"Wear and tear is okay most of the time," says William Lee, a travel agent at Chima Travel. "However, any sort of damage to the passport does introduce the possibility that an airline or country refuses entry." This highlights the importance of ensuring your passport is in good condition before traveling, as even minor damage can lead to complications.
The U.S. Department of State says that "normal 'wear and tear' such as folded pages or a small bend do not count as damage." However, immigration officers in other countries might have stricter definitions, making it crucial for travelers to recognize the potential discrepancies.
The State Department considers significant damage to be "stains from a liquid, a significant tear, unofficial markings on the data page, missing visa pages (torn out), or a hole punch." This underscores that the condition of the data page is especially important for your passport's validity.
If you aren't sure if your passport damage is considered normal wear and tear, play it safe and get a new one. Being proactive about passport condition can prevent last-minute travel hassles.
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