between USD$5 - $10 in each city – Some hotels provide this service free which is a bonus.

Visa fee

Do I need a visa?

Citizens of the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and most EU countries (German citizens do not require a visa for stays under 30 days) will need a Tourist visa to enter Mongolia, valid for stays that do not exceed 30 days. Citizens of Canada will not need a visa for visits up to 30 days and citizens of the USA will not need a visa for visits of up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries should check with the relevant consulates or contact our Travel Advisors for further information. If a visa is required, you will need to apply for it in advance. It is not possible to obtain a visa on arrival in Mongolia at land or air borders.

Sundowners Overland will provide all required invitation letters including a cover letter outlining your itinerary, travel arrangements and the details of the inviting organisation who will be looking after you while you are in Mongolia. Your visa will be valid for entry 90 days from the date of issue.

Visa Fee

Please check the appropriate consulate website for specific information on the cost and method of payment. Cash is generally not accepted and often payment will need to be arranged before you apply with the embassy/consulate. The actual application process will vary depending on your nationality and the consulate/embassy at which you will be applying. Please check the appropriate consulate website for specific information.

Do I need a visa?

Most nationalities require a visa for China and you must apply for it in advance. Visas are not available on arrival and can be difficult to obtain outside your country of residence.

Sundowners Overland will provide the necessary documentation including your Cover Letter and Proof of Travel Arrangements from our Local Partner in China, which are required to support your visa application. Please note that we can only include the travel arrangements that Sundowners Overland has booked on your behalf. If you have organized any independent travel outside of your Sundowners Overland arrangements, you will need to provide your own proof of these arrangements.

Your Chinese visa is valid for entry within 90 days from the date of issue; you cannot apply for your visa outside of 90 days prior to your intended date of entry into China.

Visa Fee

Please check the appropriate consulate website for specific information on the cost and method of payment. Cash is generally not accepted and often payment will need to be arranged before you apply with the embassy/consulate. The actual application process will vary depending on your nationality and the consulate/embassy at which you will be applying. Please check the appropriate consulate website for specific information.

Do I need a visa?

Upon arrival in Japan residents of the USA, Australia and New Zealand will be granted a 90 day temporary tourist visa, while stays for up to 3 months are granted for residents of Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and a number of other countries. Stays for up to six months are permitted for residents of Austria, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Switzerland and the UK. Citizens of these countries will usually be given a 90-day temporary tourist visa upon arrival, which can usually be extended for another 90 days while in Japan.

You will usually need to present your onward travel plans/air ticket to be granted your tourist visa.

Do I need a visa?

All foreign visitors require a visa to enter Iran except citizens of the following countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Egypt and Turkey. Citizens of these countries can stay for up to 3 months without a visa. For all other nationalities, Iran visas can take from 6-8 weeks to be processed. Please allow sufficient time for this.

Iranian visas are valid for a maximum of 30 days. However, your visa entry dates are subject to your travel plans and itinerary.

You will need to provide Sundowners Overland with the details of which embassy/consulate you intend to lodge your Iranian visa application. We will provide the necessary documentation including Cover Letter and your visa authorization/ reference number that is required to support your visa application.

All European passport holders, including United Kingdom citizens, must supply, in addition to the standard documents, either a Police Check/Certificate or a Fingerprint Check. Please contact the Iranian Consulate for further details on these requirements.

Visa fees

Please check the appropriate consulate website for specific information on the cost and method of payment. Cash is generally not accepted and often payment will need to be arranged before you apply with the embassy/consulate. The actual application process will vary depending on your nationality and the consulate/embassy at which you will be applying. Please check the appropriate consulate website for specific information.

Do I need a visa?

Many nationalities including British, Australian, USA, Canadian and members of the EU do not require a visa to enter Kazakhstan for stays of up to 30 days - which are date specific to correspond with your Sundowners Overland arrangements. We suggest you check with your local consulate for the most up to date information.

There are no Kazakhstan consulates in some countries (e.g. New Zealand) and so you must apply for your visa through a consulate located in another country.

For information on how to apply for a visa to enter Kazakhstan through the consulate in the United Kingdom, visit the following website

If you would like further recommendations and advice on applying for a Kazakhstan visa through a consulate located in another country, please contact a Travel Advisor at Sundowners Overland or your visa processing company.

For other nationalities, please refer to your local consulate for information. Visit the following website to find your local embassy: http://www.embassypages.com/

Letter of Invitation

Many nationalities do not require an invitation letter for Kazakhstan, however, if one is required it will be provided by Sundowners Overland. The invitation letter is issued by Kazakhstan’s Ministry Of Foreign Affairs and details are sent to the relevant consulate who will issue the visa. A copy of the invitation letter must be sent when applying for the visa for the consulate to cross-reference with the information they have received.

Visa fee

Please check the appropriate consulate website for specific information on the cost and method of payment. Cash is generally not accepted and often payment will need to be arranged before you apply with the embassy/consulate. The actual application process will vary depending on your nationality and the consulate/embassy at which you will be applying. Please check the appropriate consulate website for specific information.

Do I need a visa?

Most nationalities do not require a visa to enter Kyrgyzstan as a tourist for a stay up to 60 days, including Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Canada, Ireland, USA and Switzerland. As visa requirements can change without notice, we recommend you contact your local consulate to ensure a visa is not required for your journey.

Please go to https://www.evisa.e-gov.kg/ to see whether you require a visa to enter Kyrgyzstan and to check visa application fees.

Visas are required for all nationalities travelling to Myanmar. For those entering Myanmar via Yangon International Airport, you may be able to apply for an e-visa online. Refer to the official website http://www.visasmyanmar.com for further information.

Tourist visas are valid for a stay of up to 28 days and are valid for entry into the country within 90-days from the date of issue. Visa applications should be submitted to the embassy at least 4 weeks prior to travel.

Visa fee

Do I need a visa?

As of 21 March 2018 all Tourist visa's will need to be obtained prior to arrival and are required for most nationalities. Applications must be made via the Royal Oman Police eVisa Service. A tourist visa for Oman may be valid for 10 days or 30 days and a fee will be applicable.

Please refer to the website of Oman's local embassy for further information.

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Turkey.

Turkey has an e-Visa application system where you can apply for a visa online. Visit the following URL to go to Turkey’s official e-visa website: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/

The cost may vary depending on your nationality; please refer to the e-visa website for more details.

Single or multiple entry visas are valid for a maximum 90-day stay. The earliest date that you can apply for this visa is 90-days prior to your planned arrival date and entry must occur within 90-days from the date of issue.

Do I need a visa?

All visitors to Turkmenistan require a visa. A Letter of Invitation (LOI) is also required before you can apply for your visa. Sundowners Overland will provide the necessary documentation including your Letter of Invitation that is required to support your visa application in order to obtain your visa on your arrival in Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan Tourist Visas are valid for stays up to 10 days. Your Letter of Invitation, as well as your visa, will only be valid for the same number of days you have pre-booked accommodation and services through Sundowners Overland.

Visa fee

Do I need a visa?

As of February 2019 a visa-free regime now applies for nationals of a number of countries including Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada for stays up to 30 days. Visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information.

All other travellers need a visa to enter Uzbekistan. Electronic visa applications can be made via https://e-visa.gov.uz/main You can find more detailed information regarding this procedure here.

Double entry visas are included in the visa-free regime.

Validity

Visas for Uzbekistan are valid for a maximum of 30 days. However, your visa entry dates are subject to your travel plans and itinerary.

To apply for your e-visa you must allow at least three working days prior to the date of travel. The e-visa usually takes two days to process and will be sent via email.

Visa Fee

Please check the appropriate consulate website for specific information on the cost and method of payment.

Registration

All visitors to Uzbekistan must register with the local department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs within 3 working days after arrival. Your hotel accommodation will register you automatically. Please ensure you keep any registration documents issued by the hotel with your passport and visa documentation until you exit the country.

Do I need a visa?

A number of nationalities, including the USA, Australia, New Zealand & the United Kingdom, have visa-free agreements that are valid for stays in Armenia for up to 180 days per year (usually 90 days per visit). Canadian nationals require a visa to enter Armenia. Depending on your nationality, it is possible to obtain your visa on arrival with a validity of 21 days from the date of entry or you can apply for an E-visa via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Armenia website.

Visa fee

Do I need a visa?

All travellers require a visa to enter Azerbaijan and it must be arranged in advance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recently simplified this process and all tourists can now apply for an e-visa online at the following website: https://evisa.gov.az/en/

Your e-visa will be valid from a specific date (as chosen by you and in relation to your arrival date) and be valid for 30 days from that date. Your stay cannot exceed 30 days. Please ensure you enter the correct arrival date as per your expected arrival into Azerbaijan. You can apply for this visa at any time, as long as it is at least 5 business days before your arrival.

You will be required to print your e-visa electronic document and take it with you on your journey. Upon arrival, your e-visa and passport will be stamped. Please retain your e-visa until you have departed the country.

Visa Fee

Do I need a visa?

A number of nationalities do not require a visa to enter Georgia, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UK, United States and countries that are members of the EU. Please check entry requirements with your local Georgian embassy to determine whether visa-free arrangements are applicable for your nationality. 

If you are a citizen of a country that requires a visa to enter Georgia, you will need an invitation letter. Invitations are provided for arrangements booked with Sundowners Overland.

Visa Fee

Please refer to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia for the latest details on visa fees.

All foreign nationals require a visa to enter India. An e-visa (Eletronic visa) will need to be obtained prior to your departure via the official website. At the time of writing e-visa's are valid for entry at the following airports : Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum & Varanasi. If arriving to India via another airport or route you will need to procure your visa with the nearest Indian embassy in advance of your arrival.

You'll need to apply for your e-Visa a aluminum of 4 days and a maximum of 120 days before arriving in India. You visa will be valid for 60 days. It's not a visa-on-arrival. Carry a printed copy of the email confirmation of your e-Visa (known as an electronic travel authorisation of ETA), and a formal visa will be affixed to your passport on arrival in India. Long queues are common at immigration counters in India, regardless of visa type.

Your passport should have at least six months validity from the date of arrival in India, as well as at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer.

Visa costs will vary depending on your nationality. You can find more information here.

Most travellers need a visa to enter Pakistan. You will need to apply at the Pakistan embassy in your home country or country of residence some will require an invitation letter.

You visa will be valid for 6 months from the date of issue for a stay of 90 days. Processing time can greatly vary from a few days to six weeks. Make sure you allow ample processing time.

Sundowners Overland will provide the necessary documentation including your Cover Letter and Proof of Travel Arrangements from our Local Partner in Pakistan, which are required to support your visa application. Please note that we can only include the travel arrangements that Sundowners Overland has booked on your behalf. If you have organized any independent travel outside of your Sundowners Overland arrangements, you will need to provide your own proof of these arrangements.

Most foreign visitors require a visa to enter Tajikistan. You can apply for a tourist e-visa online here.

E-visas are valid for 45 days within a 90-day period from the entry date you fill in, and is single entry. You can apply as early as you like.

You will need to ensure you have a passport that has a minimum of six months validity from the expiry date of your Tajik visa as well as two blank pages.

When travelling in the Pamir region you will also need to apply for a GBAO permit, this will be checked at various military checkpoints along the Pamir Highway. The permit duration is a maximum of 45 days and can be applied for online when applying for your e-visa.