If you are ready to take your children travel outside the country and you feel a mix of excitements and overwhelmed, this blog can you help prioritized matter that need immediate attention so you feel more organized and in control of your traveling plan.
My name is Sofia. I am a travel mom to two amazing highly functioning boys. I’ve taken my children to various places even before they were diagnosed with Autism. We’ve been to many roadtrips, and traveled out of the country – Canada, Mexico, Singapore, Hong Kong, Switzerland and France. Because of my passion to travel and past experienced as a Flight Attendant, I always feel excited about going somewhere even if it’s 3 hours away from where I lived. I know traveling with autistic child can cause a lot of anxiety. So I created this blog to help you feel confident when traveling with your autistic child or children.
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In today’s blog, I want to share 7 Immigration Related Matter that you must know before you purchased your air-tickets to any country. I made a huge mistake that cost me a fortune on my first trip to Europe. I didn’t realized the rule of a thumb for passport to stay valid 6 months before the travel date. As a result of my ignorance, my oldest son wasn’t able to travel with me and his brother. It was heartbreaking when that happened. But I learnt my lesson and taking notes so I won’t make the same mistake again.
So here are The 7 International Matters You Must Know Before Traveling Abroad With Your Autistic Child.
Must Know #1 : Passport should valid for at least 6 months before the travel date
Though each country has its own rules and regulation, having a passport that is valid for at least 6 months before your date of travel, can put you and your family at a safer spot to travel together with ease. This is very important especially if you want to visit multiple country in the same continent.
Assuming your passport is expiring, you could renew it, or see if the destination country offers accommodation such as visa permit etc. Each country has its own regulation, so go their website to learn more before purchasing the air-fare.
Must Know #2 : Travel Visa and Length of stay
Visit the country’s embassy you plan to travel, find out the duration you are allowed to stay and if you required a visa. When you are crossing border and use a country as a based, for example, you use Singapore as your hub to visit nearby Asia countries, find out how many times you are allowed to leave and re-enter your “hub country” again.
Must Know #3 : Travel Documents & Ex-Spouse Letter of Consent
Always always print travel documents such as visa, boarding passes, air tickets even you have access them with an apps. You phone might get misplaced, or the battery has gone flat or worst, there is no wifi. To avoid such drama – print those documents. You can also make picture copy and keep it on the phone album.
If you are divorced and plan to travel solo with your children, regardless if they have autism or not, you need a letter from your ex-spouse, stating that you are taking them out of the country and will be returning at expected date. Keep this document throughout your entire vacation to avoid getting pull over at the custom office.
Must Know #4 : Check for vaccination and other regulations to enter a country
While I have not encountered any of this issues, it is always good to know if the place or country you plan to visit requires you to be vaccine.
Must Know #5 : Medication and CBD
I always packed medication for my travel. Firstly it is something that I know have worked for my children when they are not feeling well. Secondly it safe the hassle looking for a pharmacy and to find medication that I need. Thirdly, medicine for common ailment like fever, stomach flu, cost more when you purchased them at the hotel or tourist area. So get them locally before you travel.
If you’re autistic child takes CBD or Neuro, I suggest you write to the country’s immigration office or Narcotic Bureau, way ahead of time, to see if those supplements are allowed in that country. Also take note, if you child is required to take urine test. Some country like Singapore is very strict. You child may need to detox from CBD before traveling to the destination country.
Keep all medications in the box that they came with to avoid delay at security clearing. Lastly, get the smallest container possible especially if the medication is in liquid form.
Must Know #6 : Insurance
To buy or not to buy … I suggest you get one. There are several types of traveling insurance, so pick one that match your travel needs.
Tip #7 : Get International adapter
An international traveling adapter is a must, especially when you plan to bring devices such as an iPad, iPhone, and perhaps a Nintendo switch game to keep your autistic child busy. I like a multi-purpose adapter with multiple features. It makes traveling so much easier. I will buy two if you have several children because 1 might not be enough.
I hope you find those tips useful. Do let me know if some of the information gets outdated so I can update my content accordingly.
