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Travel Resources

Please plan ahead on the timing of your applications and appointments for Passports, Visas, and Immunizations. Make sure to follow instructions and timelines RIM provides in your Acceptance Packet to ensure that you have the proper travel documents for your trip.

U.S. Passports: 

  • Apply or Renew -Your Passport must be valid for six months after the end of your trip, usually 2/1/2022 or later.

  • Be sure to choose a Passport BOOKLET, not a Passport CARD.

  • Participants who have a foreign passport are responsible to have the correct travel documents and visas to travel to their destination country and return to the U.S. 

Visas: 

If you have a U.S. Passport:

  • RIM will determine if your destination country requires a visa upon entry and notify participants of these requirements in preparation for the trip. 

  • Information will be located in your Acceptance Packet and RIM will contact you closer to the trip to make sure that everything is in order before your team departs. 

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If you have a foreign passport:

  • Make sure you have all needed travel documents to enter the country(s) of international travel

    • Be aware many countries require a visa/additional documentation for entry (i.e. proof of vaccination, etc.)

  • Make sure you have all travel documents to reenter the U.S. 

  • If you need any assistance through the process, RIM is here to help! Give us a call at 1-800-774-6746. 

Vaccinations:

RIM’s utmost desire is to keep participants safe and healthy while they travel! It is important to know that participants without the proper vaccinations are at an increased risk when traveling internationally (compared to living within the US) because foreign countries do not have the same vaccination rates as the US. Diseases that have been nearly eradicated from the US for decades are much easier to contract in third-world settings. For this reason and based on CDC recommendations, RIM requires and/or strongly recommends the following:

  • Childhood immunizations – Required on all trips

  • Tetanus – Required on all trips, no exceptions

  • Hepatitis A – Required on all trips

  • Typhoid – Required for Thailand and Botswana; strongly recommended for Central America and Caribbean

  • Yellow Fever – Required for Uganda, no exceptions (must display proof for entry into the country) 

  • Malaria medicine – Strongly recommended for Botswana & Uganda (we’ll be in the northern region of Botswana)
    *Do not use chloroquine because Botswana & Uganda are chloroquine-resistant areas

  • When should I apply?
    For summer trips, applications are accepted from September through April. Apply as soon as possible in order to maximize time available for fundraising. RIM recommends that all groups apply before Christmas and that individuals apply no later than February 15th. Some applicants may be accepted after May 1st; however, a late-signup surcharge may apply equal to the increased cost of airfare compared to on-time signups.
  • When is fundraising due?
    A $95 deposit is due when you accept your spot on the team, and 100% of your trip cost is due 30 days before your start date. After the deposit is submitted, the remaining trip cost will be split into 3 Fundraising goals (~33% due on 3 dates).
  • When is paperwork due?
    Most of RIM’s forms can be completed online and are typically due June 1st. The Notarized Consent form must be physically mailed to RIM and is due June 1st for standard trips. All forms and due dates will be listed in your online account.

Team Covenant:

Take a look at our Team Covenant and rules for participation here.

Still have questions? Give RIM a call at 1-800-774-6746 between 9am-5pm EST, Monday to Thursday or email GoInfo@realimpact.com.

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