COVID - 19 Travel Update | Documents Required for International Travel

Traveling abroad to your favorite destination is one of the most exciting experiences. But traveling does not come easy. There is a lot of planning to do, a lot of things to buy, and a couple of hundred reservations to make before you can embark on your journey. One of the most important things to take care of when you are planning your international trip is collecting all the important travel documents. Take this as one of the first things to do when planning for an international trip outside of the UAE. Once you have all the paperwork in order, you can think about shopping for essentials and travel outfits. Below is a complete list of all the basic documents required for international travels to help you sort your travel packing checklist and avoid any last-minute scare.

The Passport

Needless to say, your passport is the very document needed for international travel. Check the validity of your passport beforehand and get it renewed well in advance if required. Make sure you do complete this particular step long before your trip dates because the application procedure can be long and may take more time than anticipated. If your passport is set to expire within the next 6 months, get it renewed before you set out on your trip. If you do not have a passport, apply for one right away. Take at least 3-4 months between the application date and the travel dates so that there is no scope for delays.

International Travel Visa

The next document required for international travel is the travel visa. Figure out visa requirements for the country you are traveling to and make arrangements accordingly. Visa is a stamp on your passport that serves as a permit to enter a certain country. Many countries also offer visas upon arrival while others may need you to apply for one in advance. So, check the visa requirements of the country you are about to visit and get started with the visa applications. The application and approval process may take some time. Rejection is also a possibility here which means you will have to rectify the error that caused visa application rejection and repeat the application process. So, take enough time in advance to get your visa requirements sorted.

Identification Documents

Carry all important identification documents with you when traveling overseas. Identification proof documents are not the documents needed to travel abroad but you may still require them at some points. Identification documents may be required when you check in hotels or go to enjoy the pre-booked activities. Make sure you are carrying both the originals and a few copies of your identity proof.

Airline Tickets

Carrying your air tickets with you is as important as carrying a passport when traveling abroad. While this may seem like an obvious task, people often forget to keep them in their carry-on bag given the hassle and confusion traveling brings. Keep your tickets in the ‘travel documents needed for international travel’ pile and also try to add a few photocopies of the same. You never know when you may end up needing them. It is also okay to carry e-tickets in most cases. Just make sure that your e-ticket is complete and not partial. Carrying a hard copy will be a safer practice though.

Accommodation Details and Documents

Next on the list of travel documents required for international travel is the accommodation details and paperwork. Even though most hotels and stays now have a digital record of all the bookings, your physical booking documents may still be required. It is best to have and not need them rather than need and not have them. Just like flight tickets. Throw in some photocopies of your accommodation details as well.

Covid-19 Related Documents

In the wake of the recent pandemic threat, every country around the world requires you to carry Covid-19 related documents for international travels. The Covid-19 documents needed to travel abroad may change as per the country you are traveling to. However, the probable list of documents you will need includes vaccination certificates and RT-PCR test reports. The validity of the RT-PCR reports is different for each country. Some require it to be no more than 48 hours old while others allow up to 96 hours before your official departure timings. Check out the specifics for the country you are traveling to obtain reports accordingly. Also, make sure that you have a physical copy of the vaccination certificate because a digital one may not be sufficient.

Travel Insurance Documents

Your travel insurance documents are required for international travel as well. Some countries do not require the visitors to have mandatory travel insurance while others do. For example, you must have proper travel insurance online or offline to travel to any of the Schengen countries. Research and find out whether the country you are traveling to has any insurance requirements. If yes, get the documents beforehand because you may need to get the visa as well. Keep them with you for the trip as well. If you have forgotten to get a proper insurance plan well before your departure, you can make a quick purchase for travel insurance online at Policybazaar UAE. Swiftly compare top picks and make fuss-free payments to get instant coverage. Just make sure you do this before the departure.

Tickets for Activities You Have Booked

Related details and documents for the activities you have pre-booked should also be kept in your traveling bag. These may not be documents required for international travel directly but you will still need your booing details to be able to enjoy the activities you have already paid for. Check with the activity provider if you will need physical proof of the bookings as well. If yes, get a clear print and keep it with the rest of the documents needed for international travel so that you have everything in one place.

Travel Details and the Itinerary

While not a mandatory document needed to travel abroad, having a proper travel itinerary is highly recommended for all tourists. Make a well-organized schedule of your travel plans and activities that you want to take. Organize booking schedules and tickets as well. Keep this itinerary with you at all times to make sure you get the best of every minute abroad.

In a Nutshell

Make sure that you have all the travel documents required for international travel on your person when leaving for the trip. Keep everything in one bag that you bring as the carry-on since you can need the documents any time. Arrange proper insurance in time or buy travel insurance online before your departure if it happens to slip your mind. However, the recommended way to buy insurance is by comparing travel insurance online and then making a well-thought purchase. Carry all the documents and other travel essentials with you to make sure that the trip is nothing but exhilarating.