Phase 03
Know Before You Go
What getting there actually requires.
Passports, entry rules, health, money, connectivity and insurance. Work through each one, check what you already understand, and write down the questions you still need answered.
Passport
Do I need one? How much validity should remain? How many blank pages?
You need a valid passport for international travel. Most destinations require validity beyond your travel dates, often several months, and some require blank pages for stamps.
Check the condition of the book as well as the date. Damage can cause a refusal at the border. If you do not have one yet, apply now. Processing takes time and expedited service is neither instant nor guaranteed.
Verify this yourself
Confirm current requirements and processing times at travel.state.gov, and confirm your destination's validity rule before you book anything you cannot change.
Visa and entry requirements
Do I need a visa? Electronic or physical? When do I apply?
Requirements depend on the passport you hold, not where you live. Some destinations require nothing in advance, some require an electronic authorization completed online, and some require a full visa with supporting documents and processing time. Start this at least ninety days out.
Verify this yourself
Apply through official government sources. Search results surface third party services charging large fees for something you can often file yourself.
Vaccinations and health
Required or recommended? What do I carry? Where do I verify?
Some destinations have health related entry requirements and some do not. Certain preparations take a series or need time to take effect, which is why this belongs on your sixty day list and not your final week. Speak with a travel health professional about your specific destination and itinerary.
Verify this yourself
This is a conversation for a qualified healthcare professional. Maximum Impact Travel does not provide medical advice.
Money
What currency? Cash? Will my cards work? What about tipping?
Carry more than one payment method, stored in more than one place. Notify your bank and card issuers of your travel dates so real purchases are not declined as fraud. Bring small denominations, because breaking large bills can be genuinely difficult and tipping runs on small notes.
When a card terminal offers to charge you in U.S. dollars instead of local currency, choosing local currency is usually the better rate.
Connectivity
Will my phone work? Roaming, eSIM or local SIM? What do I download first?
Sort this before you leave, not at the airport on arrival. An eSIM purchased in advance is often the simplest option on a modern phone. Download offline maps, a translation pack, your documents and your itinerary while you are still on your own wifi.
Insurance
What does it cover? When should I buy it? What is medical evacuation coverage?
Consider your coverage when you book, not when you pack. Some benefits are only available when purchased within a limited window after your first payment. Read what is covered and what is not.
For remote destinations and safari itineraries, emergency medical evacuation coverage deserves particular attention. It is the provision travelers think about least and the one that matters most when it matters at all.
Never assume your domestic medical insurance covers you internationally, and never assume a credit card benefit equals a policy. Verify in writing.
What do I still need to find out?
Write the open questions here and bring them to a live or on demand event.
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