UK travelers warned of passport problems that could ‘end holiday’

Tourism experts have issued a warning about problems tourists may encounter with their passports while traveling abroad. Your passport and travel documents are key to getting away, so you wouldn’t want them to end your travels before they start.

Gavin Lapidus, director of the travel site eShores, warned that even the slightest damage to your passport could put an end to your holiday plans, as even minor damage can cause a major holiday headache. While you may think you might be safe if you’ve traveled with a “broken” document before, that doesn’t mean it will be accepted every time.

Before you travel, you should also check the validity of your passport, ensuring that you are not traveling with at least six months left until its expiry date. Depending on your holiday destination, some countries may accept a document within six months of expiry, some even three – but don’t risk it.

Citizens’ advice explained that you will need to renew your passport if there are less than months left at any time while you travel or if your passport is ten years old or older on the day you enter the EU country. You can check the requirements and the latest travel advice for each country via The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Lapidus said: “A passport is your gateway to the world and even a little damage can lead to complications at airport check-in desks. Most passports last for ten years, during which time they can expect wear and tear.

“During the journey, your passport is checked for damage, forgery and validity, with damaged documents rejected, ending your holiday.”

Water damaged passport

Passports with significant water damage are often considered invalid for travel, especially if information is obscured or the laminate has begun to lift, which can cause concern that a photo may be altered. So make sure you haven’t left the document in your pocket if you decide to take a spontaneous drop or throw it into a pool.

But you don’t just have to pay attention to water; HM Passport Office says it considers passports that have other stains on the pages, such as ink, to be considered damaged and warns you may not be able to travel with one.

You can buy a sealed plastic bag to prevent water damage should such a spontaneous diving opportunity arise.

Rips, tears and holes

A common misconception among holiday visitors is that as long as all the information on your passport is present, visible and legible, it is acceptable for travel. However, this is not always the case, so don’t rest on your laurels.

A raised laminate on the personal details page can cause rejections when you go on holiday, even though the photo and information can be easily viewed, as can torn or damaged pages.

Holes and cuts are usually used to cancel old passports, so they are considered unacceptable in a current passport. It’s best to keep all documents safe and away from any places – or hands or teeth – that could cause a tear. Note that if the chip on the passport can be seen from the back cover, this may also result in rejection.

It doesn’t happen to you

Experts have warned that although many travelers believe that if their damaged passport has been accepted before, it will still be suitable for future travel. However, certain countries and airports may have stricter regulations and requirements for the condition of your passport.

Places like Bali, Vietnam, Qatar, Australia and the United States are examples of locations with strict rules when it comes to damaged passports. However, it is always possible that a passport with any damage may be rejected at any time and place, so it is essential to ensure that your passport is in perfect condition, no matter where you travel.

A loose cap can lead to rejection

Passports can wear out over the years, but loose or detached passport covers or ties are common reasons for refusal. And it doesn’t matter if the pages inside your passport are in pristine condition.

When you get a new passport, it’s a good idea to protect it at all costs by making sure you have an external passport cover to limit the chance of damage to the cover or pages from tears, wear, stains or other types of damage. When considering replacing a damaged passport, it’s usually better to be safe than sorry.

Lapidus said: “If you are concerned about your passport being damaged, this is usually a clear indication that you may have problems checking in at the airport. For peace of mind, you can contact the embassy of the country you are visiting for clarity on acceptable damages. If you’re still worried, arrange a replacement passport to ensure your holiday doesn’t come to an abrupt, unexpected end before it’s even started.”