1. Check the status of the passport expiry date.
Many countries require that travelers have passports that are valid beyond the dates of their visit or entry into a foreign country. The United States immigration agency requires travelers to have at least six months of validity left on their passports after their intended departure date from the U.S.
2. Check if you have at least one blank visa page for each country you are visiting.
Some countries require visas to enter, and visitors may need to apply for them before heading off for their trip. It is important that you have blank pages in your passport to stamp visa entry into these countries. Use up all the pages in your passport before leaving.
3. Make sure that you have a signed passport photo.
Several countries require that anyone entering their country have a current photograph in their passport. When flying from the United States, keep in mind that the photo needs to be updated every 16 years or so, because of changes in appearance as people age.
4. Check if you have a valid visa.
Visas are no longer required to enter the United States, but they are required by many other countries. If you have a visa that is not valid in another country, it’s important to replace that visa with a new one before traveling.
5. Check if you have a recent certified letter from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), stating that your passport has been rejected for being expired.
This is called a warning letter. The letter will state why your passport has been rejected and give the date it expires. It's important to update this letter in your passport, as it will be used in many countries to determine if you have any restrictions on entering that country.
6. Check if you have a current I-94 card or Ticketing Voucher (T/V).
This is a document that airlines give to people who travel to their country, and includes a record of all their past trips. It is required by many countries in the world before they allow you entry into their country. This card can also be used as proof of entering a country when applying for an extension of your U.S. visa.
7. Check if you have completed the US-VISIT program.
This is a system designed by the U.S. government that requires people who will be travelling to the United States from certain countries to electronically submit biographical information and submit to fingerprinting at a U.S. embassy or consulate before they enter the country. The program is meant to increase security in the United States, and prevent terrorists from entering the country using false identities.