It is estimated that every year the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issues over 7,370 emergency passports to Australians who are travelling abroad.
For many Australians, they are focused on planning the intricacies of their journey, rather than worrying about their passport. This could lead to a lot of anxiety especially if your passport is close to expiring or is damaged.
Don’t find yourself in a situation where you are one of those people who have to apply for an emergency passport.
In an effort to save you from having to go through the hassle of applying for an emergency passport while on holiday, keep the following things in mind.
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Always be Mindful of the Expiration Date on your Passport
Every country has their own unique rules for granting foreign travellers entry. Some require foreign travellers to have a passport that won’t expire in six months; others require that the passport won’t expire in three months while others don’t have a preference as long as you have a return trip planned before your passport expires.
A good rule of thumb is to assume that a passport is invalid if it will expire in less than six months. When you think this way, you will renew your passport in plenty of time and never face the possibility of being denied entry to a country while you are on holiday.
Don’t Let Your Passport Get Damaged
The tiniest rip or wrinkle in your Australian passport could make it invalid. That isn’t a huge concern when you are at home, but if you are travelling overseas and that happens you could find yourself having to apply for an emergency passport.
In an effort to keep your passport from being damaged, keep the following tips in mind:
- Do not store your passport in your back pocket. This can cause the passport to wrinkle or tear. It can also put undue stress on the cover.
- Be mindful of where you store your passport. Many travellers stick their passport in a carry-on bag or in a purse. Unfortunately, passports stored in these places can get water damaged, dirty, bent or even tear.
- Consider purchasing a passport protector. This will keep your passport safe and prevent any damage from occurring.
- Replace the passport if it is looking worn. It is better to replace it when you don’t need it than find yourself travelling abroad and the passport gets damaged.
Follow these suggested tips and you will find that your next international holiday is stress-free.
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