5 Ways You Can Protect Your Passport While Abroad
A stolen passport can really throw a wrench into your overseas trip. Without it, going through customs becomes incredibly difficult, which is why keeping your passport concealed is so important.
What’s more, if you’re not organized or careful enough, you might end up losing your passport entirely. To avoid both of these unfortunate scenarios, knowing how to protect your passport throughout the duration of your trip is crucial.
Let’s take a look at five different things you should learn prior to boarding your upcoming flight.
Have it With You
When traveling abroad, keeping your passport with you is normally in your best interests. While there are some countries where you can keep it locked tightly away in a hotel safe, some countries require you to have your original passport on hand at all times.
As such, having your passport with you while you’re out and about is best, depending on where you’ve traveled to. For this reason, it’s best to research the countries you’ll be visiting beforehand to know what their passport-related laws are.
Find a Safe, Secure Way to Store It
Storing your passport safely is essential. Rather than leave it in your carry-on luggage, find or buy something secure to store it inside during your travels.
One of the best passport holder options available is a money belt. They’re worn underneath your clothing, meaning that they’re really hard for pickpockets to reach or even notice. It’s also worth noting that whatever you store your passport in should be waterproof, as the pages can get wet and potentially illegible after being soaked in the rain.
Don’t Keep it in Your Pants or Jacket Pockets
Travelers should also avoid keeping their passports in their pants or jacket pockets. While this might seem like a convenient place to put it, it has a higher chance of falling out or getting stolen.
If you choose to carry your passport in a travel bag, it’s best to avoid mixing it with other documents. Keeping it in a separate location from your driver’s license and credit cards reduces the risk of losing everything if your bag is misplaced.
Keep a Close Eye on It
Checking on your passport regularly, whether you carry it with you or store it, is crucial for both your safety and peace of mind. If the worst happens and your passport is lost or stolen, file a police report with the local police immediately. Contacting your country’s embassy and travel insurance provider can also assist in getting a new passport without delay.
Have a Copy or Backup
Always travel prepared — having a backup of your passport pages or a photocopy can save you from a lot of stress. However, be sure to store these copies separately from your original passport, either in your carry-on bag, with a family member, or back in your hotel room. In case you need to replace your passport while abroad, these backups can be invaluable during the replacement process.
Call The Passport Guys Today
Keeping your passport safe is important for preventing identity theft and other serious problems. However, we all make mistakes, and sometimes, even a careful person can end up losing their own passport.
At The Passport Guys, we help solve these problems by helping clients replace their lost or stolen passports. We also specialize in fast passport renewals in Philadelphia and other services, so don’t hesitate to give us a call if you ever need professional passport assistance!