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International Business Travel Tips

By Geoff Simon | October 8, 2007

In today’s global marketplace, international business travel has become a given for many companies. But no matter how common it may be, Americans should always be aware of steps they should take to prepare for their trip, as well as government services they may need to take advantage of while traveling abroad.

As most regular international travelers know, it is always a good idea to have a well-prepared travel plan in place and to be sure someone at your company knows where you will be at all times. Be sure you have a signed, valid passport, and a visa if required, and be sure to fill in the emergency information page of your passport. Leave behind copies of your passport and itinerary so you can be reached in an emergency. Check your medical insurance provider to see whether your policy will be enforced overseas, and whether it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. If it does not, you may want to consider supplemental insurance as a precaution.


The U.S. Department of State issues Consular Information Sheets for every country around the world, providing information on local health conditions, crime rates, unusual currency or government entry requirements, and the location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Contact personnel at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help U.S. citizens who are traveling in other countries. The Bureau of Consular Affairs lists contact information for embassies and consulates who can be of assistance should you need anything while you are traveling overseas. In an emergency, the Office of Overseas Citizen Services may be reached at 1-888-407-4747.

If you are planning travel to an area that may be a target of political unrest or terrorism, be sure to register your travel with the State Department so they can assist you should an emergency arise. The State Department offers a free online service to register your travel plans so you can be contacted if there is a crisis in the area where you will be traveling. Their website also posts travel warnings that are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans should avoid a certain country.

When you arrive at your destination, it is a good idea to register with the U.S. embassy or consulate if you are planning to stay in a country longer than one month, or if you are traveling to a country that is politically unstable, experiencing civil unrest, or is undergoing a natural disaster or disaster recovery. If the country has no U.S. embassies or officials, you should register at the embassy or consulate in an adjacent country. Registering with officials not only protects you if an emergency comes up at home and you need to be notified, it also helps consular officers to assist you in an evacuation should that become necessary due to political reasons or natural disasters.

If you think of the world as a global business arena, the possibilities for business growth and success seem endless. But international travel also offers the potential for problems if you do not prepare and take proper steps to avoid difficulties that may not only interfere with your business success, but could also impact your health and safety. Visit the Travel and Business section of the State Department’s website for detailed information about how to make your trip a safe and successful one.

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