Travel documentation

Traveling is a wonderful thing! Whether it's a honeymoon to start married life on the right foot, a family vacation after an intense countdown of the children, or a trip with friends to create more good stories.

We think so much about what we are going to do and visit that we forget one very important point: the documentation.

Here we will share some tips to make it easier to organize the trip and prevent all the good memories that would be created from being barred at the airport.

Yellow fever vaccine

Some destinations are considered risky countries and, to prevent the disease from spreading, some travelers are required to take the vaccine. The requirement varies depending on the traveler's place of origin and their destination.

The World Health Organization, which dictates the rules to prevent the spread of the disease, has a document that shows which countries are at risk of contagion, which countries are required to present the vaccination certificate for travelers coming from risky places, and the countries that request the certificate from all travelers.

The main points that must be taken into account when the trip includes a risky destination are:

• the incubation period: the recommendation is that the vaccine be taken at least 10 days before shipment to ensure its effectiveness;
• when boarding from Brazil, the presentation of the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (CIVP), which is issued by Anvisa, will be required.

On the website of the Ministry of Health it is possible to check the list of countries that request vaccination. Another tool that we recommend is the Anvisa portal, which contains updated information in Portuguese about the requirements of each country.

Visas and passport validity

The visa requirement for entry into the country as well as the validity that the passport must have at the end of the trip vary greatly from one place to another. Some countries require a visa to be requested in advance, such as the United States and Australia; in others, entry permission is granted upon entering the country, such as South Africa and some European countries; in others it is still necessary to present an invitation letter to enter the country, as in the case of Vietnam; and there are those that request the payment of an entry fee upon arrival in the country, as is the case in Indonesia and Kenya.

Visas may allow single entry, multiple entries, or a limited number of entries into the country using the same visa. Having a clear and defined travel plan is essential to apply for the correct visa and avoid frustrations upon arrival in the country.

Once you have the visa in hand, the recommendation is to check the personal information as well as the validity, entry permits and conditions that may be associated with the visa.

Regarding the validity of the passport, the general request is that the passport be valid for another 6 months beyond the date of departure from the visited country, but this period may be 90 days, 30 days, or even be non-existent.

The Consular portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides complete information on the visa requirement, vaccine, passport validity period, entry and entry requirements for minors, and other interesting information, such as language, currency, and the need for an International Driver's License to rent a car.

For information on passport issuance, be sure to access the Federal Police website, where you can find a complete list of the necessary documents, as well as schedule to make the request.

Alternatively, it is possible to use this other tool to consult about the need for a visa or permits to enter different countries.

Travel authorization for minors

In order to prevent the trafficking and exploitation of minors, airlines, customs agencies and even some hotels take great care to verify the documents of travelers under 18 years of age. Therefore, extra attention is recommended to ensure a smooth trip.

Minors traveling unaccompanied, accompanied by a parent or in the company of a third party must present documentation indicating that they have permission from everyone involved so that they can leave Brazil, as well as enter the destination country. Even when proof of affiliation or ties with the minor has not been requested during previous trips, the recommendation is to have the documents available if they are requested.

The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides a minor travel authorization template that can be used.

When the minor's parents are not indicated in their passport, it is recommended to carry the birth certificate with you for verification. If the documents are in Portuguese, include the certified translation (see below).

And remember: in the case of a minor, it is better to err on the basis of an excess of documentation than a lack of documentation.

Sworn translation

When it is necessary to present an official document abroad, it must be accompanied by a translation made by a certified professional translator registered with the Commercial Registry of the respective state. The certified translation has public faith throughout the national territory, and the versions are recognized in most foreign countries.

To find a certified translator, simply access the state's Commercial Office and search the list with the names of registered public translators. The lists can be separated by language and sometimes contain the address, making it easy to find the nearest professional.

Documents that generally require a certified translation: birth certificate, driver's license, prescription for frequently used medicines or restricted consumption.

• Translators in São Paulo
• Translators in Minas Gerais
• Translators in Rio de Janeiro
• Translators in Paraná
• Translators in Rio Grande do Sul
• Translators in Goiás
• Translators in the Federal District
• Translators in Bahia
• Translators in Pernambuco
  
  

Driving outside

Countries that sign the Vienna Convention usually accept two types of documentation for those who wish to drive: the National Driver's License or the International Driving Permit, which is mainly suitable for those who will be in the country for more than 180 days. Information on how to obtain the PID can be found on the DMV website of each state (see here what is requested at the São Paulo DMV).

Those who rent cars abroad frequently may prefer to have a PDI, since the information in English, German, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Russian in the documentation will facilitate the agent's reading of the driver's data and the release of the vehicle.

Travellers who rent cars sporadically can carry their original CNH with a certified translation into the language of the country visited. The license along with the translation are usually requested at car rental companies, so carrying the original documents is essential.

Your best friend: the travel agent

The knowledge of a consultant is not limited to setting up an itinerary, or recommending good hotels. Count on your agent to check what documents are necessary for the trip to go smoothly. In the travel kits delivered to each customer who books with Kangaroo Tours, the necessary documentation for the destinations that will be visited will always be highlighted.



Do you already know how to do the booking process with Kangaroo? Access below and check out the step by step.

How to book your package?