A woman has issued a warning to anyone travelling to Turkey after she was denied boarding at the airport because of a little-known passport rule she had no clue about
Before jetting off on holiday it’s crucial to ensure you’ve packed all the essentials – from swimwear and summer clothes to enough undies to last twice as long as your trip. But let’s face it, the most vital items in your suitcase are undoubtedly your travel documents and passport. Without these, you won’t be setting foot in any sun-soaked destination.
TikTok user @lliv.gk, also known as Liv, shared a cautionary tale about her holiday when she was barred from boarding her flight to Turkey due to a little-known rule. She posted a stark warning for fellow travellers: “WARNING: To anyone who is going to Turkey. Your passport has to be 150 days before your passport expires, otherwise they won’t let you on the plane”.
The rule sparked outrage among commenters, with some branding it “pointless,” questioning why passports have an “expiration date” if countries don’t adhere to it.
One puzzled user asked: “Genuine question, how did they not know this at check in when they give you your boarding pass and check your bag in?? They shouldn’t have even checked your bag in and let your bag onto the plane”.
Amanda Parker from Netflights shed some light on the matter, explaining: “Our passport needs at least three months of validity beyond your trip, and for some countries six months, for several reasons.
“If travellers were to face an emergency while abroad, such as falling ill or needing to extend their visit, then they could technically be in the country illegally if their passport expires during their stay. These extra months act as buffer periods to reduce the risk of overstaying.
“Buffer periods also reduce administrative and legal risks, as immigration authorities want to avoid dealing with travellers who become ‘undocumented’ mid-trip.
“A passport expiring during a visit can cause problems with healthcare access, hotel check-ins and internal travel or ID checks. Requiring extra validity upfront helps prevent these complications.
“It’s best practice for travellers to check the passport validity rules before they book a trip, and to consider renewing if they’re approaching the three or six-month mark, depending on their destination and their corresponding regulations”.
However, it’s not solely the expiry date that might result in you being refused boarding.
Damaged passports could also see holidaymakers turned away at the gate, including those with water damage.
Amanda cautioned: “Water damage or torn pages on your passport can make your passport invalid for travel. As international security is tightening, your passport needs to be in good condition and meet very specific entry requirements. Always check before you fly.”
You must also ensure that your passport photo accurately reflects your current appearance. Significant weight changes or cosmetic procedures that alter your likeness to your passport photo can cause substantial delays.
Amanda clarified: “Passengers can experience delays or even be denied boarding when their current appearance does not match their passport photo. If your passport is several years old, and since then you have experienced significant weight change, cosmetic procedures, or dramatic hair changes, this may be flagged at border control.
“This won’t automatically invalidate your passport; however, it can lead to extra security checks when travelling. If your appearance has changed significantly, it is best practice to consider renewing your passport early with a more recent picture, even if it is still yet to expire”.
She further added: “Travellers should be aware that passport laws have recently changed after Brexit. The ‘ten-year rule’ states that a UK passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date of your entry into that country, and it must also be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.
“This issue date rule is separate from your passport’s expiry date, and many travellers aren’t aware of this, especially those with passports issued before September 2018, when the ability to add extra months from a previous passport was removed”.