Passport Etiquette: The Do's and Don't's of your passport

Nowadays, travel is one of the bucket list of many people either domestic and international. Wanting to see, explore, and experience the best of their destination from scenic places to local cuisines. Some Filipinos wanted to travel internationally and having a passport is a vital prior to your dream destination. Whether you are frequent or occasional traveller we must always take care of our passport as it may ruined your trip.

Using a Muji EVA Clear Case for my Passport

Here are some of my do's and don't's in taking care of your passports;

DO's ✅✅✅:

1. Always keep your passport in a secure and dry place. Storing it with a liquid may cause unexpected leaks, cause distortion of your passport details. especially in biographical page. If cannot be avoided, secure your passport with a ziplock. I keep my passport secure by using a Muji's EVA Clear Case. Using a passport cover is fine, but make sure it can easily be removed. There will be instances that the border control officer may check the integrity of the presented passport. Avoid touching / holding your passports with wet / greasy hands as well.

2. Always check your passport if has an ample validity in your travel. As stipulated in the DFA website, each traveler must have more than six (6) months validity from the date of your departure (make it 1 year just to be sure). Less than that will not allow you to go out of the country. I think passport extension is no longer given to all holders unless DFA sees your reason is exceptionally valid. DFA allows holders to renew your passport a year ahead of your expiration to prevent travel inconvenience. Passports recently issued by DFA were given ten (10) years validity except for minors.

3. After your travel, make sure to remove tax refunds / travel information attached to your passports as it may turn your passport bulky and susceptible for page creases and worst, being torn.

4. While traveling abroad, always put your passport in your bag, not in your pockets. I would recommend using a small sling bag for your cash and passport. Don't forget to make photocopies of your passport and visas with you. In case of lost, make a police report and immediately report to the Philippine Embassy or Consulate General to facilitate an emergency passport.

5. When your travel requires a visa and the visa is in your old passport, I think it's better to carry only the old passport with a valid visa of your destination. Because many travelers are bringing their old passports since when they are young. For me, It's too bulky to carry more than 5 passport every time you go out of the country. Philippine Immigration Officer already knew you are a frequent traveler once you presented your passport.

DON'T'S ❎❎❎:

1. Do not write any thing in your passport except in pages 3 (holder's signature) and 44 (Emergency details). Only Immigration officers are allowed to stamp and write into your passports. In some cases, merchants in your destination might put receipts in your passport for Tax-free purposes. Have you heard a news that a child deliberately turned his father's passport into a sketchbook and stuck in South Korea? If you haven't, click here.

2. Do not use stapler wires in combining your new and old passports. Newer passports has chip embedded to our passports (DFA will never disclose the location of chip within the passport). Once we accidentally hit the chip, border officer will be unable to read it and we might be suspected of falsified document regardless you are holding an authentic one. Use thin and elastic rubber band instead. Some people use "sanrio" rubber bands. They are thin, but not elastic.

3. Do not attempt to travel when your passport has major signs of mutilation. Immigration officers will not allow you to leave the country. You have to replace your passport first.

4. Avoid posting pictures of your passport details and visas in internet. Fraudulent acts is rampant in cyberspace and social media is one of them. They will use your details to hack bank accounts or use your details for identity fraud.

TAKE NOTE ⛔⛔⛔:

After your trip, make sure to properly dispose your print out tickets and boarding passes. Details on these documents can use to hack on your itinerary details and credit card (if purchased online) and avoid posting it on social media as well.