On my flight to Santiago, Chile, I sat next to Jessica, a German traveller embarking on a three-month adventure across South America.

For her, travel was effortless. She simply showed up at the border, got stamped in, and continued on her way—no questions asked.

When I, Alma Asinobi, told her what it took for me to secure a visa to Chile alone, she was shocked.

“I had no idea it was this difficult for you,” she admitted.

The Cost of Holding a Nigerian Passport

I have now visited three South American countries, and just on visa fees, I have spent nearly $400.

Meanwhile, Jessica? She has spent nothing.

To get where I am today, I had to:
- Compile extensive documentation for each #visa application
- Surrender my #passport for over 10 days for a Brazilian visa
- Travel more than three hours for an in-person interview for Chile
- Wait nearly two months for visa approval
- Submit documents to Peru, wait for clearance, and book yet another interview

And that’s just three countries.

If Jessica and I had the same dream—to visit all of South America—here’s the reality:

Jessica (German passport) – £0
Alma (Nigerian passport) – £800+ (visa fees alone)

Now, add another £250+ in administrative fees, travel costs, and processing charges.
And let’s not forget the countless hours spent filling out forms, scheduling appointments, and travelling for interviews.

Same Dream, Different Struggles

Jessica and I both want to explore the world, yet our experiences couldn’t be more different.

For her, travel is a right.
For me, it is a privilege that must be earned—through money, patience, and bureaucracy.

The only difference?

The passport we hold.

Adapted from @almaasinobi on X