passport damage

[Himeno]

I'm currently in Japan for an event with a friend. Concert event in Saitama this weekend. They had merch presales today.
While we were at the venue today, there was quite heavy rain for a period. My friend didn't have an umbrella.
When we got back into Tokyo and checked in at the hotel, she found that her passport had water damage from the rain leaking through her bag.

She is worried about her passport. The embassy is closed for the long weekend. We are heading back to Australia on Monday.
She called Canberra who said "stay in Japan an extra day until the embassy is open" and wouldn't help (such as sending an PTD).

I'm thinking that provided the photo page is fine (once the passport dries), there shouldn't be any major issues.
Any suggestions?

She's flying home HND-xSIN-PER.

 

[RooFlyer]

Seems like they are an Australian citizen. Australian citizens do not need a passport to re-enter Australia - although the identification may take a bit longer.

The airline should not need 'pristine' passport to identify on check-in, if doing manual check-in. A drivers licence should substitute on any ID check (if they have one).

Go ahead - might be some added inconvenience, but if they are on the plane, they will be able to re-enter the county.

 

[Hvr]

She called Canberra who said "stay in Japan an extra day until the embassy is open" and wouldn't help (such as sending an PTD).

What's an PTD? sic

Seems like they are an Australian citizen. Australian citizens do not need a passport to re-enter Australia - although the identification may take a bit longer.

But will the Japanese officials let her depart without a passport?

If it looks like the passport won't be any good for travel get a new photo and download the form so you can get immediate assistance from the nearest embassy as soon as they open.

 

[Himeno]

But will the Japanese officials let her depart without a passport?

If it looks like the passport won't be any good for travel get a new photo and download the form so you can get immediate assistance from the nearest embassy as soon as they open.

Provisional Travel Document

She has a passport. She thinks the water damage makes it useless.
I've seen worse before and the passport was still good.

At the moment, her plan is to go to HND first thing Monday morning (for a 5pm flight) and see what SQ and Japanese immigration say.
I'm saying to wait to see what the photo page is like once it's dried.

 

[Austman]

And too late now but:

Always keep your passport, by itself, in a zip-lock plastic bag.

Even without rain, things leak in bags (pens, LAGS etc).

 

[Sprucegoose]

When my passport was damaged I asked the government to replace it on the basis I was not the owner of said document, I merely rent it on the basis it does state it is the property of the Australian Government.

They duly replaced it at no cost.

You will have no issues departing Japan.

 

[JohnK]

I had a running battle with Customs and Immigration only in Australia for a couple of years while passport had water damage. No issues outside of Australia including Singapore. Eventually forced to get new passport 3 years early.

The damage to my passport was keeping the passport in back pocket playing golf in the heat in Thailand. A combination of sweat and rain caused the damage.

 

[Himeno]

My own passport currently has pen and other ink marks on the photo (thanks to TSA). Have not had a single issue.

Friend has calmed down a bit about the damage. As I told her, wait to see what it's like after it dried.
She's now planning to go to HND at noon for a 5pm flight rather then 8am.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

My own passport currently has pen and other ink marks on the photo (thanks to TSA). Have not had a single issue.

Friend has calmed down a bit about the damage. As I told her, wait to see what it's like after it dried.
She's now planning to go to HND at noon for a 5pm flight rather then 8am.

The only advantage of going at 8am (assuming there's an SQ counter open at that time?) would be to give a full day to get to the Australian embassy if needed. Getting there at midday, spending time (an hour?) to work out if they will allow her to fly, doesn't allow much time to get the ball rolling for a replacement if needed.

I can't see the issue with either departing Japan or arriving in Australia. It's SIN that may have the potential issue.

 

[Archphoto]

I had a passport caught in a rainshower when I was living in London and it started to peel. Like your friend, I was concerned so headed to Australia House in London for a replacement. The guy at the desk said it would be fine with UHU glue unless I really wanted to part with $$$. Used until I filled it - 3 years before expiry and it's still intact today. Naturally, YMMV.

 

[henrus]

Any update on this one?

Unless noticeable then SQ might not have picked up on this and the first sign of problems could be the chip not working at smart gate.

 

[jch]

Put my passport through the washing machine in Shanghai, as the consulate could still recognise it they processed it as we renewal and rather than lost/replacement, didn't need to go through the verification process and had a reduced processing fee.

 

[Himeno]

Any update on this one?

Unless noticeable then SQ might not have picked up on this and the first sign of problems could be the chip not working at smart gate.

She left the hotel before I did and headed to the airport for around 1230.
Got checked in and through JP immigration without issue. Currently on the flight to SIN.

I'm at HND now waiting for QF26. Her SQ points/cash upgrade for HND-SIN cleared. My W>J points upgrade for QF26 didn't, and W is oversold with QF asking for people to downgrade (which isn't happening).

 

[DC3]

The only advantage of going at 8am (assuming there's an SQ counter open at that time?) would be to give a full day to get to the Australian embassy if needed. Getting there at midday, spending time (an hour?) to work out if they will allow her to fly, doesn't allow much time to get the ball rolling for a replacement if needed ..

Yes, but the issue with the Embassy is that it is closed on Monday 10/6/19 due to a Public Holiday and does not reopen until Tuesday morning.

Edit: All resolved at the airport anyway

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes, but the issue with the Embassy is that it is closed on Monday 10/6/19 due to a Public Holiday and does not reopen until Tuesday morning.

Edit: All resolved at the airport anyway

Sorry. For some reason I thought the holiday would only be observed in Australia. I guess it makes sense it would also be observed in other countires.

 

[Himeno]

Sorry. For some reason I thought the holiday would only be observed in Australia. I guess it makes sense it would also be observed in other countires.

Overseas missions tend to observe both the holidays in their home nation and the holidays in the host nation.