- Register your travel plans with the State at https://travelregistration.state.gov to receive better assistance during an emergency.
- Sign passport, and fill in the emergency information
- Leave copies of itinerary and passport data page
- Check your overseas medical insurance coverage as obtaining medical treatment and hospital care abroad can be expensive.
- Familiarize yourself with local conditions and laws
- Take precautions to avoid being a target of crime
Other points worth noting:
- Obtain Country Specific Information, Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts
- Obtain Background Notes about the country you wish to visit
- Learn about the customs restrictions of foreign countries and also about US customs restrictions to know what you cannot bring back with you.
- Check with the embassies of the destination countries as to specific requirements that must be met before a pet may be brought into the country.
- Familiarize yourselves with conditions at their destination that could affect your health (high altitude or pollution, types of medical facilities, required immunizations, availability of required pharmaceuticals, etc.).
- A traveler with a preexisting medical problem should carry a letter from the attending physician, describing the medical condition and any prescription medications.