Going on an international trip means that you need to apply for all of the proper travel documentation. However, this is sometimes easier said than done, as even small mistakes can cause delays and disruptions. Fortunately, our team of professionals has helped solve all kinds of travel document issues throughout the years, and we know exactly what travelers should be watching out for when applying for a passport or visa.
In this article, we’re sharing some of the most common travel document issues we’ve seen, and the steps you can take to ensure that they’re resolved quickly and efficiently. Knowing what to look out for can help save you time, money, and keep your plans on track.
Expired Passports
Many people don’t think to check their passport’s expiration date until right before a trip, but this can cause you to run into issues if you’re not careful. Waiting too long to renew your passport could mean having to delay or cancel your trip altogether. Even if your passport hasn’t expired yet, most countries require that it has at least 6 months of validity beyond your dates of travel (known as the 6 month validity rule).
If you find that your passport is expired and you need to renew it quickly, Swift offers expedited renewals so that you can get your passport back in time for your upcoming travel plans. When you’re ready to begin the application process, you can get started by visiting our website.
Applying For the Wrong Visa Type
Believe it or not, there are actually numerous types of visas available. Some people may only know about business or tourist visas, but there are many other kinds of visas. For example, in China, depending on your purpose of travel, you may need to apply for a tourist visa, business visa, private visa, crew visa, or work visa. Applying for the right visa is crucial, as trying to get the wrong type of visa could mean that your application gets rejected. Do your research ahead of time so that you know exactly what you’ll need.
Incorrect Application Information
Filling out your passport or visa application correctly is extremely important, and could be the difference between you getting your travel documents or having to reapply. Take your time and ensure that everything you submit is accurate. Even having a simple spelling mistake can lead to a denied application. If we notice that you may have incorrectly filled something out, we will inform you immediately, and work with you to get everything resolved so that you can still go on your international trip.
Incomplete Applications
There are also times when people forget to fill out certain parts of their application. Though we understand that you want to try and get through everything quickly, you should always double check to ensure you’ve completed all of the sections. Forgetting to complete a section or even missing a signature could mean that your application gets denied. This is why it’s so important to go over everything after you’re done. You might just catch a mistake that you didn’t even know you made.
Damaged Passports
Traveling with a damaged passport is usually not a good idea. Most of the time, TSA won’t accept your passport if it’s damaged, leaving you with no other option than to rearrange your plans. This is why we suggest checking your passport from time to time to check that it’s not damaged. This is especially true if you’re someone who frequently travels. If you find that your passport is damaged, we can help you obtain a new passport or renewal.
Missing Supporting Documents
When applying for a passport or visa, you may need to provide some supporting documents. For example, when applying for a visa, you may need to submit a flight itinerary for tourism, letter of invitation for business, or a program acceptance letter for students. When it comes to applying for a passport, you may need to submit your birth certificate, marriage certificate, drivers licence, and original court documents of any kind. You’ll receive a complete list of the documents you’ll need to submit during the application process.
Waiting Too Long to Apply For a Passport or Visa
Waiting to apply for a passport or visa until the last minute is not ideal. Standard passport processing times can take weeks, and if you have an upcoming trip, you may not receive your travel documents in time. However, we understand that mistakes happen, and you may have forgotten to apply ahead of time.
If this happens to you, you can easily apply for an expedited passport or visa with Swift. We can help you get a passport or visa quickly and easily, allowing you to obtain your travel documents in a timely manner. Simply visit our website to get the application process started. We look forward to assisting you! No matter where you’re going, we’ll get you there.
