PASSPORT
You must have a valid passport in order to travel (including transit) overseas. Certain countries require your passport to be valid for 6 months beyond the intended period of stay, even if a visa is not required. Your passport must be undamaged with sufficient blank pages for any visas and entry/exit stamps acquired during your travels. For any queries, check with your World Travellers travel professional or check with Visa Direct.
Note: Special passport requirements apply for travel to the USA under the USA Visa Waiver Scheme. One of those conditions is that your passport is machine readable.
VISAS
If you are about to head overseas, you will need to know if you require a visa to visit your destination(s) or any transit points enroute. If you don’t have the necessary documentation prior to your departure, you may be denied boarding of your flight or refused entry on arrival. To check out visa requirements please check with your World Travellers travel professional or alternatively contact Visa Direct who specialise providing visa advisory and processing services.
Tip: We recommend that you take photocopies of your passport, visas, credit cards, airline tickets, travellers cheque information, driver’s licence. Keep one copy with your luggage and leave one copy at home. This can be crucial information if you find yourself in the unfortunate position of burglary or theft.
MEDICAL TIPS
It is essential that you are aware that overseas standards of medical care vary greatly from those in New Zealand. The cost of medical assistance whilst travelling is usually very high and some places will require that you pay in full in advance. If a medical evacuation is necessary, you could be thousands of dollars out of pocket. It is also important to find out what travel vaccinations are required for the country or countries you are visiting. We suggest that six weeks prior to your travel (depending on what countries you are visiting) you consult a doctor to ensure you have all your necessary travel vaccinations, immunisations and/or medication. The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides information for travellers on its website.
Another useful website is safetravel.govt.nz which details recent health alerts for destinations around the world and related travel health advice for travellers. The Travel Doctor Group provides travel medicine services to all travellers before, after and while you travel.
We recommend Moorhouse Medical Travellers Health.
MEDICATIONS
If you are planning on taking any medications overseas with you, you will need to check that they are legal in the country that you are visiting. If you do need to travel with medications, you may need a letter from your doctor describing your medical conditions and a detailed list of the medication you are travelling with. Medication will need to be in its original packaging and be clearly marked in labelled containers. For more information on what medications can and cannot be taken to your chosen destination please contact the Embassy or High Commission for that country.
TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN AND BABIES
As of 1st June 2015 there are now strict laws when travelling with children under the age of 18 to or from South Africa including the requirement of full birth certificates and signed affidavits from non-travelling parents. Please check with your World Travellers expert for information regarding this.
Some airlines allow 1-3 pieces of the following free of charge:- port-a-cot, car seat, stroller. Please check with your World Travellers expert to check which airline suits your travel needs best.
For those travelling with babies, there are exceptions for baby products required for the duration of the flight. These include baby milk, sterilized water, baby food and wet wipes.
Many airlines charge for bassinets and some only carry a limited number on board their aircraft. Check with your World Travellers expert which airline will be most suitable to your needs when travelling with an infant.
Children’s ears can be sensitive to altitude.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME
Ensure neighbours are aware of your departure.
Cancel the paper; turn off washing machine taps, hot water and power if you’re going for a considerable time.
Make sure pets and prize plants are catered for prior to leaving.
Alert your bank that you are travelling overseas so that they know to expect foreign currency transactions and don’t cancel your card due to suspicious activity.
TRAVEL SAFE
If you are going off the beaten track, you can register with Safe Travel.