Trip Planning
Travel Itinerary
DO NOT publicise your travel plans, but limit that knowledge to those who need to know. Leave a full itinerary of your travel schedule, hotel phone numbers and business appointments with your office and with a family member or friend.
Passport
Is it valid? Are the visas current for the country of destination? If not, you and everything in your possession may be looked at in-depth by host government authorities. If you are carrying documents that are sensitive or proprietary, they will be examined in detail to see if there is anything that would be of interest. If there is, you can bet that copies will be made, and there is not much that you will be able to do about it.
Make photocopies of your passport, visa and other important documents that you will be travelling with. Put copies in both your carry on and checked luggage. This makes it easier to replace your identification documents should anything happen. (Also, it is a good idea to leave a photocopy with someone at home.)
Visas
Is a visa required for any of the countries that you are visiting and do you have the appropriate visa(s)? Is the information on your visa application true and correct? In some countries, falsifying information on a visa application can result in an unexpected vacation in the local jail.
Some countries are sensitive to which visa you obtain. If you are travelling on business, a business visa should be obtained; otherwise a tourist visa is acceptable.
Medical
Take plenty of any prescription medication with you, as well as an extra set of eyeglasses or contact lenses. Also, take a copy of your prescription should you need to have glasses, contacts or medication replaced. Keep an inoculation record and update it before each trip as each country has different requirements.
Carry with you a list with your blood type, allergies, medical conditions and special requirements. It is a good idea to have a medical alert bracelet if you have a special medical condition.
Inoculations - Does the country to be visited require any specific inoculations? This information is available from the embassy or consulate. Be sure to carry your international shot record, just in case.
If you do not have comprehensive medical coverage, consider enrolling in an international health program. Hospitals in foreign countries do not take credit cards and most will not honour out-of-country medical insurance plans.
Miscellaneous
Keep your personal affairs up to date. If possible, leave a power of attorney with a family member or friend should anything happen to you.
- Do research on the country you will be travelling to before you go. Talk with friends, family or business associates who have visited the country. They can usually give you some good tips for your trip.
- Travellers should discuss with their travel agents, which airlines, hotels and car rental companies are recommended.
- Carry in your wallet/pocketbook only the documents you will need. Take only the credit cards you plan to use on your trip.
- If you plan to rent a car, check to see if you must obtain an international driver's permit for the country you plan to visit.
Obtain information regarding any special requirements for the country that you are visiting.
Local Import Restrictions
Request from the embassy of the country you plan to visit a copy of any list or pamphlet describing customs restrictions or banned materials. This is a hint designed to minimize the possibility of an encounter with the local authorities.
Leave all expensive and heirloom jewellery at home.
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