Hi,
I just had a really bad experience leaving for Thailand with Etihad Airways, along with my partner and her 11-year-old son. We were denied boarding because the child’s passport was invalid (by about 3 days), as it’s indeed required to have 6 months of validity. But come on—just 3 days over! On top of that, we were able to check in online for our round-trip flight (just the flights, no extras), entered our passport numbers and expiry dates, and even had to check in online again 30 hours before departure, where we got our boarding passes without any issues. How is it possible that no one called, warned, or even blocked us online? Instead, they waited to tell us at the airport during baggage check-in. I’ve asked the airline for a full refund of our expenses—do I have any chance? Thanks for your help
Hi there,
I just got back to France and realized I don’t have a stamp in my French passport. Is it normal that at Suvarnabhumi Airport customs didn’t stamp my passport?
I’m really worried because I have to go back in a month and I don’t know what to expect when I arrive at Thai customs. I’m afraid of the consequences, like a fine or worse—being blacklisted from entering Thailand.
Has anyone else had this happen? And if it’s not normal, what can I do to avoid any problems?
Hi everyone.
I’m here to share a really reassuring experience about boarding a flight from France to Guadeloupe without an ID card or passport.
Yesterday, I met up with my friend at her place around 4:00 PM. She told me to leave my bag in my car while we ran an errand because “nothing ever happens here.”
When we got back at 8:00 PM, my car window was smashed, and my bag was stolen. In a panic about forgetting something for the trip, I’d left my whole life in that bag—ID card, passport, driver’s license, health insurance card—total meltdown. It was 8:00 PM, and our flight was at 10:00 AM the next day.
We’re on the plane right now, and I’ll tell you exactly what we did.
At 8:30 PM, we went to the police station. No one was there, but there was a number to call for night emergencies. They sent a team to take our statement. We explained that clothes weren’t the issue but that we had a flight the next day. They initially said they couldn’t file the theft report until the next morning. We pleaded a little, and they finally opened the station for us. They gave us the forms for reporting a stolen passport and ID card.
These documents are called either: *"Receipt for theft report"* *"Theft report"*
Even before we finished, we started researching online to see if this paperwork would be enough. The info we found on this forum (from 2014) and what was clearly stated on the Air Caraïbes website totally crushed us. It seemed like it was completely hopeless. Only one person said it depended on the mood of the staff we’d encounter at the airport.
Awful night, total despair.
We arrived at the airport at 6:30 AM for a 10:20 AM boarding. We went to the Air Caraïbes baggage drop-off way too early to talk to someone. We explained the problem to the first woman we saw.
She immediately reassured us that we’d be able to fly. Basically, if you have the police or gendarmerie document for the theft or loss, it’s 100% okay. No issues with that.
We had to fill out a first form swearing we were telling the truth about our checked baggage, then a second one for customs after our carry-on bags were inspected.
Didn’t report the theft or loss before arriving at the airport? No problem—there’s an office in the airport that handles that. Basically, we didn’t *have* to go to the police station.
The only really important thing is to arrive *very* early to have time to sort everything out. If you show up at customs or boarding without anything prepared beforehand, you’ll obviously be turned away.
If this post reassured or helped you, feel free to leave a comment so this forum ranks higher on Google. I wish I’d read something like this last night—I would’ve slept better. This morning, my alarm went off at 4:00 AM, and unlike usual, I had a *hard* time waking up, like I was heading to prison.
That’s it. Nico and Solène, 40 years old.
I’m here to share a really reassuring experience about boarding a flight from France to Guadeloupe without an ID card or passport.
Yesterday, I met up with my friend at her place around 4:00 PM. She told me to leave my bag in my car while we ran an errand because “nothing ever happens here.”
When we got back at 8:00 PM, my car window was smashed, and my bag was stolen. In a panic about forgetting something for the trip, I’d left my whole life in that bag—ID card, passport, driver’s license, health insurance card—total meltdown. It was 8:00 PM, and our flight was at 10:00 AM the next day.
We’re on the plane right now, and I’ll tell you exactly what we did.
At 8:30 PM, we went to the police station. No one was there, but there was a number to call for night emergencies. They sent a team to take our statement. We explained that clothes weren’t the issue but that we had a flight the next day. They initially said they couldn’t file the theft report until the next morning. We pleaded a little, and they finally opened the station for us. They gave us the forms for reporting a stolen passport and ID card.
These documents are called either: *"Receipt for theft report"* *"Theft report"*
Even before we finished, we started researching online to see if this paperwork would be enough. The info we found on this forum (from 2014) and what was clearly stated on the Air Caraïbes website totally crushed us. It seemed like it was completely hopeless. Only one person said it depended on the mood of the staff we’d encounter at the airport.
Awful night, total despair.
We arrived at the airport at 6:30 AM for a 10:20 AM boarding. We went to the Air Caraïbes baggage drop-off way too early to talk to someone. We explained the problem to the first woman we saw.
She immediately reassured us that we’d be able to fly. Basically, if you have the police or gendarmerie document for the theft or loss, it’s 100% okay. No issues with that.
We had to fill out a first form swearing we were telling the truth about our checked baggage, then a second one for customs after our carry-on bags were inspected.
Didn’t report the theft or loss before arriving at the airport? No problem—there’s an office in the airport that handles that. Basically, we didn’t *have* to go to the police station.
The only really important thing is to arrive *very* early to have time to sort everything out. If you show up at customs or boarding without anything prepared beforehand, you’ll obviously be turned away.
If this post reassured or helped you, feel free to leave a comment so this forum ranks higher on Google. I wish I’d read something like this last night—I would’ve slept better. This morning, my alarm went off at 4:00 AM, and unlike usual, I had a *hard* time waking up, like I was heading to prison.
That’s it. Nico and Solène, 40 years old.
Hi there,
We’re supposed to fly in four days—my partner, our two kids, and me—for a one-month trip to Cambodia. While applying for an e-visa, we just realized that both our passports won’t be valid for 6 months after our stay ends, which is a key requirement for getting a Cambodian visa. I don’t know how, but we totally missed this info!! Our tickets aren’t refundable, and we’ve booked several non-refundable hotels there too...
Has anyone been in this situation or have any ideas or solutions?
Thanks so much in advance!!!!
We’re supposed to fly in four days—my partner, our two kids, and me—for a one-month trip to Cambodia. While applying for an e-visa, we just realized that both our passports won’t be valid for 6 months after our stay ends, which is a key requirement for getting a Cambodian visa. I don’t know how, but we totally missed this info!! Our tickets aren’t refundable, and we’ve booked several non-refundable hotels there too...
Has anyone been in this situation or have any ideas or solutions?
Thanks so much in advance!!!!
Hi,
I want to invite a Malagasy friend and I’m surprised to learn there are procedures (that seem complicated) to follow…
It would be a short stay (max 3 months).
She’s got her passport, I’m paying for the flight ticket, and I read that I need to get an accommodation certificate from my town hall—but what else is required after that? What other documents are needed? What are the processing times?
I’m really disappointed that in 2026, it’s still such a hassle for this kind of thing.
Hello,
My partner, who is Malagasy, would like to visit France (ideally in mid-August) and therefore apply for a short-stay visa (90 days).
I’ve heard that many applications are refused even when all the required documents are submitted, which is why I’m here—to get advice and guidance to be "almost" sure the application will be accepted.
I have a lot of questions, and your help would be invaluable to us.
She is 27 years old, has a passport with her current occupation listed as self-employed (she owns a "taxi-brousse" truck) and thus has a statistical card, a business license, and annual tax certificates. She started her business at the beginning of this year.
As for me, I am an adult with a disability. I receive disability benefits until May 2026. I’m in the process of professional reintegration and will start a job in a few days, likely on a fixed-term contract (CDD).
Here are my questions about the supporting documents to provide:
-Purpose of the trip/stay
Flight ticket reservation (round-trip) (the ticket should only be purchased once the visa is approved). Letter of commitment to return, written on plain paper. Any other document demonstrating potential family, economic, or material ties in the country of residence. Confirmation of a booked organized trip or any other document outlining the planned itinerary.
I’ve been told that for the flight reservation, my partner just needs to go to Air Madagascar in Antananarivo and pay around 50,000 ariary to get this reservation. Given that the French short-stay visa takes between 15 to 45 days (I might be wrong) to be processed and approved, I wonder if the reservation will still be valid if the visa is approved late. For the letter of commitment to return, I assume two sentences are enough, and what matters most are the documents proving ties to the country of residence (her economic activity). Do you think that will be sufficient? And for the planned itinerary, since this isn’t an organized trip, what document could work? A handwritten letter explaining a few planned visits?
-Proof of residence in the country of origin
For employees: original work certificate, original leave certificate, last 3 payslips (or bank statements). For retirees: pensioner’s card and last 3 pension statements. For traders or entrepreneurs: professional registration, professional card, and recent bank statements.
For liberal professions: professional registration, professional card, and recent bank statements. For unemployed applicants and students: sponsorship letter and copies of the sponsor’s financial documents.
For this point, she can justify her self-employed status with the statistical card, business license, and annual tax certificates. As for bank statements, she deposits her earnings in cash into her bank account—will this be an issue during the application review?
-Financial resources
Bank account statements (last 3 months). Last 3 payslips or pension statements. Foreign currency allocation certificate, whose origin must be demonstrated (recent bank statement, savings account), issued by local banks or exchange offices (minimum 32.50 € per day if staying with a private individual or 65 € per day if staying in a hotel) or presentation of an international bank card with supporting account statement.
I need help with this point because I don’t fully understand what she needs to provide as a self-employed individual, especially since she doesn’t earn 32.50 € per day. I can obviously transfer money to cover this. So, overall, what documents should be provided for this section?
-Accommodation
Confirmed hotel reservation with the hotel’s phone number and reservation number / payment confirmation for stays longer than 1 month or original hosting attestation.
For this point, do I just need to write a handwritten letter stating that I will be hosting her? Then scan it and email it to her? Is that all?
-Travel medical insurance
Insurance certificate: must specify the amount and scope of coverage (30,000 € coverage / medical expenses and repatriation).
For this, I’ll opt for AXA Schengen insurance (low-cost). Any advice is still welcome...
I have one last question about the following point:
The short-stay visa allows you to stay for a maximum of 90 days for a continuous stay or multiple stays within the Schengen area over a 180-day period.
If we decide to leave the Schengen area during the stay (to visit the United Kingdom, for example), will the 90-day visa be paused and resume once we return to the Schengen area? And if so, can we plan a return ticket beyond the 3 months by justifying an exit/entry?
Thank you in advance for all your advice and suggestions. I may have forgotten some important points—feel free to let me know.
Best regards.
She is 27 years old, has a passport with her current occupation listed as self-employed (she owns a "taxi-brousse" truck) and thus has a statistical card, a business license, and annual tax certificates. She started her business at the beginning of this year.
As for me, I am an adult with a disability. I receive disability benefits until May 2026. I’m in the process of professional reintegration and will start a job in a few days, likely on a fixed-term contract (CDD).
Here are my questions about the supporting documents to provide:
-Purpose of the trip/stay
Flight ticket reservation (round-trip) (the ticket should only be purchased once the visa is approved). Letter of commitment to return, written on plain paper. Any other document demonstrating potential family, economic, or material ties in the country of residence. Confirmation of a booked organized trip or any other document outlining the planned itinerary.
I’ve been told that for the flight reservation, my partner just needs to go to Air Madagascar in Antananarivo and pay around 50,000 ariary to get this reservation. Given that the French short-stay visa takes between 15 to 45 days (I might be wrong) to be processed and approved, I wonder if the reservation will still be valid if the visa is approved late. For the letter of commitment to return, I assume two sentences are enough, and what matters most are the documents proving ties to the country of residence (her economic activity). Do you think that will be sufficient? And for the planned itinerary, since this isn’t an organized trip, what document could work? A handwritten letter explaining a few planned visits?
-Proof of residence in the country of origin
For employees: original work certificate, original leave certificate, last 3 payslips (or bank statements). For retirees: pensioner’s card and last 3 pension statements. For traders or entrepreneurs: professional registration, professional card, and recent bank statements.
For liberal professions: professional registration, professional card, and recent bank statements. For unemployed applicants and students: sponsorship letter and copies of the sponsor’s financial documents.
For this point, she can justify her self-employed status with the statistical card, business license, and annual tax certificates. As for bank statements, she deposits her earnings in cash into her bank account—will this be an issue during the application review?
-Financial resources
Bank account statements (last 3 months). Last 3 payslips or pension statements. Foreign currency allocation certificate, whose origin must be demonstrated (recent bank statement, savings account), issued by local banks or exchange offices (minimum 32.50 € per day if staying with a private individual or 65 € per day if staying in a hotel) or presentation of an international bank card with supporting account statement.
I need help with this point because I don’t fully understand what she needs to provide as a self-employed individual, especially since she doesn’t earn 32.50 € per day. I can obviously transfer money to cover this. So, overall, what documents should be provided for this section?
-Accommodation
Confirmed hotel reservation with the hotel’s phone number and reservation number / payment confirmation for stays longer than 1 month or original hosting attestation.
For this point, do I just need to write a handwritten letter stating that I will be hosting her? Then scan it and email it to her? Is that all?
-Travel medical insurance
Insurance certificate: must specify the amount and scope of coverage (30,000 € coverage / medical expenses and repatriation).
For this, I’ll opt for AXA Schengen insurance (low-cost). Any advice is still welcome...
I have one last question about the following point:
The short-stay visa allows you to stay for a maximum of 90 days for a continuous stay or multiple stays within the Schengen area over a 180-day period.
If we decide to leave the Schengen area during the stay (to visit the United Kingdom, for example), will the 90-day visa be paused and resume once we return to the Schengen area? And if so, can we plan a return ticket beyond the 3 months by justifying an exit/entry?
Thank you in advance for all your advice and suggestions. I may have forgotten some important points—feel free to let me know.
Best regards.
Hi there,
In November, we're heading off on a 4-month trip. We'll be landing in China and plan to leave the country via a land border into Vietnam.
I’ve read that China may ask for proof of exit within 30 days (flight ticket or other reservation). Since we’d be leaving by land, I’m wondering how this works in practice.
Has anyone here been in this situation recently?
Did the airline ask for an exit ticket before boarding? Did Chinese authorities require proof upon arrival? Is a train/bus ticket to Vietnam sufficient? Is a cancelable or flexible reservation accepted?
Thanks for sharing your experiences! 😊
Did the airline ask for an exit ticket before boarding? Did Chinese authorities require proof upon arrival? Is a train/bus ticket to Vietnam sufficient? Is a cancelable or flexible reservation accepted?
Thanks for sharing your experiences! 😊
Hey Fellow Travelers,
I was caught off guard when the Malagasy consulate in Scandinavia informed me they don’t issue entry visas for Madagascar—what’s the point of a consulate, I wonder! They advised me to apply at the Malagasy embassy in London. So, I started filling out the online form, but the price for the visa made me do a double-take: nearly 200 €!
But apparently, you can also get it on arrival! Has anyone tried this before? I’d love to know if the process takes a long time (I’ll be landing in Nosy Be, exhausted after nearly 15 hours of travel), what the cost is, and—since corruption isn’t just a word—whether you absolutely have to grease the palm of the official(s). This is because I almost took the next flight back when I arrived in a country I won’t name. Even though all my documents were in order—passport, visa, vaccinations, hotel reservation—the immigration officer initially refused to stamp my passport. I later found out I was supposed to slip at least $10 into the document when presenting it... Thanks! /d
I was caught off guard when the Malagasy consulate in Scandinavia informed me they don’t issue entry visas for Madagascar—what’s the point of a consulate, I wonder! They advised me to apply at the Malagasy embassy in London. So, I started filling out the online form, but the price for the visa made me do a double-take: nearly 200 €!
But apparently, you can also get it on arrival! Has anyone tried this before? I’d love to know if the process takes a long time (I’ll be landing in Nosy Be, exhausted after nearly 15 hours of travel), what the cost is, and—since corruption isn’t just a word—whether you absolutely have to grease the palm of the official(s). This is because I almost took the next flight back when I arrived in a country I won’t name. Even though all my documents were in order—passport, visa, vaccinations, hotel reservation—the immigration officer initially refused to stamp my passport. I later found out I was supposed to slip at least $10 into the document when presenting it... Thanks! /d
Hello to all the Thailand regulars.
I’ve been to Thailand several times, but it was about 20 years ago…
There’s a new system in place now, it seems.
TDAC – Thailand Digital Arrival Card.
Before arriving, I apply for a TDAC, okay. If during my stay I cross the border to spend a few days in Malaysia and then re-enter Thailand, do I need to submit a new TDAC application? Do I use the same TDAC as when I first entered the country?
Or do I initially have to pay for a Thai multi-entry visa?
Thanks in advance for your insights—I can’t find the answer online.
Pierre
I’ve been to Thailand several times, but it was about 20 years ago…
There’s a new system in place now, it seems.
TDAC – Thailand Digital Arrival Card.
Before arriving, I apply for a TDAC, okay. If during my stay I cross the border to spend a few days in Malaysia and then re-enter Thailand, do I need to submit a new TDAC application? Do I use the same TDAC as when I first entered the country?
Or do I initially have to pay for a Thai multi-entry visa?
Thanks in advance for your insights—I can’t find the answer online.
Pierre
Hi,
We’re heading to Tanzania at the end of the year and I’d like to know where I can apply for the e-visas because I’ve found some sites, but they’re charging more than what I was told.
It’s not the official site, and I’m struggling to find it.
Do you have the direct official link, please? Thanks so much for your help! 😊
Hi everyone, I’d like to travel to Senegal with my two dogs—an Amstaff and a French Bulldog (who can’t fly). I’m wondering if you think it’ll be complicated or if the formalities are easy to sort out.
I’m giving myself a year to prepare for this trip.
Thanks in advance for your replies
Thanks in advance for your replies
hi everyone
We’ll be applying for a retiree OA visa by September. For our part, we’ll head back to France for a bit and return a month BEFORE our current OA visa expires to renew it at immigration. We’ve emailed several immigration offices but haven’t gotten any responses. We’ve searched online for info but haven’t found anything. What we’re really interested in is knowing which documents they’ll ask for at the immigration office in Phang Nga, for example, for our renewal. We’ve seen all the paperwork needed for the initial OA visa on the official online visa application site... but for the renewal, do we need to provide ALL the same documents? Thanks in advance
We’ll be applying for a retiree OA visa by September. For our part, we’ll head back to France for a bit and return a month BEFORE our current OA visa expires to renew it at immigration. We’ve emailed several immigration offices but haven’t gotten any responses. We’ve searched online for info but haven’t found anything. What we’re really interested in is knowing which documents they’ll ask for at the immigration office in Phang Nga, for example, for our renewal. We’ve seen all the paperwork needed for the initial OA visa on the official online visa application site... but for the renewal, do we need to provide ALL the same documents? Thanks in advance
Starting January 5, you’ll need to arrive at the Mauritanian border with an E.Visa.
To get it, you’ll have to go to the Mauritanian website:
https://anrpts.gov.mr/fr
Hi there,
This will be my first trip to Thailand, which will be the first stop on my Asian journey. This time, I’d like to leave with a one-way ticket so I can return to France from the last country I visit.
First and foremost, I’d like to confirm whether it’s possible to get a VOA (Visa on Arrival) when I land in Thailand without any prior steps? Is proof of onward travel (like a return ticket) required to get this visa?
If so, does it have to be a round-trip ticket from the country I’m arriving from, or can I use a flight or train ticket from Thailand to a neighboring country as proof of exit?
For Cambodia and Vietnam, is it also possible to get a VOA on the spot?
I’d also love any tips or important info you think might be useful about Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam—my planned destinations—especially regarding accommodation, transportation, points of interest, and, of course, any personal advice or experiences you’d like to share!
Thanks so much to everyone, and I wish you all an amazing 2025 filled with health, travel, and discoveries! !
This will be my first trip to Thailand, which will be the first stop on my Asian journey. This time, I’d like to leave with a one-way ticket so I can return to France from the last country I visit.
First and foremost, I’d like to confirm whether it’s possible to get a VOA (Visa on Arrival) when I land in Thailand without any prior steps? Is proof of onward travel (like a return ticket) required to get this visa?
If so, does it have to be a round-trip ticket from the country I’m arriving from, or can I use a flight or train ticket from Thailand to a neighboring country as proof of exit?
For Cambodia and Vietnam, is it also possible to get a VOA on the spot?
I’d also love any tips or important info you think might be useful about Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam—my planned destinations—especially regarding accommodation, transportation, points of interest, and, of course, any personal advice or experiences you’d like to share!
Thanks so much to everyone, and I wish you all an amazing 2025 filled with health, travel, and discoveries! !
Hi there,
We’re planning our trip and want to spend 3 MONTHS in Madagascar, but we’re getting really conflicting info about visas.
Apparently, it’s not possible to get one at the airport.
We contacted the consulate in Marseille… and they don’t know either.
The phone number for the embassy in Paris is no longer in service…
Anyway… help!
If anyone’s gotten a 3-month visa, could you shed some light on this for us?
Thanks so much.
Hi,
I’m traveling with my 6-year-old daughter this summer, and since her father hasn’t seen her in 3 months, he won’t be able to sign a travel consent form for me.
He’s been completely out of touch since early March, and I have no idea where he is.
We’re heading to Montreal for 2 weeks in early July—I have both the outbound and return tickets.
Am I required to provide a signed consent letter from the father, even though she’s traveling with a parent who has legal custody?
If I don’t have one but can prove my good faith—explaining that he’s completely unreachable—will that be enough?
Thanks for your help!
Hi everyone!
So happy the forum is back—I’ve been part of it since 2012! ☺️
After lots of twists and turns with Sri Lanka’s visa (called ETA) over the past few months, here’s a quick recap of the current situation for travelers:
- You need to get an ETA, either online or on arrival. I recommend doing it online because it’s cheaper (here’s a step-by-step guide to avoid common pitfalls: https://www.tongsetsrilanka.com/mode-demploi-pour-eta-au-sri-lanka)
- It’s valid for 30 days and costs $50 online or $60 on arrival.
- It was supposed to be free starting October 1st, but due to the elections and Parliament being dissolved, that didn’t happen. Stay tuned in December in case the topic comes up again.
- The online ETA is recorded in your passport, so you don’t need to show any documents, but I’d still recommend traveling with the confirmation.
- If you didn’t receive the confirmation email, you can check the status on the official ETA website.
- The only official site is eta.gov.lk. Watch out for agency websites pretending to be the official one.
- Avoid filling out your ETA on the French version—it’s buggy. Use my guide and do it in English instead. 😅
Happy travels! Caroline
So happy the forum is back—I’ve been part of it since 2012! ☺️
After lots of twists and turns with Sri Lanka’s visa (called ETA) over the past few months, here’s a quick recap of the current situation for travelers:
- You need to get an ETA, either online or on arrival. I recommend doing it online because it’s cheaper (here’s a step-by-step guide to avoid common pitfalls: https://www.tongsetsrilanka.com/mode-demploi-pour-eta-au-sri-lanka)
- It’s valid for 30 days and costs $50 online or $60 on arrival.
- It was supposed to be free starting October 1st, but due to the elections and Parliament being dissolved, that didn’t happen. Stay tuned in December in case the topic comes up again.
- The online ETA is recorded in your passport, so you don’t need to show any documents, but I’d still recommend traveling with the confirmation.
- If you didn’t receive the confirmation email, you can check the status on the official ETA website.
- The only official site is eta.gov.lk. Watch out for agency websites pretending to be the official one.
- Avoid filling out your ETA on the French version—it’s buggy. Use my guide and do it in English instead. 😅
Happy travels! Caroline
Hi, I'd like to know—I'm planning to go to Taiwan and would like to make a stop in China, then another stop in China on my way back from Taiwan.
In total, I'd stay less than 30 cumulative days in China, but would I still be allowed to return after coming back from Taiwan (while still benefiting from the visa exemption)?
Thanks! ^^
In total, I'd stay less than 30 cumulative days in China, but would I still be allowed to return after coming back from Taiwan (while still benefiting from the visa exemption)?
Thanks! ^^
Hi there,
I’ve read that medication supplies shouldn’t exceed 30 days.
How can I handle a two-month stay?
Thanks for your tips!
Thanks for your tips!
Hi everyone,
Two years ago, I got a 5-year visa. But I had to change my plans and haven’t used it yet.
Do you think it’s still valid? I’d like to go to India at the beginning of the year.
I’ve got a big doubt. Do you know where I can find this info?
Thanks a bunch!
Hi
Has anyone been to Rwanda recently and gotten a 3-month visa on arrival easily?
Thanks
Hi there,
The Netherlands is one of the countries that hasn’t officially taken a position on accepting French ID cards with extended validity (+5 years). However, it seems to be tolerated, and it’s recommended to carry the explanatory notice about the law that extended the validity of ID cards—especially in case of a police check during your stay in the Netherlands. The main concern seems to be about legal status in the country. Air France (apparently) indicates that boarding is possible. Has anyone had experience traveling by plane under these conditions, and can someone confirm whether it’s possible to visit the Netherlands (by plane with Air France) with an expired French ID card (based on the date printed on it) but with validity extended by 5 years? It’s hard to get a definitive answer, which is why I’m asking fellow travelers for their experiences :) Thanks in advance for your feedback! Audrey
The Netherlands is one of the countries that hasn’t officially taken a position on accepting French ID cards with extended validity (+5 years). However, it seems to be tolerated, and it’s recommended to carry the explanatory notice about the law that extended the validity of ID cards—especially in case of a police check during your stay in the Netherlands. The main concern seems to be about legal status in the country. Air France (apparently) indicates that boarding is possible. Has anyone had experience traveling by plane under these conditions, and can someone confirm whether it’s possible to visit the Netherlands (by plane with Air France) with an expired French ID card (based on the date printed on it) but with validity extended by 5 years? It’s hard to get a definitive answer, which is why I’m asking fellow travelers for their experiences :) Thanks in advance for your feedback! Audrey
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for info on how long it takes to get a tourist visa in Jakarta. My Indonesian friend has almost all the documents ready but is missing flight tickets and insurance. We’d like to book them last minute for practical reasons. Has anyone had a recent experience and could tell me how long it usually takes? Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone, I’d like to take a trip from France to Malaysia and Thailand like this:
Paris to Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi
Langkawi to Koh Lipe
Bangkok to Paris
I’m wondering if I’ll run into any visa issues on arrival since I won’t have an outbound flight ticket from Malaysia and I won’t have an inbound flight ticket to Thailand. If you’ve got any tips or have done this trip before, I’d really appreciate your help.
Thanks so much.
Paris to Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi
Langkawi to Koh Lipe
Bangkok to Paris
I’m wondering if I’ll run into any visa issues on arrival since I won’t have an outbound flight ticket from Malaysia and I won’t have an inbound flight ticket to Thailand. If you’ve got any tips or have done this trip before, I’d really appreciate your help.
Thanks so much.
hi there
I’m heading to Sri Lanka for a month from January 6th to February 3rd, then I’ve got a flight to the Maldives from February 3rd to 15th, and... I’m coming back to Sri Lanka for one night from the 15th to the 16th to catch my flight back to France. Because my flight ticket is from January 6th to February 16th... I’m wondering about my travel authorization. Will I get a transit authorization for one day to board my flight?
Thanks for shedding some light on this!
Hello,
My partner and I are planning a trip to Thailand, Laos, and Japan. To do this, we’re thinking of booking a flight ticket from Paris to Bangkok, departing in January 2025 and returning in April 2025. During this period, we’d travel overland to Laos and fly to Japan from Thailand, then return to Thailand. What type of visa should we apply for at the Thai embassy? Thanks in advance. Best regards,
My partner and I are planning a trip to Thailand, Laos, and Japan. To do this, we’re thinking of booking a flight ticket from Paris to Bangkok, departing in January 2025 and returning in April 2025. During this period, we’d travel overland to Laos and fly to Japan from Thailand, then return to Thailand. What type of visa should we apply for at the Thai embassy? Thanks in advance. Best regards,
Hi everyone,
I’ll be in Bangkok at the end of March and I’m thinking of heading to Chongqing, China, for a few days. I know China has a visa exemption program for French citizens, but a few years ago, I was in South Korea and wanted to go to Shanghai. They wouldn’t let me board because I was departing from Thailand instead of France—basically, the 3-day visa exemption at the time only worked if you were coming from Europe, not Asia. So I lost my flight tickets and accommodations and ended up staying in Seoul.
Now I’d like to give it another shot to visit that wild city, Chongqing. I read on the embassy’s website that "you can travel to China without a visa, even from a third country" (??)... But nothing’s clear—you call them, they don’t answer; you don’t know where to go to ask; and the website talks about 2025, not even 2026 yet. It’s kind of a mess...
If you’ve got any firsthand experience, I’d love to hear it! :)
Thanks everyone,
I’ll be in Bangkok at the end of March and I’m thinking of heading to Chongqing, China, for a few days. I know China has a visa exemption program for French citizens, but a few years ago, I was in South Korea and wanted to go to Shanghai. They wouldn’t let me board because I was departing from Thailand instead of France—basically, the 3-day visa exemption at the time only worked if you were coming from Europe, not Asia. So I lost my flight tickets and accommodations and ended up staying in Seoul.
Now I’d like to give it another shot to visit that wild city, Chongqing. I read on the embassy’s website that "you can travel to China without a visa, even from a third country" (??)... But nothing’s clear—you call them, they don’t answer; you don’t know where to go to ask; and the website talks about 2025, not even 2026 yet. It’s kind of a mess...
If you’ve got any firsthand experience, I’d love to hear it! :)
Thanks everyone,
I'm looking for any recent info (2024) on entering Myanmar from Ranong in Thailand, as well as the journey up to Mawlamyine. Are there any restricted areas?
Hello, HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026!
We’re heading back in October for a trip through Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
I have a question: for our route, we’ll need to cross the Zambia and Zimbabwe borders twice each. From experience, I know we won’t have any issues with Botswana.
But for the other two countries, I can’t find a clear answer.
All your tips are welcome!
Thanks for your replies
Thanks for your replies
Hi everyone,
I’m planning my trip to Madagascar for the fall and starting to think about getting my visa. After reading through different posts, I’m a bit unsure about the best way to go about it. Is it better to apply for an e-visa (and if so, which official website?) or just queue up on arrival? It seems there are "unofficial"—and therefore fraudulent—sites out there, and that you’ll have to queue either way (which I’m not thrilled about since I’m arriving at 11 PM). What do you think?
