1-1-1. PURPOSE

This manual is a preflight and planning guide for use by U.S. nonscheduled operators, business, and private aviators flying outside of the United States.

1-1-2. GENERAL

This manual contains foreign entry requirements, a directory of aerodromes of entry, and pertinent regulations and restrictions. Information of a rapidly changing nature such as hours of operations, communication frequencies, danger area boundaries (including restricted and prohibited areas) are not included and the pilot assumes the responsibility for securing these data from other sources. Much of this information is available from the Domestic/International Notices to Airmen publication, aeronautical charts, NOTAMs, and en route supplements.

1-1-3. INFORMATION SOURCES

a. Member States follow the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) guidelines by publishing statistical aeronautical information in a document entitled the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). The AIP is their official publication which defines and describes the airspace, aeronautical facilities and services, and national rules and practices pertaining to air traffic. AIPs are public information made available through the aviation departments of the publishing country. The proper AIP(s) should be consulted during the planning of international flight operations.

b. Some countries jointly produce and publish AIP information in a single volume. Several countries do not publish AIP information in book form but will issue AIP information through NOTAM only. The flight planner should always consult NOTAM information to decide if changes to published data have occurred. Considerable NOTAM material for international locations is available from the U.S. International Notam Office in Washington, D.C., or through local flight service stations (FSS).

c. The sources for the information contained in the IFIM are the individual country's AIP, U.S. Public Health Service reports, Domestic/International NOTAMs, and the U.S. Department of State.

1-1-4. PRECAUTIONS

a. Political situations throughout the world are subject to rapid change. The individual country requirements (passport, visa, health, and aircraft entry) listed may not be current and are subject to change without notice. Changes relevant to this manual will appear in the Domestic/International Notices to Airmen Publication until they can be included in the IFIM.

b. Operators are advised to assure full compliance in advance for each country's requirements. This will ensure that all flights into, from or over foreign territories are carried out under the valid regulations of that territory. Particular attention should be given to the permissibility of night flights and services offered between sunset and sunrise. The actual hours during which customs, immigration and other clearance services are available at the aerodromes of entry listed are not given in this manual. Availability of these services is subject to frequent change and must be verified prior to arrival. Particular care should also be given to providing advance notification of arrival to aerodrome officials when such notification is required to ensure the availability of services.

c. All countries require some form of advance notification of arrival. Advance notification requirements should always be interpreted to mean the number of working days prior to the flight. Most government offices processing the applications are closed on weekends and holidays. If a specified number of days or hours advance notice is not given, this should be interpreted to mean that requests should be sent far enough in advance to permit processing and a return reply. A means of prepayment should always be included with the request, particularly if commercial telegraphic messages are sent, otherwise the reply, if sent, will be via the least expensive mailing method. Pilots forwarding requests should keep and carry along a copy of the request sent, endorsed by the telegraph company, as proof that the request has been sent. This is especially important for individual countries which do not normally return request approval. Some countries observe the Moslem weekend, Thursday and Friday; so, notification for Saturday morning flights in this instance must be sent prior to Thursday. Consult the public hours listing under the U.S. Embassy heading to determine the normal workweek for each country.

d. All operators should ensure that required entry documents are available for presentation upon arrival. Multiple copies may be needed of the certificate of ownership papers, general declarations, passenger and cargo manifests, proper licenses, qualifications and certificates of each crew member, log book, aircraft radio station license, etc.

e. Planes that will remain parked or within the territorial limits of a particular country for an extended period may become subject to import regulations and may be impounded. Every pilot should determine the number of days his plane may remain in each country of stop upon arrival.

f. Fees of various types and amounts are common in all foreign countries. Types, amounts and method of payment should be determined before departure. Credit card purchases for servicing may or may not be acceptable.

g. Visa and passport information given in this manual pertains to U.S. citizens. Foreign nationals and persons traveling under foreign passports should contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate for entry requirements for their particular country of origin. Availability, types, and time limitations on visas, tourist cards or other entry documents required should be verified with the nearest Embassy or Consulate prior to departure by all travelers. Some countries require that the traveler have a visa for the next country of entry before departure, as well as proof of vaccinations required by the next country of entry. Information of this type will also be available from the nearest Embassy or Consulate Office.

1-1-5. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

a. The IFIM may be purchased from:

Superintendent of Documents
U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20402
Telephone: (202) 512-1800

Internet: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs

b. Do not send change of address information or publication orders to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It will only delay service.

c. Remittance must be included with publication orders. Publication cost is available upon inquiry to the Superintendent of Documents.

d. A new manual is issued each year in March.

1-1-6. COMMENTS, CORRECTIONS AND QUESTIONS

Corrections, suggested changes, and comments concerning this publication or the Domestic/International Notices to Airmen Publication (issued every 28 days under separate subscription) should be directed to:

Federal Aviation Administration
Air Traffic Publications (ATA-10)
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20591