Never flown as a adult before. Also, do not have a passport. Can someone explain how they work, in basic terms?
Do I buy a passport, fly, have the country stamp it which shown that I have permission to enter? What is a Visa?
In:
First, make sure if you need a passport to travel. If you’re going to a different country the answer is likely “yes” but not always.
If you do need a passport you need to apply for one. In the USA you can send your birth certificate to the State Department along with a passport photo and the fee and get the approval and passport. Follow the instructions you find online. Obviously it might vary country to country.
The passport is proof of your identity and citizenship. The next thing you need is permission to enter the country you’re traveling to. That permission is granted with a Visa (not the credit card).
Some places you need a visa beforehand. Other places might give you a visa on arrival. Again you have to check this for yourself depending on where you’re from and where you’re going. It’s not standardized world wide.
Once you have the passport and know the visa rules you can go to the country you’re visiting.
There you’ll have to go through immigration where they check your passport and approve your visa and then customs which makes sure you’re bringing what you’re allowed to bring. This is done at a “port of entry” which could be an airport or at a road that crosses the border or at a seaport if you’re on a cruise.
Once you’ve done all that you’re good to go.
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