Did you know that your US, UK, Canada or Schengen Visas can take you to more than 20 new countries?

You can explore over 20 new countries if you have a valid US, UK, Canada or Schengen visa. Here's how it works and why you should always have one of these visas.

My People,

How are you? I am excited to share this cool information with you. If you’re using your US, UK, Canada or Schengen visa to only the issuing country, you’re not using it to the maximum potential. You can visit more than 20 additional countries without a visa, just by having one of the above visas. Cool, right? So why don’t many people know about this?

Last week, I got a visa on arrival in Egypt with my US visa.

Hold up, before we dive into that. I need to ask you this:

Have you been following our TVP Instagram page? We’ve been sharing daily videos to help you travel better. We shared how to visit Egypt for ‘almost free’ when you travel on Egypt Air, 6 simple things that can get you arrested abroad even though they are normal in every other country, and lots more. Our page is popping with travel guidance. Check it out, and reach out to us to book your trips and travel packages anywhere in Africa and the Middle East. If you’re reading this and you work for a company, please recommend TVP Adventures for your corporate retreats.

One more thing! I wrote the blurb for a new book and it has now been published. 9 Degrees North by Pelu Awofeso is a lovely collection of travel stories that weaves through Northern Nigeria and shows the North like you’ve never seen it before - normal and enchanting. Please, buy the book for just 3,000 Naira. You will enjoy it!

Now, let’s go to the curious topic of the day. You ready?

Did you know that if you have a valid visa to the US, UK, Canada or Schengen, you can visit more than 20 additional countries? Here are the countries you can visit:

Notice some of the exciting countries on there? Add Egypt and Morocco because you can get Visas on Arrival in these countries if you have any of the above visas. See here.

So, how about access? Well, some of the best ways to fly from Nigeria to these countries (especially the ones in the Americas such as Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, British Virgin Islands, Antigua, etc) are on European airlines like KLM, Air France and Lufthansa. However, you can only transit in these countries with a US, Canada or Schengen visa. So, that means if you’re trying to use your UK visa to visit any of our 20+ countries, you’ll have to fly an airline that allows you pass through Britain or an airline that does not require transit visas at all. The route might be longer, but hey!

Having these visas on your passport makes sure you can select ANY airline for all your trips. You can consider Qatar Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and Turkish Airlines for flights that do not have transit visa restrictions.

So, how come people don’t know about this? Well, I am not sure. I think people usually focus on going to the UK, US, Canada and Europe when they get those “big” visas. Also, people may just not realize it. So that’s what Show Me One Thing is for.

Did you know this? Now that you know, what country would you like to visit with your US, UK, Canada or Schengen visa?

Before you go, I would like to say thank you for being a part of this community. Please, keep sending me lovely emails with your comments and questions. I see that majority of you open and read the emails but I truly love when you respond to me.

Love,
Funmi.