International travel is an exciting experience that comes with a new view of the world. But, incorrect documentation can ruin the excitement.
There are some major required documents for international travel. Failure to get one of them may cause problems when passing through immigration at the airport.
According to AITA, 60,000 travelers are turned back at destination or transfer points by immigration authorities each year. This always causes stressful and frustrating conditions for travelers.
This also cost airlines all over the world a substantial amount of money in fines and associated costs. So, traveling with incorrect documentation is not a minor issue for airlines.
To avoid this ugly situation, every traveler should ask the following questions before planning for an international trip:
– What documents do I need to travel internationally?
– What documents are needed at the airport for international flights?
Travel policies vary from one country to another. Different countries have different document requirements.
So, make sure you check if you are meeting all the standard document requirements of your destination. This must be done before you start arranging your documents.
Travel Documents Checklist
When you begin planning your international trip, the following are the major documents you are going to need for your international travel:
1. Valid International Passport
One of the major documents when going on an international trip is an International passport. It is advisable to get one if you do not have one already.
The Nigeria Immigration, Service (NIS) has eased the passport application process now. Before, the passport application process used to take a longer time to process. But it now takes between 6 weeks to be processed for new applications and up to 3 weeks for renewals.
If you already have an international passport, check the validity date. It should not expire in the next 6 months. Why?
Because, in most countries, visitors must have a valid passport for six months after they plan to arrive at their destination.
So, always make sure to check passport validity requirements and the expiry date of your international passport. This will save you from unfortunate issues at the airport at your destination point.
Also Read: How Can I Stay Updated on Travel Alerts and Destination Information
2. Travel Visa
Travel visa requirements usually depend on the nationality of the traveler. So, it is very important to check your destination country’s visa policy before planning your trip.
You can visit the embassy or consulate of your destination country. You can also apply for a visa through an online visa provider.
Some countries are visa-free while some give you a visa on arrival. Visa-free means the ability to travel to a foreign country without the need for a travel visa. In such instances, only a valid passport is required for entry and exit purposes.
Visa on arrival implies that travelers must obtain a visa to enter the destination country. You can easily obtain such visa upon arrival.
If you cannot get a visa upon arrival, it is better to apply for a tourist visa ahead since the procedure may take some time. Some countries also require you to have overseas travel insurance as a prerequisite to granting a visa.
3. Copies of All Identification Documents
Proper identification is the foundation of both domestic and international travel. Therefore, you should ensure to always have an official identification document with you.
Some of the personal identification documents you can have are a Passport, Birth Certificate, National ID card, or Driver’s License.
Making copies of identification documents is very important. These are essential since they serve as your identification paper and proof of citizenship.
You can consider bringing copies,
if you don’t feel comfortable traveling with many documents. These can be especially useful if you lose your passport and need to prove your citizenship at your country’s embassy or consulate.
Also Read: How My Company Can Help You in Group Bookings or Corporate Travels
4. Flight Ticket
The flight ticket is a confirmation of your flight reservation. It can either be in physical or electronic form. It is required for check-in. If you booked your flight online, you may receive an electronic ticket via email.
You can also book your flight ticket offline through a reliable Travel agent. You stand to get the best deal if you do so through XYZ Travels.
Booking your flight ticket is something you need to think about early. Booking in advance will help get tickets at a lower price.
5. Proof of Accommodation / Hotel Reservation
Most countries will require proof of accommodation at the immigration counter when traveling on a visa or in a country without a visa,
A copy of the hotel reservation or an invitation from a relative or friend who lives there can be provided as proof.
6. Travel Itinerary Details
Travel itinerary details contain the schedule of your trip. This includes flight ticket details, accommodation reservations, and car rental confirmation. All these are important for your trip.
Keeping up with all your reservations can be difficult if you don’t have copies of your itinerary and reservations with you. Travel itinerary details can make your trip go much smoother.
It can help you sort out any issues during check-in at the airport or hotel. It is a simple method of helping you keep track of your travel plans.
You can have these as printed copies or use one of the many travel planner apps or tools that you can find online. You can also set yourself a reminder to do your check-in or to book a taxi to the airport ahead of time.
Also Read: How to Get Cheaper Flight Tickets in Nigeria for Domestic and International Trips
7. Health Travel Documents
According to AITA, health travel documents are not new to international travel. Some specific countries have long-lasting entry requirements such as yellow fever vaccination certificates. However, this was limited to certain countries.
During the COVID-19 pandemic countries enforced COVID-19 travel document entry requirements. But currently, there is a reduction in COVID-19 travel restrictions.
However, it is very important to check the latest rules before departure because they can implement any of them at a short notice.
At times, failure to present a complete health certificate may result in denial of entry into a country.
8. International Health Declaration Form
The International Health Declaration Form is a document that every person who travels abroad must legally submit to the country of destination. With this consent form, people confirm that they are completely healthy and that the information they have given is correct.
The purpose of this self-declaration is to enable you to board an aircraft if you are unable to provide proof of testing on site and there are appropriate reasons. The document remains in the possession of the person signing it.
9. Travel Insurance Proof
The essence of having your travel insurance proof is to cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and any other emergencies that may occur during the trip.
It is important to apply for travel insurance ahead to make provisions for any eventuality.
Also Read: 10 Frequently Asked Questions About Flying Internationally
Conclusion
Another important thing when traveling abroad is a foreign exchange, apart from the documents discussed above.
Although It is not a document, it is best to bring the local currency of the country you are going to. It is better than using a credit/debit card abroad. This strategy will help you avoid currency exchange fees abroad.
Also, it is important to have contact phone numbers of your embassy or consulate and local emergency services. The contacts of families and friends back home should also be included.
