An OMAAT reader asked me a simple question about what the best resource is for looking up passport and visa requirements for travel by country. There’s a simple answer, though I realize I’ve never explicitly written about this, so I figure it’s worth a post…
Use IATA’s Timatic system to look up country entry requirements
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has the Timatic tool, which always has the most up-to-date details on entry requirements for various destinations. This is the same system that airline representatives use to verify your travel eligibility, so you’re going straight to the source when you use this.
Back in the day, this wasn’t a tool that was available directly to consumers through IATA, though nowadays it is, and it can be accessed at this link. It’s super straightforward to use. On the first page, you just enter your origin and destination, and how long your planned stay is.
Then on the next page, you enter what passport you have, your country of residency, and the purpose of your trip.
The next page will then give you a detailed summary of the entry requirements, including passport validity requirements, visa requirements, vaccination requirements, and more.
Don’t rely on AI overviews or ChatGPT for entry requirements
Above is where you should search travel requirements, though perhaps just as important is mentioning what you shouldn’t rely on. Under no circumstances should you rely on Google’s AI overview or ChatGPT for travel requirements.
I’m of not going to tell you that you’re not allowed to use those sources — there’s nothing wrong with starting your search there. But don’t rely on them being 100% accurate. We’ve seen several stories in recent times of travelers who had their trips ruined because they relied on those sources for travel requirements, only to find out they weren’t accurate.
Bottom line
IATA’s Timatic tool is the best resource for determining travel requirements, given that it’s the same resource that airlines use for determining travel requirements for passengers. There are a couple of other accurate tools out there, but I find there’s no reason not to directly use IATA as a source.
No matter what you do, don’t rely on random sources online, AI overviews, or ChatGPT, to give you accurate information for this.
What’s your go-to source for determining travel requirements?