I do have a lot to tell about visas, and I'm trying to generalize into 2 parts below.
＊Visas preparing for this trip
At first I was so focus on getting all the visas done before leaving Taiwan. I thought over and over, again and again, walking around that route map and having no idea at all that when I could finally start the trip. Later I concluded that this cannot be working. All the visas I could get in Taiwan have entry date restriction. They would be expired if I could not enter that country before 3-6 months after issuing. The validation restrictions have less impact on short-term travelers, but for long-term travelers, the better way would be getting visas in the 3rd countries(countries except origin and destination countries), or flying back to origin country then getting the visa and continuing the trip. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan just allowed people to have second valid passport if they need, which is more convenient for the second way. But the second passport could be valid for only 1 year. For people who plan to leave Taiwan for years and visit many countries like me, getting visas in the 3rd countries might still be the better way.
I'm going to start from China, and entering Mongolia after 3 months, then Russia. 8 months later entering Europe. Eastern African countries mostly allow me to have VOA(visa on arrival). Therefore, I think that Schengen visa for visiting most of the European countries is how much I could work on for. After Europe, there're Eastern African VOAs, it's better to get them on the way. Looking at those visas with longer validation, I still have on hands the US visa being valid for 5 years. Australia tourism visa could allow maximum 4 years validation. I think what I could prepare now are Mongolia, Russia, Schengen and Australia visas, and leave the rest on the road.
After some readings, querying consulates(such as the Romania consulate in Vienna), talking to some guys who are making round-the-world trips now, and referring to some information on internet, I guess it's possible to get visas for most of the countries I want to visit at the border or in the nearby countries, some annoyance and bribes may be needed. Thus, I decide "do my best and go to alternative countries if they don't issue me the visa" for whichever countries I cannot get visas in advance, and focus on those 4 visas.
Except Australia visa, the other 3 ask people to enter the country within 6 months. I need trying to get either a later-valid visa, or long(enough for me to enter) validation visa. Those are key points when I speak with the consulate. The Schengen visa might be the most difficult since it is a multi-countries visa and the latest, then maybe Russia visa, then Mongolia visa which is the earliest and less annoyance. Therefore I order the applying priority would be Australia>Mongolia>Russia>Schengen, so I could use Australia visa to convince the Mongolia consulate, use Australia and Mongolia visas to convince Russia consulate, then use those 3 visas to convince Schengen country consulate, to prove that I do visit those countries before I enter Schengen countries, therefore I need a long validation Schengen visa. I think it will work better this way.
I called the Mongolia and Russia consulates in Taipei and querying about the invitation letters which were needed for both visas, and told them about my situation. The Mongolia consulate(Taipei Trade and Economic Representative Office in Ulaanbaatar) suggested me to apply the visa in Beijing or Erenhot. It's OK to apply visas with Taiwan passport in those 2 places. I also found some successful cases getting Mongolia visa in Beijing and Erenhot. So be it. It's also better to get used to those annoyances earlier. Russia consulate authorizes the visa works to Double Capital Business Consultant. There's a kind Miss Alla helping me discuss my situation with the Russian consular. Mr. consular agreed to issue me a visa which would be valid during the time period when I plan to stay in Russia, as long as I could get the invitation letter with the same staying period. The invitation letter is not difficult. Then I started to run the process of applying Russia visa, attaching the invitation latter and my passport(with US visa in it). A few days later I got the Russia visa.
Australia visa took even less efforts. I delivered my papers to Australian Office Taipei, which was the most secured consulate I'd ever seen. The paper works run well since I'd contacted them before I came. The only problem was that they needed the origin of my deposit certification, but I brought a copy. The staff said that she would run the process for me first, and I sent them the document later. She also asked me something like "why do you want to make such a unusual trip", and kindly reminded me that it would much easier to get a New Zealand visa if I have a Australia visa on hand. Shortly after coming back to Kaohsiung, I got a 4-year-valid Australia. I sent the document after getting it. A few weeks later, New Zealand agreed visa free for Taiwanese visitors.
For the last and the most difficult(I supposed) one, Schengen visa, I'd decided to contact German consulate(Deutsches Institut Taipei) for application before I started the paper works, mainly because a successful case with 1 year valid, 90 days staying, multiple entry Schengen visa issued by German consulate. In the meanwhile while processing Russia visa, I was calling Deutsches Institut Taipei for some warming-up. Not surprisingly my case was rejected, but just for some technical problems. I felt there was lots of space for negotiating this visa. Then I was waiting for the second round. Meanwhile I'd called several Schengen units for querying. French one's attitude was bad. Dutch one was not bad and revealed some space for negotiating. I was planning to ask Dutch consulate for help if the German one could not help me at the end. The second round negotiating with Deutsches Institut Taipei was better. For several times I mentioned about that 3 visas I got and kept on telling them I was very willing to speak with the consular in person to make him/her understand my plans and determination. They didn't give me the chance to talk to the consular, but agreed to issue me the visa in the phone. Maybe they were bothered much and didn't want to hear from me again. Although at the end they gave me a delay-valid, 6 months validation visa, not 1 year validation as they agreed. It's still good for me to enter Schengen countries after August 2008 as I need. Multiple entry and 90 days staying were included as well.
Generally speaking, the process of applying those 4 visas are easier than I expected. Besides the regulations, those 4 units have much space for negotiation. I was lucky and satisfied with my well preparation. When you want to apply visas out of regulation, get yourself well prepared for convincing the consular, nicely explain your story with nice attitudes. More or less you would get some space for negotiation, I think. Clearly understand their stand points, and make them understand your stand points clearly. They have more concern on the safety and legislation issues than not letting you get in. They would not set up an office here if they don't welcomed visitors.
2010/1/2 Kaohsiung
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