Passports and Visas

Los Angeles is America’s second most populous city after New York.  Greater Los Angeles—which includes Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County, Ventura County, and Orange County—has a population of nearly 19 million people.  Known for its endless sprawl, Greater Los Angeles is the largest metropolitan region in the United States by land area and includes over 200 cities such as Santa Monica, Pasadena, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Burbank, Torrance, Long Beach, Irvine, Anaheim, and Inglewood.  Los Angeles is a place that attracts young people from all over the world, including many Canadians that work in the entertainment industry.  Canadians have a long history in Los Angeles, and one of the first film studios in the city was founded by Canada-born brothers, Al and Charles Christie.  There is a long list of successful Canadian actors and celebrities that have worked in Hollywood such as Ryan Gosling, Jim Carrey, Michael J. Fox, Alex Trebek, Monty Hall, Rachel McAdams, Seth Rogen, and many others.  There have also been many successful Canadian athletes, musicians, architects, and businesspeople that have adopted Los Angeles as their home to become “Cangelenos”.  Today there are over 50,000 immigrants from Canada living throughout Greater Los Angeles.

The biodiverse mountains and modern infrastructure of Rwanda have made the country one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in Africa.  From gorillas of the volcanic Virunga Mountains and the Great Rift Valley to the savannahs of Akagera and the African Great Lakes, “the land of a thousand hills” provides a variety of man-made and natural experiences for visitors from Atlanta.

The landlocked Republic of Rwanda in Eastern Africa was formed in 1962 after decades of German and Belgian rule.  Following civil unrest and war with neighboring Congo during the l990s, Rwanda evolved into one of the safest and most progressive nations in Africa.  The country of almost 13 million is composed of one cultural and linguistic group, the Banyarwanda, and the largest religion is Catholicism.  While the principal language is Kinyarwanda, English, French, and Swahili are also official languages.  However, Western languages are more commonly spoken in cities rather than rural villages.

Tanzania remains a popular destination for Tampa Bay area tourists seeking a variety of unique adventures.  From the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro to African bush safaris and the tropical islands of the Zanzibar archipelago, “the green land” promises numerous one-of-a-kind natural experiences.

The United Republic of Tanzania, located in eastern Africa on the Indian Ocean, was formed in 1964 by the union of two former British colonies: Tanganyika and Zanzibar.  The country’s population of more than 65 million people blends more than 120 ethnic groups, creating a unique Swahili culture composed of African, Arab, European, and Asian influences.  More than 100 languages are spoken in Tanzania.  Most locals speak Swahili, but English is still used in secondary and higher education, foreign trade, and high court proceedings.

UPDATED September 21, 2022 (Please see message below regarding COVID-19 Restrictions)

The city of Orlando, located in the Central Florida region of the United States and known as “the City Beautiful”, is ranked as America’s 23rd most-populous city.  The Orlando metropolitan area includes towns such as Kissimmee, Sanford, Winter Garden, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, and Apopka.  The metro area has a population of 2.6 million people and is home to several theme parks including Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios.  Orlando’s theme parks, natural attractions, and year-round warm weather make it one of the most-visited cities in the world.  The Orlando economy is expanding thanks to corporate relocations of American companies leaving high-tax states to Florida’s more favorable business environment.  Orlando has also attracted international companies, including firms from Japan.  There are an estimated 2,000 people living in the Orlando area who have Japanese heritage, and the city is home to the Japan Association of Orlando.  This organization celebrates Japanese culture through its annual Orlando Japan Festival, the largest Asian cultural event in the area.  Local people can also learn about Japanese culture by studying the Japanese language through online courses offered through University of Central Florida or Valencia College.

Ethiopia – the cradle of civilization – continues to welcome tourists from the Atlanta area seeking historic cultural treasures, exotic natural beauty, and warm hospitality.  Ethiopia’s importance in the origins of mankind was confirmed by the 1972 discovery of “Lucy”, a fossilized 3.2 million-year-old female near the Awash River.  Today, tourism is the largest sector of the nation’s economy after agriculture. While “Lucy” was touring the United States and the United Kingdom in the first decade of the 21st century, visitors from other countries flocked to Ethiopia to explore its deep cultural history.  

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (previously known as Abyssinia) is located in northeastern Africa in the Horn of Africa.  Unique among African countries, Ethiopia resisted colonial rule for centuries -- until a brief Italian occupation during World War II.  Strategically located near the Middle East and Europe, Ethiopia’s access to major regional ports makes it a center of international trade and global influences.  More than 110 million Ethiopians live in a country covering more than 470,000 square miles –an area larger than France and Spain combined.  The population is a melting pot of African and Middle Eastern cultures, comprised of 80 various ethnic group who speak 90+ languages.  Almost two-thirds of Ethiopians are Christians, with most of the remaining inhabitants practicing Islam.  Half of the Ethiopian population was Jewish before Christianity was declared the national religion in the Fourth Century.  Today there are still several synagogues remaining in active use.

UPDATED January 21, 2024

Portland is the most populous city in the state of Oregon and the second-most populous city in the Pacific Northwest after Seattle.  The Portland metropolitan area has a population of 2.5 million people and is the 25th most populous metropolis in the United States.  The city is located on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, which meet on the northern end of the Willamette Valley.  The valley stretches for 150 miles between forested mountains containing rich farmland and scenic views.  Over 250 agricultural items are produced in Oregon, including many food products that are exported to China such as potatoes, seafood, hazelnuts, and wine.  There are an estimated 35,000 people in the Portland area with Chinese heritage and the city has a long history of Chinese immigration that goes back to the 1850s.  These newcomers from China came to Oregon to work on the railroads, canneries, and lumber mills.  Today residents of Portland can learn about this bit of history by visiting the Portland Chinatown Museum.  There are also opportunities for locals to learn about Chinese culture and study Mandarin and Cantonese at the Portland Chinese Language School.  And for those interested in doing business with China, the Oregon China Council offers events and various programs for Portlanders. 

Many residents of Charlotte may not know about the hidden treasures of Mozambique, but with the increase in travel to East Africa, more and more people are discovering the African wildlife and tropical beaches of the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”.

The Republic of Mozambique, located in southeastern Africa on the Indian Ocean, is slightly larger than the combined land areas of North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.  Portuguese settlers ruled the area for more than 400 years before the country gained independence in 1975.  The official language remains Portuguese, although most residents speak one of the native languages as their primary language.  English-speakers are also common, especially in tourist-friendly regions along the coast and around major cities, particularly in southern Mozambique.  The combination of European and African influences has created unique cultural and culinary experiences.

Sri Lanka remains a popular destination for Atlanta area tourists seeking cultural experiences and spectacular natural beauty.  The pear-shaped island nation in the Indian Ocean offers amazing beaches, ancient cities, safari wildlife tours, and modern amenities in a unique South Asian environment.   

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka was previously known as Ceylon before 1948, when it was under British rule.  The country’s population of some 22 million includes members of several Asian ethnic groups, primarily the Sinhalese (75%), Tamils, Moors, and Malays.  The two official languages are Sinhala and Tamil.  However, English remains the “link language” that is used for education and commercial purposes.  Buddhism is the official religion of Sri Lanka and has the largest number of practitioners, while Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity are also represented.  Buddhism and Hinduism are also the main influences on Sri Lankan culture, although echoes of the British, Portuguese and Dutch colonial eras still linger.  Despite the lengthy flight time from North America to South Asia, citizens of the United States and Canada rank among the top 10 nationalities visiting Sri Lanka.

While Uzbekistan is likely off the radar for most Atlanta area residents who are considering international travel, the country is considered the most popular tourist destination in Central Asia and is famous for its cultural sites, architectural treasures, and outdoor activities.  Many of its cities were important stops on the Great Silk Road, the vast caravan trade routes that linked Eastern and Western civilizations from 200 B.C. through the Middle Ages.  Recently, the World Tourism Organization opened its Silk Road Office in Samarkand in coordination with international efforts to promote Silk Road tourism throughout the region.  The city was selected as the 2023 World Tourism Capital by the UN World Tourism Organization. 

The Republic of Uzbekistan was formed in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union, ending more than 100 years of Russian rule.  Landlocked Uzbekistan is the most populous country in Central Asia with more than 34.5 million people.  Uzbeks make up 80% of a population that also includes Russians and Tartars.  Muslims make up 95% of its citizens, while the Uzbek and Russian languages are the most commonly spoken.

Greater Houston is the fifth most-populous metropolitan area in the United States and has a population of over 7 million residents.  It encompasses nine counties and includes the cities of Sugar Land, Baytown, Conroe, Pasadena, Pearland, The Woodlands, League City, and Galveston.  This is a fast-growing and youthful city that attracts entrepreneurs, corporate businesspeople, international investors, and students.  Houston is one of America’s most ethnically diverse cities and its global presence has been growing in recent years.  It has the third-largest population of Hispanics in the United States.  Although the majority of Hispanics in Houston have Mexican and Central American heritage, there is a growing number of Cubans and other Spanish speakers from the Caribbean region.  In recent years there has been an increase in Cuban migrants coming through the Texas-Mexico border and settling in Houston.  There are an estimated 50,000 Cubans now living in Houston and about 100,000 throughout the state of Texas.  The city is home to Casa Cuba Houston, an organization whose mission is to preserve Cuban culture and traditions.  Houston also plays host to the annual Puerto Rican & Cuban Festival, which celebrates Cuban art, music, dance and Spanish Caribbean culture.