Removing Used/Expired Visa Stickers from Passport
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*S, AS, CX, Marriott Platinum, Nexus, Specialized AWOL Touring Bicycle
Posts: 167
Removing Used/Expired Visa Stickers from Passport
I have been thinking about removing used full-page visa stickers from my passport to make room for stamps.
Any one done this?
Is this a very stupid idea? Thanks!
Any one done this?
Is this a very stupid idea? Thanks!
Last edited by jplus; Feb 9, 2009 at 11:06 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Programs: DL GM, AA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 12,171
I wouldn't. If you need pages for stamps, send your passport back in.
US: http://travel.state.gov/passport/fri/add/add_850.html
Canada: http://www.passportcanada.gc.ca/supp...ang=eng&id=301
US: http://travel.state.gov/passport/fri/add/add_850.html
Canada: http://www.passportcanada.gc.ca/supp...ang=eng&id=301
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: The Sunshine State
Programs: Deltaworst Peon Level, TSA "Layer 21 Club", NW WP RIP
Posts: 11,370
Which brings up a related but slightly OT subject.
I am sure it is SSI top secret, but. . . Every ten years when you send in your PP for renewal, does/might the US State Department take that opportunity, before they void it and send it back for you to keep, to thumb through your pages of stamps and add them to your personal database so the computer can see if they match the airline tickets you have purchased and your customs recorded border crossings, etc.? Or see if you might have used foreign purchased air tickets or unrecorded cash travel like trains or busses to visit "countries of concern"?
[/remove tinfoil conspiracy hat]
I am sure it is SSI top secret, but. . . Every ten years when you send in your PP for renewal, does/might the US State Department take that opportunity, before they void it and send it back for you to keep, to thumb through your pages of stamps and add them to your personal database so the computer can see if they match the airline tickets you have purchased and your customs recorded border crossings, etc.? Or see if you might have used foreign purchased air tickets or unrecorded cash travel like trains or busses to visit "countries of concern"?
[/remove tinfoil conspiracy hat]
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DFW
Programs: UA Pleb, HH Gold, PWP General Secretary
Posts: 23,199
Countries when you apply for a visa stamp "visa applied for" in the space where the visa sticker will go. This lets immigration officers know if you have been rejected for the visa, because no visa will be placed over it.
In short baadd idea.
In short baadd idea.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*S, AS, CX, Marriott Platinum, Nexus, Specialized AWOL Touring Bicycle
Posts: 167
Thanks for the replies.
Guess I'll have to suck it up and go line up at the passport office (pages cannot be added to Canadian passports).
Guess I'll have to suck it up and go line up at the passport office (pages cannot be added to Canadian passports).
#8
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,796
Which brings up a related but slightly OT subject.
I am sure it is SSI top secret, but. . . Every ten years when you send in your PP for renewal, does/might the US State Department take that opportunity, before they void it and send it back for you to keep, to thumb through your pages of stamps and add them to your personal database so the computer can see if they match the airline tickets you have purchased and your customs recorded border crossings, etc.? Or see if you might have used foreign purchased air tickets or unrecorded cash travel like trains or busses to visit "countries of concern"?
[/remove tinfoil conspiracy hat]
I am sure it is SSI top secret, but. . . Every ten years when you send in your PP for renewal, does/might the US State Department take that opportunity, before they void it and send it back for you to keep, to thumb through your pages of stamps and add them to your personal database so the computer can see if they match the airline tickets you have purchased and your customs recorded border crossings, etc.? Or see if you might have used foreign purchased air tickets or unrecorded cash travel like trains or busses to visit "countries of concern"?
[/remove tinfoil conspiracy hat]
#9
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 340
#10
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plt
Posts: 2,607
Actually this is fine to do in a pinch. There's no way anyone will tell if you don't damage the page below. It's perfect if you absolutely MUST travel and can't get the turnaround you need. Of course some of us are sentimental to our stickers, but if it's down to the wire, go for it.
#11
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,925
Which brings up a related but slightly OT subject.
I am sure it is SSI top secret, but. . . Every ten years when you send in your PP for renewal, does/might the US State Department take that opportunity, before they void it and send it back for you to keep, to thumb through your pages of stamps and add them to your personal database so the computer can see if they match the airline tickets you have purchased and your customs recorded border crossings, etc.? Or see if you might have used foreign purchased air tickets or unrecorded cash travel like trains or busses to visit "countries of concern"?
[/remove tinfoil conspiracy hat]
I am sure it is SSI top secret, but. . . Every ten years when you send in your PP for renewal, does/might the US State Department take that opportunity, before they void it and send it back for you to keep, to thumb through your pages of stamps and add them to your personal database so the computer can see if they match the airline tickets you have purchased and your customs recorded border crossings, etc.? Or see if you might have used foreign purchased air tickets or unrecorded cash travel like trains or busses to visit "countries of concern"?
[/remove tinfoil conspiracy hat]
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,966
It is unlawful under Title 18 USC Sec 1543 to alter or mutilate a U.S. Passport. Your passport belongs to the U.S. Government, not to you.
It says so right there on page 6 (emphasis mine):
"This passport may not be altered or mutilated in any way. Alteration may make it INVALID, and, if willful, may subject you to prosecution . . . Only authorized officials of the United States or of foreign countries, in connection with official matters, may place stamps or make statements, notations, or additions in this passport. You may amend or update personal information for your own convenience on page 7."
So, do NOT tamper with your passport.
(I would argue that this law also prohibits microwaving or pounding the new e-passports to disable the RFID chip, as some FTers have spoken about doing to reduce the risk of identity theft.)
It says so right there on page 6 (emphasis mine):
"This passport may not be altered or mutilated in any way. Alteration may make it INVALID, and, if willful, may subject you to prosecution . . . Only authorized officials of the United States or of foreign countries, in connection with official matters, may place stamps or make statements, notations, or additions in this passport. You may amend or update personal information for your own convenience on page 7."
So, do NOT tamper with your passport.
(I would argue that this law also prohibits microwaving or pounding the new e-passports to disable the RFID chip, as some FTers have spoken about doing to reduce the risk of identity theft.)
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,274
#15
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PDX and Everywhere
Programs: *Alliance, OneWorld
Posts: 248
Actually this is fine to do in a pinch. There's no way anyone will tell if you don't damage the page below. It's perfect if you absolutely MUST travel and can't get the turnaround you need. Of course some of us are sentimental to our stickers, but if it's down to the wire, go for it.