These passport damages and detail errors can affect your travel plans

Most people believe that applying for a passport is a difficult task. However, maintaining the passport, without causing any damage to it, is also important. Many people have shared on social media how they were unable to board a plane or were denied entry into a country due to certain damage to their passport. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the passport remains clean and in proper condition. Even minor damage to the passport could lead to a troublesome travelling experience. Here are some important passport rules to keep in mind.

Folded pages
A passport with damaged or folded pages could hinder your travel plans. You may be refused entry in the US, UK and Schengen countries if the pages in your passport have been torn, wet or damaged in any other way. Besides, airlines can also deny boarding to a passenger citing a damaged passport.

Validity
A passport should always have a validity of at least six months left while travelling abroad. Countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and the UAE have set six months as the minimum validity for visitor passports. The passport should have at least six months' validity remaining from the date of arrival in the country. So, the passport requires minimum validity even if you are in a foreign country for a very short visit.

No scratches or holes
Some embassies or immigration officers refuse to proceed with the immigration process if a small hole or tiny scratches are found near the passenger’s photograph in the passport. Even such minute scratches would be considered as damage to the passport.

Blank pages for stamping visa
There should be at least two to four blank pages in the passport for stamping a visa while travelling abroad. Countries like South Africa insist that there should be two consecutive blank pages for visa stamping. The passenger would be denied entry in this country if two consecutive blank pages are not found in the passport.

No spectacles
The United States of America and some other countries have not permitted spectacles on photographs in passports since November 2016. This law has been implemented as spectacles may alter your appearance or cause a glare on the photo, making it challenging to identify the facial features of the passport holder.

Kids’ passport
Kids’ passports are likely to expire sooner than an adult’s passport. The validity of a child's passport, under 16 years, is five years. Meanwhile, adults’ passports are valid for up to ten years. Short validity period of kids’ passports often causes inconvenience while travelling abroad.

Dual nationality
Some people may own two passports as they enjoy dual citizenship. Therefore, it is advisable to use the passport issued by the country you intend to enter. For instance, an Indian citizen can enter India only by using the passport issued by the Indian government.

No entry
Some countries may deny entry to travellers whose passport has a visa stamped by certain countries. Therefore, be cautious when selecting countries to visit.

Do not use lost passports
Passports that have been reported lost cannot be used again even if you manage to find them. The passport would lose its validity if it has been reported as lost or stolen. So, applying for a new passport is the best option.