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Before You Go
Passports, visas and entry rules, all in one place.
Entry rules change more often than most people think. Here's where to check what your trip needs, plus the things I see travelers miss the most.
Check what your trip needs
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Check your passport
Many countries want your passport valid for at least six months after you come home, with two or more blank pages. The name on it also has to match your flight tickets exactly. Most adults can now renew online, but check current processing times before you book anything.
Renew or apply for a passport -
Look up your destination
The U.S. State Department keeps a page for every country with entry rules, safety notes and embassy contacts. It's the first place I check.
Find your destination -
See if you need a visa
iVisa shows what's required for your passport and destination, and can handle the application for you if you'd rather not deal with it.
Check visa requirementsiVisa charges a service fee on top of the government fee. Some countries let you apply directly for less, and I'm always happy to point you to the official site.
Travel authorizations people forget
These aren't visas, but you still need them before you fly. Most take a few minutes online.
United Kingdom
Electronic Travel Authorisation
Most visitors, U.S. citizens included, need an ETA before traveling to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
When: At least 3 working days before you fly. Most decisions take minutes, but some take longer.
Apply on GOV.UKEurope
Entry/Exit System and ETIAS
Your fingerprints and photo are now taken at the border on your first visit to most of Europe. A separate travel authorization called ETIAS is on the way, so check before you go.
When: Nothing to apply for yet. Registration happens at the border, and ETIAS isn't open. Any site taking ETIAS applications today isn't official.
Check the official EU siteAustralia
Electronic Travel Authority
U.S. passport holders need an ETA before departure, applied for through the official Australian ETA app.
When: Ideally 4 weeks ahead, and before you book flights. Most are approved within a day, but some take longer.
See how to applyCanada
eTA
U.S. citizens don't need one, but many other visa-exempt travelers do when they fly in. Worth checking if anyone in your group holds a different passport.
When: Before you book flights. Most are approved in minutes, but some take several days.
Check on Canada.caJapan
Visit Japan Web
No visa needed for short stays on a U.S. passport. Filling out immigration and customs here before you land makes arrival much faster.
When: Any time before you fly, once your flights and hotel are set. Save the QR codes to your phone.
Go to Visit Japan WebDominican Republic
E-Ticket
Everyone flying in or out needs one, and it's free on the official site. Keep the QR code on your phone, because airlines can ask for it at check-in.
When: A few days to two weeks before you fly, once your flights and hotel are final.
Get your E-TicketSt. Lucia
Online ED Form
You'll get a QR code by email. Show it with your passport at immigration.
When: Within 72 hours of your flight.
Fill out the ED formCuraçao
Digital Immigration Card
Every visitor needs one, and there's no paper card anymore. It's free on the official site. Keep the confirmation on your phone or printed for arrival.
When: Within 7 days of your flight.
Get your DI cardAruba
ED Card
Everyone needs one, children included, and there's a $20 sustainability fee per person.
When: Within 7 days of your flight.
Fill out the ED cardKenya
eTA and travel insurance
Every visitor needs an eTA, and since October 2026 Kenya also requires travel health insurance. The official portal offers the government policy, about $44, before you pay for the eTA.
When: At least 2 weeks before you fly. It usually takes about 3 days.
Apply for the eTATanzania
e-Visa and travel insurance
U.S. citizens need a visa, which you can get online before you go. Since October 2026 every visitor also needs Tanzania's inbound travel insurance, about $44 per person. Zanzibar has its own version, and one policy covers both: buy the one for wherever you land first.
When: At least 3 weeks before you fly, since processing can take up to two weeks. Buy the insurance before you go too.
Apply for the e-Visa Buy the insuranceOnly apply on official government sites or a service you trust. Lookalike sites charge extra fees, and some never submit your application at all.
Nice to have for any trip abroad
- Faster airports
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Global Entry is the better buy, since TSA PreCheck is included with it. And trust me, after a long international flight, you'll wish you had it to skip the line at customs. Apply here
- Skip the line
- CLEAR+ verifies you with your eyes or fingerprint so you go straight to screening. Through my Fora link, your first year is $159 instead of $219. Join CLEAR+
- Coming home
- The free Mobile Passport Control app can shorten the line at U.S. customs. Learn more
- Duty-free limits
- What you can bring home without paying duty depends on where you've been, and everything still has to be declared. See the limits
- Driving abroad
- Renting a car? Many countries require an International Driving Permit alongside your license. Italy and Japan are two examples. AAA issues them for about $20. Get one from AAA
- Medication
- Some everyday U.S. prescriptions are restricted or banned abroad. Adderall, for example, is illegal in Japan. Check before you pack, and keep medicine in its original labeled bottles. Traveling with medicine
- Traveling with kids
- If a child is traveling with only one parent, bring a signed letter from the other parent giving permission, ideally notarized. U.S. Customs recommends it, and some countries and airlines ask for it.
- Safety alerts
- Enroll your trip in STEP so the embassy can reach you if anything happens. Enroll
- Health
- Recommended vaccines and health notes for every destination. CDC Travelers' Health
- Insurance
- Compare coverage for your trip with Faye. Get a quote
More free tools
- Where to Go When
- Pick a month and see which destinations are at their best. Find your month
- Budget Translator
- See the hotel tier, flights and kind of trip your budget unlocks. Try it
- Points Calculator
- See what your credit card points are worth and where to transfer them. Run the numbers
Booking your trip with me?
I check the entry requirements for every trip I plan and remind you of anything you need to do before you fly. You just bring the passport.
Start planning