Why Some Travelers Put Sticky Notes in Their Passports — and What We Think You Should Do Instead

Here’s the story behind this passport hack.

You're probably already aware that your passport should typically be valid for at least six months past the end date of an international trip. Many countries require this for entry, and if your passport expires within the stipulated window, you may be turned away from your flight at the airport. But did you know that some countries also require you to have two to four blank pages in your passport, too? And we don't mean spaces available on various pages — we mean fully blank pages.

While American passports are designed to fit several passport stamps per page, it's not uncommon for immigration officers to stamp a little haphazardly, perhaps taking up space for two stamps with just one stamp. Sometimes they may even skip an open space and opt for a blank page. That, of course, is one way for you to run out of blank pages fast — even before your passport expires.

Related: How to Get a New Passport as Quickly as Possible

Traveler Morgan Linson, author of “The Ultimate Experience: Fear Will No Longer Stop Us From Exploring The World,” recalls the time she sent out her passport for a Ghanaian visa — which requires two blank pages in your book. "I had multiple pages that had one and two stamps, which was a total waste of space," says Linson. Ultimately, she was denied the visa and had to apply for a new passport book in order to get it.

To keep some passport pages blank, some travelers are placing sticky notes on certain pages, writing a polite note along the lines of "please stamp elsewhere; saving this space for a visa." Since sticky notes are not permanent, they don't damage your passport or render it invalid.

But the Post-it method isn't a guarantee that those pages will be left blank. "While the sticky note method is clever, it's not foolproof. Immigration officers are trained to follow specific protocols, and a sticky note might not always sway their decision," says Sam Charlton, CFO of Fast Passports & Visas, an expedited travel document company. "It's a useful tactic but should not be solely relied upon."

If you do use the sticky note method, don't make a fuss if the immigration officer disregards it. "Always comply with the rules and regulations of the country you are visiting and cooperate with border control authorities to ensure a smooth entry process," says Linson.

Instead of relying on kind-hearted immigration officers, travelers should look into more reliable methods of preserving valuable passport pages — or some other alternatives. "Frequent travelers should consider applying for a second passport or requesting additional pages when renewing, which is permissible under certain conditions and can be a lifesaver for those who travel often for business or leisure," says Charlton.

Linson agrees with adding extra pages. "It is a free option and will save you from prematurely having to purchase a new passport book," she says, noting that all you have to do is select the "large book" option that bumps up the number of pages from 28 to 52. "You can do the math! It is fantastic for the preservation of your precious book for the full ten years."

Related: What Your Passport Color Really Means

Linson also recommends looking into e-visa availability at your destination. "Some countries offer e-visas, which are issued electronically and do not require a physical stamp in your passport. Check if your destination offers this option and apply for an e-visa," says Linson. "If you apply for an e-visa, be sure to print it out in color and bring it with your passport."

Ultimately, it's on you, the traveler, to be aware of entry requirements in different countries and ensure your passport fits those requirements. If your passport is getting even remotely close to full, it might be a good idea to renew in advance of your next trip, even if your passport hasn't expired yet. Remember that passport renewals can take up to 11 weeks for a standard application or up to seven weeks for an expedited one.

If you're within 14 days of departure for an international trip or you need a foreign visa within 28 days, and you've realized you need a new passport to enter your destination country, you might qualify for an urgent in-person renewal, which can get you a new document in a single day. But it's a risky option — and it might require you to fly to another city for that in-person appointment.

The bottom line: Always monitor your expiration date and the number of blank pages in your passport. Before you book a trip, make sure your passport complies with all the requirements for entry.

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