A flight booking is only one part of an international trip. Passport validity, destination entry rules and the documents needed for children can affect whether you can board or enter a country.
Before you book
- Check every traveler’s passport expiration date and the destination’s validity rule.
- Review visa, entry, exit and transit requirements for each country.
- Allow time for passport processing and mailing.
- Keep emergency contacts and travel documents accessible.
Check passport validity and pages
The U.S. State Department says some countries require a passport to remain valid for months beyond the planned trip, and some require blank visa pages. Requirements differ by destination and route. Use the State Department’s destination information and the foreign government’s official guidance to confirm the rules that apply to you.
Each child needs the appropriate travel document. For U.S. citizens traveling internationally by air, a passport book is needed; a U.S. passport card cannot be used for international air travel. Check a child’s passport separately because children’s passports generally have shorter validity than adult passports.
Leave room for processing
Passport processing estimates cover the time an application is at a passport agency or center and do not necessarily include mailing time. Check the current estimate and eligibility rules on the State Department website before making nonrefundable plans. Online renewal is only available to eligible applicants, and the official renewal site is a government site.
Review entry and family documents
Look up visas, allowed length of stay, transit rules and any health or import requirements for your itinerary. If a child travels without one or both parents, the destination may require custody evidence or a permission letter. Airline document checks may also apply. Keep digital and paper copies in secure locations without posting personal details publicly.
Plan for changes abroad
Read the current travel advisory for each destination and keep contact information for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The State Department’s free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program can send safety information and help the embassy reach U.S. travelers during an emergency. Review your health coverage abroad and make a plan for essential medications.
For the domestic airport portion of a trip, use AskNovus’s carry-on checklist for liquids, ID and batteries. If traveling with family, our family packing guide offers a simple organizing method.
Sources
Rules and processing times can change; check official destination and passport guidance before travel. Featured image: Global Residence Index via Unsplash.