What Documents Do I Need for International Travel? (Part Two)

Adventure is a State of Mind

Is International Travel Really That Different?

Travel is travel…except when it isn’t. Traveling internationally has some different considerations from traveling domestically. If you’re considering traveling out of the country for the first time, you can’t know what you don’t know. Let’s discuss some issues that you might not even know you needed to think about, especially if you’ve never traveled internationally.

If you have traveled internationally previously but always with a tour group, these may be issues that were, unbeknownst to you, taken care of by the tour company. Even if you have international travel experience, it never hurts to have reminders of the extra things you need to take care of in preparation for your trip.

Figure Out Your System

I’m sure most adults understand the importance of keeping track of important documents, such as a passport. After all, most of us are used to at least carrying and keeping track of a driver’s license. It bears repeating, however, that you need to have a system to keep track of your documents while traveling. If the worst case scenario happens and you lose your passport or it is stolen, there are systems in place to obtain an emergency replacement — contact your country’s embassy in the country you are visiting. The downside of this plan, however, is that all of that traveling to the embassy and waiting to meet with officials means you will likely have to alter your travel plans and lose a day or more of fun.

Backups

Because worst-case scenarios are possible…unlikely, but possible…it is important to make sure you have a plan to be able to access copies of your important documents. This includes your passport and visas, international driver’s permit (if you need one), and credit and debit cards.

I email copies of all of these, along with copies of my credit and debit cards, to myself so that they are secure but I can access them remotely if needed. You can have photos of everything on your phone, but phones can be lost or stolen. If you email the documents to yourself, so long as you know your password, you’ll be able to use a computer to access your email.

I also sometimes leave a paper copy with a trusted friend or family member who can email or fax them to me if needed. The copies of the credit and debit cards need to include both the front and back of the card since the back often is printed with the phone number to call in case the card is lost or stolen.

To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.

Aldous Huxley

An alternative to leaving a copy back home with someone is having your travel companion carry a copy of your documents. Just make sure it is not kept in the same bag as you keep the original documents since that would defeat the purpose if you misplace the bag. I actually prefer not to carry paper copies of my documents on a trip since that means more things which I need to protect. Having the documents in my email and/or with someone I trust back home reduces that worry.

Proof of Vaccination

For awhile, many countries required proof of a Covid vaccination for entry. A lot of countries have dropped those requirements now, but the situation can change quickly, so always make sure to check the current requirements. Also, some countries require proof of other vaccinations. (You can check on the requirements for the country or countries you plan to visit here.) If the country you are planning to visit requires proof of vaccination, you should consider keeping your vaccination card with your passport and treating it almost as though it is a secondary passport given its importance.

International Driver’s Permit

Some of you may have asked a few paragraphs back, “What’s an international driver’s permit?” This is a requirement in many countries to be able to rent and drive a rental car. So long as you have a government issued driver’s license from your own country, are willing to pay a small fee, and provide a passport photo, you too can obtain an international driver’s permit. In North America, most AAA offices provide this service. You can visit your local AAA office or apply online. Because it is so easy to obtain, it is easy to think that this is an unimportant detail, but I have never rented a car in Europe and not been asked for it when picking up the car.

Credit Cards

Before leaving on your trip, check with your credit card company and bank as to whether they need the dates of your travel and the countries you will be visiting. If they do require this and you attempt to use your card in another country without notifying them, you run the risk of having your card denied until you contact them. (I learned this the hard way.) Not all credit cards companies and banks require prior notification, but some require a phone call or have an online system where you can register your travel plans.

When contacting the credit companies and your bank, this is a good time to also inquire about foreign transaction fees. This is a fee, usually a percentage, that is added to every transaction you make outside of your home country. There are cards that waive transaction fees, especially credit cards that earn travel benefits such as airline miles, and it is often worth the effort to check this out well ahead of your trip. If your card charges a fee, you might consider opening another card just for the purposes of travel.

Also, check whether your bank charges you for using an ATM with another bank. Most do, but there are some debit cards that will refund ATM fees (usually at the end of the month), such as the Charles Schwab credit card. (I’m not affiliated with them. I just like to share information with you that I’ve found useful.) Getting money from an ATM as you need it means that you don’t have to carry as much cash with you on a trip, and being able to use an ATM without additional fees can save you quite a bit of money. By the way, when using an ATM or your credit card, choosing the local currency for your transaction usually gives you a better currency conversion rate.

If you have a trip planned, have you checked whether your destination requires any additional paperwork or documentation besides your passport? Have you contacted your bank or credit card company to find out whether they charge an additional fee for foreign transactions and for using outside ATMs? Do you have a plan to keep all of your documents safe while traveling?