Disregarded Facts About U.s. Passport Pages

For the international traveler, a passport really does mean access to a large number of things

, from foreign countries to bank transactions and hotel bookings. Ask anyone who has lost a passport abroad and tried to do any of those. It can be done, but only after jumping through some irritating hoops. You see, passport pages are just as important for entering and leaving countries, as well as proving your travel history. A few overlooked facts about these pages can save you grief and ensure a good trip.

While traveling, your passport is undergoing the same hardships you are. When you get caught in the rain, so does your passport. In an attempt to protect your passport from thieves, it might get crumpled up. To avoid this, be careful of where you store it and get a passport cover. This way, your pages will not become tattered and look suspicious to border officials. The extra inspection time can cost you travel time.

Even the most cautious traveler, however, will eventually run out of passport pages. This may not seem like such a big deal, but some countries require a certain number of pages for entry. Often, they require more space than their visa will take up in order to ensure you have enough room for entry and exit stamps as well. If your passport is still relatively empty, there are some strategies you can use to optimize the remaining space.

The easiest way to maximize the use of your pages is to point out where you would like the official to stamp upon entry. This can be a sticky business and might earn you some glares. However, if you politely approach officials in most countries and briefly explain that you are running out of pages, they usually will. If they don't, just drop it, as these are not people you want to alienate. Over the long run, though, avoiding stamps that take up two boxes can really make the most of the space you have.

Running out of space does not necessarily mean you have to get a new passport. Check with your embassy to see if additional pages can be added. Most embassies do this for free or for a small fee and the turn-around time tends to be short. Most countries allow their citizens to add pages a few times, but do not just assume you can do it infinitely. Check the limits first and go in early.

More than a simple travel document, these stamps often serve as instant souvenirs for travelers. However, if you lose or damage your passport, your memories and travel records will be lost. Make copies before you leave so you will have those records no matter what happens.

Similarly, you may be shocked to find out that many countries do not return damaged United States passports. They keep them and destroy them as a security measure. This is just another reason to have a copy for your records. Do not consider taking the pages out and keeping them. A lot of countries will view this as an illegal manipulation of an official document.

by: Ben Pate

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