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Checklist for Short-Term Missionary Travelers

Planning ahead is essential for short-term mission leaders and travelers. Here is a handy time line to follow when planning your ministry trip to India!

Up to 9 months ahead (beginning June, 2009):

Apply for Passports.
1. Once you submit the documents, passport issuance usually takes four to six weeks.
2. Keep two photos and a photocopy of your passport information page separate from your passport in case it's lost or stolen.
3. See the U.S. State Department's web page for passport application forms, instructions and fee schedules: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
Check Visa Information
1. According to the Embassy of India in Washington, DC, all visa processing for India has been outsourced to Travisa Outsourcing. Check out Travisa for information regarding different types of Indian visas and the requirements.
Check Immunizations.
1. Call or contact the Centers for Disease Control (404-332-4559) or go to http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationIndia.aspx to see recommended vaccinations and other disease precautions for India.
2. Consult with your healthcare provider and receive any needed immunizations. You must educate yourself and decide for yourself what precautions you would or would not like to take. Allow time between vaccinations if multiple shots are needed.
3. Ask if updated immunizations for diphtheria/tetanus, polio or measles/mumps/rubella are advised.

Up to 6 months ahead (beginning September, 2009):

Begin Visa Application.
1. Submit signed passports, required photos, and completed visa applications. Go to Travisa to begin the visa application process.
Purchase Insurance.
1. Check your current medical policies for overseas coverage. Make sure the policies provide evacuation services to come home due to illness or injury.
2. Decide if you want to buy supplementary travel accident and sickness insurance, plus evacuation services, if your policies don't cover these. Our consulting travel agency, GOLDEN RULE TRAVEL, suggests Travelex. You can go to their website for online information: www.travelexinsurance.com.
Remember the January 4 Deadline:
1. You must commit to go by the January 4 deadline.
2. The initial amount of $250 per person must be received by this date in order to hold a seat on the airplane.

Up to 3 months ahead (beginning January, 2010):

Research Baggage Regulations.
1. Contact airline about baggage limits. They can tell you the maximum free allowance per person (if any), maximum weight per bag and fee for excess bags.
2. Please remember that we will be changing locations and traveling on a train. You will want to consider travelling as light as possible.
Remember the February 15 Deadline.
1. Please remember the February 15 deadline. The largest amount due of $1,500 per person must be received by this date.
2. Those who committed in January will have a seat held. These seats will be purchased on February 15. Your name will be given to the airline at this time to confirm your seat and a ticket will then be issued.

Up to 2 weeks ahead (beginning March 8, 2010):

Remember the March 19 Deadline. The final payment of $750 will be due at this time.
Make sure you have:
1. Airline ticket
2. Passport with visas
3. Any vaccinations completed
4. Anti-malarial medication (if needed). We are not traveling during malaria season.
5. Insurance card and/or supplemental insurance information
Obtain the address and phone number of the U.S. Embassy in Chennai. These are available from the website at http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/

On departure day (March 24, 2010):

Review Documentation
1. Passport with visas
2. Airline ticket
3. U.S. Embassy information
Tag Your Luggage.
1. Brightly colored tags will identify our group and will be provided at the airport. Two or three people can handle baggage to reduce confusion.