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The Most Important Documents for International Travel

Woman looking at a world map

Traveling, especially abroad, requires careful attention to detail. For your trip to be successful, a lot of factors must align. There are many things to consider while deciding what to bring and leave behind.

To avoid unexpected problems in a new country, it’s essential to bring the following documents for international travel.

Woman looking at a world map
Woman looking at a map

Key Travel Documents

Passport

A passport is crucial while traveling internationally, as it’s likely required for most of the countries you could visit.

If you already have a passport, then check its expiration date. Make sure it’s valid for at least six more beyond the last date of your trip.

Many countries require you to have a minimum of six months validity left on your current passport to enter them. And giving yourself an extra margin of a few weeks doesn’t hurt.

Otherwise, apply for the passport well before your departure date, so it’ll be ready in time. However, there is one thing you can do to speed up this procedure.

As you know, a specific photo will need to be taken for your documents, but you may do it yourself with the right passport photo editor. Using it will save time and, more importantly, protect yourself from unnecessary stress.

Passports from your home country are necessary documents for international travel (photo from iStock)
U.S. passport

Travel Visa

There is one more necessary document you may need for your international travel, and that is a visa. This stamp in your passport allows you to enter another country.

Keep in mind that depending on your home country, some countries may provide you with a visa on your arrival, and in some countries, you don’t need a visa at all.

To avoid delays, it is wise to apply for a tourist visa in advance. Additionally, the visa may get rejected in specific circumstances. The earlier you can apply, the better.

Driver’s License 

A valid driver’s license should always be carried, whether traveling by car or planning to drive once at a new location, to avoid serious legal problems.

Before leaving home, check whether you’ll need an international driver’s license for your destination. If not, bring your regular driver’s license from home.

A driver’s license can be a good idea even if you don’t plan to rent a car or drive abroad.

It’s generally safer to leave your passport securely stored at your accommodation (in a hostel locker or a hotel safe).

That way, if you’re pickpocketed, they may only get your driver’s license, not your passport (a far more costly loss in terms of time…

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