Essential Travel Documents You Should Always Carry

Your complete checklist for a smooth and stress-free trip—local or international

When it comes to traveling, excitement and planning often take center stage. But whether you’re traveling for business, vacation, education, or medical reasons, nothing disrupts your plans faster than missing essential travel documents. At Links and Tours Ltd., we’ve compiled a clear, reliable checklist of the most important travel documents you should always carry—especially if you’re traveling internationally from Nigeria.

1. International Passport

Your passport is your primary identification and your ticket to cross borders. Ensure:

  • It’s valid for at least six months beyond your return date

  • It has blank passport pages

  • You carry both a physical copy and a scanned version on your phone or email

🔹 Tip: Apply early or renew on time through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) portal.

2. Visa (If Required)

Depending on your destination, a visa may be required before travel. Always check the visa requirements and carry:

  • Your original visa document (e-Visa, sticker, or paper)

  • Visa approval letters (if applicable)

  • Proof of visa fee payment

🔹 Some countries offer visa-on-arrival or e-visas—check ahead or consult Links and Tours for visa support.

3. Flight Tickets

Ensure your itinerary is printed or accessible on your phone. Most immigration desks request to see your:

  • Round-trip or onward flight ticket

  • Booking confirmation from your airline or travel agency

4. Hotel Reservation or Accommodation Details

Immigration officials often ask for proof of where you’ll be staying. Bring:

  • A printed or digital hotel confirmation

  • If staying with a host, carry a signed invitation letter with their ID copy and address

5. Travel Insurance

Many countries—especially in Europe and Asia—require valid travel insurance for entry. Your travel insurance should cover:

  • Medical emergencies

  • Lost luggage

  • Trip cancellations

🔹 Need travel insurance? Links and Tours Ltd. can help you secure a valid policy within minutes.

6. Proof of Funds

To avoid suspicion of illegal entry or stay, many embassies and immigration officers may ask for evidence that you can fund your stay. Acceptable proofs include:

  • Recent bank statements

  • Proof of employment

  • Letter from a sponsor (if applicable)

7. Vaccination Certificate (e.g., Yellow Fever Card)

For travel to or from certain regions, you must carry proof of vaccination. Nigeria is one of the countries where Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory.

🔹 Your card should be the official yellow World Health Organization (WHO) booklet.

8. Identity Card or Work ID

Even when traveling internationally, it’s helpful to carry a secondary form of ID such as:

  • National ID

  • Work or school ID

  • Driver’s license

These help confirm your identity if your passport is lost or stolen.

9. Emergency Contacts and Supporting Documents

Keep a small file that includes:

  • Copies of important documents

  • Emergency contacts (family, embassy, travel agency)

  • Booking details

  • Itinerary

🔹 Use cloud storage (like Google Drive) to save scanned copies securely online.

10. Exit or Entry Forms (as required)

As of 2025, Nigeria now requires travelers to fill out an Exit Card before departure. Other countries may have similar digital forms.

🔹 Complete forms like Nigeria’s Exit Card at lecard.immigration.gov.ng.

✈️ Let Links and Tours Ltd. Handle It All

International travel doesn’t have to be stressful. With over 20 years of experience and full accreditation by NANTA and IATA, Links and Tours Ltd. ensures your travel is seamless, secure, and enjoyable—from takeoff to touchdown.

📞 Contact us today to start planning your next international journey.

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