Passport, Visa & Immigration Made Simple

This course contains the use of artificial intelligence.

Visa rules are confusing, they change often, and they are different for every passport. Most travellers search blogs, forums and friends’ advice, and many still make costly mistakes: a passport that expires too soon, the wrong visa, a fake website, or a refused boarding at the airport.

This course teaches you a simple method to find the right answer for your passport and your destination, in plain English. You will learn how passports and visas work, how to apply through official channels only, how to spot scams, and how to stay calm at the airport and the border. We also cover special topics for creators who travel with cameras and drones, and what to do if something goes wrong, such as a lost passport or an eVisa that is not accepted.

In this course you will learn:

• What a passport and a visa are, and why you need both

• How to get, renew and replace a passport

• A five-step method to check entry rules for any country

• The five ways to enter a country: visa-free, visa on arrival, eVisa, ETA and embassy visa

• How to read a visa and a stamp, and understand validity, length of stay and number of entries

• How the Schengen 90/180 rule works

• How to estimate real visa costs and timelines, and when to use an agent

• How to spot fake websites, fake agents and airport touts

• What to expect at check-in, security, immigration and customs, and what to do if you are refused entry

• What creators can and cannot do on a tourist visa, including filming, drones and gear

• How to prepare for high-risk destinations, and how to stay safe

• A short history of how passports and visas began

You will also get checklists and worksheets you can use before every trip.

This course teaches general concepts and methods. It is not legal or immigration advice. Rules, fees and processing times change, so always verify on the official government website or the IATA Travel Centre before you travel.