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Tips for Taking a Business Trip to a Country on the Travel Warning List
There are many reasons that the U.S. State Department issues travel advisories and compiles travel warning lists. The protective body takes into consideration the safety, laws, health and customs of other countries to warn U.S. citizens before traveling abroad for business or pleasure. Other countries do the same regarding the U.S., announcing all reasons their citizens should refrain from visiting or should take special precautions before doing so.
If you are planning a business trip to a country that appears on a travel warning list, here are four things to keep in mind before leaving home.
1. Get All Vaccinations and Fill Prescriptions
It is always important to get necessary vaccinations and fill vital prescriptions before traveling. If you are heading to a country with a travel warning for any reason, it is important that you do so. You may need to stay in a country in case violence breaks out there or in a nearby region or if there is a critical health situation, such as an outbreak where many travelers may need to shelter in place.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides vaccination requirements and important health information for your destination. As soon as you know when and where you plan to travel, make plans to get your vaccinations since it is ideal to do so six weeks before departure.
Check with the foreign embassy of the country where you plan to travel to learn which prescription drugs they allow you to bring into the country. Keep photocopies of prescriptions from your physician with your passport and other important documentation so you can provide proof that they are yours upon request.
2. Invest in Life Insurance
It is unpleasant to consider extreme possibilities associated with global travel, but is important to do so. While travel is exciting and important to your professional life, there are associated risks to consider. Life insurance offers your family peace of mind, whether you are at home or traveling around the world for business. Companies like USAA offer dynamic plans for those who qualify, providing security for your family's financial future. Beneficiaries can use the funds to replace your income, pay off debts, cover burial expenses or to leave a legacy.
3. Take Plenty of Funds
You don't want to run low on funds, so take one or two credit cards with you for your trip, along with a credit card provided by your employer. Call your personal credit card issuers to alert them on the details of when and where you plan to travel to avoid experiencing denied transactions, since unexpected international travel may seem suspicious to them and trigger fraud alerts. Alternately, do not take cards you do not plan to use. Traveler's checks are not as widely accepted as they once were for travel, so it is best to avoid using them. Visit an ATM instead to withdraw cash and enjoy the most favorable exchange rate.
4. Register Your Trip with the U.S. State Department
Alerting the U.S. Department of State about your itinerary can help you if you run into any problems. The Department will already know the country in which you are traveling and how to contact you when you register online. It is also helpful to provide the State Department with names of family members who may contact them with questions about your whereabouts.
Solid Planning Allows You to Take Care of Business Safely
When you take simple steps prior to visiting a country on the travel warning list, you can ease your mind, and the minds of your loved ones. With proper health planning steps like obtaining vaccines and getting all your prescriptions, investing in life insurance, taking plenty of funds and registering with the State Department, you can focus on work and get home quickly and safely.
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