Planning a trip doesn’t have to be a whirlwind experience. Taking care of a few basic tasks will reduce the length of your final vacation checklist. If you think you might travel some time during the next year, consider taking these steps now.
- Apply for or Check Your Passport
If you plan to travel across a U.S. border, apply for a passport now. U.S. citizens who travel to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean or Bermuda now need a valid passport to re-enter the United States.
The U. S. State Department reports that routine passport processing time can be as long as six weeks. It’s best to plan ahead and get your passport well in advance of your travel dates. Some nations require that your passport be valid for a certain length of time before you enter the country. If you already have a passport, check to make sure it will still be valid when you plan to travel.
Many countries require U.S. citizens to hold visas as well as passports. The U. S. State Department provides consular information by country. You can find information on visa requirements by using this list. It’s also a good idea to call the embassy of your destination country to get up-to-date information.
