What travel documents are needed for a stay abroad?
Is a passport required before applying for a visa? What steps should you take before traveling to the United States? Where can you find information depending on your language immersion destination? Languages and Travel, a specialized agency, reviews the travel documents required for any trip abroad.
Often very difficult, and sometimes even impossible, to obtain at the last minute, certain essential travel documents can force you to postpone or cancel your trip. Since we don't want to find yourself in such a situation 😉, here are a few practical tips.
First, yes, an identity card is sufficient in certain cases. Which ones, you ask? Well, only when you're traveling within Europe. Don't forget to check the expiry date of your identity card, as an expired card won't be accepted. Everywhere else, a passport is required.
What is the difference between a passport and a visa?
Because many people still confuse passports and visas, we felt it necessary to answer this question: what is the difference between the two? A passport is simply the booklet in which customs will affix your visa. A visa, on the other hand, is the written document that guarantees your right to enter a country. Customs will issue your visa when you cross the border. In the vast majority of cases, you will receive it at the airport. No passport, therefore, no visa. As explained on the website of the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs If no minimum validity period is required for your identity card or passport, the document must be valid for the duration of your stay. However, some countries require passport validity periods ranging from one to six months after your return date to allow your departure. Therefore, be sure to check the requirements for your language course destination to ensure you meet them.
ESTA: Register before traveling to the United States
In the United States, nothing is ever done quite like anywhere else. For security reasons, US authorities require you to register beforehand on the State Department's website to obtain your ESTA travel authorization, dedicated to this purpose, for the modest sum of $14. All citizens of a country participating in the Visa Waiver Program must apply. And if possible, at least 72 hours before your departure. After this deadline, if your application is denied, you may not have enough time to make alternative arrangements, especially since receiving confirmation can take up to 72 hours. A word of advice: bring a printed copy of your ESTA application confirmation to the airport. The ESTA authorization will be valid for two years, during which time you can travel to the United States as you please.
Canada is also getting involved
Canada recently decided to implement a similar document for Belgian residents. As indicated on the government website , starting March 15, 2016, you will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to visit or transit through Canada by air. How do you obtain one? The eTA application is completed online in just a few minutes. You will need a valid passport, a credit card to pay the required $7 fee, and an email address. The authorization will be sent to you within minutes. Note, however, that applications for work permits such as the Working Holiday Visa (WHV) are considered equivalent to eTA applications.
Because it seems difficult to be exhaustive on this subject, consider visiting the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which contains all the essential information before you leave, including:
• Travel documents
• All security issues and precautionary advice specific to each country
• Travel insurance and health insurance matters
• Health and hygiene recommendations
Finally, don't forget to bring photocopies of all your travel documents, prescriptions, etc. A set of spare passport photos can also be useful. For more information on things not to forget before our departure , feel free to consult our article of the same name on the subject!