A student recently asked me what is required to travel overseas. I am putting the basics down in this quick note.
1. You Need A Passport which is issued by the U.S. Department of State.
You will need to have a passport picture taken (actually it is 2 side by side). About $8 at Walmart.You will need to go to the downtown Gulfport Post Office to file the paperwork (remember to bring a birth certificate. It will take 45 days to get your passport and birth certificate back. $60 last time I did it.
If you are in a hurry, you can go to the State Department's office in New Orleans and have your passport issued the same day but I believe it is $90.
2. You will need an International Shot Card. Your doctor should be able to provide this.
3. You will need a Visa from the country you will be visiting (all of them actually). You have to request the visa from either that country's embassy in Washington or from a consulate.
4. You may need an International Driver's Permit depending on the country. You can obtain this for $10 at the American Automobile Association office.
5. You will need to have the right adapter for the electrical outlets where you are going. Cheaper to buy them over here at Radio Shack than in an airport somewhere.
6. You will need to check the State Department's Country Data on the country you will be visiting. Some things that are legal in America can land you in a lot of trouble in other countries (doing religious work for instance). You also should avoid areas that the State Department says are high crime areas. Kidnapping is rampant the world over and if no one pays for your return the kidnappers will just kill you without a second thought and go kidnap someone else. The only happy endings are usually those that start with a happy beginning. SO PLAN AHEAD!
Last updated 17 JUL 2006