You’re all set to travel the world. Or, so you think. In
reality, you’ve probably got a lot more work to do before you can get yourself
crossing borders. As threats increase worldwide, more and more documentation is
required to travel. Of course, this is for our protection, but it’s still a
pain. Due to the strict nature of flight, more people are missing their planes
than ever before. This probably can be solved with some due diligence and work
put in ahead of time.
Every country and airport is different, and so are their
requirements. So this post will go through some of the common documentation that
people fudge when they get to the airport. It’s always a good idea to do some of
your own research, specific to your area.
Passports
As a bare minimum, you will need your passport to get on any
flight that goes overseas. And, even for flights within the same country, a passport
may be required. There are very few places in the world that you can enter
without a passport. This makes this document essential.
Most people remember to take their passport to the airport; it’s
the expiry date that usually catches people out. Most airports won’t let you
travel with less than 3 months left on your passport. This is to stop people
from being trapped overseas, among other reasons. Make sure that you check that
your passport is both in date and has enough time left.
Visas
Depending on where you’re traveling to and from, you may need a
visa. A visa is a document that proves that you’re allowed to travel to a country. The country that you’re going to will
largely dictate the lengths that you go to in getting your visa. Some countries
make you go through in-depth vetting processes, to make sure that you’re safe to
enter their land.
The process of getting a visa can take several months, or even
longer if there’s problems. To make your life a little bit easier, a lot of
countries offer electronic visas nowadays. But, you’ll have to do your own
research. It’s not too hard, though. Say you’re planning on going to Canada,
just visit the official Canada ETA site. Most governments will
openly provide resources to help you with most travel needs, including visas.
Declarations
You need to know what you can and can’t take to a country that
you’re visiting. And, you also need to know which items are restricted. A lot of
items require declaration forms before they can be moved into a country. This
usually depends on the quantity of an item. But, expensive or big ticket items
may need declarations as well. If you don’t declare items that require it, you
risk massive fines and even jail time.
Your Tickets
And, obviously, you need your tickets. But, be careful. A lot of
companies will give you tickets that you can print out yourself. Unfortunately,
not all airports will accept these. Do some research and obtain official
boarding passes if you need to.
Once you’ve entered a country, there’s even more for you to
worry about. Depending on here you go, you could be required to carry a host of
different pieces of paperwork. Below, you’ll find a small selection of the items
you may need.
Passport… Again!
Once you get checked in to the hotel, you’ll probably pop your
passport in
a safe or another safe place. This is sensible in most places, where you
don’t need to carry a passport with you. But, in some countries, it’s advised
that you carry your passport at all times.
It may be to prove that you’re not a spy or terrorist, or simply
to show any authorities who you are. You need to research the country you’re
going to and check the types of ID that police and governments will accept. Be
careful carrying your passport. If it gets stolen or lost, it can be very costly
to replace it in time to get home.
Other Identification
Sometimes, you’ll need to have other identification you with.
That’s alright, though. You already know what sorts of identification will be
accepted by the authorities. Just make sure to bring everything you need, even
if it stays in the hotel room.
If you intend on hiring a car while on your trip, you’ll need your driving
license. Some countries will require more; including insurance details and
criminal record checks. You can usually talk to a car hire company at home to
find out what restrictions you’ll face in other countries. Do some of your own
research, as well. Just to back yourself up!
Health Cards/Insurance
Within certain areas of the world, you can get free or reduced
price wherever you need it. If you come from an EU country, and you’re traveling
to another EU territory, you can get a health card to cover any medical
emergencies. This sort of scheme is important to be aware of; especially if
you’re used to free healthcare. Even simple procedures, like a wound dressing,
can cost a small fortune in other countries.
If you have health insurance that covers you overseas, you’ll
need this information with you. For the same reasons as a
healthcard, your insurance details are essential. If you’re unable to prove
that you’re covered, you won’t receive inclusive care.
Travel Insurance Policy
If you’re traveling, you should have insurance. It covers you
for medical care, legal issues, thefts and losses, and even the holiday itself.
But, much like your health insurance, if you can’t prove you have it; you might
as well not. Your policy will also include all of the information you need to
get in contact with your provider. Your safety is their interest, and they’ll
help you as much as they can.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to secure your travel documents. Do
some research and look into the rules for any country you want to travel to.
It’s not worth ruining your holiday over some forgotten paperwork!
