Entry Denied at Airport Due to a Single Stamp in Passport

Commemorative Stamps May Be Considered Passport Damage
"You Should Renew Your Passport Before Departure"

Passport photo unrelated to the article content. Pixabay

There has been a warning that commemorative stamps placed in passports without much thought can unexpectedly lead to entry being denied. Extra caution is required, as such stamps meant to mark a trip can actually invalidate the passport itself.

On the 5th (local time), the UK’s Daily Mail reported that unofficial commemorative stamps offered at major tourist attractions around the world?such as Machu Picchu in Peru and Checkpoint Charlie in Germany?have led to actual cases of travelers being refused entry.

In fact, according to the UK government’s guidelines, if a passport contains any scribbles, stains, or damage other than official immigration stamps, it may be considered a “damaged passport,” which can result in entry being denied. The US Department of State also clearly states that adding unofficial markings, such as commemorative stamps, is illegal and should never be done in a passport.

Jamie Fraser, director at US-based camping company Wildpacks, emphasized, “Placing commemorative stamps in your passport can invalidate the passport itself. A passport is an official document, and only authentication marks left by official agencies should be present inside.” He further recommended, “If you want to collect commemorative stamps, you should always use separate paper such as postcards, notepads, or a stamp book.”

Passport damage includes: ▲cases where the passport is visibly and severely damaged; ▲cases where there are scribbles, notes, or commemorative stamps; ▲cases where pages have been torn out or partially ripped; ▲cases where there are stains on the personal information page; and ▲cases where the passport cover is damaged. More detailed information can be found on the passport information website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In particular, in some countries, any unofficial writing in a passport may be interpreted as an attempt at forgery or even as a potential terrorist threat, which can result in travel bans at the border or even detention. Therefore, if any irregularities are found in your passport, it is advisable to apply for a replacement immediately.