Global business travel is booming, and as more employees embark on international work trips, companies are having to prioritize passport readiness. A valid passport is essential for international travel, and not having one could be the difference between finalizing an important deal, and missing out on critical business opportunities.
In this article, we’ll share why organizations have started prioritizing passport preparedness, and the practical steps you can take to build a culture of readiness across teams. Read on for everything we think you should know.
Why Passport Readiness is Becoming a Priority
International Business Travel Is on the Rise
In recent years, companies have started sending employees on international business trips more frequently. A big reason for this is because people like to meet in person, rather than solely communicating over the phone or on a video call. We expect global business travel to only increase in the future, meaning that there will be plenty of opportunities to send employees on international trips.
Last-Minute Travel Opportunities Are Becoming More Common
Though many business trips are planned far in advance, there will be times where last-minute travel opportunities arise. In fact, these types of trips are becoming more common. You always need to be prepared for any unexpected international trips. The last thing you want is for an opportunity to come up and your employee to have an invalid or expired passport.
Global Travel Requires Faster and More Flexible Travel Planning
The business world moves fast, and deals can come and go in the blink of an eye. Being prepared for a work trip is more important than ever before, and you have to be flexible. Checking that your employee’s passport is up to date and not expired is key, as this could be the difference between them going on their international business trip, or having to alter their travel plans. The more prepared your team is, the better off your company will be.
How Passport Issues Can Disrupt Business Travel
Expired Passports Can Prevent Employees From Traveling
Checking that your passport is not expired is crucial. You must have a valid passport to travel internationally, and failing to do so could prevent employees from going on their trip. You cannot board an international flight without a valid passport, which means that your company could miss out on some important business opportunities. If an employee’s passport is set to expire soon, suggest that they get it renewed as soon as possible to avoid running into any issues.
Passport Problems May Lead to Missed Business Opportunities
Business opportunities come and go, and you don’t want to miss out when they do arise. Unfortunately, there are times where companies won’t see a deal go through, due to an employee having an invalid passport. You don’t want a deal to go south before getting the chance to see it through. This is why you need to keep track of passport expiration dates to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Rebooking International Travel Can Be Costly
Having to rebook an international trip can be very expensive, and end up costing your company a lot of money. You will likely run into rebooking fees (amongst other charges), and have to pay more than you originally budgeted for. Having this occur even once can be a major problem. Fortunately, this can be easily avoided if you check that everyone has a valid passport.
Practical Steps Companies Can Take to Stay Prepared
Keep Track of Passport Expiration Dates
It’s very simple to keep track of everyone’s passport expiration dates, as long as you have a system in place. Keep this information in one, centralized location, so that you are aware of who has a valid passport and who needs to apply for a renewal. This way, you can look at this from time to time, and ensure that everyone is ready for any upcoming international business trips.
Renew Passports Early
You want to avoid waiting until the last minute to renew your passport. Waiting too long may cause you to miss out on your trip altogether, as issues could arise and lead to processing delays. It’s best to renew your passport early, so that you have plenty of time to get it processed. Even small issues on an application such as spelling mistakes can cause delays, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time.
Remember the Six-Month Validity Rule
When it comes to passports, many countries require travelers to follow the six-month validity rule. This rule requires that you have at least six months of validity remaining on your passport from the dates of your travel. Failing to do so could lead to you not being able to board your flight or enter your destination country. This means that even if your passport is valid, having less than six months until it expires could still cause problems for your business.
How SwiftPass Simplifies Passport Readiness for Teams
SwiftPass is a revolutionary customer portal that transforms how companies manage passport and visa services for their employees. Created by Swift Passport Services, SwiftPass is a complete travel document solution that simplifies obtaining business travel documents, by turning it into a digital experience. Within SwiftPass, you can access real-time order tracking, smart application management, advanced reporting, centralized team management, a secure document vault, and much more.
If you’re interested in learning about how SwiftPass could be beneficial to your business, please contact a member of our knowledgeable team. We’d be happy to help. Additionally, if you need to obtain a passport or business visa for your upcoming international work trip, visit our website to get started. No matter where you’re going, we’ll get you there.
