{"id":196006,"date":"2024-06-18T12:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-18T16:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/milesopedia.com\/?p=196006"},"modified":"2025-06-12T13:41:36","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T17:41:36","slug":"what-to-do-before-your-international-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/milesopedia.com\/en\/guide\/what-to-do-before-your-international-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do before your international trip"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Travel advice: things to do before you travel” css=”” el_id=”travel_advice_things_to_do_before_you_travel”][vc_custom_heading text=”1. Make sure your passport and visas are valid” css=”” el_id=”1_make_sure_your_passport_and_visas_are_valid”][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]<\/p>\n

The passport expiration date should be checked before leaving on a trip<\/strong> and before making reservations; this will avoid stress and costs for urgent requests. Most countries require that the passport remain valid for up to six months after returning to Canada.<\/p>\n

At check-in, boarding may be denied if the carrier finds that entry requirements are not met. The responsibility lies with the traveller, and no compensation will be given.<\/p>\n

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Little tip<\/h6>\n

Some countries require two consecutive blank pages in your passport. This can be a problem for people who travel a lot or when customs officials stamp just about anywhere; the passport quickly becomes full and must be replaced well before the expiration date.<\/p>\n

On my side, I put post-it notes<\/em> and small indicators before leaving on a trip<\/strong> to guide the customs officer to the right page. I once had to renew a passport just 16 months after it was issued!<\/p>\n

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Then, for people who change their family name following a union (outside of Quebec), you must make sure the names match on the different documents!<\/p>\n

For babies, a birth certificate is required to apply for a passport. This document is not sent free of charge when the birth registration is made to the Registrar of Civil Status. The time required to receive this document and to process the passport application should be taken into consideration before booking a trip.<\/p>\n

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Finally, as a precaution, it is advisable to keep hard copies (in a different location) and electronic copies (on the mobile device and in the cloud) of all essential documents in case they are lost or stolen.<\/p>\n

Also, leaving a copy of these documents with someone who is not travelling with us can help in case of a problem.<\/p>\n

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Little tip<\/h6>\n

Make a copy of both sides of your credit cards and leave this document with a trusted person who is not travelling with you. In case of loss or theft, it can be helpful because even though it’s possible to block a card on your mobile device… it can also be stolen!<\/p>\n

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<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”2. Check travel warnings and the geopolitical situation for your security” css=”” el_id=”2_check_travel_warnings_and_the_geopolitical_situation_for_your_security”][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”checkmarks”]<\/p>\n

Political tensions can quickly and significantly affect a vacation, in fact, especially your insurance coverage. The Government of Canada website<\/a> keeps this information up to date.<\/p>\n

Travel insurance policies<\/a> are based on the Canadian government’s warnings<\/a> to provide coverage or not. Insurance companies will look at the effective date of the notice to determine whether or not your claim is eligible.<\/p>\n

Remember that credit card cancellation insurance<\/a> does not cover you if you change your mind or feel uncomfortable about going. These insurances are designed to protect you when an unforeseen situation arises.<\/p>\n

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Beyond the borders of your province of residence, you must have adequate health coverage, even if you remain in Canada for your trip.<\/p>\n

Canadian provinces have agreements for health care coverage, but your plan’s coverage may differ from the amounts charged in other provinces. Many procedures are more expensive elsewhere in Canada, and you will have to pay the excess with the RAMQ<\/a> rates if you don’t have emergency medical care insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Finally, it would help if you also considered the various risks of each situation before you travel<\/strong>. For example, I’ve taken out additional insurance to protect my trip to Antarctica<\/a>in case of lost or stolen luggage<\/a>my credit card travel insurance would not have reimbursed the full amount required to replace my photography equipment and specialized clothing.<\/p>\n

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<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”4. Registering with the Registry of Canadians Abroad before you travel out of the country” css=”” el_id=”4_registering_with_the_registry_of_canadians_abroad_before_you_travel_out_of_the_country”][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]<\/p>\n

When an event may pose a health or safety risk to the traveller, the Canadian government will try to contact you if you are registered as a Canadian abroad<\/a> before you travel<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

For example, during my trip to Tibet<\/a>, a severe earthquake and landslide occurred suddenly. I received an email asking if I needed assistance and the phone number to call for help.<\/p>\n

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After a long flight, we are not always in top shape to make decisions to get to our accommodation. Indeed, one can easily fall prey to dishonest cab drivers or get lost and thus add frustration to fatigue.<\/p>\n

Before leaving on a trip, a simple search on Google can give you the way to get to the hotel, whether by public transport, by car, or have an idea of the cost by cab.<\/p>\n

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For spontaneous people who do not travel with a fixed itinerary, booking the first night at the destination is still highly recommended.<\/p>\n

In the airport, some agencies offer you hotel rooms, but the prices will not be competitive with what is available with good planning.<\/p>\n

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The Google Maps<\/a> application allows you to download an offline map before leaving on a trip<\/strong>. This way, you will be able to find your way around without the need to get a local SIM card or find wifi.<\/p>\n

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In addition, it is also possible to search for a route based on your position without having any data. However, the calculations of the routes without Internet will be according to the route to take by car. However, this tool is still handy because it gives us an idea if we are in the right direction!<\/p>\n

Then, I advise you to pin your hotel on your map; without internet access, finding the location of your accommodation can be difficult.<\/p>\n

Another option is to buy an eSim Airalo<\/a> card for low-cost Internet access from the moment you arrive.<\/p>\n

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In this technological age, we are often very dependent on our cell phone<\/a>. Therefore, we must make sure that our device is well charged when we need it!<\/p>\n

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Here’s what we’re always carrying around with us on this subject:<\/p>\n