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Damaged Passports Trigger Travel Nightmares in 2025
27 Aug
Summary
- Even minor passport damage like stains can lead to denied entry
- Airlines face penalties for transporting passengers with invalid documents
- Strict passport checks enforced by countries like Indonesia, Thailand, UAE
As of August 2025, international travelers face a new challenge beyond just securing valid visas and expiration dates - the physical condition of their passports has become equally important. According to recent reports, even minor damage such as tears, stains, peeling laminate, or bent pages can result in denied entry, delayed processing, or refusal of boarding by airlines.
Border authorities and airlines have been enforcing stricter checks to ensure the authenticity and compliance of travel documents. This is because they face penalties for transporting passengers with invalid passports. Seemingly small issues like coffee stains or faint watermarks have led to numerous travelers being denied boarding in the past year.
Certain countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, and the UAE, have been especially vigilant in their passport inspections. Travelers must be aware that their passports need to be in pristine condition to avoid significant complications during their international journeys in 2025.
