Passport staining for Indonesian immigration

[Edawg]

Hi all,
I'm positioning to Jakarta for return flights to Europe in a few weeks, and cracked out the passport to check all is well (being aware of how strict they are). I've noticed that on some pages there is light brown staining in some of the perforated passport numbers at the top of each page. Has anyone had experience through Indonesian immigration with this? Passport is otherwise in perfect condition, and has only been used twice since new, so not sure what it could be. Appreciate any advice.

 

[RooFlyer]

Indonesians used to be known for being quite strict about this. However, if you can use eGates then it shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Edawg]

Indonesians used to be known for being quite strict about this. However, if you can use eGates then it shouldn't be an issue.

Thanks RooFlyer. I'm travelling with 2 little ones, so not sure if that's an option?

 

[muppet]

isn’t the real problem airline checkin staff making their own determination?

 

[Pushka]

isn’t the real problem airline checkin staff making their own determination?

Yes, there's that too.

 

[trisreed]

Having the same issue and curious about its cause, I found this old thread (Passport perforation discolouration) which suggests it is 'laser burn' and you might be able to get a letter from the Passport Office to put your mind at ease.

 

[Edawg]

Having the same issue and curious about its cause, I found this old thread (Passport perforation discolouration) which suggests it is 'laser burn' and you might be able to get a letter from the Passport Office to put your mind at ease.

Thank for this. I've called the passprt office and was told "It's up to you if you want to risk it, we don't know what they'll say"...

 

[Scarlett]

I’ve entered Indonesia many times with that kind of discolouration and never had an issue.

 

[Edawg]

I’ve entered Indonesia many times with that kind of discolouration and never had an issue.

Thank you! I've just talked to some people in a Bali group I'm in, and apparently their NEW passports came like this, so a bit annoying that the passport office couldn't acknowledge that. Oh well! Appreciate your help

 

[jase05]

So to bump this thread.
I’ve been to Indonesia many times and never a hassle and have never noticed any damage to my passport previously but last night at MEL the TG check in agent noticed some very minor damage barely visible to the naked eye. As we were going to Jakarta we were taken aside and 90 minutes of to and fro between Thai airways staff in Bangkok and Indonesian immigration followed before eventually my tickets were issued but only after signing a waiver to let TG off the hook. Was a bit bizarre but with only 8 months to run on the passport this was its last trip anyway

 

[CaptJCool]

airline staff seem rather invested in finding passport flaws and pointing them out - I’m lookin at you Darwin airport