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Common passport mistakes that could deny you entry
Global Desk | August 28, 2025 7:20 AM CST

Synopsis

When travelling abroad, travel isn’t just about visas or expiration dates that matter—the physical condition of your passport is crucial. Even minor damage like tears, water stains, peeling laminate, or dirt can result in denied entry or refusal at boarding. Some countries, like Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, and the UAE, enforce especially strict checks.

Traveling internationally requires more than just valid visa or expiration dates; the physical condition of your passport can be just as equally important. Even minor physical damages can result in denied entry, delayed processing, or refusal of boarding by airlines. Border authorities and airlines closely examine passports to ensure authenticity and compliance, and travelers should be aware that seemingly small issues can cause major problems and can result in significant travel complications.

Common Passport Mistakes to Avoid

  • Torn or Missing Pages: Damage to the bio-data page, which has your photo and personal details printed,raises suspicions.
  • Water or Liquid Damage: Exposure to water or other liquids can warp pages, blur text, or harm embedded electronic chips in modern passports.
  • Peeling Laminate or Binding Issues: Peeling laminate or damaged binding may be seen as tampering.
  • Stains and Dirt: Marks, smudges, or coffee stains on any part of the passport, particularly near the photo, can lead to denial of entry or boarding.

Countries with Stricter Passport Checks

  • Indonesia: Travelers have been refused entry for tears as small as a centimeter. Airlines may also deny boarding over minor damage.
  • Thailand and Vietnam: Authorities often reject passports with stains, peeling laminate, or dirty pages, particularly if the damage is near the photo section.
  • Australia: Visible cover damage, torn spines, or missing pages can prevent travel. Airlines frequently stop passengers before departure.
  • United Arab Emirates: Detached pages, creases, or binding issues can result in rejections. Airlines conduct careful pre-screening for UAE-bound travelers.
Airlines have strong incentives to identify damaged passports since they can face penalties for transporting passengers with invalid travel documents. Even seemingly minor issues such as coffee stains or faint watermarks have led to denied boarding for travelers.

Tips for Travelers

  • Inspect Your Passport Regularly: Check for tears, stains, peeling laminate, or other signs of damage before travel.
  • Use a Protective Cover: Helps prevent bending, moisture, and dirt.
  • Avoid Writing or Marking: Pens, stickers, or notes can cause suspicion with border authorities
  • Renew When Necessary: Replace passports nearing expiration or showing wear to avoid travel complications.

FAQs:

Q1. What is considered a damaged passport?
Tears, stains, peeling laminate, bent pages, or damaged spines.


Q2. Can minor stains cause denied entry?
Yes, even coffee or water stains may trigger inspection or refusal.

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