We often think that it is enough to check the validity date of our passport before leaving abroad. Yet a detail to which many travelers pay no attention can be enough to cause this document to be refused at boarding or at the border. A problem far from trivial, which can jeopardize an entire trip. Here is what to check before packing your suitcase.
A passport can be refused long before its expiration date
Before international travel, most travelers verify that their passport is still valid. But its physical condition is just as important. The American State Department notes that a damaged passport “may be refused by airlines or border-control officers and delay your travel”.
Among the damages that could pose problems are notably significant tears, mold, stains, visa pages missing or torn out, a hole, or non-official inscriptions on the identity page. By contrast, normal wear, such as a slight crease or a small worn corner, is generally not considered a reason for invalidation.
According to Leslie Coleman, founder of the travel company Suitcase Gals, water damage is by far the most frequent. “In my personal travels and the stays I’ve organized, I’ve seen many situations where a damaged passport was considered invalid. The most common problem is water damage: the pages buckle and the ink from old stamps can bleed, making these pages unreadable”, she explains in Travel + Leisure.
An apparently trivial incident, such as a leaking bottle or a soaked umbrella stored in a bag, can therefore be enough to alter the document. To limit the risks, the expert recommends keeping the passport in a dry place and protecting it with a suitable pouch.
Checks to perform before booking your departure
Even if the passport seems in good condition, a careful check is advised several weeks, even months before the trip. Leslie Coleman recommends not waiting until the eve of departure. “A good rule is to inspect your passport as soon as you book your trip so you have enough time to address any potential damage if it is damaged”, she advises.
The expert also invites verifying that the document is properly signed, that the pages are clean, with no annotations other than official stamps, and that no page is missing or torn. Another point deserves particular attention: the barcode. “A scratch on this barcode could render it unreadable by the computers used to verify it”, warns Leslie Coleman, again in Travel + Leisure. If the computer systems cannot read these details, the passport may be considered non-compliant.
Finally, one should not focus solely on the identity page. Authorities examine the document as a whole. “Each page of your passport is as important as the others. If one page is damaged, the entire passport becomes invalid. Your passport is an official document and must be intact and perfectly compliant”, she reminds us.
If damage is detected shortly before a departure, it is nevertheless possible to request a new passport through an expedited procedure when deadlines are very tight. However, it is better to avoid reaching that point by inspecting your document during travel preparation.
In the same series “Travelers’ Tips”:
How (perhaps) to obtain a passport quickly before the summer holidays?
Choosing your seat on a plane: the mistakes that can ruin your entire trip
This new airport scam could have you stopped abroad
Legally, the airline’s General Conditions of Carriage remind that it is the passenger’s responsibility to verify entry requirements for the countries visited and to ensure the compliance of their travel documents.