10 tips when you run out of space in your passport abroad

There's rarely a bigger headache when traveling abroad than realizing you're short on passport space. Whether you're a backpacker on a long adventure, a remote worker who travels slowly, or a university student on a gap year, a lack of space for your passport can certainly derail your plans. It's not as bad a situation as it sounds, and if handled properly, it can lead you to more adventures than you intended. Here's a full list of tips for what to do

when you run out of space on your passport abroad.

You have to find your home country's embassy and make an appointment as soon as possible

By far the most important tip on this list is to find your home country's embassy as soon as possible. For US citizens, the US Embassy website states that obtaining a new passport, if requested abroad, will take at least 3-4 weeks on average. Be prepared to wait for a new passport for this amount of time, which means you'll want to be in a country where you feel you can spend that time. Choose wisely! Keep in mind that US embassies do not exist in all countries. Check the state department for the nearest embassy. If you're in one of these nations and realize you're running low on passport space but still have a page or two to spare, it's wise to head elsewhere before dealing with this debacle. Appointments for embassies worldwide can be made online.

Go somewhere that doesn't get bumped

Want to buy a little extra time before you deal with your potential crisis? Stamps still have strict entry protocols and this is not one of them. Although many avid travelers collect stamps and may be annoyed at the prospect, this is a great hack for those running out of space in their passports. Go somewhere like South Korea, Hong Kong, or Israel, where instead of a new stamp, they put a piece of paper on your passport. Sure, it's not as much fun entering a new country without hearing the distinct sound of ink hitting your passport from an immigration official, but it sure buys you some extra time if you're not sure how else to handle the situation.

Get an emergency passport

If you are in an urgent situation and need to move from your destination within 24-48 hours, an emergency passport is your best option. Although the emergency passport will have a limited number of pages, it will definitely be enough to get you back to your home country where you can get a real new passport. Although emergency passports are said to still work when entering new countries, it is risky to travel on this passport. This tip is especially useful not only if you're running out of pages but also if your passport is lost or stolen abroad. It is recommended to do this only if you are in a hurry to get somewhere, especially home. The emergency passport comes with five stampable pages and costs $165.

Flight back home

It's certainly not the most fun on this list, but it's still an option. If you have the last page or two in your passport, you can always fly home. Maybe you're not ready to stop your epic backpacking trip yet, or you're not done exploring the globe while working remotely, but a flight home is a surefire way to guarantee you'll get a fresh new passport. It may take a few weeks, but if you have a flexible schedule, you can get back on the road at any time after you receive your new passport directly in your country.

Enjoy driving and traveling slowly

Have you just started to realize that you have little waist room, but at the same time you are somewhere that is so amazing? Well, take advantage of the situation and travel slowly. If you plan to stay in the same country for some time, you do not need a new passport yet. This tip is especially true for those with a flexible schedule, whether they are on break or not\

or traveling around the world. Rent an apartment in your favorite location for a month while you wait for your new passport. Renting a place for a month will probably be cheaper than staying at a hotel or hostel. If you're in a country with a unique offering that's hard to get to, why not try to see it? Deal with your passport woes later and get to know the country like the back of your hand by enjoying its offerings at a leisurely pace.

When you renew, get a 52-pager (specifically for US citizens)

When you finally renew as a US citizen, you will have the option of getting a standard 35-page passport or a 52-page passport at no additional cost. The obvious choice is to use a larger waist so you are less likely to get into the same predicament again. Different nations have different rules, but if your country offers larger passports, it will definitely save you the headache of this happening again.

Bring a new photo

You must bring a new photo whenever you renew your passport. Some embassies will offer photo services right there, but it's wise to take a photo before the appointment just to be sure. Many shops, convenience stores, and even grocery stores offer passport photos around the world. Double-check your size before your appointment to ensure you follow the correct instructions. Passport photos are often affordable around the world, and finding a person or place to take your photo should be fairly easy, even if you're in a remote area.

Be prepared to pay

Passport renewal is not free. A new US passport costs $110. Fees are higher if you request a passport on an expedited basis. Most embassies will take a credit card, although it certainly doesn't hurt to have cash on hand. Make sure you have payment ready when you show up for your appointment. Money talks and the only way to close a deal to get a new passport is to pay!

Expect to surrender your old passport (you will be left without one)

This is the most surprising. Whether at home or abroad, when you apply for a new passport, you must surrender your old passport. Be prepared to mentally deal with being abroad without a passport. It can certainly leave an unfamiliar feeling and maybe even create some anxiety about not currently having a passport. But don't worry about permanently losing your passport or all your well-earned collected stamps. Once you arrive to collect your new passport, the old one will be handed back to you. There will only be a few holes punched on the back and the number will no longer be valid because with every new passport you get you will also get a new passport identification number.

Be patient

If there's one lesson here, it's patience. Getting a new passport abroad can be stressful, anxious, expensive, and uncertain. Just try to remember that people go through this all the time and trust that your embassy has your best interests in mind and will take care of it. Although the situation may be new and unfamiliar to you, it is common. People lose their passports, have them stolen, and accidentally run out of space when traveling for long periods. Enjoy driving without a passport in another nation, travel slowly, maybe even rent an apartment, and before you know it, your shiny new passport will be back in your hand, allowing you access to the world again.