Know the International Travel Guidelines Before Travelling Abroad

Are you planning a trip abroad? Ensure that you adhere to the international travel guidelines issued by the country of your visit.

The Covid-19 onslaught has significantly impacted our lives. But, we must move on and learn to live with the new normal. With economies gradually reopening up, it’s time to resume travelling. But first, let’s understand the various rules you must adhere to while travelling outside your country.  Not only should your passport be accompanied by the usual travel documentation, but you should be aware of the new rules of international travel.

Visa Rules

Visa is the official document that allows you to enter, leave or stay in the issuing country for a specific period or indefinitely. The immigration authorities of the country of your visit will provide the necessary visa after verifying all your details. 

While the types and rules of visas can differ with countries, some common types are listed herein.

• Tourist Visa

It's one of the most common types of visa used for the sole purpose of travelling for pleasure. You're not allowed to work or study in a foreign country if you're visiting the country on a tourist visa.

• Student Visa

A country issues student visas to foreign individuals who want to enter the country to pursue higher studies.

• Work Visa

A work visa allows you to take up work in the foreign country that issued you the visa.

• Visa on Arrival

Many countries offer visas on arrival to visitors from a select group of countries. For instance, Nepal issues visas on arrival to visitors from all countries. Similarly, many countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Qatar, Myanmar, Jordan, etc., offer visas on arrival to a select group of foreigners, such as  Indian travellers. In this, you can fly to these countries without a visa, and it's issued to you upon arrival. Note that certain countries don't need you to have any visa at all. For instance, as an Indian national, you can visit Nepal without any visa.

Travel Insurance Rules

The international travel rules of some places require the tourist to have travel insurance. For instance, travellers applying for Schengen visas have to mandatorily take travel insurance coverage for their entire stay in the list of European countries that are part of the Schengen region.

Covid-19 Rules and Restrictions

The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted international travel. Countries are forced to come up with new rules for international travel and periodically revise them to curtail the spread of the virus.

So, it’s best to check out the latest travel guidelines of a country from its officially designated sources like official websites or consulate offices before planning to travel to that country. 

Countries can have different international travel guidelines related to Covid-19 depending on the local cases and the health policy in effect. For instance, many countries like India, the USA, Australia, etc., allow international travellers who have completed the full primary vaccination schedule.

Following are some other general guidelines that you can look out for.

• The traveller may be asked to submit a self-declaration form before the scheduled travel. The declaration can include details regarding the last 14 days of travelling.

• The traveller may have to produce a negative report of an RT-PCR test undertaken within 72 hours of the commencement of the journey.

• Only asymptomatic passengers may be allowed to board the flight.

• Wearing a face mask is compulsory in most countries. If you have any confusion regarding the type of mask you should wear, choose disposable surgical masks. 

The pandemic has taken a serious toll on our collective mental health. It might be the right time to consider going to that international holiday destination you always dreamt of to rejuvenate your soul. So, just grab your passport, comply with the global travel guidelines and go on a vacation abroad now.