Now, as a solo adventurer, you're in charge of every detail of your journey, and nothing is more crucial than your passport.
**In our travel tips section, you will find some useful information on safety, security and lots more for everything to do with solo travel. Please visit that section before planning your adventures.
Well, talking about passports, believe it or not, simple carelessness is the top reason why passport applications get held up or rejected or why passports end up lost, stolen, or damaged. That can throw a major wrench in your travel plans!
There are clear steps you can take to make sure your passport journey is smooth from the application process to your return home.
Here are some practical tips, keeping the solo traveller in mind:
a) Before You Set Off on Your Incredible Solo Trip.
1. Double-Check Those Entry Requirements (Yes, Even If You Think You Know): Countries frequently update their entry rules. Imagine arriving at the airport, ready for your adventure, only to be turned away because your travel documents aren't in order. OUCH!
Travel insurance won't cover that disappointment, either! Since over 80% of countries now require a valid passport, it's your responsibility as a solo traveller to verify the specific requirements for your destination as early as possible. Don't ever leave it to chance!
2. Apply Early – Seriously Early: As a solo planner, you know things can take time. You must aim to apply for a new passport at least 90 days before you plan to leave. Renewing? Start the process a good 8 to 11 months before it expires. Why the long lead time?
Many countries have a "six-month validity" rule, meaning your passport needs to be valid for at least six (sometimes eight) months after your intended stay.
3. Nail That Application Form (It's All on You): Each type of passport service has its own form and specific requirements. Make sure you're using the correct one. Then, fill it out with meticulous care for every single detail requested. Double, even triple-check every single entry.
Since you're traveling solo, you might not have someone readily available to proofread, so take your time and focus. If you make mistakes, these will lead to delays in processing or even result in applications being rejected altogether.
4. Follow the Document Specs to the Letter: When applying for a new passport, you'll typically need a certified birth certificate (proof of citizenship) and a valid driver’s license (proof of identity). That birth certificate must be a certified copy with the official seal, signature, and filing date (within one year of your birth) – photocopies won't cut it.
Your driver's license should be more than six months old. For renewals, your previous passport usually serves as both, but make sure it's in good condition – no damage, alterations, or mutilation.
And those passport photos? Two identical ones, taken within the last six months, exactly 2"x2" with a plain white or off-white background, full-face view, and head size within the specified range (1 to 1 3/8 inches from chin to top of head). The colour or black and white, is fine.
5. Sign on the Dotted Line (Both of Them!): It sounds simple, but surprisingly, many forget to sign either the application form or their payment check. As the sole applicant, this responsibility rests entirely with you. Do a final check before you send everything in for processing.
6. Think Ahead: Request Extra Pages: As a solo traveller, you might find yourself taking more spontaneous trips in the future. At no extra cost, you can request a 48-page passport instead of the standard one. More pages mean more stamps and less worry about running out too soon.
7. Sign Your New Passport and Fill in the Emergency Details Immediately: Once your passport arrives, the first thing you should do is verify that all the information is correct. If it is, sign it right away. Then, fill in your current address and the details of a person to contact in case of an emergency.
This is especially important when you're traveling alone. If there's an error, don't hesitate to return it for correction.
8. Be Your Own Backup: Make Copies (Physical and Digital): Make two copies of your passport's photo page and any visas you obtain. Leave one copy with a trusted friend or family member who can be easily reached.
Take the other copy with you on your trip, but store it separately from your actual passport. Consider also scanning your passport and uploading it to a secure online document storage service. This way, you can access it from almost anywhere if needed.
9. While You're Out There Exploring Solo.
10. Your Passport is Gold: Guard It Accordingly! Never leave your passport in your luggage, backpack, purse (especially if it's easily accessible), rental car, or hotel room. When you need to carry it, keep it secure in a money belt worn under your clothes or an inside coat pocket. Once you arrive at your accommodation, the hotel safe is your best friend for safekeeping.
11. Never Let It Out of Your Sight: Placing your passport on a counter, in a phone booth, or on a table is an invitation for it to be forgotten or stolen. Develop the immediate habit of putting your passport back in its secure place right after you've used it.
12. As a Solo Traveller, It's Always On You: This point from the original article about not letting one person carry all passports doesn't directly apply to you as a solo traveller, but the underlying principle is crucial: your passport is your sole responsibility.
13. Keep It Close During Checks: When you're checking in, going through customs, exchanging currency, or any other situation where you need to show your passport, never let the person examining it walk away with it. If they start to, politely ask to accompany them. Remember, your passport is a valuable document.
14. Act Fast If It's Gone: If, despite your best efforts, your passport is lost or stolen, immediate action is key. First, report it to the local police to get a record of the incident. Then, head straight to the nearest South African Embassy or Consulate.
Having a copy of your passport and extra photos will be incredibly helpful. They can issue you a temporary passport to help you get home, which you can then replace fully once you're back in South Africa.
b) Once You're Safely Back Home.
15. Mark Your Calendar for Renewal: Check your passport's expiration date and set a clear reminder to renew it well in advance – those 8 to 11 months prior are still the recommended timeframe. Put that reminder somewhere you won't miss it.
16. Assess Those Blank Pages: Before planning your next solo adventure, take a look at how many blank pages are left in your passport. Some countries require a full blank page for their visa.
If you're planning a multi-country trip, you might need as many blank pages as countries you intend to visit. If you're running low but your passport isn't near its expiration, you can apply for additional pages.
17. Give It a Safe Home: When you're not using your passport for travel, store it in a secure place at home. If you have a home safe, that's ideal. If not, consider a safety deposit box at your bank.
Take note of ALL these practical tips, especially as a solo traveller who is solely responsible for their documents, and you can significantly reduce the risk of passport problems and focus on what truly matters: enjoying your incredible journeys around the world! Happy travels!