Passports are one of the most important documents needed when traveling abroad. However, because they are always carried everywhere when traveling, passports often experience damage, from light to heavy. Can a passport with light damage, such as a little torn and a little coffee stain, be used to enter another country?

Technically, there is no standard for the aviation world regarding damaged passports. However, most immigration offices and airlines do not have the same standard. But the point is, an invalid passport is usually due to a fake reason, cannot be permitted, and is illegible. Torn or missing pages, crossed out ink, or scratches on the page with the photo are signs to watch out for.

Airlines Can Assess Damaged Passports

n addition to the immigration office at the airport, airline officers can also determine whether someone can fly or not based on their passport. That is why many people cancel their flights because they are banned by airlines. Why can airlines determine this?

If passengers can board a plane even though their passports are damaged, the airline will suffer losses. This is because the airline is responsible for repatriating the passenger using the airline’s funds. So, rather than spending money to repatriate tourists whose passports are damaged, it is better to prohibit them from flying if their passports are slightly torn.

Each country’s policy is also different. For example, if a passport is slightly torn, some countries’ immigration offices will only give a warning, while other countries will not tolerate it. Countries such as Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, and the United States are known for their strict passport rules. A passport that is slightly torn, even if it is very small or folded, will certainly be rejected.

A few days ago, a viral post on social media where an elderly man who was going to Bali, Indonesia, was allegedly denied boarding a plane because his passport was torn. According to the statement, a Cebu Pacific ground staff took a photo of the passport and asked them to wait, because the passport would be sent to the immigration office in Bali to confirm whether the passport was still acceptable.

Even a small tear or unauthorized marking may be considered a damaged passport by foreign immigration authorities, which may result in denial of boarding or entry to the intended international destination,” Cebu Pacific wrote in a statement.