“Do I need a visa?”

“What do I say to the customs officer?”

“Can I bring my work laptop with me?”

If you travel out of the country for business purposes—to a company meetup or a professional conference—or even on a family vacation with your work laptop, you’re facing up to questions about business visitor visas, customs, and border security.

We have answers!

Traveling to the US

We’ll focus on traveling to the US since attending company meetups is our primary reason for international business travel.

Keep in mind, if you’re traveling more than 10 hours in the air (not including layovers), Basecamp will cover the cost of a business class ticket, up to $5000, twice a year.

When you travel for Basecamp business, here’s what you need:

1. A passport! Apply for one now if you don’t have one already. Renew now if your passport expires in the next six months.
2. A travel visa or waiver.
3. An invitation letter that substantiates the purpose of your travel.
4. Your hotel address and contact info.
5. A security checklist for your laptop and phone. Clearing work data from your devices is required before crossing the border.

Visa

You need a visa (or a waiver!) to authorize travel to the US.

Canadians

Canadian passport holders don’t need a visa to enter the US for non-paid business events. Passport and government ID are all that’s required.

Visa Waiver Program

If your country participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), then you can apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) within 3 days of travel. The ESTA is valid for 2 years.