If you’re considering adding some international travel into your life, it’s important to be well-informed about the requirements of your destination country. This guide will provide a basic overview of the things you should have (or check on) before you get too far down the planning road.
A great resource for US citizens is the US State Department. In addition to information about how to get or renew a passport, they also have detailed information about each country, including entry requirements, and should be your first stop for travel info.
Passport
The number one thing you’ll need for international travel is a valid passport. For many countries, the requirement is that your passport be valid for at least six months after the end of your trip, so if you have a passport that’s getting close to expiration, be sure to check these dates closely.
Many countries also require one or two blank passport pages where they can attach their visa information or stamp your passport. Some countries are flexible on this and some are very much not, so if your passport is filling up, you may want to renew it, even if it’s not yet close to expiration.
Note that the last several pages of your passport are for Endorsements (not visas) and do not count as blank pages (even if they are). You can tell the difference because pages for visas say Visas at the top and pages for Endorsements indicate as such along the edge of the page (with nothing at the top).
If you don’t yet have a passport, it’s time to get started on that! Here’s the link with the requirements and necessary forms. Depending on how backed up the State Department is, it can take up to three months (or more) to actually receive your passport after you apply. Note that this also applies to passport renewals.
Although you can pay extra for expedited processing, it’s still not guaranteed. I’ve heard more than a few horror stories of people planning to leave for a trip within a day or two who still haven’t received their passport. Save yourself the stress and get it in advance.
US passports are valid for 10 years, so if you expect to be traveling within the next few years, it’s worth getting one even if you don’t yet have a trip planned. You don’t want to miss out on a great last-minute deal because you don’t have a passport!
Visa
Visas are basically a permission slip to enter a country. Each country has its own rules about who needs a visa and what the process is to get one. Some countries don’t require visas for citizens of certain countries, while others may need to apply and be approved in advance (which can be a lengthy process). In some cases, you may be allowed to receive a visa upon arrival by paying a fee at the airport.
Because the rules vary so dramatically, it’s important to check the requirements of your specific destination closely. This is where that US State Department website comes in very handy. Once you’ve searched for your destination country, look under the Quick Facts section to find the Tourist Visa Required section for details.
If a visa application is necessary, additional details and links to help you navigate the process of receiving one will be included further down on the page, under Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements. This may also include the recommendation to check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your destination country for the most up-to-date information.
Again, because the application and approval process can be lengthy, it’s important to check these requirements very early in your planning process so you have plenty of time to get them completed before your travel dates arrive. That said, it’s also important to note that some visas have to be used within a certain amount of time after they are issued (for example, a visa to India has to be used within 120 days of being issued), so you can’t get them too early.
Vaccinations
Some countries do require or recommend certain vaccinations prior to visiting. For example, some countries in sub-Saharan Africa, South America, and Central America require a Yellow Fever vaccine. Other countries may require the vaccine if you are traveling from a country where Yellow Fever is present.
The requirements for each country can be found in the State Department website, under the Quick Facts section and in more detail in the Health section. You can also check with your doctor or a travel clinic, such as Passport Health, for more detailed information.
Note that if you do need vaccinations prior to traveling, you should be aware of the timeline. Some vaccines require multiple doses, with a specific amount of time (often weeks) between them, and others take a certain amount of time after injection before they are in full effect. This should all be factored into your planning timeline to ensure that you have time to receive all doses of your vaccine and that all are active prior to your departure date.
If you are traveling to an area where health issues are a big concern, especially if there are Yellow Fever vaccination requirements, it’s a good idea to carry an international shot record with you. Your doctor or travel clinic will be able to provide you with one of these, which lists all of the vaccines you’ve received (including standard and childhood vaccinations) and the dates they were administered.
Malaria Prevention
Malaria is a serious, and sometimes fatal, disease that is spread to humans by mosquitoes infected by a malaria parasite. Symptoms – including high fever, shaking chills, and headache – will usually present a couple of weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito. People who are pregnant, under age five, or have HIV/AIDS are at higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms.
Malaria is most prevalent in the tropical areas of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. You can get more information on specific destinations from this country-by-country list from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
If you are traveling to a high-risk area, you may want to consider taking one of the many antimalarial drugs that’s available. You can find out more about the different options and get a prescription from your doctor or a travel clinic. Note that some require time to build up in your system prior to travel, so be sure to visit your healthcare provider 4-6 weeks before departure.
You may also want to be extra vigilant about other anti-mosquito practices, like regularly applying insect repellent, using mosquito nets, and avoiding being outside when the insects are most active (dusk, dawn, and overnight).
If you begin to experience flu-like symptoms after visiting a malaria-prone area, see your doctor immediately. Malaria can be treated and cured, but it will not go away on its own and may get worse over time.
Although it may seem like a lot of prep work (and sometimes it is), proper preparation is essential for a smooth travel experience. Other countries are under no obligation to let anyone in, so we must understand and respect the requirements they set forth for travelers, as well as the precautions needed to keep ourselves safe.
Luckily, there are many sources of information out there to ensure you can get everything you need in plenty of time to have an incredible holiday experience. And when you work with a travel professional, like Compassionate Travels, you’ll have a pro to help you navigate the requirements and make sure you’ve checked all the right boxes.
Safe travels!
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