It’s important to carry extra identification while travelling (especially when crossing borders). But life on the road entails additional risks of loss/damage/theft, and replacing ID while abroad is complicated. Whether your employees are travelling for business or pleasure, ensure they know these strategies for carrying ID safely.

Note: Passports are recommended when flying, even domestically. Otherwise, if you’re staying within the country, you won’t need a passport or permanent resident card; substitute these for other forms of ID. All other suggestions apply.

What ID to Carry

Always carry at least two forms of ID, at least one of which has a photo. One should prove your citizenship (if outside the country – eg: passport) and/or residence (if travelling domestically – eg: driver’s license).

Photo ID suggestions include:

• Passport
• Driver’s license
• National identity card/Government-issued ID
• International driver’s license (required if renting a car in many countries)
• Permanent resident card (required if you have permanent resident status)

Other ID includes:

• Birth certificate (ideally not, as it’s hard to replace)
• Medical ID

Regarding medical ID, medical bracelets aren’t recognized everywhere; if you have a complicated situation, have your doctor write a letter explaining your condition and carry a translated copy (if applicable) at all times.

What to Leave at Home

Don’t risk losing ID and cards that you don’t need abroad! Go through your wallet/purse/briefcase and remove the following:

• Social insurance/social security card (unless required for work)
• Department store/membership cards
• Credit cards/bank cards you won’t be using

Copies and Backups

Having copies is important for recovering lost/stolen ID. Photocopy everything twice; leave one copy with somebody at home and take one with you. Carry your copies separate from the originals.

For additional protection, bring an electronic backup of your ID; read about best practices for this in the article How to Safeguard Your Personal Information While Travelling.

While Enroute to/From Your Destination

While on the move, everything is with you and risk of loss/theft is highest. Keep ID in separate places; for example, wear your passport in an underclothes wallet or money belt, keep your driver’s license in your wallet, and copies in your luggage or briefcase.

At Your Destination

You won’t need to carry everything with you all the time – especially at the beach! Leave your passport in the hotel safe; if there’s no in-room safe, ask at the front desk if they can store it in theirs. While you’re out, carry the photocopy with you.

And assuming you have other identification (like a driver’s license) in your wallet, ensure your wallet isn’t vulnerable to pickpockets.

Create Habits

Safety when travelling requires good habits; if you always keep identification in the same place, you’ll notice quicker if it goes missing. This is especially important on the move; after checking-in for a flight and clearing security, return your passport to exactly the same place. If you move it from pocket to purse to jacket, the chance of losing it increases exponentially.

Remind your members to install the Travel Navigator app! It’s a great source of information about your destination, from weather to safety warnings to visa requirements. Insurance policy information is at hand, as well as an extensive health conditions library and medications library. It’s the perfect travel companion!

For more insight, visit Travel Navigator.