Check the official entry rules for your passport, carry the documents they list, and answer immigration questions honestly and briefly. Rules differ by country and change over time, so never rely on a friend or an old post. This guide is a checklist, not legal advice.
It belongs to our occasions topic. To plan where to meet, see choosing a halfway meeting city.
What is the five-step check?
- Passport: check validity and blank pages, and the name spelling.
- Visa or permit: confirm the rule for your passport on the official site.
- Onward or return ticket: have proof ready.
- Accommodation: have an address, a booking or your partner’s details.
- Funds and insurance: carry proof you can support your stay.
Do these checks early, because visas can take time. Check the airline’s requirements too.
Which official pages should we use?
Use the destination’s immigration authority and the embassy page. Add the airline page, which shows what the airline will check at check-in.
If you are comparing countries, see our summaries for Thailand, Vietnam and East Asia. Always confirm on the official site before you travel.
What should we carry?
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Passport with enough validity | Required for entry |
| Visa or permit, if needed | Proof you may enter |
| Return or onward ticket | Shows you will leave |
| Address of stay | Immigration may ask |
| Partner’s contact details | Helps if questions arise |
| Travel insurance proof | Useful for medical needs |
| Proof of funds | Shows you can cover costs |
Keep digital and paper copies in separate bags. Our passport and name checks guide covers name mismatches.
What should we tell immigration?
Be honest and brief. Say you are visiting a partner, how long you will stay and where. Show your return ticket if asked.
Do not offer a long story. Do not hide the relationship, and do not say you are only a tourist if the visit is to see a partner. If an officer needs more, answer clearly.
What if plans change into marriage or a longer stay?
A visit entry does not cover marriage procedures, work or long stays. If you plan to marry or live abroad, check the right visa category with the embassy before travelling.
Keep your early trip simple. Reconsider the paperwork when the plan becomes a move.
What should we do next?
- Open the official immigration site and the airline page for your destination.
- Fill in the five-step check and list the documents you need.
- Send us your destination and dates. We will plan flights and a stay to match your entry plan and give you a total for two.