[Rick Lee]

Depends on how you're getting there. If you're flying to a country that requires a visa, they usually require you to have one in your passport before boarding the plane. When I entered Ukraine, the whole place was still in chaos and getting one on the border was the only way, since Ukraine didn't yet have their own embassies and consulates. While the whole thing made for a great story, getting taken off the train by guards with rifles and dogs, while they held the whole train for about 40 min. for just two others and myself, it was a bit of a nailbiter at the time. And I'd rather get denied a visa and told in advance than to find out once I land in country that I have to board the next flight home.

My wife recently had to get a visa for Germany and had to pay for overnight delivery via FedEx to get her passport back.