Confirm your US passport is valid 6+ months past your return date, check destination visa rules, buy travel insurance for medical coverage abroad, and notify your bank — that's the 4-item core checklist.
Use this checklist 30 days before your international trip, then again the day before you fly.
1. Passport
- Valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date (most countries require this).
- At least 2 blank visa pages remaining (most countries require 1–2).
- If renewing: standard US passport renewal currently takes 4–6 weeks routine, 2–3 weeks expedited ($60 fee).
2. Visa or eTA
Check the entry requirements for each country on your itinerary. Common ones US citizens often miss:
- UK ETA — required for US citizens visiting the UK
- EU ETIAS — being phased in for visa-free Schengen travel
- Brazil e-visa — re-introduced for US citizens
- India e-visa — quick online application
- Australia ETA / eVisitor — required
3. Vaccinations & Health
- Check the CDC's destination page for required and recommended vaccines.
- Yellow fever vaccine is required for entry to several African and South American countries.
- Pack a 7-day supply of any prescription meds in carry-on, in original labeled bottles.
4. Travel Insurance
US health insurance generally does not cover you abroad. A basic travel insurance policy ranges $40–$150 for a one-week trip and covers:
- Emergency medical & evacuation
- Trip cancellation / interruption
- Baggage delay / loss
- Travel delay
5. Money
- Notify your bank of travel dates (or use a card that doesn't require this).
- Carry a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card.
- Order $100–$200 in local currency before departure for taxis and tips.
6. Phone & Connectivity
- Check your carrier's international plan (T-Mobile and Google Fi include many countries free).
- Consider an eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, Saily) for cheaper local data.
7. Documents Backup
- Photo/scan of passport, IDs, credit cards (front + back), insurance card.
- Store securely in cloud + email yourself a copy.
8. STEP Enrollment
Register with the US State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for emergency alerts and assistance from the local US embassy.
Need a hand booking? Our agents are on standby 24/7.
📞 Call +1 (833) 546-3547