Checking your passport before traveling is a critical step that you should pay attention to, in particular, its validity and the correctness of the data provided. Find out more about how to avoid trouble and ensure a successful border crossing

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With the beginning of the holiday season, many people have started preparing for a long-awaited trip and vacation. However, when planning, you should carefully check whether your documents, including your passport, are in order. Here are the common mistakes travelers make that may result in you not being allowed through passport control.

A damaged or invalid passport can ruin your vacation plans. To avoid such troubles, you need to check your documents carefully.

Read how to learn a new language before moving abroad here.

Pay attention to the validity of the passport

The document must be valid for at least three months after the planned date of travel. 

Also, pay attention to the expiration date of the 10-year period from the date of issue of your passport. This is especially important if you have purchased tickets in advance. During this time, your passport may become invalid and you will be denied entry.

Insufficient number of pages 

Make sure you have at least two extra pages for new stamps and visas. 

Some countries, such as Italy, require a completely blank page for their stamp. 

Border guards can stamp on any free space, either at the beginning of the page you started or on a new page.

Check if your passport is not damaged

A passport is valid for 10 years, so minor wear and tear will not prevent you from passing airport or border control. However, if your personal data or pages of the document are illegible, you may be denied entry. 

A torn passport is also considered invalid, as well as a passport in which your security information cannot be recognized or which has a faulty biometric chip.

In addition, a document with torn, cut or painted pages will not be accepted. Therefore, if your dog chewed on your passport or your child decided to fill it in with colorful drawings instead of the border guard, it is better to replace it. 

For future reference, it is recommended to keep the document out of the reach of children and animals, and to purchase a cover to reduce its wear and tear.

Remember that the condition of your passport is your responsibility. Check it before you leave to avoid trouble and ensure a smooth border crossing.

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Update your personal data in time

Particular attention should be paid to the change of surname by women who have married. 

You need to be careful and change your passport within 1 month after changing your last name. This is especially important if you have booked flight tickets in advance using your previous personal data. 

Choose a good photo for your documents

Often, airport employees may have questions about discrepancies between the appearance of the person and the photo in the passport.

It is recommended that you choose a photo that is not too bright and not too different from your real appearance. It is especially important to avoid overly showy photos in documents and to leave such images for use on social media.

Take care of your own safety while traveling

The most important thing to have when traveling is travel insurance.

Even a minor cold can cost you a tidy sum abroad: calling an ambulance, going to the doctor, and getting tested are usually very expensive for foreigners. Therefore, before you leave, make sure to purchase an insurance policy, as it is a guarantee of your safety and a peaceful stay outside Ukraine.

In order to avoid troubles abroad and to be calm for yourself and your loved ones, we recommend taking out health insurance in advance.

We remind you! Citizens of Ukraine have the right to visit more than 90 countries without a visa. Learn more about the general rules of visa-free travel, what documents are required and which countries Ukrainians can travel to without a visa here.

All the necessary information for traveling to any country in the world: a list of documents, rules and specifics of entry, contacts of embassies and consulates and other relevant foreign authorities are collected on our Visit Ukraine website - just select the country you are interested in.

The most dangerous countries in the world in 2023 - read here.

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Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.