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| Tips for avoiding passport mistakes |
| by Brian Kelly |
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Hi everyone,
It’s true that I’m a pretty savvy traveler, but even I can make truly detrimental passport errors — and I almost did recently. It could have ruined my trip to Indonesia, but luckily, I caught it in time.
And it’s not just passport mistakes you need to worry about — it’s visa issues and other necessary documents you might need to enter the country that you aren’t aware of, which can deny you boarding or entry upon arrival.
For starters, my first suggestion is to always double-check the passports for yourself and everyone in your family when first planning a trip. Don’t wait until departure time. If anyone’s passport is near expiration, this gives you time to renew before your travel dates. This is especially important if you have kids, because children’s passports need to be renewed every five years, not every 10, like adult passports.
I also recommend getting your information from reliable sources, such as the U.S. Department of State or the official website of the country you’re visiting, rather than relying on AI. I also like traveldoc.aero, but I always double-check the information I find with other official sources just in case. I’ve heard horror stories about travelers relying on ChatGPT for passport and visa information and then being denied entry to certain countries. Don’t let this be you.
Below, I’ve listed some of the top passport and other international travel errors that people make (and that perhaps my travel companions or I have made) so you can ensure you won’t make the same ones.
No. 1: Not having enough blank pages in my passport
This is what almost ruined my recent trip to Indonesia. Certain countries require a specific number of blank pages in your passport (oftentimes, two), not including the endorsement pages, and can deny you entry if you don’t — Indonesia, South Africa, and Portugal are just a few of these countries.
You can no longer add pages to an existing passport, so make sure to check in advance and renew it if needed. You can figure out which countries require this by typing in the country here.
Tip: I often ask border agents to stamp on the side of a page or put the stamp on a page with other stamps. This way, my passport will fill up more slowly and still have blank pages, which can be a lifesaver when traveling to certain countries.
No. 2: Not having enough validity
Many countries require a passport with at least three months’ validity, and some require at least six months’ validity. Some countries are really strict, and others aren’t, but I personally wouldn’t mess around and test it.
This essentially means that, in many cases, your passport is valid for only 9.5 years (4.5 for kids). While that’s annoying, it’s all part of the fun of international travel. I recommend setting a calendar alert for nine years after you get your passport (four years for kids’ passports), so when the time comes, you’ll have plenty of time to renew it.
No. 3: Crumpled or damaged passport
Protect your passport with a cover or case. Don’t put it in your pocket, don’t sleep with it in your pocket on the plane and don’t let it go through the washer or dryer — you can be denied entry in certain countries, and I’ve seen it happen.
No. 4: Proof of onward travel and proof of funds
Some countries require proof of onward travel. I may be showing my age here, but to be safe, I always print my return flight ticket in case I’m asked for it. I don’t want to mess around trying to find a flight in my email or log in to an airline app on the spot.
You’ll want to check to ensure you have proof of funds, too. Some countries require this to enter.
No. 5: Visas and entry requirements
This may seem obvious, but check the country’s official website to ensure you have everything you need to enter, including any required visa or travel authorizations. Some documents need to be organized well in advance, though most (not all) can be done online. And certain countries that didn’t require visas for U.S. travelers now do (here’s a list).
Two most prominent ones are the U.K.’s recent electronic travel authorization requirement (ETA), where you can apply and pay online, and the upcoming ETIAS for the EU, which is reportedly delayed until 2027.
When applying for visas or completing required entry applications, always use official sources. For example, I’ve heard of people being charged and scammed on fake sites for a Thai arrival card, which is free when completed on the official site.
Bottom line
I’ll admit, I’ve almost had some major passport and visa mistakes in my travels, but I’m curious — is it just me? Feel free to share yours below.
Have a great weekend,
BK
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| Photo Credit: JONNO RATTMAN. |
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