Travel warning issued as Brits urged to check their passports before going on holiday

If you are planning on travelling abroad sometime this year or even in the far future, be sure to check this small detail in your passport that could stop your plans.

Travel warning issued as Brits urged to check their passports before going on holiday
© Ethan Wilkinson / Unsplash
Travel warning issued as Brits urged to check their passports before going on holiday

Since Brexit, quite a few changes have been made in order for Brits to travel abroad. There are now visas and new passport fees. The latest thing to check is very subtle and you’ve probably never thought to check it before.

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Blank passport pages

According to travel expert Cody Candee, you need to check if you have ‘blank passport pages’ before travelling to certain countries. But which pages need to be blank and more importantly, why?

Candee said, as reported by Express:

If you run out of blank passport pages you will have to renew your passport sooner than your renewal date.

You need blank pages in your passport for the visa stamps. Indeed, some countries require a specific number of blank pages in order to validate your visa.

Read more:

New British passport fees and EU visas are coming, here's what you need to know

Important travel warning issued before you book your holidays this year

This passport rule could stop you from entering certain countries, here's how to check

Which countries require blank pages?

Some of the countries that require blank visa pages in your passport are in the European Union, such as Italy and Spain, where you will need either one or two blank pages depending.

Other countries such as South Africa require two blank visa pages for a valid entry. Some countries require a surprising six blank pages for entry, such as Brunei or Namibia.

So if you are planning on travelling and require a visa to enter the country, be sure to check the required number of blank pages needed to avoid any unnecessary delays or costs. Indeed if you don’t have the right number, you could be denied entry and forced to fly home.

A home office spokesperson said, as reported by The Guardian:

If you are going to a country where you need a visa, you should find out during the application process how many blank pages you need.

Sources used:

Express: 'Britons urged to check passport's 'blank pages' to avoid travel chaos and save money'

The Guardian: 'Passport expiry dates and blank pages: what are the rules?'

US Passport Service Guide: 'How Many Passport Pages Do You Need To Travel?'

Travel warning issued for Brits going to Spain for their summer holidays Travel warning issued for Brits going to Spain for their summer holidays