Brits jetting off on holiday are being warned to check their passports before going to the airport, or they could risk being denied boarding. This warning comes from travel experts after it was announced that the cost of renewing a passport will increase, reaching £94.50 per person. Travel insurance experts at Tiger.co.uk have named numerous essential checks you should make before jetting off this summer.
Tiger’s travel insurance expert Ian Wilson, says: “With passport fees increasing and queues likely getting longer this summer due to the introduction of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System, we urge holidaymakers to carry out essential passport checks now to avoid last-minute hassle and potentially being turned away at the airport. Post-Brexit travel changes are still confusing for many of us, so it’s important for Brits to familiarise themselves with the validity requirements before jetting off to Europe.”
Blank pages
Since Brexit, Brits have gotten their passports stamped every time they travel through the EU, meaning that frequent travellers are much more likely to run out of blank pages.
When travelling, you must have at least two blank passport pages. Otherwise, the document could be seen as invalid. Frequent travellers may want to opt for a jumbo passport when renewing.
Expiry date
When visiting many countries, your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of arrival, while this goes down to three months for many European countries.
Passports should also have been issued less than ten years ago, and children’s passports should have been issued five years ago.
Water damage
“If your passport has sustained water damage, you likely won’t be able to use it as a valid travel document” warns the travel pro.
“While minor exposure to water such as slightly crinkled page edges shouldn’t be an issue – further damage like smudged ink or discolouration can lead to delays or refusals at the border.”
Tears or rips in pages
Your passport will likely not be accepted at the border if it has any tears or rips in the pages, especially if they affect the personal details page or any visa stamps.
Laminate peeling
It’s not just tears and rips, damage to the laminate of your passport could also see you refused entry to a country once you have landed.
The experts explain: “If the laminate over the personal details page is lifting or peeling, it could raise suspicions of tampering. This is a common reason for passports being flagged or rejected so even if all the information is readable, it’s best to get your passport replaced to prevent any issues.”
Visas
Before heading off on holiday, tourists should familiarise themselves with the entry requirements of the country they’re travelling to and check if they will need any visas.