Medical Tourism Destination Questions

Where do I get information on travel requirements, vaccinations and safety in different countries?

Most international hospitals and medical tourism facilitators will provide you with the necessary information about your medical tourism destination and requirements for your trip. You can also find country specific information and health alerts at the U.S State Departments website and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (see websites below):

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html

www.cdc.gov/

Passport

If you are thinking about traveling internationally for your medical procedure then you will need to have a valid passport. According to the US State Department, if you are a first time applicant then you will need to file in person at an “acceptance facility” (usually a post office or public library) or Passport Agency. There you will need to submit proof of U.S. citizenship (certified birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship) and a DS-11 form which can be downloaded at http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html. If you are in a big hurry (you need your passport in less than three weeks), then you can also request that your passport be expedited. Though a little more expensive, the peace of mind you’ll experience is well worth the extra cost. For more information about obtaining a passport, visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

Visas

Depending on your medical tourism destination you may also require a visa. Currently most popular medical tourism destinations do not require U.S. citizens to posses a visa. Some notable exceptions are: Brazil, India, Jordan and Turkey. For more information about country specific visa information, visit http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html.