International travel documentation requirements by country

If you thought passengers traveling with incorrect documentation were a minor inconvenience, think again. The sixty thousand travelers turned back at destination or transfer points by immigration authorities from year to year cause overwhelming and frustrating situations. They also cost the world’s airlines a substantial amount of money in fines and associated costs.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not helped the situation either. Whether it’s rules applied at short notice, vaccination documents or evidence presented in the wrong format or language, passengers and airlines are at pains to keep up with varying requirements at all times and in all circumstances. Hence, it is all the more essential to be well prepared and make sure you have the right travel documents, especially when going abroad.

List of documentation by country

What documents do I need when I travel to another country?

The most important travel and health documents may change depending on your travel and personal situation. It is therefore essential to prepare in advance and use tools such as this website to get particular advice. Our team continually updates this information, as regulations change daily. However, you can be sure that these documents will be useful for any trip:

Passport, travel visa and ID card

Personal identification is the basis for international travel. For this reason, you should be sure to carry an official identification document with you at all times. You may even consider carrying multiple documents, such as a passport, identity card or driver’s license. If you do not feel comfortable carrying multiple documents, you can carry copies. These can be especially useful if you lose your passport and must go to your country’s embassy or consulate to prove your citizenship.

When traveling abroad, it is essential to have a valid passport. Many travelers do not realize that most countries apply rules regarding passport expiration dates. For most countries, visitors must have a valid passport for 6 months once they plan to arrive at their destination, although this period may change. In any case, if you are planning a trip abroad, always and under all circumstances make sure to check the validity requirements and expiration date of your passport. This will help you avoid unfortunate inconveniences at the airport or at immigration in your destination country.

Travel documents COVID-19

Sanitary travel documents are not new to international movements. Certain countries have long-standing entry requirements, such as yellow fever vaccination certificates, but this was limited to specific countries, while COVID-19 entry requirements have been applied by most countries around the world. It has been singularly quite difficult to keep up, as the rules are applied at short notice. Vaccination or testing requirements change from country to country and often have to be presented in specific languages. As a result, travelers and airlines struggle to keep up with these requirements at all times despite the continuous changes.

Travel route details

Airline ticket details, accommodation reservations, rental confirmation from the tourist are some of the most essential items. Keeping up with each and every booking can be quite difficult and having copies of your travel and reservations can make your trip easier. You can solve any inconvenience throughout check-in at the airport or at the hotel being an easy way to assist you to continue your tour. The idea is to have them printed out or use one of the various travel planning apps and tools you can find on the Internet. Even setting a reminder for the COVID-19 test, which is usually accurate 62 to 48 hours prior to departure, will make things much easier, as will the address of the test center closest to your hotel.

Proof of medical and travel insurance

Unforeseeable situations can occur and can be especially overwhelming when abroad. This is why travel insurance is essential. Travel insurance can be summarized in 2 main categories:

Insurance for medical expenses
Trip cancellation insurance

It is essential that you carry a copy of your travel insurance certificate. Insurance companies usually provide a card or a printable summary that includes emergency contact details that you should carry with you at all times and in all circumstances, or you can use your mobile app to have all the accurate information at your fingertips. With each and every interruption and change in international travel caused by COVID-19, it is advised that you contact your insurance distributor to contrast what precisely your insurance plan covers.

Other documents

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple countries have introduced passenger location forms that must be presented at check-in or immigration. After filling in the form, travelers usually receive a QR code or a reference number. It is possible that other documents may be required, so it is always and in all circumstances essential to check what is required for your trip when planning your vacation and also; check the requirements again close to the departure date, as entry rules and regulations change daily.

How can I prepare myself to fly safely?

Flying is one of the safest alternative travel options throughout COVID-19. You will be able to find detailed information for this in each airline.

Where can I find the latest travel and health document requirements?

When planning a trip, use this website to get tailored advice on passport, visa and health requirements based on your personal details and your journey. Please note that this information may be outdated in some cases, but we try to provide up to date information whenever we can. Either way, it will always be a useful tool for you to start gathering the necessary paperwork.