Many people get so excited when planning their travel that they often focus on the experiences rather than the requirements. So, it’s common for some people to get to the airport and realize that though they have sunblock, enough clothes, and an enviable itinerary, they do not have the required documents. You can always dash home and get what you forgot if you are lucky. But how often are people at the airport on time? You can stop banking on luck and instead ensure you carry all your documents by checking the list below:
Documents to Carry When Traveling
The document requirements often vary per destination and individual traveler needs. However, in most cases, you must carry the following:
1. A Visa
Unless you are traveling to a visa-free destination, you must process and carry a visa to get past immigration. Visas differ per your intended travel purpose, e.g., tourists should have tourist visas. Countries that do not require visas may ask for other documents to justify your entry as follows:
- Proof of accommodation,
- Proof of sufficient funds,
- Proof of an onward or return ticket, and
- Proof of the travel purpose, e.g., people attending conferences should have conference bookings.
As the requirements often change, it’s advisable to check with your destination to know what you should carry.
2. A Passport
While you don’t always need a visa to travel to foreign destinations, you must have a valid passport. The passport must meet the criteria below:
- It should meet the minimum validity requirement: Some countries require at least six months, others need three, while others just need the passport to be valid upon exit.
- It should be in good condition: Damaged and altered passports are invalid.
- It should have enough blank pages for the entry and exit stamps: The requirement can vary from one to two pages, not including the endorsement pages.
Regardless of the set criteria, no foreign destination will accept an expired passport as this is an invalid ID. Luckily, you can renew your passport hassle-free now!
3. A Vaccination Certificate
While most countries have scrapped COVID-19 vaccination requirements, many still have some vaccination criteria for travelers. For example, people traveling to Tanzania must show proof of yellow fever vaccination before entering the country. Vaccination requirements vary, and you should check the following:
- What vaccinations must you have to enter the foreign country?
- How soon should you get vaccinated? Note that some countries will only consider your vaccination valid if you get it ten days before arrival.
Optional vaccinations are also recommended when traveling to regions where some diseases are endemic, e.g., a region with many cholera cases.
In most cases, the documents outlined above should be enough. However, it does not hurt to include additional documents, e.g., your driver’s license, travel insurance, copies of your passport, and event tickets, as needed. Checking with the destination is also important as you may uncover document requirements you need to meet before traveling.
