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Foreign travel advice Indonesia
FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Indonesia.
Foreign travel advice Romania
Warnings and insurance Still current at: 24 April 2024 Updated: 23 April 2024 Latest update: Information related to drug offences and Romanian music festivals (under 'Laws and cultural differences' subheading on the 'Safety and security' page).
Foreign travel advice The Gambia
Warnings and insurance Still current at: 23 April 2024 Updated: 22 April 2024 Latest update: Ferry services between Banjul and Barra have been suspended until further notice; The Islamic Summit of the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) will be held in Banjul on 4-5 May; road closures and delays at Banjul International Airport ('Safety and security' page).
Foreign travel advice China
Warnings and insurance Still current at: 23 April 2024 Updated: 22 April 2024 Latest update: Updated information on flooding (‘Safety and security’ page).
Guidance Living in South Korea
Information for British citizens moving to or living in South Korea, including guidance on residency, healthcare, driving and more.
Be Passport Aware: Check passport expiry before booking trips
Before booking that trip, check to see if everyone’s passport is valid for entry into the country you are planning to visit.
Amidst the flurry of booking flights and accommodations, one important detail tends to get overlooked: is everyone’s passport valid for entry into the country you plan to visit?
Most countries in the region require at least six months’ validity on a passport for entry to be granted. The British High Commission can issue Emergency Travel Documents (ETD) in place of passports that do not meet the required validity, but there are other considerations: some countries may require visas for those entering on ETDs. Other countries, such as Myanmar and Laos, will not allow entry at all on an ETD. Needless to say, it can be very distressing when holiday plans go awry at the last minute.
Another commonly overlooked detail is the validity of children’s passports. They expire after five years compared to ten years for adults (16 years and older). Many parents realise this only when they check in for their flights. And when this happens, parents need to rebook flights and accommodation, apply for ETDs for their children, and if needed, apply for visas. These all result in delays and unforeseen additional costs.
In the last quarter of 2015, 32% of the ETDs we issued were due to passports not having enough validity for travel to countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. Most countries around Asia require six months’ validity on passports.