Its all about liability! Travel insurance is strongly recommended to ensure that your hard-earned vacation dollars are protected. We will work with AIG/Travel Guard, Allianz, or Travelex to help find the right policy for you.

As a first step in planning any trip abroad, check the Travel Advisories for your intended destination. You can see the world at a glance on the U.S. Department of State's color-coded map.

Note that conditions can change rapidly in a country at any time. To receive updated Travel Advisories and Alerts, choose the method that works best for you at travel.state.gov/stayingconnected.

For more details and FAQs about our safety and security information, please see travel.state.gov/travelsafely.

Many travel partners require that your passport be valid for 6 months beyond your planned trip dates. As of October 29, routine processing is 8 to 11 weeks and expedite processing (for an additional $60) is 5 to 7 weeks. If you need a passport, be sure to apply 4-6 months in advance to ensure that there are no delays that could prevent you from going on your vacation.

To learn about how to apply, please see the U.S. Department of State's passport information.