The five passport rules you need to follow to avoid being stopped from boarding

Holidaymakers are being warned of the passport rules they must follow to ensure they board their flight. Thousands of travellers face issues at airports each year due to their damaged passports.

Earlier this year, former Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison was not allowed to board her flight from Newcastle to Italy to view a wedding venue after her dog chewed her passport. If authorities are concerned about the validity of your passport, you could be held at the airport for further questioning - even if you have already reached your destination.

Director of eShores Gavin Lapidus said: "A passport is your gateway to the world, and even a little damage can result in complications at airport check-in desks. Most passports last ten years, during which they can expect some wear and tear.

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"When travelling, your passport is checked for damage, tampering, and validity, with damaged documents facing rejection, putting an end to your holiday." Minor scuffs and bent pages are generally accepted but you should replace your passport if there is significant damage, Mr Lapidus said.

He added: "If you’re concerned about passport damage, that’s usually a clear indication you may experience issues at the airport check-in. For peace of mind, you can contact the embassy for the country you’re visiting for clarity on what is acceptable damage.

"If you’re still worried, organise a replacement passport to ensure your holiday doesn’t come to a sudden, unexpected end before it’s even begun." Travel experts at eShores have now revealed their top tips to ensure your passport is not rejected at the airport.

Fun souvenirs

Novelty stamps might be fun but they could impact your travel if on your passport. Many tourist destinations and famous landmarks sell unofficial or novelty passport stamps.

But if you place these on or inside your passport, you could be rejected at the border as they are not officially recognised and may be considered alteration or defacement.

Water-damaged and stained passport

Passports with significant water damage are often deemed invalid for travel. You could run into problems if information is obscured or the laminate has started to lift, which sometimes indicates that a photograph can be changed.

The HM Passport Office says it considers passports with 'stains on the pages (for example, ink)' damaged. It warns UK tourists that they may not be able to travel with a stained passport.

Rips, tears and holes

A common misconception is that as long as all the information on your passport is visible and legible, it is acceptable to travel. with it. But this is not always the case.

Lifted laminate on the personal details page can cause rejections, even if the photograph and information can be easily viewed. This can be the same for passports with torn or defaced pages.

Holes and cuts are usually used to cancel old passports so they are unacceptable for a current passport. If the chip on the passport can be seen from the back cover, this can also lead to rejection.

A previous pass doesn’t guarantee entry

Some travellers believe that if their damaged passport has been accepted before, it will continue to be suitable for travel. But some countries and airports have strict regulations on the condition of your passport.

Bali, Vietnam, Qatar, Australia and the United States have stringent rules when it comes to damaged passports. It's important to note that a damaged passport can be rejected at any time and in any place.

Loose cover

Loose or detached passport covers or bindings are a common reason for refusal - even if the inside of your passport is in pristine condition. It could be a good idea to protect your passport with an external cover to limit the chance of damage, eShores said.