So, you know where you want to go and are thinking about all the great places you could visit and things you could do. Before doing any of this it is important to make sure that all your paperwork is in place and that you have as hassle-free a departure and arrival as possible.

Passports

Make sure it is valid for at least ten years, that it is in good condition and that your photo is clear and up-to-date. You also need to make sure that your next-of-kin details are filled in. For detailed information about specific country requirements and useful links regarding passports, visit the passport page of the Go Gap Year website.

Visas

It is vital that you get the most up-to-date and accurate information about whether you need a visa and, if so, when and how to apply for one.

Allow yourself plenty of time to organise this as some visas will take a considerable amount of time to come through, while others you can get on the spot. You would be surprised how many people have problems trying to get into or out of a country because of incorrect visa information; even some of the western countries like Australia and New Zealand can be suspicious of you! So, to make life less stressful, do your research first. For relevant and up-to-date information, see the visa section of the Go Gap Year website.

Other forms of ID

Make sure that you take other forms of ID with you when travelling. This will ideally be a form of photo ID other than your passport, such as a driver's licence or internationally-recognised student card.

A good internationally-recognised card is the IYTC card. There is even a travel version as well.

Make Copies

One of the most important things to do before you leave is to make sure that you photocopy all your documents. This includes your passport, visa, air tickets, insurance, travel/trip itinerary, medical certificates, any contact details you have for your whereabouts whilst away and all other important documents.

We would suggest that you leave a copy at home with your parents or a trusted friend, and then scan the copies into your computer and save a copy on your email account. It is worth taking several copies with you as well - maybe hide a set in your main rucksack (in case your day sack or money belt are lost or stolen). Some people even laminate a copy! Ultimately this is to allow you to have access to your documents should you need them whilst away. Your parents could fax you a copy or you could use the nearest Internet cafe to access the copies via your email account.

Several companies have a 'vault' or 'copies' service where you can pay a fee to save copies of all your important documents and then just call a number if they are lost or stolen. STA have an online ‘vault’ system where you can leave copies of all your important documents and a list of valuables, enabling you to access them should you run into trouble. For more information or to sign up for the vault system, call STA on 0871 468 0668 and quote 'GapAid'. 'Mind the Gap Year' insurance also offers an electronic document safe as part of the package.