Planning
Passports, visas and the rules that catch people out
Entry rules are set by the destination government, change without much notice, and are enforced at the departure gate as well as at the border. The airline can refuse to board you, and when it does, the ticket is generally not refunded.
5 min readPublished
Passport validity is not the same as expiry
Many countries require a passport to remain valid for six months beyond your date of entry. A passport that expires in four months is a valid document that will not get you into those countries.
Some also require a minimum number of blank pages. Check both before booking rather than before packing.
Electronic authorisations are not visas, but they are mandatory
Several countries require an electronic travel authorisation applied for online in advance, separate from any visa. They are usually approved quickly, but not always, and arriving without one means being turned away at check-in.
Proof of onward travel
Airlines are fined for carrying passengers who are refused entry, so they check what the border will check. On a one-way ticket to a country that requires evidence of onward travel, expect to be asked for it at the gate.
Where to check
Use the destination government's own immigration site, and your own government's travel advisory for the return. Both are authoritative in a way that no travel site, including this one, can be — rules change and only the issuing authority is current.
If your itinerary involves a connection in a third country, check that country's transit rules too. Some require a transit visa even when you never leave the airport.
