Traveling abroad for business involves a great deal of coordinating and organizing. It is easy to be so focused on the business aspect of your trip that you forget to check the specific rules of entry for your destination country. We’re here to help you stay focused on your work—use our checklist below to make sure you’re ready to meet travel guidelines for international travel.
Research Your Destination
You’ve learned as much as you can about your destination.
Verify visa requirements, read up on local laws and regulations, and become familiar with the customs and culture of your destination country. At the very least visit the Department of State’s website to read up on your destination.
Remember: Conducting business will go much more smoothly if you’re familiar with the culture and local rules of etiquette. The more you research and learn, the better your travel and work experience will be.
You’ve checked for any necessary alerts.
Check if there are any Travel Warnings or Travel Alerts for your destination country. These will describe any risks to you and may affect your travel plans. You can also check the U.S. embassy or consulate for the latest updates.
You’re familiar with the rules of entry. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide recommendations for vaccinations and other precautions.
You’re familiar with the rules of entry.
There may be very stringent rules about entry depending on what passport you have, why you are going and how long you’ll be staying. Some countries even require you to apply for an entry visa upon arrival. If this is the case, you may need to bring pictures, your birth certificate, invitation letters, or other necessary documents. Make sure you’re not caught unaware by becoming familiar with your destination country’s rules of entry.
You’re prepared to deal with money matters.
Check if your bank charges any fees for using ATMs out of your network and whether or not your cards will work well or carry extra charges abroad. Also, research the exchange rates to find out if it makes better sense for you to exchange at home or abroad.
Meet International Travel Requirements
You have a valid passport.
Your passport should be valid for at least six months after you return home, and has at least two blank pages. If you don’t meet these requirements, some countries may not let you enter.
You meet visa and travel requirements.
If you need a visa to enter your destination country (or to check if you do), contact the embassy of the country you will be visiting for more information and to confirm that you meet their requirements.
You have the necessary paperwork for your medications.
If you are bringing any medications, make sure you have a letter from your doctor. Some countries have very strict laws, so if you’re planning to bring any kind of medication, even over-the-counter, make sure you’re not breaking any laws.
Prepare for the Unexpected When Traveling
You’re prepared in the case your travel documents get lost or stolen.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you are somehow left without your travel documents, odds are you’ll have to jump through several bureaucratic hoops before your trip ends. Make sure that, if that is the case, you’re ready and that the process can go as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Make two photocopies of all your travel documents in case of emergency. Leave one copy with a trusted friend or relative at home and carry the other separately from your documents in case of loss or theft. You can also opt for digitizing your documents and safely storing them in device or cloud service.
You’ve downloaded useful apps.
If you think there is a possibility of you getting lost, make sure you have access to a helpful GPS, travel guide or transportation apps that might prove to be useful in that case. Thinking ahead saves you time and effort, and helps you avoid stress.
Stay Connected while Abroad
You’ve made sure you’ll be able to stay connected while abroad.
Not every country has Wi-Fi as readily accessible as the US. Verify what your connectivity status will be and research Internet connectivity options so that you may take the necessary steps that you’re never without.
Also, if you plan on using your cell phone while abroad, you’ll need to check what the usage, roaming, and data charges are. If they are too high, you can consider other options, such as a pre-paid sim card.
You have the necessary power adapters and chargers.
It’s always important to check that you’re not forgetting something small yet necessary like a power adapter. It may be easy to forget that your charger won’t be able to plug-in as is.
Make the Best of Your Business Trip
You’re registered with your airline’s frequent flyer program.
Be strategic with your travel. Don’t let price alone dictate what airline you’ll be using. If you take advantage of loyalty programs and points, you’ll have access to greater comfort and perks.
You’re traveling light and smart.
Make sure you have your essentials and that you’re not overburdening yourself by over-packing. For useful tips, read our posts about carry-on bag essentials and how to pack light.
You’ve made sure to get plenty of rest before your trip.
For business trips especially, it is important that you make sure to get plenty of rest before your trip. If you will be experiencing a huge time difference, the best way you can prepare is by getting plenty of rest before and during your trip. You’ll want to avoid over exhausting yourself only to arrive and immediately get whisked away to do business.