The Expat Files - Passports and Visas - 08/17/12

- An email and some thoughts on the so-called new, stricter rules on gringos entering certain Latin American countries. Is it something you should worry about? Does that mean more hoops to jump through? You’ll be surprised.

-Even if you have a valid US passport now, here are two excellent reasons why it is highly recommended that you get a brand new US passport ASAP- before BB changes the rules. Do it before it’s too late and you won’t regret it!

-DYK that hackers with basically Radio Shack equipment can read your passport data from 200+ feet away as you stroll by? It’s not Sci-Fi anymore- like in the Tom Cruise movie “minority report”. Some people, who don’t like the notion of being monitored, have found clever ways to kill the passport RFID chip. Parents, don't let your children try this at home! (or not)

-Do you need a return airline ticket when you arrive in a Latin American country? What about proof of income for your stay? Most Latin country websites say you need this stuf, but us long term expats know different!

-What happens to expats who stay in a Latin country way beyond their visa expiration date? Belive it or not, many expats end up staying in a country for years illegally. Guess what? Now it’s the gringo who’s the illegal alien for a change! What happens when a guy in that predicament tries to leave the country? What happens when he finally does get out of Dodge and someday tries to get back to the same country where he broke the immigration laws?

-Now you can follow the link on the main page at www.expatwisdom.com to schedule a consultation with me. If you want to discuss the details of living, working, playing, doing business and/or retiring in Latin America, now you and I can talk about your situation one on one.