International travel documents: what to check before you go
Before an international trip, it helps to check not only whether documents are present, but also expiry dates, matching details, and entry rules.
This list catches the mistakes that are better found at home than at the airport or the border.
International travel documents checklist
- passport validity for the destination country
- visa or eTA if required
- name matches passport, ticket, and booking
- insurance covers the right dates and country
- return ticket or onward ticket if required
- hotel booking and first stop address
- document copies on your phone and away from the originals
- an emergency contact
Open list in NowListCheck items as you go.
How to use the international travel documents checklist
Check the list a day or two before departure and again on travel day. Mark not only the document itself, but also expiry, country coverage, and matching details.
If the destination has extra requirements, add them to the list so everything stays in one place.
What to keep in mind
Start with the destination country’s entry rules: passport validity, visa, forms, and extra confirmations.
Keep document copies easy to reach even if your main bag is out of reach.