Overseas Travel Checklist
When it comes to heading overseas, there’s no such thing as being too prepared. From saving the contact information for the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for your destination to setting up instant updates for any travel warnings or alerts where you’re going, here are a few things to keep in mind before you go abroad.
- Important documents: First things first, you’ll need a valid passport. Make sure it’s valid for at least six months beyond the dates of the trip and has at least two to four blank visa pages in the book. Some countries often require other documents necessary for travel across their borders, like tourist visas, vaccination records, and even proof of relationship to any accompanying minors. Check the S. Department of State’s U.S. Passports & International Travel website for country-specific requirements for your destination. Also, bring photocopies of your most important documents (airline tickets, credit cards, international driver’s license, etc.) in case of theft, loss, or emergency.
- Travel alerts and warnings: It’s always a good idea to check the U.S. Department of State’s updated list of travel warnings before and during your trip, but you can make it easy on yourself by taking just a few minutes online to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before you go. The program ensures you will be kept up to speed with any updates on security and safety information about your destination. STEP also makes it easy for a designated individual in the U.S. to contact you in the event of a state or international emergency. Make sure you’ve studied the local laws and customs before you travel to avoid unknowingly breaking any local rules.
- Emergency contacts: Bring a list (and leave a list at home with someone you trust) of emergency contacts that includes the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your destination, the number for the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, the number for the nearest hospitals in your destination, and the numbers of all the hotels and places you will visit while out of the country.
Before you lock the doors and head out, read our blog post on preparing your house before a vacation, Keep Your Home Safe While You’re Away. Will your insurance cover your belongings while abroad? Check with your Texas Farm Bureau Insurance agent by scheduling a 360 Review® today.
