As fall settles in and the year begins to wind down, many travelers are starting to make their holiday travel plans. However, before you book your flights and finalize your itinerary, it’s crucial to ensure that you’re prepared, including checking that you have a valid passport and visa. Obtaining your travel documents ahead of time is very important, as applying too late could hinder your holiday travel plans.
In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about preparing for the busy holiday travel season ahead, including how to apply for your passport and visa, so that you’re ready for any upcoming international adventures.
Why is October the Best Time to Prepare For Holiday Travel?
October is a great time to prepare for the upcoming holiday travel season. It gives you enough time to apply for your passport and visa, without having to worry about getting them in time for your trip. Passport and visa applications typically increase around the holiday season, as more people are traveling. This can lead to delays the closer it gets to Thanksgiving, meaning that it may take you longer to receive your travel documents.
How Do I Know if My Passport is Valid?
To check the validity of your passport, all you have to do is look at the information page of your passport. You’ll be able to see everything you need to know, including when it’s set to expire. If you find that it’s close to expiring, you should consider renewing it before your trip. Failing to do so could result in you having to cancel your holiday travel plans altogether.
What is the Six-Month Validity Rule?
The six-month validity rule applies to your passport. Knowing what this rule entails could make a huge difference in going on your international trip, or having to stay back. The six-month validity rule means that your passport must have 6 months validity remaining beyond the date you enter your destination country. If you don’t have 6 months validity left, you may be denied entry and may not even be able to board the airplane.
How Can I Apply For a Passport?
When you’re ready to apply for a new passport or want to renew an existing one, visit the Swift website to get started. Here, you can begin your application online, review the list of required documents, and complete the checkout process in a few simple steps. Then, once our team reviews and processes your application, we will send your passport directly to you, making the process fast, simple, and stress free.
Where Can I Apply For a Tourist Visa?
Many countries require that you obtain a tourist visa ahead of time to enter. If you find that this is the case, you can quickly and easily apply for a tourist visa on our website. We make obtaining a tourist visa simple, so that you can focus on planning your trip, rather than having to worry about getting your travel documents in time. Start your application today by visiting our Expedited Visa Services page.
How Far in Advance Should I Apply For My Travel Documents?
The holiday travel season can be hectic, and many people like to take trips during this time. This means that passport and visa processing can be backed up, and it could take longer than usual to receive your travel documents. We recommend that you apply for a passport and visa as soon as possible, to ensure that you receive it in time for your holiday travel plans.
What Happens if I Wait Until the Last Minute to Apply For My Travel Documents?
Waiting to apply for your travel documents is never a good idea, especially when the holidays are approaching. Getting your passport and visa sooner than later is the best choice, as it gives you plenty of time. It’s important to remember that even though delays aren’t usually common, they can happen, which means that it can take longer for you to get your passport or visa. Apply as soon as possible to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
What International Destinations Are Popular During the Holidays?
Many people tend to travel domestically during the holidays so that they can go and visit their friends and family. However, a large number of people also use this time to take a vacation and explore a fun international destination. Some of the countries that are popular destinations during the holidays include Vienna, London, Prague, Quebec City, Reykjavik, Cancun, Costa Rica, Aruba, and Thailand.
3 Tips For Traveling During the Holiday Rush
1. Apply For Your Travel Documents Ahead of Time
The biggest piece of advice that we can give you is to apply for your travel documents ahead of time. The holidays are one of the busiest times of the year for travel, and the last thing you want is to miss out on your international adventure. As soon as you make your plans, you should check that your passport is valid, and do your research to see if you’ll need a visa.
2. Arrive to the Airport Early
Airports during the holiday travel rush can be extremely chaotic and crowded. This means that it’s most likely going to take you longer than usual to get to your gate. We suggest arriving at the airport at least 3 hours before your international flight to ensure that you have enough time, and don’t have to rush. This also gives you some time to get through security and relax before having to board your flight.
3. Be Flexible
When it comes to traveling during the holidays, your plans may not always go accordingly, but that’s okay! Sometimes being flexible and going with the flow is the best option, as it allows you to explore and do things that you may not have experienced before. Unexpected plans are going to come about from time to time, but that’s usually when the best memories are made.
