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…
In this 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?
Timatic is useful and is generally accurate, but you should ALWAYS double check it against your government's site for that respective country. It's essentially pulling information from those sites. It is a very easy tool to start your research with, though.
Timatic doesn't "pull information" from those sites. The information is actually submitted to the Timatic team by IATA member airlines operating in various countries.
Useful for a quick check but I only rely on government website. The only source of truth I trust.
If you use Seats.aero (no subscription needed) you can also easily view this under the "tools section". It's under Timatic-Visa checks. This is a nice link though
The US State Department always has accurate info for each country. Search https://travel.state.gov/ and the name of the country and look at "Entry Exit and Visa Requirements"
@Ben, for context not all airlines using IATA Timatic e.g. Star Alliance carriers use a tool called Star Auto Doc Check
Now, agree with Ken, I always use government information for confirmation. And if something is unusual (e.g. a few years ago I traveled to Singapore which had a 96 hour visa waiver for my partner, under certain conditions she met), I always print the page from the government website (and in that case it proved useful!)
Handy tool, I currently use traveldoc.aero (old website) and it gives similar info and links.
I'd even say that it's more precise as you can add the visas and residence permits you hold (only on the legacy website). Very handy, especially for Latin America countries, as you can travel visa-free to some places with a Schengen Visa/residence permit.
This is AWESOME, thank you for posting this!
If you are a US citizen traveling with an American passport the other resource is the State Department’s travel website. Would rank it higher than IATA personally. https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel.html
I've also typically used the State Department's website (and will continue to do so), but I will say after trying out the IATA site, I'll be keeping it bookmarked for quickly looking up visa requirements in the future.
Wow, every days a learning day! I spend a ridiculous amount of hours researching the countries own government websites, this is so much easier. Thanks
I still research govt website for confirmation. I can't remember which country it was but timatic once gave a not up to date information. I think it was one of those countries that let you in if you had a visa for a 3rd country