Whenever you travel from your home country you will need a passport to go to any other foreign country. You may have a passport already so you need to ensure that it’s in date and valid and that it won’t run out while you’re on your holiday. If your passport is going to run out soon always renew your passport before you travel. Renewals are much easier than applying for a new one. Make sure you get your passport ready and any visa you may need at least 2 months before you travel.
If you’re getting a new passport then it could take many weeks to arrive especially if you apply for it during High Holiday periods such as summer or at Christmas time. To get a new passport you will have to go and apply will two recent photographs, proof of your citizenship in the US and any photo id that is recommended such as a driver’s license or an identity card.
Most European countries won’t require you to have a visa to go there for a vacation. France for example doesn’t need you to have a visa. It is only if you’re planning on staying or travelling there for 3 months or over that you will need a visa. Always make sure you apply for it months in advance so that you get it back and completed in plenty of time for your vacation plans. Always make sure you don’t need a visa when you’re travelling to Europe; contact your local embassy to make sure what you do and don’t need to travel to Europe.
Some people face emergencies when they travel to Europe; this is unfortunate but it does happen sometimes. You may bet robbed or mugged, you may lose some luggage or you may lose your passport or your visa. Always make copies of any important documents such as your visas and passports so you can prove who you are should you end up needing to.
If your passport and your visas are lost or stolen there are certain things that need to be done to make sure you can stay in Europe and return safely to your home in the US. Firstly go to the closest US embassy that is to where you are and then apply for new documents. You will also have to write and then sign what is known as an Affidavit; this will show all the relevant details about whether the passport and visas were lost or stolen. You may have to use other documents to prove who you are.
You will not be able to return home to the US if you don’t have a passport. Contact the embassy as soon as you think you have lost or been mugged for your passport. This will be vital in your safety and help you get back home or continue travelling safely. It is not difficult to get a new passport when you’re in European countries; even so it should be an immediate decision to report it lost or stolen.
