We’ve got been journey running a blog and vlogging for the previous 15 years, and we’ve got had fairly a couple of passports already. And through the years, we’ve got additionally discovered loads about this most vital journey doc.
Query: When going out overseas, do you deliver your passport together with your or depart it in your resort room? Which is the precise transfer? And what are the widespread errors folks make with their passports? On this article, we’ll deal with all of that, together with some sensible suggestions.
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! In case your are touring quickly and nonetheless on the starting stage, you may also go to our The Poor Traveler Masterlist. Right here, we compiled journey necessities, together with immigration necessities and all our advisable resorts and excursions. Simply go to this web page: TPT Masterlist. Then, scroll till you see the part about Taiwan. We even have a compilation for different locations world wide.
1. Damaging your passport.
How are you going to inform in case your passport is broken or mutilated? If it will get a small crease, does that depend as broken already? Based on DFA, a passport is taken into account broken or mutilated if:
- The passport’s information web page is unreadable, or any data is eliminated, erased, or coated.
- The passport chip is damaged or not readable.
- The picture on the bio web page is unclear, light, or has doubtful high quality.
- Some pages are lacking.
- The booklet’s hardcover is indifferent.
- The booklet’s binding has come undone.
- It has been soaked or submerged in water.
- Ink from stamps and visas has smudged or unfold.
Earlier this 12 months, a narrative a few traveler whose passport acquired a small tear and was denied boarding by the airline went viral. However in response to the airline, they consulted the Indonesian authorities, who didn’t settle for the passport, so the passenger was not allowed to board.
So be sure that to take excellent care of your passport. And don’t simply depart them mendacity round the home. When you have children and even pets — canines or cats, don’t place it someplace they’ll simply attain.
However how else can we shield it? Is it okay to purchase a passport sleeve?
2. Utilizing passport sleeve.
Right here’s a joke — I really acquired a passport sleeve from the DFA itself after I utilized for my passport greater than 15 years in the past, again after they had been nonetheless within the previous DFA constructing. This was manner earlier than the ASEANA web site opened.
However right here’s the factor: utilizing a passport sleeve is just not advisable, particularly the tight-fitting ones. Why? Listed below are two causes:
- You’ll be requested to take away it throughout Immigration checks, each right here within the Philippines and in different international locations. They often do that as a result of additionally they want to examine the passport.
- Repeatedly eradicating your passport sleeve makes your passport extra inclined to wreck, particularly for those who’re in a rush. I do know somebody whose passport tore for pulling too arduous whereas eradicating the sleeve. That’s after I realized that it’s actually not a good suggestion.
To be clear, what we don’t suggest is the passport sleeve. What we really use is a passport pockets or passport holder. So, what’s the distinction?
A passport sleeve/cowl is the place you insert the entrance or again (or each) passport arduous cowl. If it’s too tight, it may be arduous to take off. A passport pockets or holder, then again, acts extra like a container. You possibly can slip your passport out and in simply. As well as, it retains your passport safer for those who by chance drops it.
We additionally use small plastic envelopes for further safety, particularly in case of rain or unintended spills on my bag, at the least hindi mababasa ang passport. I want clear ones, so I can simply verify my passport inside.
I purchased mine in Conan City in Japan and has a Detective Conan design as a result of I’m a giant fan! However you may also discover comparable passport envelopes on-line!
3. Including an unofficial stamp.
Do you know that including a memento or tourism stamp to your passport is just not a good suggestion? Though slapping unofficial stamps or stickers into your passport would possibly really feel like a cheeky journey memento, some immigration officers or check-in brokers can see it as passport vandalism.
At one level, I grew to become responsible of this. In Monaco and San Marino, I added unofficial stamps to my then-current passport. Fortunately, nothing dangerous occurred to me. I coated them with official Philippine entry stickers. However there have been quite a lot of documented instances world wide whereby a traveler was not allowed to board the flight or to clear the immigration due to this. So save your self from quite a lot of stress on the airport by conserving it pristine and simply having official stamps.
For those who really need memento stamps, add it on different paper or pocket book or previous expired passports. Don’t be like me!
4. Forgetting to signal the Signature Web page.
Right here’s one thing many individuals don’t discover: Web page 3 of your passportis the Signature Web page. It’s small and simple to overlook or overlook. However sure, on the backside of Web page 3, there’s a line the place you must signal. It even signifies, “Not legitimate until signed.”
You is likely to be considering, “Come on, that’s not a giant deal. I’ll signal it later if I overlook.” However the issue is, what for those who’re not the one holding your passport if you want it? There are sophisticated instances like this.
This really occurred to me after I was making use of for a Japan visa. The Japanese embassy may be very strict. They actually require a signature. I used to be making use of in Manila for a member of the family whose passport was unsigned and who was residing within the province. That point, visa functions had been nonetheless processed by journey businesses. The company I went to refused to simply accept it as a result of the passport was not signed. After all, I couldn’t signal on behalf of that member of the family.
There are various comparable instances like this, however they’re simply avoidable. It’s a small however vital element, so be sure that to signal your passport as quickly as you get it to save lots of your self (or a member of the family) the trouble in a while.
5. Including stamps on Pages 4-5.
One other factor folks typically overlook: Web page 4 and 5. Ideally, these pages shouldn’t be used for stamps or stickers that aren’t applicable. Why? As a result of these pages are devoted to limitations and amendments.
There are particular notes and stamps reserved for these pages. In truth, you’ll discover the label on the web page itself — Limitations, after which, Amendments. And even again when the Philippines nonetheless issued arrival stickers, airports had indicators reminding vacationers to put them solely from Web page 6 onwards.
We first shared this on Instagram, Fb, and Tiktok. And after we posted about this, many individuals acquired anxious as a result of their passports had stamps or stickers on these pages. Some requested if their passports can be canceled or invalidated due to it. In all probability not. In some instances, immigration officers themselves stamped these pages.
Truly, I additionally skilled this myself. An immigration officer as soon as stamped Web page 5 of my earlier passport. So it’s probably not a giant concern, however for peace of thoughts, it’s greatest to keep away from inserting stamps or stickers on these pages until they’re meant for that objective — limitation or modification.
6. Not checking the expiry date.
You’d be shocked what number of vacationers overlook this half. Some international locations, together with the Philippines, require your passport to be legitimate for at the least six months. Even when it technically hasn’t expired, you may nonetheless be denied boarding.
Once more, this rule doesn’t apply solely within the Philippines. However what’s the objective of this rule?
Based on VFS World, this coverage is in place to reduce the chance of vacationers overstaying visas or if an emergency extension turns into mandatory. It’s like a buffer. So all the time verify the expiry date of your passport earlier than you guide your flights.
And ensure additionally that you simply have sufficient clean pages when touring and making use of for a visa! Some embassies require at the least two clean pages. If you’re operating out of pages, it’s greatest to resume your passport.
7. Not having a backup copy.
You need to all the time have a backup copy — a digital model is ok. In case your passport will get misplaced or stolen, having no copy makes it loads more durable for embassies and consulates to concern a alternative.
Between embassy appointments, paperwork, and the emotional trauma of shedding crucial doc in your bag, the very last thing you need is further issues. So do your self a favor: snap a transparent picture of your passport’s information web page, retailer it in your e mail or cloud drive, and perhaps print one to maintain in your baggage. You’ll hope you by no means want it, however you’ll thank your self for those who ever do.
8. Leaving your passport on the resort.
Or not? Keep in mind earlier, we requested: When going out overseas, do you deliver your passport together with your or depart it in your resort room?
And if you search on-line, you’ll get very conflicting solutions as there are execs and cons to each side. Some say you must depart your passport on the resort as a result of there’s a better threat of shedding it for those who deliver it with you. Others suggest having it with you always in case you want it. So, what’s actually the most effective plan of action?
We predict it will depend on the nation. Having mentioned that, it’s actually vital to analysis the coverage of the nation you’re visiting, simply to be protected.
Notice that many international locations require you to have your passport with you if you exit. Like in Japan, for instance. That’s the regulation, so it’s essential observe it. In our case, we regularly get randomly checked, even after we’re simply casually strolling round. It occurred to us in Hong Kong, and in addition in Greece. I don’t know why — perhaps we seem like we’re as much as no good. Hahaha.
So for us, we want to deliver our passports to keep away from points, simply in case. We invested in a sturdy physique bag and, as we mentioned beforehand, hold our passports in a transparent envelope for further safety.
Sure, we stock our passport more often than not. I say “most” as a result of, to be trustworthy, there are cases that it makes rather more sense to depart it behind. Instance, if we’re doing water actions for that day and I do know I’ll be leaving my stuff unattended sooner or later, I received’t deliver my passport. However these occasions are uncommon. So most of the time, we actually do deliver our passports with us.
We will’t discover any official advice from the Division of International Affairs (DFA) about this, however personally, we’d fairly have our passports with us. Additionally, for those who occur to buy groceries, at the least you may avail of the tax-free perks.
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2025 11 6 – First uploaded