December 5, 2025 | 07:53 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Planning an overseas holiday? Ensuring your passport is in prime condition is essential. Even a minor oversight can render your document invalid, preventing you from boarding your flight and potentially costing you your tickets and bookings.
According to a report by Mirror.co.uk, here are seven crucial aspects of your passport you must verify before booking your international travel.
Critical Passport Checks Before International Trip
1. Expiry Date
Every passport has a validity period, typically between 5 and 10 years. You must confirm your destination country's policy:
- European Union (EU): Your passport must be valid for at least three months after your planned date of departure from the EU.
- Other Destinations: Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
2. Date of Issue
Beyond the expiry date, many countries, including popular EU destinations like Spain, Portugal, and Greece, require that your passport was issued less than 10 years ago. This is a separate requirement from the validity period and must be verified.
3. Water Damage
While minor splashes or slightly creased interior pages might be acceptable, any noticeable color change or distinct stains caused by water damage could lead to your passport being rejected during airline check-in or immigration control.
4. General Damage
Typical wear and tear is usually tolerated. However, any serious damage, such as torn or missing pages, will likely invalidate the document. This is especially true if the damage affects essential sections like visas, stamps, or the page containing your personal data.
5. Blank Pages
Ensure that your passport still contains several completely blank pages. Travel insurance experts at Tiger.co.uk warn that insufficient blank pages for entry/exit stamps or required visas can render your document invalid upon arrival.
6. Peeling Lamination
If the plastic lamination on the personal data page is lifting or peeling, it immediately raises suspicions of tampering. Even if the underlying information is still legible, it is strongly advised that you replace your passport promptly before traveling.
7. Visa Requirements
While Indonesian passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry into 76 countries, many other destinations require a visa as an official entry permit. Check the current list of countries requiring a visa, as this must be arranged in advance. Visas may take the form of adhesive stickers affixed to your passport pages or electronic visas (e-visas).
Read: US Passport Falls Out of Top 10 Strongest Passports
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