Visa and documents for flying abroad

Where to start checking

Determine requirements for each passenger individually. These are influenced by citizenship, issuing country and passport type, purpose of travel, length of stay, transit countries, and the need to exit the transit area.

Having an airline ticket or visa does not guarantee entry: the final decision is made by authorized border authorities. The passenger is responsible for ensuring they have the necessary documents for the entire trip.

Check the full route

Consider not only your destination country but also each transfer. Requirements may differ if you change airports, make a separate connection, recheck baggage, or exit the international transit area.

If your flights are booked on separate tickets, please check in advance whether you will need to go through passport control and re-check in for your next flight.

Document check

Before traveling abroad, carefully check your travel documents. Ensure your first name, last name, date of birth, and other details are correct, and that the Latin alphabet matches your booking information. Passport validity requirements and the number of blank pages vary depending on the country and route—check with official sources.

Official sources and contacts

Record and take with you the contact information of your country's embassies and consulates in the host country. This includes addresses and telephone numbers that may be useful in emergency situations.

Check requirements on the website of the consulate or immigration service of your destination and transit country. For additional verification of passport, visa, and health requirements, use the official IATA service.

Visa processing

If you require a visa for your trip, first review the official application process and then plan your timeline. Processing times, appointment availability, required documents, and the availability of expedited processing vary by country, visa type, and season.

Visa terms and requirements

Every embassy has its own rules and requirements for visa issuance, including the possibility of an interview with the consul, the cost of the visa, and a list of required documents. Strict compliance with these requirements, including the size of photos, accurate completion of forms, and payment of consular fees, increases the chances of successful and timely receipt of the visa.

Payment for a trip and visa risks

It is not recommended to pay the full cost of the trip before receiving a visa. Foreign state embassies are not responsible for financial losses in case of visa refusal or delays. Buying a ticket with fixed dates does not guarantee expedited visa processing.

If you need a ticket for your application, check the consulate's requirements and fare conditions in advance. If the processing time is uncertain, choose an option with suitable exchange or refund policies.

Transit visas

If your itinerary involves transit through other countries, check in advance the requirement for transit visas. Consult about the validity period and multiplicity of these visas to avoid problems when crossing borders.

Please check the rules for overnight transfers, changing terminals or airports, self-transfer, and baggage claim. In these cases, you may need to obtain permission to enter the transit country.

What to double-check before departure

• The first and last name on the ticket match the travel document
• The passport is valid for the period required by the country
• The visa corresponds to the purpose of the trip, dates and number of entries
• The requirements of all transit countries have been verified
• Return ticket, insurance and confirmations, if required, are prepared
• Consulate contacts and copies of important documents have been saved