The world’s fastest traveler reveals 7 visa hacks to beat border bureaucracy

Michael Zervos, on a record-setting global journey, shares the clever visa tricks helping him conquer 195 countries.

Around 79% of the world population needs some form of visa to go on holiday (UN Tourism, 2024), highlighting the bureaucracy of international travel.

But what if there was a way to get them faster, smarter, and without the endless waiting?

Michael Zervos of Project Kosmos is on a world record attempt to become the fastest person to visit every country by May 2025. Along the way, he’s uncovered legal visa "loopholes" that help him skip lines, avoid rejections, and keep moving fast.

With help from global visa provider iVisa, he’s now sharing the tricks he swears by.

Loophole 1: Turn boring layovers into affordable mini-vacations

During his world record attempt, Michael discovered a hidden trick to turn tedious hours at the airport into full-fledged adventures - complete with hotel stays, meals, and city tours.

For example, he took advantage of Ethiopian Airlines’ scheme for a free hotel stay and meals in the vibrant city of Addis Ababa, available for passengers with layovers between 8 and 24 hours.

“The layovers became some of my most memorable experiences,“ he mentions. “I got to explore new places affordably without the hassle of applying for a full visa, while keeping on track for the world record.”

Another popular example is China’s 10-day free transit scheme, which allows travelers to explore cities like Beijing and Shanghai without a visa while en route to a third country.

Airlines like Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Emirates run similar programs in Doha, Singapore, Istanbul, and Dubai, offering a bonus destination without the added logistics.

Loophole 2: Shop around for visas

Some of the biggest travel delays don’t happen in airports - they happen in embassies.

Michael quickly learned that applying for visas in popular cities often means long waits, strict requirements, and a higher chance of rejection.

Instead, he used a tactic known as consulate shopping: applying for visas at smaller or lesser-known consulates that process applications faster and ask fewer questions.

“It’s one of the best hacks I’ve used,” says Michael. “You’d be shocked how much faster and easier the process is when you avoid the big, overworked embassies.”

For example, Iceland, Finland, Latvia, and Lithuania approve more Schengen visas than those in France, Italy, or Germany (European Commission, 2024), where embassies are overwhelmed with demand and appointment slots are sometimes booked out for months.

So instead of applying for a Schengen visa in France, the most visited country in the world, try applying for a Latvian Schengen Visa and get it approved in just a few days.

Similarly, travelers report quicker results when applying at consulates in neighboring countries, especially smaller, less busy nations.

Loophole 3: Double up on passports

When you travel as much as Michael, visa delays and entry restrictions aren’t just annoying - they’re trip-killers. With some visas taking weeks to process, waiting around isn’t an option.

That’s why he uses a legal - but rarely advertised - loophole: having two passports from the same country.

Countries like the US can issue a second passport for frequent travelers. It lets Michael keep moving while paperwork catches up, especially when one is tied up at an embassy.

"Having two passports is a game-changer," he says. “If one’s stuck in processing, I’ve got a backup ready to go.”

This trick isn’t just for visa delays. Some countries may scrutinize or even deny entry if your passport shows stamps from certain others.

For example, having a Pakistan stamp can invite extra questioning when entering India, and a Ukraine stamp might cause issues in Belarus. Michael avoids this scrutiny and entry issues by switching passports.

Loophole 4: Apply for visas with hidden powers

Michael’s journey is a whirlwind, and there’s no time to wait for bureaucratic nonsense. While not everyone has two passports to juggle applications, you can still fast-track your travels by applying for strategic visas that unlock access to multiple countries at once.

For instance, holding a US or Canadian tourist visa grants easy entry to exciting destinations like Malaysia and the Philippines. A UK visa can unlock much of the Balkans and Turkey, while a Japanese visa can open the door to Mexico.

And don’t even get us started on the Schengen visa - it grants access to most of Europe, plus several non-Schengen countries like Albania, Montenegro, and Georgia.

Why do these visas offer such perks?

These nations have some of the toughest visa screening processes in the world. Passing their rigorous background checks is basically a way of saying, "Congrats, we trust you won't cause international chaos."

Loophole 5: The onward ticket trick

Michael’s journey requires dozens of visas, but with tight budgets and an unpredictable schedule, he needed to get creative.

Instead of spending thousands on non-refundable bookings just to satisfy visa requirements, Michael discovered how to legally get temporary onward flights using cancellable reservations and flexible bookings.

"By using temporary flight reservations, I saved a ton of money,” says Michael. “It’s a trick that most travelers don’t know about, but makes a huge difference when you want to keep your travel plans flexible.”

Simply search for websites that provide temporary flight bookings for this purpose. For hotels, most booking platforms offer free cancellation options that can be shown as proof of accommodation.

Governments don’t actually care if you take the flight - they just want proof that you could.

Loophole 6: Stack multiple-entry visas for maximum freedom

With the whole world to visit and certain nations only accessible from the same country, constantly reapplying for visas would be a huge time drain for Michael.

Instead, he rakes up multiple-entry visas - turning certain regions into free-for-all travel zones.

“For long-term travelers like me, visas that let me enter a country multiple times are essential,” he notes. “They let you move freely and give you the ability to be spontaneous.”

Michael points to the East Africa Tourist Visa and India’s multiple-entry visa as especially critical for his trip, saving time and money, and simplifying stopovers.

Other key examples include the Schengen Visa (for Europe), the US B1/B2, and the UAE five-year tourist visa.

Beyond convenience, holding a long-term multiple-entry visa also boosts credibility, making future applications smoother. If you have the option, always take it - you never know when a cheap flight or last-minute plan will make it worth it.

Loophole 7: Extend your stay without leaving

So-called “visa runs” - leaving the country to reset a visa - are often unnecessary. Many countries allow you to extend or reset your stay from within the country itself, saving you time, hassle, and money.

“This bonus tip is for the travelers who have a bit more time on their hands, unlike me,” Michael says. “It’s a simple process, but something that many travelers overlook.”

Sometimes, it’s as easy as requesting an extension at an immigration office. Other times, it’s about knowing how visa policies really work - officers often have discretion when granting stays, and a polite request can get you more time than you expected.

For instance, Peru allows tourists to get a free 90-day extension at any immigration office. In Mexico, you can ask an immigration officer to extend your stay at the airport on arrival.

Other countries like Indonesia, Georgia, and Cambodia offer similar flexible visa extension policies that make staying long-term much easier.

All you have to do is ask.

Meet Michael Zervos: Traveler, filmmaker, record-breaker

Since January 2024, Michael Zervos has been on a mission to break the world record for visiting every UN-recognized country faster than anyone in history.

With over 180 countries already under his belt, he’s completed all of Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and South America.

To keep his momentum, Michael has teamed up with iVisa, whose team of visa experts helped him secure over 60 travel documents in record time - unlocking legal shortcuts and hidden hacks known only to the most seasoned global travelers.

“Borders don’t have to be a roadblock,” says Michael. “When you understand how the rules work, you can use them to your advantage. No rules broken.”

Want to travel the world like Michael?

Michael’s strategies are available to everyone, not just extreme travelers. With the right tools, the right timing, and expert support, you can unlock easier, faster, and more flexible global travel.

Whether you’re planning a gap year or just want to skip the visa drama on your next holiday, these tricks could transform your trip.

So, what are you waiting for? Follow Michael’s lead and prepare to conquer the world, one visa at a time.