There’s nothing worse than heading to the airport, ready to board your flight and enjoy your vacation, only to be denied boarding because you didn’t follow some important rules.
Yana Biryukova, an international flight attendant based in Dallas, took to social media to share an important travel PSA with fliers that “happens every day,” she said in a TikTok video.
Biryukova captioned her video: “Did you know this common everyday mistake people make when they’re denied a ride on their dream vacation? Some countries have specific passport requirements [and] It will NOT let you in.”
Her responses prompted many users to comment that they were rushing to check their passports to make sure they didn’t find themselves in this nightmare scenario.
“If you’re traveling abroad, check the expiration date on your passport and make sure it’s valid for at least six months,” Biryukova said in her video.
“If it expires in five months and 29 days, they won’t let you on the plane. And you see all these pages back? Make sure you have at least four blank pages so you can go home. Don’t make this mistake.”
She said that regardless of the circumstances surrounding your trip — a wedding, a birthday, a dream vacation — some countries won’t let you in.
Fox News Digital reached out to Biryukova for comment.
Social media users jumped into the conversation, filling the comments section with their personal concerns and experiences.
“Running to check my passport has enough blank pages,” one user commented.
The person then replied back, “OMG, NO, WOW. I think you actually saved me. There are literally only 2 OPEN.”
Another TikTok user said, “[It’s] one of the things I look for as a counter/gate agent when checking people in for a flight.”
Another user wrote, “This happened to my mum – she was refused entry because her passport was expiring in less than 6 months. Good thing she has dual citizenship. Her second passport was due [for] renovation for about 2 years.”
While some people said they knew about the expiration rule, many appeared shocked to learn about the four-page rule.
Experts in the travel business know all about these important requirements, but the average person may not be so aware.
When she prepares her clients for trips, “many of them tell me they ‘had no idea’ there were strict rules when it comes to passports,” said Sara Russell, a travel consultant for Travelmation, a Florida-based travel agency. for Fox News Digital. .
“For many travellers, it can be difficult to keep up with the requirements as expiry dates and the number of pages required in a passport book vary by country.”
She said she considers it a “rule of thumb” to make sure a passport has at least six months of validity beyond the official date of return.
Russell also noted that the four-page rule exists to make sure you have enough room in your book for all the stamps you’ll be buying on your trip.
There are some rules that only some countries follow, so it’s important to research that information before going to the airport.
You can search for the country you will be visiting on the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the US Department of State.
There you can search for all the requirements that need to be met to reach your desired destination.
“Don’t take this lightly,” Russell said. “If you don’t comply, you will be sent home.
“Unfortunately, many travelers are unaware of the passport requirements and have to cancel plans or may even arrive at the airport and be denied boarding.”
To avoid this end-of-vacation mistake, Russell said she encourages travelers to check their passports even before planning their next vacation.
She also noted that the amount of time between renewals depends on the individual’s age. Children under 16 must renew every five years, but for those over 16, it is every 10 years.
“For a smooth travel experience, I recommend starting the renewal process at least one year before your passport expires to ensure you get your new book on time and can enjoy your vacation without any hiccups,” she said.
“It’s never been easier to update your US passport with the online renewal process that became available in September 2024.”
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