Essential Travel Documents & Requirements
Traveling Internationally? Make sure that your travel documents are in order.
Planning an international trip? Navigating visa, passport, and entry requirements can be complex. To ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey, we’ve compiled this essential guide. It is your personal responsibility to ensure you and any children traveling with you have all the necessary, valid travel documents for every country on your itinerary—including transiting through an airport
Passport or national identity card
- Check the expiration date: Your passport must be valid for the required period after your return date. Many countries require it to be valid for at least 6 months after your intended departure date.
- Check the condition: Ensure your passport is in good condition with no damage.
- Check blank pages: Some countries, like South Africa, require a specific number of blank visa pages.
- Renew in time: If your passport is nearing expiration or needs renewal, apply well in advance of your trip.
Pro-Tip: Always check the specific validity requirements by contacting the consulate or embassy of your destination and transfer country, or by visiting the website for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Go directly to Country Specific Entry Requirements and E-Visa information on travel to USA, the United Kingdom, Canada or South Africa/ Namibia.
Visa Requirements: A Quick Guide
A visa may be required for your destination, even if you’re only transiting through a country. Some countries require a transit visa, even if you don’t plan to leave the airport.
Important Considerations:
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Your nationality matters: Visa requirements are determined by your nationality, the purpose of your visit, and the length of your stay.
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Airline restrictions: Airlines are legally required to verify your travel documents. Without a valid visa, you will be denied boarding, and your ticket will become worthless.
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Research is essential: We highly recommend checking visa requirements with the embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting or passing through well in advance of your travel date.
Want to know if you need a visa?
Get up to date information about travel requirements information for every country in the world.
We recommend using these independent, reliable online resources for up-to-date travel requirements:
TravelDoc is an online verification system that allows airlines (and passengers) to check whether a passenger possesses the correct documentation for their journey.
Sherpa is a guide to getting the right travel documentation and understanding up-to-date travel requirements. It is an independent resource.
The website of CIBT Visas you can also find a list of countries with information on entry restrictions.
Humanitarian & Missionary Fares: Proof of Eligibility:
If you are traveling on a special humanitarian or missionary fare with SkyTeam airlines (including KLM, Air France, and Delta Airlines), it is essential to understand and comply with their specific eligibility requirements. You can read more here.
We strongly advise all travelers utilizing humanitarian or missionary fares to thoroughly review these rules and ensure they carry all necessary original documentation to avoid any disruptions to their travel plans.
Please always provide us with your names a written in your passports. Once we have this information we can make reservations/block seats for you immediately. With this you will avoid price increases or fully booked seats on flights.
’If You Need a Visa, Apply Early.
Visas are best obtained far in advance, and depending on the country, the process can be complicated.’
Tickets and boarding passes
For check-in and boarding, you’ll typically need only your name and a valid ID (passport for international flights). Online check-in is convenient, allowing you to print your boarding pass and take it to the airport.
Our Recommendation: Even in the age of digital travel, we recommend carrying a physical copy of your flight itineraries. Some airports require proof of a ticket for entry. Additionally, having a printed copy can be helpful if you encounter technical difficulties with your device.
You can have evidence of a flight booking on a smartphone, but this won’t be helpful if your battery dies. It’s better to just keep your tickets on-hand and together, in a safe place, to show whenever this is requested.
Country Specific Entry Requirements.
This list is for guidance only and isn’t exhaustive. Always verify the latest requirements for your specific destination(s).
Before flying to or transit through the USA, you will need to check if you need an Electronic Travel Authorization (‘ESTA’), except if you have a US visa (or are a US citizen, of course).
An ESTA allows you to stay in the US under the Visa Waiver program for up to 90 days and allows travel to Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. An ESTA is valid for two years, (or less if your passport expires in that time). For more information and authorization requests please visit the ESTA website.
Before flying to or transit through the UK you will need to check if you need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Exceptions include UK citizens and travelers with a valid visa.
For more information and authorization requests please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
Travel to Canada; ETA
Before flying to or transit through Canada you will need to check if you need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travelers with a valid visa (and Canadian citizens of course).
For more information and authorization requests please visit the ETA website.
Travel to / via South Africa and as of 31st July 2018 also applicable for Namibia
IMPORTANT: Information for traveling to/via South Africa:
Important new requirements for minors up to 18 years travelling to, from or transferring through South Africa. If you’re travelling to South Africa or transiting through a South African airport with a child you must be able to produce the child’s full unabridged birth certificate. The full unabridged birth certificate should list the child’s details and both parents’ details. The abridged (or short) birth certificate which only lists the child’s details won’t be accepted. We urge everyone to read the new rules regarding travel to South Africa with minor children, here.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise that passengers should have two blank pages in their passport on arrival. If passengers do not have blank pages they may be refused entry and will be returned to the country of departure on the next flight. Besides this, you also must check with the embassy, if you need to arrange a visa beforehand (and/or if your passport validity is in order for your visit).
Travel to Australia (ETA & eVisitor)
Most visitors to Australia need to apply for an electronic travel authority before they travel.
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Electronic Travel Authority (ETA): For citizens of countries like the United States, Canada, and Japan.
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eVisitor Visa: For citizens of all European Union countries and several other European nations.
Check the official
Travel to New Zealand (NZeTA)
If you are a citizen of a visa waiver country, you must request an Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) and pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) before traveling to New Zealand.
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Visit the official
Immigration New Zealand website
Travel to Kenya (eTA)
Kenya has transitioned to a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system.
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Apply in advance on the official
Kenya eTA website
