Passenger Guide
Travel Documents and Passport Requirements
The checks that happen before you ever reach the aircraft
Document checks happen twice: once by the airline at check-in or the gate, and once by the border authority on arrival. The airline check is the stricter of the two in practice, because the airline pays the penalty if it gets the decision wrong.
Nearly all refusals come from four issues: passport validity, a missing visa or authorisation, a name mismatch, or the absence of proof of onward travel.
Passport validity and condition
- Many countries require six months of validity beyond your arrival date.
- Some require blank pages for stamps; a full passport can be refused.
- Water damage, a loose cover or a torn photo page can invalidate the document.
- Emergency and temporary passports are not accepted everywhere.
Visas and travel authorisations
Beyond traditional visas, many destinations now require an electronic authorisation obtained online before departure. These are usually quick but not instant, and airlines will not board you without one.
- Apply through official government sites only. Copycat sites charge large fees for nothing.
- Transit can require its own permission even when you never leave the airport.
- Print or download the confirmation; airport Wi-Fi is not a plan.
Proof of onward travel and funds
Several countries expect evidence that you will leave, and occasionally evidence that you can support yourself. A one-way ticket into such a country is a routine cause of boarding refusal.
Names, spelling and mismatches
- Book with the exact name on the passport, including middle names where the system asks.
- Small typographical errors can often be corrected free within 24 hours of booking.
- After a name change, carry the marriage certificate or deed alongside the passport.
Children and additional papers
- Children need their own passport in almost all countries.
- A child travelling with one parent may need a consent letter from the other.
- Carry a birth certificate for infants travelling on a lap fare.
If a document is lost abroad
- Report it to the local police and obtain a written report.
- Contact your nearest embassy or consulate for an emergency travel document.
- Keep a photograph and a scan of your passport in a separate place, which speeds up replacement.
Frequently asked questions
- How much passport validity do I need?
- Six months beyond your arrival date is the common requirement, though some countries accept three or only the duration of stay.
- Do I need a visa for a transit stop?
- Sometimes, even if you never leave the airport. Check the transit rules for the country, not just the destination.
- My ticket name has a typo. Is that a problem?
- Minor errors are often correctable, usually free within a short window after booking. Contact the airline immediately.
- Do children need their own passports?
- In almost all cases yes, and a child travelling with one parent may also need a consent letter.
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