To travel overseas you must have a passport, even if other documents are needed. Following the September 11 attacks, a valid U.S. passport is required to enter all international destinations. You must have a valid U.S. passport or a valid U.S. passport book to enter Canada and Mexico by foot or land, or by air or water. For all other countries outside the U.S., you must have a valid U.S. passport. This policy is known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. You can find passport applications online and you must submit them at a passport bureau or at your local post office.
To enter a country overseas your U.S. passport must be valid not only at the point of entry, but for three months (or 90 days) following your arrival. If your passport expires in less time, especially before your return flight, you may be denied entry. It's important to recognize where the local U.S. Embassy is in your destination city, in case you run into any problems with your passport. The U.S. passport office issues periodic travel alerts, such as health alerts or other travel alerts. The office also issues travel warnings for countries that the U.S. government determines are not safe for U.S. travel.
A return flight is required to enter a country, though this varies from country to country. Often this is required because of immigration laws. If you do not have proof of a return flight, inform the customs official upon entry where you are planning to stay or show proof of work or sponsorship. Be sure to check the entry requirements of the particular country before traveling to assure you have the appropriate documents.
When staying more than 90 days in most countries overseas, you must obtain a visa. This visa will vary based on your reason for the visit, such as work or visiting family. Some countries require a visa upon entry regardless of how many days you visit. These visas are travel visas and are obtained through embassies. Many countries require a transit visa you even if you are not staying overnight in that country, but merely passing through on your way to another country. Before you leave the U.S., inquire at the Consulate or Embassy of all the countries you plan to visit to determine which countries require transit visas and which require travel visas. For visas, a valid U.S. passport is required when you apply. Visas can take several days or a few weeks, so it is best to apply early.
