Passports For International Travel
American citizens looking to travel outside of the United States must have a valid U.S. passport. Passport requirements and application requirements can change at any time. For the latest information please visit travel.state.gov
› Apply or renew now if you are thinking of traveling internationally within the next year. Check the latest turnaround times before booking international travel to be sure you can get a passport in time.
› Already have a passport? Double-check the expiration date! Many countries require 6 months of validity after the date of your RETURN flight. You can be denied boarding when leaving the U.S. if you don’t have sufficient validity remaining on your passport.
Example: if your trip departs September 16th and returns September 26th, 2022, your passport should not expire before April 2023.
› Expedited processing options that you may have used in the past may not be available at this time, or may have much longer timelines.
› Urgent/Emergency travel passport appointments are very limited and require proof of true emergency circumstances. Call 1-877-487-2778 to make an Emergency Travel appointment.
› In-person appointments are required at a passport acceptance facility for new passport applications. New applications and renewals for children 16 and under require in-person appointments with both parents present.
COVID-19 Travel Guidance
Travel restrictions and guidance for U.S. Citizens changes frequently. For your convenience we have provided links to the latest information. Do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions.
COVID-19 Travel Guidance for U.S. Citizens (U.S. Dept. of State)
› Current Travel Advisories [List] or [Map] (U.S. Dept. of State)
› Travel Recommendations by Destination (CDC)
› International Travel Recommendations (CDC)
› Traveler's Checklist (U.S. Dept. of State)
Healthcare Abroad
Travel restrictions and guidance for U.S. Citizens changes frequently. For your convenience we have provided links to the latest information. Do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE GUIDANCE
› Smart Traveler Enrollment [STEP]
› Driving & Road Safety Abroad
Currency & Money Matters
› You can pre-order currency from your bank or financial institution before you depart. Fees in addition to the exchange rate usually apply and can vary greatly.
› To save on fees, you may wish to exchange a small amount in the US before departure and then use your debit or credit card to access additional funds while you are traveling.
› Where available, ATMs can be any easy way to access cash from a debit card and some credit cards. Some credit cards may require you to go into a bank branch for a cash advance, and fees may be higher. Some banks may decline to do a cash advance for non-customers. You will need to know the PIN number for each debit and credit card you wish to use.
› Check with your bank or credit card company to find out the cost of using your card abroad. Some issuers will charge a foreign transaction fee on top of a marked-up exchange rate. In some cases making fewer withdrawals of larger amounts may save some fee costs.
› Advise your bank and credit card company of your travel dates and destination before you depart, so they don’t decline your transactions.
› Ask your bank what your daily cash withdrawal limit is so you can plan if you need to access larger amounts for special purchases or an emergency expense. Don’t forget to consider the exchange rate at your time of travel. For example, if your daily cash withdrawal limit is $300 US Dollars, the amount dispensed from the ATM in local currency could be less.
› Always travel with more than one payment method. For example: take a debit card and a credit card or two. Don’t carry all of your payment methods together, just in case your purse/wallet is lost or stolen.
› Put the contact information for each of your credit and debit cards in your phone and keep an additional copy in an alternate location so you can notify the card issuer immediately in case of loss, theft, or fraud while traveling.
› Avoid carrying large amounts of cash on your person and don’t keep it all in one location. Most hotels have an in-room safe where you can store your valuables.
› Consider adding your financial institutions’ smartphone app to your phone, so you can check balances, make payments, and report lost or stolen cards quickly from your phone. Note: some apps may not work or require a VPN to work outside of the U.S.
› Contactless payment is common in some countries. If you have a credit or debit card with contactless payment, you can tap the card on the payment terminal to complete the transaction without handing over or swiping your card. If you carry contactless cards, you may consider keeping them in an RFID-blocking wallet or purse.
› Mastercard and Visa are accepted in many destinations. AMEX is less commonly accepted.
› Some establishments may have a minimum purchase to accept a credit card as payment. Cash and small bills or exact change are sometimes necessary for smaller purchases at bakeries, markets, and grocery stores.
› Unfortunately, pickpocketing can be an issue in some destinations, especially in crowded tourist areas and on public transportation. Do not carry wallets or cell phones in your pockets. Keep purses, handbags, and backpacks close, within sight, and carry them in front of you.