Return to your homeland holiday

Making the decision to take a trip back to your homeland can be an emotional one, especially if you haven’t been back to your country of origin for a long time. As things change, many factors must be considered to ensure that you have a safe and pleasant holiday experience. The first thing you should do when considering a such a holiday is contact the Country of Origin information service at the Home Office. They can provide you with accurate, objective and up-to-date information on what is presently happening in the country.

You can also check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) website for its travel notices.

You will need to make sure your passport is valid for travel, if not you will have to renew your passport and that you have the appropriate visas for entry, if your country of origin is not in the European Union. It is best to contact their embassy to find out what is required for a visa.

As a return to your homeland holiday is usually more than just a two week trip, it’s vital that you make sure that you are fit and healthy enough to travel.

If you are on any medication or require any assistance day-to-day you will need to make sure that your doctor, as well as any health and social services are aware that you plan to travel abroad to make sure you’ll have the same level of care while there.

• Find out what health and social care is available.
• Ensure you fulfil local requirements to be entitled to services, such as registering or obtaining residency rights.
• If necessary, take out travel and health insurance to cover the costs of any health or social care.
• Make sure you have had all the necessary vaccines for travel.

Also ensure that you home is secure if you are away for a long time, think about:

• Alarms, to secure your property,
• leaving a light on to fool burglars,
• unanswered phone for several days will alert people to your home,
• removing temptation from view,
• turning off the water supply,
• ensuring all electronics are switched off,
• important documents are stored safely,
• garden upkeep (ask a neighbour or friend to maintain whilst on your trip),
• emergency keys are left with someone you trust, and
• post and packages are signed for and looked after by neighbour or friend.

Also, whilst abroad it is best to purchase an international phone card to make calls back to the UK and in and around your area cheaper, if you do not have a mobile phone.