Water damage to a passport and a minor page tear can lead to entry restrictions to a country

By TravelWiseJan 13, 2024 19:05 PMNews
Share:
Water damage to a passport and a minor page tear can lead to entry restrictions to a country
Before traveling, make sure there are no tears, missing pages, or water damage. Source: Freepik

As passports age, they are likely to suffer damage from being taken out of your bag and handled by airport staff. However, while some minor marks and scuffs are tolerated, there are two vacation destinations that have such strict rules that you may be denied entry.

Many vacationers go to Bali, known for its amazing beaches. However, this country also has some of the strictest passport damage laws in the world: airlines fine thousands of pounds for passengers who enter the country with a damaged passport," reports The Sun.

Damage to passports is taken so seriously that tourists may be denied departure, and immigration authorities may refuse entry to the country. This could result from even the slightest wear and tear on travel documents, such as a small tear or unofficial marks.

Water damage to a passport and a minor page tear can lead to entry restrictions to a country
In Bali, there are some of the strictest laws regarding passport damage in the world. Source: Freepik

Earlier this year, Australian traveler Matt Vandenberg was denied entry to Indonesia due to a small tear in one of the pages of his passport. The tear, measuring about one centimeter, was noticed by an immigration officer upon his arrival in Indonesia, leading to the confiscation of Vandenberg's passport and his expulsion from the country.

Matt Vandenberg wrote: "I guess this is a good warning for people traveling to Indonesia - they are not kidding."

TikToker Emma was removed from a flight to Bali after being told that the water damage on her passport was unacceptable. In February, traveler John Hammond was pulled aside at immigration control because of a "tear the size of a thumbnail" and was detained."

Vietnam also has a zero-tolerance policy for damaged passports.

The UK Foreign Office states: "If you are visiting Vietnam, your passport must be free from any damage. British nationals have been refused entry and exit due to damaged passports."

The British Mission in Vietnam confirmed this on its Facebook page: "Even minor damage to your passport could mean you will be refused entry."

Although Bali and Vietnam have some of the strictest restrictions on passport damage, most countries will not let you in if it is seriously damaged.

The United States, for example, has strict rules about passport damage that include any signs of water damage, tears, missing visa pages, or holes.

Normal "wear and tear" - including bending of the passport after carrying it in your back pocket or unfolding of the visa pages after repeated opening and closing - is expected and is not considered "damage."

How to protect your passport from damage?

Ilya Buravstov of Generation Visa Service told CNTraveler that things like exposure to sunlight can damage the chip, and some people even try to remove stamps and visas.

"I've seen people who travel a lot who think they can make room in their passport, that they can peel off the full-page visas that you get from China or Egypt, or remove the stamps from the page to make room for more," says Buravstov. - "As soon as you do that, you will mutilate your own passport, which is damage, and they will notice it because there will be a mark.

According to Buravstov, the most common damage is water-related, often due to passports being left in the rain or spilled on.

Adding souvenir stamps, which some countries offer as a novelty, can also lead to trouble and even a travel ban.

What should you do if your passport is damaged?

To avoid problems, it is important to protect your passport from damage. Keep it in a safe, dry, and protective case or wallet.

Remember that something that seems harmless, such as leaving your passport in your back pocket, can cause it to be damaged, and keep it away from pet dogs as they are known to chew on passports.

If your passport is damaged, it cannot be repaired. The only solution is to replace it.

Top Articles
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM
Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM

The Best Travel Luggage: Choosing Guide and Top Brand Reviews

Jan 21, 2025 19:00 PM
More News
A luxury resort in Thailand with a tropical pool, wooden villas, and lush greenery in the background

The Impact of 'The White Lotus' on Tourism in Thailand

Feb 16, 2025 21:47 PM
AirAsia airplane wingtip with logo against a blue sky

AirAsia’s Fare Shake-Up: How Travelers Can Benefit in 2025

Feb 16, 2025 19:21 PM

New SAS Lounge at Arlanda: Easier, More Comfortable Travel for Passengers

Feb 15, 2025 19:32 PM

Universal Studios Singapore Expands with Minion Land, Offering New Experiences for Visitors

Feb 15, 2025 14:26 PM
A view of an easyJet airplane wing above the clouds during sunset, with a gradient sky in shades of pink and purple

EasyJet Expands Flights for Half-Term

Feb 15, 2025 11:49 AM
A high-speed train passing through a station near a tunnel, captured in motion

Rail Travel in Bressanone Disrupted After WWII Bomb Was Found

Feb 15, 2025 08:33 AM
ANA aircraft parked at an international airport terminal during sunset

ANA Expands Meal Selection for International Passengers

Feb 15, 2025 05:25 AM
Snow-covered canal-side street with parked cars and historic buildings in winter

Snow and Ice May Disrupt Travel Plans in Northern England

Feb 15, 2025 02:48 AM
Interior of an AirAsia airplane with red and black seats, viewed from the aisle

AirAsia Announces Free* Seats Promotion for 2025 Travel

Feb 15, 2025 00:31 AM

Brighton Main Line: Travel Disruptions and Passenger Impact

Feb 14, 2025 20:32 PM

Michelin-Starred Dining: The New Spots for Travelers in the UK

Feb 14, 2025 17:46 PM
Aer Lingus aircraft in flight against a blue sky with scattered clouds

Aer Lingus Expands Reward Travel with Avios-Only Route

Feb 14, 2025 14:29 PM
A young woman wearing glasses, using a smartphone while working on a laptop at a creative workspace with art supplies

Expedia Introduces Flight Deals to Improve Travel Savings

Feb 14, 2025 11:33 AM
A solo traveler sitting by an airplane window with a backpack on their lap, gazing outside

Solo Travel on the Rise: How the Trend is Reshaping Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 08:45 AM
Frost-covered leaves lying on the ground

Prolonged Chill May Influence UK Travel Plans

Feb 14, 2025 05:28 AM

Wizz Air Expands Summer Travel Options with New Route

Feb 14, 2025 02:31 AM

Rail Disruptions Pose Challenges for Travelers Amid RMT Strike

Feb 13, 2025 23:36 PM
Emirates Airbus A380 taking off against a cloudy sky

Emirates Introduces Exclusive Valentine's Day Travel Experience

Feb 13, 2025 21:41 PM
Person tapping a card at a train station gate

Southeastern’s Silent Cuts: How Ticket Office Closures Are Reshaping Travel

Feb 13, 2025 19:29 PM
A commercial airplane parked on a busy Manchester airport tarmac

Escape the Cold: Top Winter Getaways in High Demand

Feb 13, 2025 17:33 PM
A cozy hotel room with sunlight filtering through sheer curtains, overlooking a cityscape

Hilton Expands Affordable Stays: More Budget-Friendly Hotels for Travelers

Feb 12, 2025 23:36 PM
Emirates Airbus A380 taking off under cloudy skies

Emirates Elevates Inflight Dining with Gourmet Cuisine

Feb 12, 2025 21:42 PM

Amsterdam's Infrastructure Overhaul: What It Means for Travelers

Feb 12, 2025 19:38 PM

Lufthansa Expands Premium Cabin Offering

Feb 12, 2025 17:21 PM
Woman with a backpack looking at cherry blossoms in front of a European-style building

Spring Travel Outlook 2025: Key Trends and Opportunities

Feb 12, 2025 15:43 PM
A silhouette of a traveler with a suitcase at an airport terminal, with a plane visible in the sky

Smart Luggage Choices: How to Avoid Travel Hassles and Lost Bags

Feb 12, 2025 12:45 PM