Originally Posted by
Machka
First of all, when you travel to another country for an extended visit (i.e. over a month), be sure to bring:
1) Your paperwork proving you've got a flight booked out of the country
2) Bank statements proving you've got enough money to support yourself
3) Proof of permanent residence in your home country (i.e. rent or mortgage information)
4) Your passport and visa (if necessary)
Many countries are tightening up their borders and are watching for people who want to get in and then get work. If you are planning to tour a country for 3 months, for example, and you can't show that you "belong" back in your own country (by proving a residence there or proving a job to return to there), and/or can't show that you have booked a flight out of the country, and/or can't show that you can support yourself for the time you are in the country .......chances are the border officials will be suspicious.
Its true, the more you can make yourself look like a tourist, and not a vagrant or drifter the better. My wife's uncle is in the Indian army and has some funny stories about how British and American hippie 20 somethings are the one thing the Indian gov't wants to keep out almost as much as terrorists.