When two travelers meet in a city that's home to neither of them, entry requirements can differ completely between the two of you — one might get visa-free access while the other needs to apply weeks in advance. Working through this before booking flights avoids the worst version of this problem: a fare that can't actually be used.
Checklist before booking
- •Check the destination country's official government or immigration website for entry requirements specific to each traveler's nationality — not a general travel blog, since rules vary by passport and change over time.
- •Confirm how long a visa or entry permit takes to process, and whether it requires an in-person appointment, since that sets the earliest date you can realistically book.
- •Check whether either traveler needs a visa for a layover country, even if they're not leaving the airport — some countries require transit visas depending on nationality and layover length.
- •Verify passport validity requirements — many countries require six months of validity remaining beyond the travel dates, not just validity through the return date.
- •Check if proof of onward travel is required for entry, which matters if either leg of the trip is one-way.
Build in lead time for visa processing
If either traveler needs an application-based visa, let that timeline — not flight prices — set the booking date. Booking flights before a visa is confirmed risks a non-refundable fare going unused if the application is delayed or denied.
Reconsider the meeting city if requirements are lopsided
If one traveler needs a lengthy visa process and the other doesn't, it's worth revisiting the shortlist of candidate meeting cities — see our guide on choosing a good meeting-halfway city — since a city with visa-free or e-visa access for both travelers often makes the whole trip easier to plan, even if it's a slightly less central location.
Re-check close to departure
Entry requirements can change with little public notice. Re-verify both travelers' requirements again in the days before departure, not just when you first booked, especially for destinations where rules have changed recently.