How to Keep Your Documents Safe While Traveling?
Although organizing international travel is an exciting and thrilling experience, remember about suitable preparations. Make sure you have packed all the necessities and printed out your flight tickets. It is also recommended to have the accommodation confirmation on hand.
There are a few steps you should take to ensure the safety of your travel documents. You can keep them protected from water by stashing them in a plastic bag. Never leave your documents unattended to minimize the risk of theft. It is also a good idea to have digital copies of the most important files.
Contents:
- Make sure you have packed everything
- Top 5 tips on how to keep your travel documents safe
- Prepare digital copies of your documents if possible
- Check the expiration dates of your documents
- Make sure your documents will not be damaged
- Find secure storage for your documents at the hotel
- Do not leave your documents unattended
Make sure you have packed everything
The very first step of good preparation before travel is to make sure that you have packed all the mandatory documentation. In order not to forget anything, it is recommended to make a list of all the documents that may be required during your travel. Then, while packing your bags, you can easily cross out the documents that you have already taken care of.
Below, you will find a list of documents that may sometimes be required for travel. Remember that for your particular trip, it may not be necessary to have all the files.
- ID card
- Passport and visa
- Printed accommodation confirmation
- Printed transportation tickets
- International driving license
- Evidence of valid vaccinations
- Evidence of valid travel insurance
It is highly advised to always check the current entry requirements of a destination before leaving for a journey. Different countries require you to obey various visa policies. For more information, contact the nearest diplomatic mission of the country you would like to visit.
Top 5 tips on how to keep your travel documents safe
Whether traveling for business or leisure, one important factor to consider in your travel preparations is keeping your documents safe. With the rise of identity theft cases, it is crucial to protect your travel documents. Here are five tips on how to keep your documentation safe and secure. Follow them to enjoy peace of mind, knowing your files are protected.
Prepare digital copies of your documents if possible
Naturally, it is mandatory to present the immigration officers on arrival with physical copies of your travel documents. But have you ever wondered what to do if your documents are lost? In such a situation, it may be difficult to confirm your identity without the assistance of an embassy.
However, in the age of modern technology, you can easily create digital copies of your documents. You can scan the files in paper form beforehand and keep them in the e-mail inbox on your telephone. Some of them are also accessible online via government-based websites.
One of the documents easily obtainable online is an electronic visa (eVisa). For the application process, you only need to follow three steps - complete the form, upload the documents, and make the fee payment. An approved visa will be delivered to your e-mail address in no time.
Check the expiration dates of your documents
Another essential step to ensure a problem-free journey is checking the validity period of your travel documents. It is essential that they all remain effective for the duration of your trip. If your passport expires while abroad, you will be obliged to leave the country as soon as possible.
Moreover, you should remember that some countries require the traveler to have a passport that will stay valid for a particular time period (for example, at least six months from the planned date of departure). Documents with shorter validity periods will not be accepted during customs control.
Make sure your documents will not be damaged
One of the easiest ways to protect your travel documents from being damaged is by storing them in zipped plastic bags or special covers. It is especially convenient as you will have all the necessary documents in one place, and they will be easily accessible during the control procedure on arrival.
By keeping your documents in a special waterproof plastic bag, you also make sure they remain intact in case you face bad weather conditions or spill anything in your luggage. This way, they will stay dry and legible. Damaged documents will not be approved on arrival.
Find secure storage for your documents at the hotel
Once you have arrived at your desired destination, it is recommended to find a secure place to store your travel documents. Hotels usually offer their guests the opportunity to rent a safe or lockbox for a small fee, which sometimes is refunded at the end of the stay. If such a feature is not available, search for a safe space in the room to store your documents.
However, watch out for a common mistake travelers tend to make - frequently, guests forget about their travel documents when they check out. Of course, the documentation will be returned to the owner, but the situation itself can cause a lot of unnecessary stress.
Do not leave your documents unattended
Another important thing to remember is never to leave your documents unattended. It is best to keep them close to you in a bag or a backpack. You can also put your necessities in the inner pockets of your jacket. Never put them in places within the reach of a thief, like pockets of your pants.
Moreover, always keep an eye on your documents if you search for something in your luggage. Do not put them on any counters or tables where they can be easily grabbed by passing pickpockets. Although you are in a public space, remember to be mindful of your belongings.
