should i get a new passport

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

last trip i had a bit of an accident where some sticky lollies got onto a blank page of my passport.

in cleaning it up i rubbed a bit of a hole (like 1/3 the size of a small finger nail) in the page.

my next trips are going to be to japan for 10 days and then USA / Mexico for 3 weeks.

Will it be an issue for them? I don't really feel like spending $200 for a new passport, but then I only have about 4 pages left in this one - hence me trying to clean up the spare page :shock:

 

[JohnK]

I don't think it will be an issue if the passport is still machine readable.

 

[Mal]

If the damage is as you've said, then I don't think it will cause any problems. I'm presuming there's no smearing or anything similar that could look like you've "erased" a stamp?

U.S.A are the ones most liable to give it extra scrutiny, but it depends if they actually notice the problem page. In a fairly full passport, often they don't even really flick through it. Keep in mind they'll staple the visa waiver card to the passport, so are used to seeing small tears etc.

Japan might even be nice and paste their sticker over the hole

 

[tuapekastar]

Is your current passport chipped (i.e. allowing Smartgate use)? With only 4 pages left it may be a suitable time to get a chipped one.

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

It's chipped

i think i'll just use this one up as i'mnot sure what my travel will be like next year. somehow i don't think i'll be having 3 international holidays again...unless the powerball numbers tonight drop in my favour :mrgreen: