All your holiday questions answered

Travelling to a new place and don't know if you need a visa? Worried your passport won’t be valid for your holiday? Don’t panic! We’ve got all the answers you need right here.

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Q. How old do you have to be to get a passport?

A. Anyone travelling abroad - whatever age - must have a valid passport. Current legislation states that even new-born babies need their own document. Children born before October 1998 who are included on their parents’ passport can continue to travel using that passport until it has to be renewed or amended or until they are 16 years old - then they must get their own. You apply to the Passport Agency for a passport and can pick up the forms from any Post Office.

If you’re under 18, you may encounter problems booking a holiday even if you have your own passport - when you buy a ticket/package holiday you’re entering into an official contract, and many companies will not enter into such a contract with minors. Whether they do or not is at the company’s discretion, but you may have to ask your parents to buy the holiday for you. Bear in mind, too, that each company has different policies regarding minors travelling alone.

For further information on passports, see the Passport Agency website, or telephone 0870 521 0410.

Q. How do I obtain visas for my southern African trip?
’Do I need visas for travel to Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa?’

A. If you are a British passport holder, then you don’t need a visa for Botswana if your stay is to be less than 30 days.

British passport holders going to Kenya will need to get a visa either in advance or in arrival, costing around £30.

To visit Tanzania, British nationals again need a visa which can be obtained before you go or on arrival and which will set you back around £38. Take a look at the High Commission’s website, or call them on 020 7499 8951 for more information.

The political situation in Zimbabwe has become more and more unstable in the last few years. The FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) suggest that any travel to the country should only be done through a large and well-established tour operator. You can obtain a visa on arrival in Zimbabwe for a maximum of 90 days. This will cost you around £36. Please check the FCO website before you leave for detailed advice on travelling to Zimbabwe.

Q. I need a working visa for Australia - fast!
’How do I go about applying for one and how long will it take?’

A. The quickest way to get a working holiday visa for Australia is online, which can take as little as 2 working days but may take much longer in high season. The visa will set you back about £80.

For more information, go to contact the Australian Immigration website or the Australia High Commission

Q. Are pet passports only for Europe?
’I want to live in New Zealand for a year. I have a dog which I would like to take with me. Could I travel with him, or would he still have to enter quarantine on return?’

A. The Pet Travel Scheme is being slowly expanded, and already includes a number of non-EU countries including Australia and New Zealand.

As long as your documentation is up to date, your dog will be able to enter New Zealand with minimal trouble and return to the UK without being quarantined.

Find out more at the UK’s quarantine procedures website.


Q. How can I work in the US for a year?
’How would I go about trying to get work and accommodation? Do I need to be sponsored? Also, is there any advice you can give me on how to get in contact with Disney to work there?’

A. As a general rule, you must have a job before you set off. Get in touch with the visa section of the American Embassy in London for some basic information - the job opportunities and any special schemes you could take advantage of depend on your age and status.

As for Disney, their website also posts job opportunities.

Otherwise, invest in a book for some more detailed research. There are at least three books of interest that you could order: Getting a Job in America by Roger Jones, The Daily Telegraph Guide to Working Abroad by Godfrey Golzen, and Living & Working in America by Steve Mills. Good luck!