One Tear, No Trip: UAE Airports Ban Entry for Minor Passport Damage!

One tiny coffee blotch, one rain splash, one bent corner, and boom, you’re now denied boarding! There’s nothing worse than packing bags, double-checking flights, dreaming about falafel wraps and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, and then on arrival being told the trip is over before it even starts. That’s exactly what’s happening right now, as UAE Airports are tightening their stance and refusing entry to passengers with even minor passport damage.

A crease could throw your vacation out to the breeze, so before you book those cheap flights to Dubai, scroll through the quirkiest yet most frustrating updates in UAE travel news.

What Counts as Passport Damage?

Have a valid visa? Sadly, that cannot save you from the hawk-like eyes of the officials at Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Dubai airports. This is a bit of what counts as passport damage, so you can avoid it:

• Torn pages
• Frayed corners
• Scratched/faulty data chips
• Water or coffee stains.
• Peeling laminate
• Smudges, especially on the photograph page
• A binding that’s falling apart.

While being turned away for such a silly reason can be heartbreaking, it’s actually essential. These steps are taken to avoid forgery and tampering of official passports, as the microchips and holograms might be compromised.

Think you have a slightly damaged passport in hand? Scroll to find out what you should do.

Discover: Don’t Step on a Flight for Domestic Air Travel Without These ID Proof Documents.

There’s Always a Fix: What Indians Should Do?

The Indian government has official passport damage rules in place. Damaged passport renewals are the only way to proceed. Visit the Indian Passport Seva website to start reapplying under the re-issue category. Moving forward, submit documents, including:

• Copy and original PAN, Aadhaar, Voter’s ID, and old passport (first and last page)
• Copy of residence permit. Attach the electricity, water, and phone bills from the past 12 months.
• School leaving certificate and Birth certificate.
• Passport Authority issued observation pages.
• Bank statements/passbook.
• Rent agreements.

While there’s no passport damage fee in India, the renewal rates are:

	Passport	Tatkal Passport
36 Page Booklet	Rs.1,500	Rs.3,500
60 Page Booklet	Rs.2,000	Rs.4,000
36 Page Booklet (Minors below 18 yrs)	Rs.1,000	Rs.3,000

Services for damaged passport replacement in India are fairly quick, but never instant, so last-minute planners begin now!. Airlines won’t care if you have tickets in hand; they’ll simply say no if they spot something off. Don’t you think it’s better to pay a small fee than to have to deal with losing the entire Dubai trip cost from India, starting at INR 60,000.

Renewals will certainly take longer than applying for your Dubai Visa online, which will get to you in 24 hours!

Please note: Even if you think it’s only minor passport damage, you should go for renewal before securing all-inclusive Dubai tour packages.

Similar Measures Being Enforced in Other Countries for Passport Damage

Following in the UAE’s footsteps, several other countries have made entering with an Indian passport damage almost impossible. Here are a few:

• Indonesia: Not accepting passports with a 1 cm tear.
• Thailand & Vietnam: Water damage to the photo page can lead to rejection of entry. All cosmetic flaws can cause problems.
• Australia: Travellers are denied boarding rights at check-in if there is any visible damage on the passport.
• United States: Not accepting passports with a scratched chip or one that doesn’t function well in the scanner.

Airlines will always play it safe, since they will be held accountable. They’d rather reject a traveller with minor passport damage than risk getting penalized or having to pay for deportation. Always check everything before reserving the best hotels in Dubai and applying for your UAE Visa online.

Passport all good? Don’t know your denied boarding reasons?

Get denied boarding compensation by exploring: Denied Boarding by Airline? Here’s How to Get Rs.20,000 in Compensation!

Dubai Travel Tips to Keep Passports in Good Condition

Planning to explore the top UAE attractions soon? Your Dubai travel guide cannot do without these passport rules to ensure your document remains as snug as possible:

• Keep your passport in a sturdy waterproof cover (no, not a tissue wrap or plastic bag).
• Scan and save copies on your phone. Always.
• Reach the airport early; inspection lines can drag longer than expected.
• Carry some small change, as the metro machines are picky.
• And yes, triple-check the photo page under bright light.

Now that you’ve made certain that your passport is ready for travel, when will you be? Let us know in the comments below!

Summing Up:

If you have minor passport damage, including tears, wear on the photo page, stains, peeling laminate, frayed edges, faulty data chips, or scratched ones, you cannot enter the UAE. Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi airports have introduced strict guidelines for the same, which could lead to huge penalties and even deportation. It is advisable to renew your passport in India before departure, starting at INR 1,500.

FAQs: Passport Damage

How much damage is allowed on a passport?
Slight discolouration on the bio pages and lifting of the laminate is fine on a passport. Anything too severe can lead to rejection, especially in the UAE.

What happens if a passport is damaged in India?
Indian citizens can apply for passport renewal through the Indian Passport Seva website. Ensure you apply in advance so you don’t miss your vacation.

Is a damaged passport still usable?
If there is significant damage to your passport, you must apply for a renewal online.

What is considered minor damage to a passport?
Certain damages, like frayed edges or folded edges of the pages, are considered minor damage to a passport.

Is my passport valid if damaged?
When travelling to the UAE, your passport must be as undamaged as possible to be considered valid. Your passport is not valid if there are tears, stains, rips, etc..

Is police verification required for a damaged passport?
Yes, if your original passport is damaged, you need police verification when you apply for a new one.

How many days will it take to get a damaged passport?
If you apply for a passport renewal, the normal process takes up to 30 days. A Tatkal passport can arrive within 7 days.

Informative? Also Read:

• Ultimate Checklist for a Prospective Flyer: You Can’t Board Without This!
• How to Get an Indian Passport: Simple Step-by-Step Guide.
• List of 59 Nations for Visa Free Travel for Indians 2025: Latest Henley Passport Index Update.

---

Akbar Travels Services

Best Flight Deals

Mumbai to Delhi Flight Tickets | Mumbai to Bangalore Flight Tickets | Kolkata to Mumbai Flight Tickets | Kochi to Abu Dhabi Flight Tickets | Lucknow to Riyadh Flight Tickets | Delhi to Ahmedabad Flight Tickets

Domestic Flights

Pune to Bangalore Flights | Chennai to Delhi Flights | Bangalore to Chennai Flights | Mumbai to Delhi Flights | Bangalore to Hyderabad Flights | Ahmedabad to Goa Flights | Mumbai to Kolkata Flights | Hyderabad to Delhi Flights | Bangalore to Goa Flights | Mumbai to Goa Flights

International Flights

International Flights Booking | Delhi to Dubai Flights | Delhi to Bangkok Flights | Delhi to Toronto Flights | Mumbai to Dubai Flights | Delhi to Singapore Flights | Delhi to London Flights | Delhi to Kathmandu Flights | Mumbai to London Flights | Chennai to  Singapore Flights | Mumbai to Singapore Flights | Delhi to New York Flights | Kolkata to Bangkok Flights

Best Hotel Deals

Hotels In Dubai | Hotels In Mumbai India | Hotels In Pune India | Hotels In Singapore | Hotels In Kochi India | Hotels In Munnar India | Hotels In Bangkok Thailand | Hotels In Kuala Lumpur Malaysia | Hotels In Mecca Saudi Arabia | Hotels In Mahabalipuram India

Apply Visa Online

Dubai Visa Online | 14 days Dubai Visa | 30 days Dubai Visa | 60 days Dubai Visa | Dubai Transit Visa | UAE Visa | Singapore Visa | Malaysia Visa | Thailand Visa | Sri Lanka Visa | US Visa | UK Visa | Schengen Visa | Canada Visa | Australia Visa | New Zealand Visa | France Visa | Italy Visa | Turkey Visa Online | Philippines Visa | Cambodia Visa Online | Vietnam Visa Online | Oman Visa 

International Tour Packages

Dubai Tour Packages | Singapore Tour Packages | Thailand Tour Packages | Malaysia Tour Packages | Sri Lanka Tour Packages | US Tour Packages | United Kingdom Tour Packages | South Africa Tour Packages | Europe Tour Packages | Bali Tour Packages | Mauritius Tour Packages | Maldives Tour Packages | Cordelia Cruise Packages |

Domestic Tour Packages

India Tour Packages | Goa Tour Packages | Kerala Tour Packages | Leh Ladakh Tour Packages | Himachal Tour Packages | Andaman Tour Packages | Rajasthan Tour Packages | Uttarakhand Tour Packages | Jammu and Kashmir Tour Packages

Packages by Themes

Honeymoon Packages | Adventure Packages | Visa on Arrival Packages | Family Packages | Romantic Packages | Weekend Getaways Packages