Passport, visa and transit checks before booking
Check the whole route using the passport you will actually travel on. A UK address does not make every traveller subject to the same entry rules.
Before you fly · 4 min read
The quick answer
Check your passport's validity, destination entry requirements, transit rules and permission to return to the UK. Use the relevant government's guidance for your nationality and itinerary.
Start with the actual passport
Take the passport out before comparing flights. Read the name, nationality, issue date and expiry date. Check the destination's requirements rather than assuming that one 'six months remaining' rule covers the world.
Use the same travel document consistently when checking requirements. If you hold more than one nationality or plan to renew your passport, confirm which passport you will use and whether any existing travel authorisation needs updating.
Check the destination's official instructions
For British passport holders, the FCDO country pages are a useful starting point for entry information and travel advice. Other passport holders should check the destination's immigration authority or embassy for requirements applying to them.
Check the purpose and length of the visit as well as nationality. A short holiday, business activity and a long stay may have different requirements. Keep a note of the official application route and any documents you still need.
Treat the connection as a separate check
A connection can introduce another country's requirements even if you do not plan to visit it. Rules can depend on your nationality, visas or residence permissions, whether you pass immigration and the exact airport arrangement.
Tell your adviser if you want to avoid a particular transit country. Before accepting a self-transfer or overnight stop, find out whether you must enter the country to collect luggage, change airports or reach a hotel. Do not assume an airside connection removes every visa requirement.
Recheck before departure
Review your return-to-UK documents too, including any immigration status linked to a passport. Rules and your own circumstances can change between booking and travel. Save official confirmations and follow the airline's document-check instructions.
Travelcart can explain the proposed route and point you towards official sources. Immigration authorities decide entry, and an airline booking or a paid ticket does not itself grant permission to travel. Resolve an unclear requirement before committing to an itinerary that depends on it.
Your checklist
- Passport nationality, issue and expiry dates checked
- Destination requirements checked for your purpose of visit
- Every transit point considered
- Return-to-UK documents and official confirmations ready
Questions and answers
Does living in the UK mean I can use British-passport guidance?
No. Entry rules can depend on nationality and the travel document you hold, as well as residence status and itinerary.
Do I need a visa if I stay inside an airport?
Possibly. Transit requirements vary, including for some airside connections. Check the relevant government's rules for your circumstances.
Can Travelcart guarantee I will be allowed to enter?
No. We can help explain your itinerary, but the destination's authorities set and apply entry requirements.
Keep planning your journey
Sources and latest guidance
Last checked: 2026-09-13