Now we have been journey running a blog and vlogging for the previous 15 years, and we have now had fairly a number of passports already. And over time, we have now additionally realized rather a lot about this most vital journey doc.

Query: When going out overseas, do you convey your passport along with your or depart it in your resort room? Which is the appropriate transfer? And what are the widespread errors individuals make with their passports? On this article, we’ll deal with all of that, together with some sensible ideas.

WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! In case your are touring quickly and nonetheless on the strategy planning stage, it’s also possible to go to our The Poor Traveler Masterlist. Right here, we compiled journey necessities, together with immigration necessities and all our really helpful motels 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 will you inform in case your passport is broken or mutilated? If it will get a small crease, does that rely as broken already? In accordance with 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 now not readable.
• The photograph on the bio web page is unclear, pale, 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 accordance with the airline, they consulted the Indonesian authorities, who didn’t settle for the passport, so the passenger was not allowed to board.

So be certain to take excellent care of your passport. And don’t simply depart them mendacity round the home. You probably have children and even pets — canines or cats, don’t place it someplace they’ll simply attain.

However how else can we defend it? Is it okay to purchase a passport sleeve?

2. Utilizing passport sleeve.

Right here’s a shaggy dog story — 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 have 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 shouldn’t be advisable, particularly the tight-fitting ones. Why? Listed here are two causes:

1. You’ll be requested to take away it throughout Immigration checks, each right here within the Philippines and in different nations. They often do that as a result of additionally they want to examine the passport.
2. Repeatedly eradicating your passport sleeve makes your passport extra susceptible to wreck, particularly should you’re in a rush. I do know somebody whose passport tore for pulling too exhausting 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 exhausting cowl. If it’s too tight, it may be exhausting to take off. A passport pockets or holder, however, acts extra like a container. You’ll be able to slip your passport out and in simply. As well as, it retains your passport safer should you by chance drops it.

We additionally use small plastic envelopes for additional safety, particularly in case of rain or unintended spills on my bag, at the least hindi mababasa ang passport. I choose 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 it’s also possible to discover comparable passport envelopes on-line!

3. Including an unofficial stamp.

Do you know that including a memento or tourism stamp to your passport shouldn’t be 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 turned 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 a variety of documented circumstances 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 a variety of stress on the airport by protecting 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 perhaps pondering, “Come on, that’s not a giant deal. I’ll signal it later if I neglect.” However the issue is, what should you’re not the one holding your passport while you want it? There are sophisticated circumstances 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 dwelling within the province. That point, visa purposes have 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. In fact, I couldn’t signal on behalf of that member of the family.

There are numerous comparable circumstances like this, however they’re simply avoidable. It’s a small however vital element, so be certain to signal your passport as quickly as you get it to avoid wasting your self (or a member of the family) the effort afterward.

5. Including stamps on Pages 4-5.

One other factor individuals typically overlook: Web page 4 and 5. Ideally, these pages shouldn’t be used for stamps or stickers that aren’t acceptable. Why? As a result of these pages are devoted to limitations and amendments.

There are particular notes and stamps reserved for these pages. In reality, 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 position 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 apprehensive 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 circumstances, immigration officers themselves stamped these pages.

Really, I additionally skilled this myself. An immigration officer as soon as stamped Web page 5 of my earlier passport. So it’s not likely a giant challenge, however for peace of thoughts, it’s finest to keep away from inserting stamps or stickers on these pages until they’re meant for that function — limitation or modification.

6. Not checking the expiry date.

You’d be shocked what number of vacationers neglect this half. Some nations, 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 function of this rule?

In accordance with VFS World, this coverage is in place to reduce the danger of vacationers overstaying visas or if an emergency extension turns into needed. It’s like a buffer. So at all times verify the expiry date of your passport earlier than you ebook 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. In case you are working out of pages, it’s finest to resume your passport.

7. Not having a backup copy.

It’s best to at all times have a backup copy — a digital model is ok. In case your passport will get misplaced or stolen, having no copy makes it rather a lot more durable for embassies and consulates to challenge a substitute.

Between embassy appointments, paperwork, and the emotional trauma of shedding an important doc in your bag, the very last thing you need is additional problems. So do your self a favor: snap a transparent photograph of your passport’s information web page, retailer it in your electronic 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 should you ever do.

8. Leaving your passport on the resort.

Or not? Bear in mind earlier, we requested: When going out overseas, do you convey your passport along with your or depart it in your resort room?

And while you search on-line, you’ll get very conflicting solutions as there are execs and cons to either side. Some say you must depart your passport on the resort as a result of there’s a better danger of shedding it should you convey 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 depends upon the nation. Having stated that, it’s actually vital to analysis the coverage of the nation you’re visiting, simply to be secure.

Word that many nations require you to have your passport with you while you exit. Like in Japan, for instance. That’s the legislation, so it is advisable 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 appear to be we’re as much as no good. Hahaha.

So for us, we choose to convey our passports to keep away from points, simply in case. We invested in a sturdy physique bag and, as we mentioned beforehand, preserve our passports in a transparent envelope for additional safety.

Sure, we feature our passport more often than not. I say “most” as a result of, to be sincere, there are cases that it makes far more sense to go away it behind. Instance, if we’re doing water actions for that day and I do know I’ll be leaving my stuff unattended in some unspecified time in the future, I received’t convey my passport. However these instances are uncommon. So as a rule, we actually do convey our passports with us.

We are able to’t discover any official advice from the Division of Overseas Affairs (DFA) about this, however personally, we’d reasonably have our passports with us. Additionally, should you occur to buy groceries, at the least you may avail of the tax-free perks.

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2025 11 6 – First uploaded