---
title: "What is Document check? | Benefit Systems"
description: "A document check is the airline's verification of passport, visa and travel authorisation before departure, based on an immigration requirements database."
source: "aus dem gebauten HTML abgeleitet"
---
# What is Document check?

A document check is the airline’s verification of passport, visa and travel authorisation before departure, based on an immigration requirements database.

Also called: Airline document verification, Timatic check.

## How it works #

Airlines check because they pay for the return flight and face fines when a passenger arrives without valid documents. What governs is the database entry for the destination, not advice from a travel forum. Being refused carriage on document grounds does not count as denied boarding under passenger rights law and creates no compensation claim.

## Not to be confused with #

A document check is not the same as border control: the airline assesses fitness to travel, while the entry decision belongs solely to the destination country’s authorities.

## In German #

The German term is Reisedokumentenprüfung. [German version of this term](/de/glossar/reisedokumentenpruefung)

## Related terms #

- [Passport validity rule](/en/glossary/passport-validity-rule): A passport validity rule is the requirement of many countries that a passport remain valid for a minimum period beyond departure, often six months.
- [Transit visa](/en/glossary/transit-visa): A transit visa is permission to pass through a country while connecting, even when no stay there is planned.
- [Electronic travel authorisation](/en/glossary/electronic-travel-authorisation): An electronic travel authorisation is an online pre-clearance for visa-free travellers that has to be in place before departure.

## Articles that use this term #

- [How much passport validity do you need?](/en/knowledge/passport-validity)
- [Do you need a transit visa?](/en/knowledge/transit-visas)
- [What is ETIAS and who needs it?](/en/knowledge/etias)