International Travel
If you do not have US citizenship, it is your responsibility to ensure that your passport, US visa and any additional visas necessary for the country in which the trip is being conducted meet the requirements for your country of citizenship. Please ensure you possess all the documents necessary to re-enter the US after the trip.
Specifics that are pertinent to your FCA International Trip will be sent to you directly from your Trip Leader as you prepare for your trip. These details may override the general guidelines provided here. Please contact your Trip Leader via email if you have questions or need assistance with meeting international travel requirements.
You must have a valid passport in order to go on an FCA International Trip. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of return. Please make sure that you sign your passport exactly as your name appears on the passport. We suggest that you give a photocopy of the front page of your passport to a family member/close friend for emergency purposes. Having a copy of your passport available will aid in replacing your passport in the event that it is lost or stolen during your travels.
If you do not have a passport, apply today! Obtaining a passport may take ten weeks or longer. Waiting until you have all your trip funds will not allow you to receive your passport in time.
Passport application and renewal forms can be downloaded on the internet at www.travel.state.gov.
A visa is a document issued by a country giving a certain individual permission to formally request entrance to the country during a given period of time and for certain purposes. Visas are typically stamped or attached into the recipient’s passport or are sometimes issued as separate pieces of paper.
Generally speaking, US citizens may not need visas for countries in Latin America or Europe. Complete visa requirements can be viewed at www.traveldocs.com.
If a visa is required, it is your responsibility to obtain the specified visa determined by your trip leader.
NOTE: if the immigration officer at the airport asks you the purpose of your visit, say “tourism” unless directed otherwise by your field contact.
Please check with the Center for Disease Control (CDC Travelers' Health) or your local health department/doctor for the required immunizations for the country(ies) you plan to visit during your trip. It is up to the discretion of you and your doctor to decide whether you should receive these immunizations. Be sure to consult with your personal doctor/family physician for their recommendations.
Because you will not be living like a tourist all the time, you will have a greater potential of being exposed to many things that the average tourist may not encounter. This is why you need to receive the correct immunizations.
When scheduling immunizations, please be aware that -
- Immunizations are costly and some must be given within specified time frames and in multiple doses.
- All of the immunizations can have side effects, such as soreness, flu-like symptoms, and general malaise. Consequently, obtain immunizations early in the preparation phase and during a time period when potential side effects will be at a lesser inconvenience should they occur.
- Travel immunizations may not be covered by your health insurance, and not all family physician offices administer travel immunizations. Immunizations can be obtained at your local health department.
Flights for your International Trip will be handled in one of the following ways. Check with your Trip Leader to learn information specific to your trip.
- Flights are included in the overall cost. Some Trip Leaders work with a travel agent to arrange an all-inclusive cost for travel + in-country costs. This is only possible if everyone is departing from the same airport. In this scenario, funds might be due at an earlier date in order to reserve the appropriate group requirements for the airline.
- Flights are your responsibility. Many Trip Leaders choose to keep airfare and in-country costs separate. This is especially common when trip participants will not be originating from the same departing airport. In this case, it may be your responsibility to find and book your own flight using guidelines provided by your Trip Leader.
If you will be booking your own travel, reservations can be purchased independently or through a travel agent. We recommend travel insurance or a refundable ticket. Always check with your Trip Leader before purchasing your flight.
On your journey, prior to arriving at your destination country, an airline attendant will give you a customs form. You will need to complete these and submit them at Customs and Immigration. You may need to know the address of where you are staying. Your Trip Leader should provide you this information prior to your departure.
You will need to indicate the reason for your visit. Unless otherwise instructed by your Trip Leader, use “tourism” for the reason of your visit when filling out custom forms.
The following travel agency specializes in serving short term trips. Generally, they can secure a lower-priced fare than the commercial agents or the airlines, and they can often find better connections.
Wilcox World Travel & Tours:
Robin Cady; Toll Free 800-210-8138 Email: rcady@wilcoxtravel.com
FCA requires all International Trip participants to purchase short-term international travel medical insurance as outlined below. Short-term policies are a cost effective way to insure your trip and avoid huge financial burdens should illness or injury occur.
This insurance must include coverage for medical AND evacuation/transportation expense for the duration of the trip. The expense for this insurance is the responsibility of each individual participant. Many FCA Trip leaders use the Patriot plan from International Medical Group (IMG), although this is only a recommendation. You may visit http://imglobal.com/index.aspx (choose “Quote Now> Patriot Travel Medical Insurance”) to purchase this coverage; however, participants are free to research and choose other vendors if they prefer.
Current FCA employees are not required to purchase travel medical insurance coverage if they participate in FCA’s medical insurance plan.
Emergency Medical and Evacuation Insurance is designed to provide short-term travel insurance, supplementing your existing insurance when traveling abroad. Plans typically include sickness and accident medical protection, traveler’s assistance, accidental death and dismemberment, medical evacuation and repatriation of remains.
Please email a copy of your receipt to your Trip Leader when you have purchased your insurance. You will need to make your travel arrangements prior to purchasing your insurance as coverage is based upon the dates of your travel itinerary to and from the country in which the trip is scheduled.
Keep your personal insurance card with you as you travel. It is also helpful to take a copy of the coverage explanation with you, in case you need it while overseas.The insurance company will provide this once you complete your insurance purchase.
Recommended insurance provider: Patriot plan from International Medical Group (IMG)
Website: http://imglobal.com/index.aspx (choose “Quote Now> Patriot Travel Medical Insurance”)
No one plans to get sick on an international trip, but experience tells us that it happens quite often. With the proper precautions before and during travel, you can keep yourself healthy.
During the preparation phase leading up to your trip, proper rest, exercise and diet will have a crucial impact on your health and energy level while in your destination country. If applicable, obtain physical and dental exams and address impending issues. Check that eyeglasses and braces are well maintained and in good working order.
Make sure that you have a sufficient supply of prescription medication for the length of your travel and a few days extra in case of travel delays. Leave all medications in their original containers to avoid arousing suspicion with customs inspectors.
When you arrive overseas, you will receive specific instructions from your Trip Leader and/or Host about what foods and beverages to avoid. Be aware that if tap water is not safe, you will need bottled water, even for brushing teeth. Hot beverages, bottled water and bottled soft-drinks are usually safe. You can also treat water with commercial iodine or chlorine tablets. Keep your mouth closed when you shower. Avoid raw vegetables. Fruits with thick coverings/skins that need to be peeled are safer than fruits without coverings/skins. Consider how the food was prepared and how long the food has been out at room temperature before eating.
Use common sense and follow the advice of your Trip Leader and Host.
It cannot be stressed enough that washing your hands frequently and drinking plenty of fluids are two of the simplest ways to stay healthy.
Please note that eating times and food portions may not be what you are used to as an American. It may be helpful to pack snacks. Be sure to notify your Trip Leader of any allergies or medical conditions that might require consideration while in-country.
The following is a list of health items that participants have found helpful or wished they had:
- Imodium AD
- Cough medicine/cold tablets
- Aspirin/Tylenol/Advil
- Band-Aids
- Pepto-Bismol tablets
- Multi-vitamins
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito repellent
- Anti-itch cream or spray
- Antibiotic cream
You must have a valid passport in order to go on an FCA International Trip. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of return. Please make sure that you sign your passport exactly as your name appears on the passport. We suggest that you give a photocopy of the front page of your passport to a family member/close friend for emergency purposes. Having a copy of your passport available will aid in replacing your passport in the event that it is lost or stolen during your travels.
If you do not have a passport, apply today! Obtaining a passport may take ten weeks or longer. Waiting until you have all your trip funds will not allow you to receive your passport in time.
Passport application and renewal forms can be downloaded on the internet at www.travel.state.gov.
A visa is a document issued by a country giving a certain individual permission to formally request entrance to the country during a given period of time and for certain purposes. Visas are typically stamped or attached into the recipient’s passport or are sometimes issued as separate pieces of paper.
Generally speaking, US citizens may not need visas for countries in Latin America or Europe. Complete visa requirements can be viewed at www.traveldocs.com.
If a visa is required, it is your responsibility to obtain the specified visa determined by your trip leader.
NOTE: if the immigration officer at the airport asks you the purpose of your visit, say “tourism” unless directed otherwise by your field contact.
Please check with the Center for Disease Control (CDC Travelers' Health) or your local health department/doctor for the required immunizations for the country(ies) you plan to visit during your trip. It is up to the discretion of you and your doctor to decide whether you should receive these immunizations. Be sure to consult with your personal doctor/family physician for their recommendations.
Because you will not be living like a tourist all the time, you will have a greater potential of being exposed to many things that the average tourist may not encounter. This is why you need to receive the correct immunizations.
When scheduling immunizations, please be aware that -
- Immunizations are costly and some must be given within specified time frames and in multiple doses.
- All of the immunizations can have side effects, such as soreness, flu-like symptoms, and general malaise. Consequently, obtain immunizations early in the preparation phase and during a time period when potential side effects will be at a lesser inconvenience should they occur.
- Travel immunizations may not be covered by your health insurance, and not all family physician offices administer travel immunizations. Immunizations can be obtained at your local health department.
Flights for your International Trip will be handled in one of the following ways. Check with your Trip Leader to learn information specific to your trip.
- Flights are included in the overall cost. Some Trip Leaders work with a travel agent to arrange an all-inclusive cost for travel + in-country costs. This is only possible if everyone is departing from the same airport. In this scenario, funds might be due at an earlier date in order to reserve the appropriate group requirements for the airline.
- Flights are your responsibility. Many Trip Leaders choose to keep airfare and in-country costs separate. This is especially common when trip participants will not be originating from the same departing airport. In this case, it may be your responsibility to find and book your own flight using guidelines provided by your Trip Leader.
If you will be booking your own travel, reservations can be purchased independently or through a travel agent. We recommend travel insurance or a refundable ticket. Always check with your Trip Leader before purchasing your flight.
On your journey, prior to arriving at your destination country, an airline attendant will give you a customs form. You will need to complete these and submit them at Customs and Immigration. You may need to know the address of where you are staying. Your Trip Leader should provide you this information prior to your departure.
You will need to indicate the reason for your visit. Unless otherwise instructed by your Trip Leader, use “tourism” for the reason of your visit when filling out custom forms.
The following travel agency specializes in serving short term trips. Generally, they can secure a lower-priced fare than the commercial agents or the airlines, and they can often find better connections.
Wilcox World Travel & Tours:
Robin Cady; Toll Free 800-210-8138 Email: rcady@wilcoxtravel.com
FCA requires all International Trip participants to purchase short-term international travel medical insurance as outlined below. Short-term policies are a cost effective way to insure your trip and avoid huge financial burdens should illness or injury occur.
This insurance must include coverage for medical AND evacuation/transportation expense for the duration of the trip. The expense for this insurance is the responsibility of each individual participant. Many FCA Trip leaders use the Patriot plan from International Medical Group (IMG), although this is only a recommendation. You may visit http://imglobal.com/index.aspx (choose “Quote Now> Patriot Travel Medical Insurance”) to purchase this coverage; however, participants are free to research and choose other vendors if they prefer.
Current FCA employees are not required to purchase travel medical insurance coverage if they participate in FCA’s medical insurance plan.
Emergency Medical and Evacuation Insurance is designed to provide short-term travel insurance, supplementing your existing insurance when traveling abroad. Plans typically include sickness and accident medical protection, traveler’s assistance, accidental death and dismemberment, medical evacuation and repatriation of remains.
Please email a copy of your receipt to your Trip Leader when you have purchased your insurance. You will need to make your travel arrangements prior to purchasing your insurance as coverage is based upon the dates of your travel itinerary to and from the country in which the trip is scheduled.
Keep your personal insurance card with you as you travel. It is also helpful to take a copy of the coverage explanation with you, in case you need it while overseas.The insurance company will provide this once you complete your insurance purchase.
Recommended insurance provider: Patriot plan from International Medical Group (IMG)
Website: http://imglobal.com/index.aspx (choose “Quote Now> Patriot Travel Medical Insurance”)
No one plans to get sick on an international trip, but experience tells us that it happens quite often. With the proper precautions before and during travel, you can keep yourself healthy.
During the preparation phase leading up to your trip, proper rest, exercise and diet will have a crucial impact on your health and energy level while in your destination country. If applicable, obtain physical and dental exams and address impending issues. Check that eyeglasses and braces are well maintained and in good working order.
Make sure that you have a sufficient supply of prescription medication for the length of your travel and a few days extra in case of travel delays. Leave all medications in their original containers to avoid arousing suspicion with customs inspectors.
When you arrive overseas, you will receive specific instructions from your Trip Leader and/or Host about what foods and beverages to avoid. Be aware that if tap water is not safe, you will need bottled water, even for brushing teeth. Hot beverages, bottled water and bottled soft-drinks are usually safe. You can also treat water with commercial iodine or chlorine tablets. Keep your mouth closed when you shower. Avoid raw vegetables. Fruits with thick coverings/skins that need to be peeled are safer than fruits without coverings/skins. Consider how the food was prepared and how long the food has been out at room temperature before eating.
Use common sense and follow the advice of your Trip Leader and Host.
It cannot be stressed enough that washing your hands frequently and drinking plenty of fluids are two of the simplest ways to stay healthy.
Please note that eating times and food portions may not be what you are used to as an American. It may be helpful to pack snacks. Be sure to notify your Trip Leader of any allergies or medical conditions that might require consideration while in-country.
The following is a list of health items that participants have found helpful or wished they had:
- Imodium AD
- Cough medicine/cold tablets
- Aspirin/Tylenol/Advil
- Band-Aids
- Pepto-Bismol tablets
- Multi-vitamins
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito repellent
- Anti-itch cream or spray
- Antibiotic cream
