Do you have a dream that you can travel all over the world to enjoy different cultures and beautiful scenery? It will be exciting and awesome if you really make it happen. Of course, there are some important things you need to consider. Apart from having to prepare enough money to pay for tickets, you must hold a valid passport. A passport is the common recognizable official document that can prove your identity. In addition, every country has different rules on how many blank passport pages you need in your passport. In this article, we will help you figure out how many blank pages you need to travel.
Why are there blank pages on the passport?
According to the rules, in addition to the data pages to verify the identity of the holder, blank pages are usually used to be stamped when entering a foreign country and again upon leaving, such as Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, etc. It will provide a record of your travels to other countries so that you can’t stay longer than permitted.
How many blank pages do you need in your passport?
It depends on which country you travel to. Each country has different requirements for how many blank passport pages for travelers, so you should search for them before you arrive. Here is the list of mandatory blank pages by region.
1 blank passport page required before arrival
United Kingdom, Canada, Morocco, Mexico, United States, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Afghanistan, Iran, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Syria, Israel, Australia and Japan.
2 blank passport pages required before arrival
China, Germany, India, Italy, Indonesia, Singapore, South Africa, Pakistan, Norway and Russia
3 blank passport pages required before arrival
Botswana, Mozambique, Madagascar and Zambia.
6 blank passport pages required before arrival
Brunei and Namibia (The reason why Namibia needs most blank pages to go is that the Namibian stamp occupies almost a whole page. Besides, they will stamp an additional page if you want to extend your stay in Namibia.)
There are different requirements for blank passport pages when you go to different countries. If you fail to meet these needs, you may be denied boarding a plane or entering border control. Therefore, you must ensure that you have enough blank passport pages required before arrival.
What if I travel to multiple countries?
If you plan to visit many countries on your trip, you need to add the number of blank passport pages of each country together. For example, if you are a U.S. citizen and want to travel to Japan(1) > India(2) > Brunei(6), you must keep at least 9 empty passport pages during your trip. Otherwise, your travel will be suspended or canceled due to insufficient blank passport pages.
Which passport should I choose?
Although we have just mentioned that you may need many blank pages in your passport for your multi-country trip, it depends on your unique circumstances. Of course, the more blank pages in your passport, the more countries you can go to. Here you can see the type of passport. In the United States, there is a standard 28-page passport book with 17 blank pages for visa stamps. Or you can choose a non-standard 52-page passport book with 43 blank pages. If you are a UK citizen, there are two main passport sizes: the standard passport with 34 pages, and the jumbo passport with 50 pages. If you are a frequent traveler due to business or multi-country travel, it is better for you to choose a passport booklet with more blank pages.
What can I do if I run out of pages in my passport?
Unfortunately, you just find that you run out of pages in your passport before your trip. You are not allowed to enter other countries you plan to visit if you don’t have enough empty pages. Just calm down. You can replace it or apply for a new one online. By doing this, you can get enough new blank passport pages to travel to other countries.
Can I add passport pages?
No. The United Kingdom and the United States previously allowed passport holders to add pages. But they don’t do it anymore. If there are no more blank pages left, you need to apply for a new passport to get new blank pages at your destination’s embassy.
How to save more blank pages in your passport?
Border agents love to stamp a new page every time they see one. However, if you need to use a few pages to visit many countries on the same long trip, you can put a sticky note on your new blank page on your passport, telling them not to stamp it there. This can help you save space on the visa stamp for the next country. Some border agents can understand this and stamp it on a used page.
Can I travel with a valid passport for less than 6 months?
You should not do this. You must check the expiry date of your passport before planning your trip. Your passport must be valid for more than 6 months prior to your departure for international travel. It also depends on which country you go to and how long you stay in the country. But it’s better for you to keep a long validity when you travel to other countries to avoid other unnecessary problems.
Other Information
When you travel to the European Union, this blank page rule applies only to the first country you enter. If you travel freely between these countries, such as Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, and Italy, your passport will not be stamped – except in Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria, and Croatia.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of which countries passport you hold, blank pages in your passport are essential to consider when entering other countries. You must make sure that you have enough blank pages for entry & existing and for any visa requirements. For convenience, it’s better for you to get a passport book with more blank pages.
Dolores Xiao