The passport stamps you don’t want to get – they could ruin your future holidays
FOR some people, getting a stamp in their passport is an added highlight of their holiday, but you may not be aware of the negative effect it can have on your future trips.
If you’re trying to enter a country, but the border guards see that you have been to certain places, you could be interrogated, or even denied entry and sent back home.
That’s why some countries will request a travel history before they issue visas to any visitors, as part of their vetting process.
Stuff NZ explained how “territorial disputes, wars, and long-running geopolitical chess games” could scupper people’s getaways.
They said: “Intrepid or uneducated tourists could find themselves rejected, removed or remorselessly interrogated if your passport or itinerary documents show signs of visiting states that are in conflict with one another.”
One such problem could arise for travellers who have been to Cuba and want to visit America.
A decision made by former president Donald Trump designated the Caribbean nation a “terrorist-aiding state”.
As a result, you’ll not be able to get a USA e-visa if you’ve been to Cuba since January 12, 2021.
Instead, you’ll have to apply for a B2 visa and have an interview at the a US embassy, for around £150.
Other nations’ stamps can cause problems, including some in parts of the Middle East.
Those who have visited Iran as a tourist will have the same problems when applying to get into the USA.
Fortunately, the Iranian government stopped stamping passports in 2019, meaning it’s now less of an issue.
Meanwhile, Israel is known to stamp pieces of paper instead of passport pages because of the problems people have with onward travel, if their stamps are found in people’s passports.
The likes of Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Syria and Yemen are all known to prevent people from entering their country if their passports carry Israeli stamps.
There are other stamps that can cause problems for holiday goers, including one from the UK.
Some destinations offer novelty holiday stamps for passports, including places like Machu Picchu in Peru and Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch in Wales.
However, it’s best to avoid getting these in your passport, as certain nations take a very dim view on them.
The Telegraph reports: “In 2020, Tina Sibley was refused boarding on a flight from Madrid to Thailand due to a novelty Machu Picchu stamp which Qatar Airways deemed to have rendered her passport invalid.
“Though Thailand is known to be particularly strict when it comes to damaged or defaced passports, many other countries (including the US and Australia) also take a firm stance on these stamps so it’s best to steer clear.”
There are some stamps that it’s worthwhile making sure that you get, so future travel plans aren’t harmed.
For instance, Brits should always make sure they’re stamped when both entering and exiting a Schengen area country.
In 2021, reports of people not getting exit stamps caused issues, as they were unable to prove that they hadn’t overstayed on previous holidays.
Passport stamps are due to soon be replaced by the EU’s new entry and exit scheme, for the time being it’s worth making sure that you’re properly stamped on your way in and out.
Meanwhile, this woman was banned from her flight due to an easy passport mistake.
And Brits have been urged to check the validity of their passports before making certain trips.