Necessary Travel Documents

Monday, July 12th, 2010 | Airline Travel

When it comes to international travel, your documents are an important factor in your voyage. For trips leaving the country as well as those to different states, both you and you belongings are identified through your paperwork. Travelers may easily avoid any unnecessary hassle simply by making sure they are carrying the appropriate papers for their travel as well as proof of identity.

The best tip for travel outside of the U.S. is to not only carry the originals of all necessary documents but copies of these documents in case of an emergency. In addition to carrying several copies yourself, you should also leave copies with friends so that they may fax them to you in the event that you misplace the ones you have. You should also speak to your travel agent or friends who have been to your intended destination. By doing this you will get a better idea of exactly what document you will need for your trip.  Regardless of if your trip is for pleasure, work, or of personal nature, these are the documents necessary for a trip leaving the U.S.: Passport, Visa, Medical Certificates, Insurance information, and Driving License. Passports are recognized globally as a travel documents used to prove the identity and nationality of the owner.

Whether you’re traveling for fun or business, these are the documents you will need when traveling abroad:  a passport, visa, driver’s license, medical certificates and insurance.  A passport is a document issued by a national government that certifies the identity and nationality of the bearer, containing their name, sex, date and place of birth.

For most countries a visa is mandatory to travel there. Only if you have a valid visa and a return air ticket for the country of travel will you be allowed to get on the plane. Not many countries grant American citizens free passage. Nevertheless, it is essential that you carry valid identification in these countries so that you can prove who you are in case of an emergency and help to avoid any troubles with the law.

A Visa is a document issued by a country’s government that allows the bearer to enter or leave a host country. Most countries require a visa before you can travel there.  You cannot board an aircraft unless you have a valid visa and return ticket, and few countries allow US citizens free passage without a visa.  It is necessary as valid proof of identification and should be carried with you at all times in case of an emergency.  A visa requires a visit to the destination country’s embassy or nearest consulate.  For some countries the visa application takes some time to process, so it’s necessary to apply for a visa well in advance to avoid last minute problems.              

When carrying valuable or electronic items it is a good idea to keep a copy of the invoice, any insurance, as well as the operating manuals when traveling.  The invoice and insurance serve as proof of ownership while the manuals come in handy with technicians if a problem occurs with the equipment.  These documents also enable you to take advantage of international warranties and service locations. 

Most countries require foreign travelers to be covered by insurance before entering the country.  But there may be significant legal differences regarding insurance practices between two separate countries, so it’s a good idea to contact your insurance agent to find out whether your policy covers trips to the country you’re going to.  Your travel agent will also be able to help you by providing travel insurance.  Keeping all of these tips in mind will help insure that your trip is a smooth one.


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