As a travel consultant you want to make sure your clients have the info they need in order to prepare for their trip, but you shouldn’t advise them of that documentation.  Send them to the appropriate websites/government agencies to determine their exact needs.

Required info needed for each country: https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/

Passports

• Applying for passport: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html?utm_source=help.cbp.gov&utm_medium=help.cbp.gov&utm_term=undefined&utm_content=undefined&utm_campaign=(not%20set)&gclid=undefined&dclid=undefined&GAID=false
• Adults and children must have passports to travel ANYWHERE outside of the United States.
• Adult passports start at the age of 16.  Adult passports last 10 years and child passports last 5 years.
• Expediting a passport or via: Washington Passport and Visa Service: https://www.wpvs.com

Visas

• Many are easy to obtain, electronically for a small fee, such as Australia.
• Many require a stamp in the passport and must be applied for with the embassy. These can take time, so give yourself plenty, or again, use a service like Washington Passport and Visa Service: https://www.wpvs.com
• Don't assume that the rules didn't change. Always check.
• Be careful with multi-country trips:  Clients traveling from Ecuador to Costa Rica. Clients did not need a visa for either country when flying directly to either, but did need one to travel from one to the other.

Letters of authorization

• When it’s needed:  https://de.usembassy.gov/visas/travel-tourism/travelers-faqs/children-traveling-with-one-parent-or-with-someone-who-is-not-a-parent-or-legal-guardian/
• Any child traveling with an adult who is not his parent should have one. It should include:
  • Authorization for the adult to transport them.
  • Authorization to allow medical assistance.
  • It should be notarized.
  • They should get this for both domestic and international travel.
• Samples can be easily found online.

ETIAS: https://www.etias.info/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc

• The ETIAS application process will take place online and should take less than 10 minutes to complete.
• Applicants will be asked to provide three types of information: 1) a valid passport (with an expiration date that is at least three months longer than the intended stay; 2) a credit or debit card, and 3) an email address.
• Application must take place at least 96 hours before travel.
• Applications need to be made for infants and children, as well as adults.

Real ID: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id

• These will be required starting October 2020.
• Your driver's license must be compliant or you will need a passport to travel domestically.