If you are traveling to a foreign country for the first time, you may be in unfamiliar territory long before your plane takes off; it isn’t easy to figure out exactly what you need to do to leave and enter another country legally. This checklist tells you what you may need and how to get it.
Passport. A United States citizen must have a current passport to leave the country. U.S. passports are good for ten years and cost $65; renewals are $55. It usually takes about six to eight weeks to process a passport, but that can be cut to about ten days by asking for the Expedite option, which costs an extra $35. First-time passport applicants must go in person to a passport office or post office with proof of citizenship (a certified copy of a birth certificate or naturalization or citizenship papers), and proof of identity (a driver's license or photo identity card). You'll also need two identical 2×2-inch front-view photos of yourself against a white or light background which you can purchase quickly and easily at most photo stores and certain copy centers. (It helps to wear a dark color when you have this photo taken.) Make a copy of your passport to carry with you, but keep it separate from the original.
Visa. A visa is an official authorization stamped inside your passport showing that the host country permits you to travel within its borders for a limited amount of time and for a specific purpose (vacation, business, academic study, etc.). Not all countries require American tourists to obtain visas. To find out if you need one for your trip and how long it will take to obtain one, call the country's embassy or consulate in the city nearest you or the airline or hotel you've booked. But make sure your information is current; visa requirements can change quickly with new governments or during politically sensitive events.
Vaccines or immunization shots. To find out about the requirements for your destination, call the State Department at 202-647-5225 or the Centers for Disease Control at 404-639-2572. You can also check with your local health department.
International driver's license. In many countries, a valid U.S. license is sufficient for legal driving and car rental. Call the American Automobile Association to find out what is required where you are traveling. The AAA can issue the license, which costs $10, requires only a simple application form, and is issued immediately.
Automobile insurance. Call your insurance representative and ask for details on what coverage your policy provides for driving in a foreign country. Also talk to your credit card company; some offer fairly generous coverage for their customers traveling overseas. It's a good idea to bring your automobile insurance information with you in any case.
Foreign currency. Purchase foreign currency before your trip through Thomas Cook Currency Services (800-287-7362) or a foreign currency office in your area (listed in the Yellow Pages). The exchange rate is published in the Sunday travel section of most major newspapers; you can get updated information by calling a currency dealer. It's cheaper to obtain foreign currency by using your ATM to withdraw money from a bank machine in that country. But there can be glitches if you don't ask your bank for the exact procedure ahead of time (must it come from your savings account? will your PIN number work as usual?).
Telephone codes. Call your calling card company to ask for the access numbers for the countries you'll be visiting. Also, let them know you're going overseas. Occasionally telephone calling card companies will place a “theft and loss” hold on a card that suddenly turns up in a foreign country.
