If you’re heading off on holiday in the next couple of weeks, there’s one vital passport check that you must carry out before travelling. Failing to do this might see you turned away at the border – even if your passport or visa is still valid. 

It’s common knowledge that your passport has to be in date in order for you to travel. But what a lot of people don’t realise is that the condition of their document can be just as critical. According to Experience Travel Group, worn corners, tears, water damage or even loose pages can result in refusal of entry.

Border officials are trained to look for signs of damage, tampering, or wear and tear that could make a passport unreadable or raise doubts about its authenticity.

And they have the final say – so even with a valid visa and an in-date passport, they can still refuse you entry if they believe the document is damaged. Airlines also carry out checks before boarding and can deny travel altogether if they suspect your passport will be rejected when you arrive at your destination. 

Some places are stricter than others. For example, the US border officers rely heavily on biometric scanning and machine-readable zones. If the passport chip cannot be read, or if the data page is scratched, smudged, or water damaged, the document may be deemed invalid.

Why are damaged passports not accepted? 

Passports contain advanced security features, including chips, holograms and machine-readable codes. Damage to these parts can make it hard for scanners to confirm if the document is authentic or not. 

As well as this, border officers are trained to look for signs of tampering or forgery. A tear in the data page, a water stain over the laminate, or a separated spine could suggest that the passport has been doctored.

Even if the damage is accidental, officials are unlikely to take the risk, especially when it comes to countries with strict rules on immigration. 

What happens if my passport is damaged? 

Being denied entry to your destination can lead to thousands of pounds lost in non-refundable flights, hotels and tours.

Airlines may also refuse boarding if they believe your passport will not pass inspection, which could leave you stranded at the airport. Emergency passport appointments are available in many countries, but they are expensive and not always available immediately.

And some places don’t accept emergency travel documents at all, which could mean your trip is scrapped altogether.

Renewing a standard UK passport currently costs just under £90 online or £100 by paper application. If you’re worried about the state of your passport before going on holiday, it’s best to just renew it, just to be on the safe side.