What to Pack and Prepare Before You Leave for Another Country

Start with documents and copies before you pack anything else

The single most useful thing you can do before leaving is make copies of your important documents and store them separately from the originals. Your passport, travel insurance policy, credit card numbers, and any visas or vaccination records should exist in at least two places: one copy in your luggage, one copy at home or in cloud storage you can access from anywhere.

Carry your actual passport in a money belt or neck pouch under your clothing, not in a backpack or carry-on where it's visible. If your passport is lost or stolen, you'll need to visit a U.S. embassy or consulate to get a replacement — a process that takes days and costs money. Having a copy means you can prove citizenship while you wait.

Write down the phone number and address of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in each country you're visiting. The State Department website lists these by country. Store this information in your phone, in your luggage, and at home. If you're detained, injured, or in an emergency, the embassy is your direct line to U.S. government help.

Key Takeaways

• Keep copies of your passport, visas, travel insurance, and credit card numbers in at least two separate locations — one with you, one at home.
• Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before you leave so the State Department can contact you in a crisis.
• Notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel dates and destinations so they don't block your cards as fraud.
• Research the current safety conditions, local laws, and health requirements for each country on the State Department's travel advisory website.
• Carry the phone number and address of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and know how to reach it in an emergency.

Register with STEP so the State Department knows where you are

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that lets the U.S. State Department contact you if there's an emergency — a natural disaster, civil unrest, a health crisis, or a family emergency at home. You register your itinerary before you leave, and the State Department can reach you by email or phone if something happens.

Registration takes about five minutes on the State Department's STEP website. You provide your travel dates, the countries you're visiting, your contact information, and an emergency contact at home. If a crisis occurs in one of those countries, the State Department will try to reach you with information and instructions. If you can't be reached and a family member reports you missing, the embassy has your itinerary and knows where to start looking.

STEP is especially important if you're traveling to a country with a Level 2 or higher travel advisory (meaning increased caution or higher risk). It's also useful if you're traveling alone or if no one at home knows your exact itinerary.

Tell your bank and credit card companies your travel dates and destinations

Banks and credit card companies monitor for fraud by watching for unusual spending patterns. If you suddenly use your card in a country where you've never been before, the company may freeze your account to protect you — which leaves you without money in a foreign country. A five-minute call to each card issuer before you leave prevents this.

When you call, give them the specific countries you're visiting and the dates you'll be there. Ask them to note it in your account. Most companies have a travel notification system on their website or app where you can enter this information yourself. If your card does get blocked while you're abroad, you'll have to call the company's international number (which may be expensive) to unblock it.

Carry the customer service phone number for each card in your wallet and in your phone. These numbers are usually on the back of the card, but write them down separately in case the card is lost.

Check the State Department's travel advisories and health requirements for each country

The State Department publishes travel advisories for every country, updated regularly. These advisories tell you about safety conditions, political unrest, crime rates, natural disasters, and health risks. They're ranked from Level 1 (exercise normal caution) to Level 4 (do not travel). Before you book, read the advisory for each country on the State Department's website.

The advisory also lists specific regions within a country that may be unsafe. Some countries are generally safe but have certain areas you should avoid. The advisory tells you which areas and why. It also lists local laws that differ from U.S. law — things that are legal here but illegal there, or vice versa. Breaking a local law can result in arrest and imprisonment, even if the law seems strange to you.

Check the health requirements section too. Some countries require proof of certain vaccinations to enter. Yellow fever vaccination is common in parts of Africa and South America. COVID-19 requirements have changed, but some countries still ask for proof of vaccination or a recent negative test. The CDC website lists health recommendations by country, including diseases you should be aware of and medications you might need.

Get travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and evacuation

Travel insurance is not required, but it's the difference between a medical emergency costing you thousands of dollars and costing your insurance company thousands of dollars. Medical care in other countries can be expensive, and if you need to be evacuated to a hospital that can treat you, evacuation alone can cost $100,000 or more.

When you buy travel insurance, make sure it covers medical emergencies, emergency evacuation, and trip cancellation. Read the fine print to understand what's covered and what's not. Some policies exclude certain activities (like mountaineering or extreme sports), certain countries, or pre-existing medical conditions. Buy the policy before you leave — you usually can't buy it after you've already traveled.

Keep a copy of your policy number, the insurance company's phone number, and the claims process in your luggage and at home. If you need to use it, you'll need to provide proof of payment and documentation of the emergency.

Pack medications in their original containers with labels

If you take prescription medications, pack them in their original labeled bottles with your name on them. Customs officials in some countries will confiscate medications that aren't labeled or that they don't recognize. Bring more than you think you'll need — if your flight is delayed or you stay longer than planned, you don't want to run out.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating what medication you take and why. Some countries require this documentation. If you lose your medication, a doctor in another country may be able to write you a new prescription, but it's easier if you have proof of what you normally take.

Over-the-counter medications like pain relievers, antihistamines, and antacids are usually fine, but check the advisory for your destination country. Some medications that are common in the U.S. are restricted or illegal in other countries. Pseudoephedrine (in some cold medicines) is restricted in many countries, for example.

Know what to do if you lose your passport or get arrested

If your passport is lost or stolen, go to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate immediately. Bring your copy of the passport, your driver's license or other ID, and a completed DS-11 form (available at the embassy). The embassy can issue you an emergency passport that's valid for return travel to the U.S. This usually takes a few days. You'll pay a fee for the replacement.

If you're arrested or detained, tell the police you're a U.S. citizen and ask to speak to someone from the U.S. embassy. You have the right to contact the embassy, and the embassy has the right to visit you in custody. Don't sign anything or make statements without understanding what you're signing. The embassy can't get you out of jail, but they can make sure you're treated fairly and can help you find a lawyer.

If a family member is arrested abroad, they should contact the State Department's emergency line or the nearest embassy. The embassy can't post bail or pay legal fees, but they can provide information about the local legal system and help find a lawyer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a passport to travel to Canada or Mexico?

Yes. As of 2007, all U.S. citizens need a passport to enter Canada, Mexico, and most Caribbean countries by air. If you're driving, you can use a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or a passport card, but a full passport is safest. Check the State Department website for the specific country you're visiting.

What should I do if I get sick while traveling?

Contact your travel insurance company first — they can direct you to a doctor or hospital they work with. If you don't have insurance, ask your hotel concierge or the U.S. embassy for a doctor recommendation. Keep receipts for all medical expenses so you can submit them to your insurance company later. If it's a serious emergency, call emergency services (the number varies by country — ask your hotel what it is).

Can I bring my prescription medications through customs?

Yes, if they're in labeled containers with your name on them and you have a copy of the prescription or a letter from your doctor. Some countries restrict certain medications, so check the advisory for your destination. Never pack medications in unmarked containers or in someone else's name.

What's the difference between a travel advisory and a travel warning?

The State Department now uses a four-level advisory system instead of separate warnings. Level 1 means exercise normal caution, Level 2 means increased caution, Level 3 means reconsider travel, and Level 4 means do not travel. Check the specific level for each country before you book.

Should I tell my employer I'm traveling?

Yes, especially if you're traveling during work time or if your job involves sensitive information. Your employer may have policies about international travel, and they need to know how to reach you in an emergency. If you're working remotely while traveling, make sure you understand the tax and legal implications for the countries you're visiting.