Passport mistakes to avoid before traveling abroad

Your tickets are booked, your bags are packed, and you're ready to go! However, it's important to check your passport before planning a trip abroad. Even a simple passport mistake can turn your vacation into a stay-at-home situation. Here are the most common passport mistakes .

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Passport with blurred information or torn pages

Even minor damage to your passport can prevent you from boarding a plane or entering your destination. You may even be detained if the damage causes local authorities to suspect passport fraud.

So, before you travel, check your passport for signs of damage such as tears, stains, or missing pages. In particular, make sure the photo page and the Machine Readable Area are undamaged. Always keep your passport in a safe, dry, and secure place at home and while you travel.

Don't check expiration date

Some countries will not allow you to enter if your passport is due to expire in 6 months or less. Therefore, check your passport expiration date before you travel. Make sure there is more than 6 months between the expiration date and the date you leave your destination.

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There are too many stickers

If you travel abroad frequently, your passport may have a lot of visa stamps. Some countries will not let you in unless you have at least 2 to 4 blank pages in your passport. Make sure you check how many blank pages you have.

Also, make sure your passport does not have any unauthorized stamps, such as souvenir or travel stamps. These stamps can invalidate your passport.

Applying for a new passport too late before departure

Have you checked your passport and found you need a new one? Make sure you have enough time to get it done. While most passport applications are processed in less than 6 weeks, some applications take longer. This includes first-time passports for adults and children.

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scammed

If you need to renew your passport or apply for a new one, make sure you use the official website of the Ministry of Public Security. Scammers sometimes set up fake websites or send messages pretending to be from a trusted government agency. If your identity is stolen or misused, you may need to cancel your passport.

Jessica Tanner

Update 15 January 2025