by: MORGAN STOLPA, CSU Public Relations Intern
Do you know how to properly protect your passport when you’re traveling abroad? If not, here’s some tips.
With Spring Break just around the corner, it’s more important now than ever to make sure you’re protecting yourself and your passport.
If you’re traveling international this Spring Break, make sure you’re up-to-date on the latest security measures. Whenever you’re traveling outside of the country, it is important to remember your passport is the key to visiting other countries as well as your ticket to re-enter the United States. To ensure your safety when traveling internationally, always know when your passport expires and have a backup plan for if your passport is lost or stolen.
Know When your Passport Expires:
The first thing you should do when planning an international trip is to check when your passport expires. Some countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months after your planned date of entry. Don’t wait until the last minute, it never hurts to renew your passport.
ALWAYS have a Back-up Plan:
Whenever you travel, things come up. Passports can easily be lost or stolen, so it’s important to plan ahead. Start by placing emergency contact information inside of your passportin case someone locates your lost passport. Next, it’s important to have several copiesof your passport. If your passport is lost, this will speed up the recovery process. One way to do this is by scanning your passport and having a copy saved electronically on your phone. Another way is to have several paper copies in your luggage in case your passport disappears and the internet isn’t reliable. Finally, leave a digital copy with someone you trust. You never know when something could be misplaced. Having a reliable person who could act quickly and respond to your call for help is essential in a crisis.
