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-   -   Removing Used/Expired Visa Stickers from Passport (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-security-issues/919730-removing-used-expired-visa-stickers-passport.html)

jplus Feb 9, 2009 7:23 am

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!

skofarrell Feb 9, 2009 7:34 am

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

Ari Feb 9, 2009 9:12 am


Originally Posted by jplus (Post 11226212)
Is this a very stupid idea?

Yes.


Originally Posted by jplus (Post 11226212)
Thanks!

My pleasure.

ajax Feb 9, 2009 9:26 am

Bottom line: don't tamper with your passport. Ever.

Flaflyer Feb 9, 2009 3:15 pm

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]

colpuck Feb 9, 2009 9:44 pm

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.

jplus Feb 10, 2009 7:36 am

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).

mcgahat Feb 10, 2009 7:43 am


Originally Posted by Flaflyer (Post 11229253)
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]

No. You are giving these guys way too much credit.

Centurion210 Feb 10, 2009 2:17 pm


Originally Posted by jplus (Post 11226212)
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!

Tampering with a passport can land you in deep doo-doo.

Don't.

BobbySteel Feb 11, 2009 2:06 pm

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.

Palal Feb 11, 2009 2:09 pm


Originally Posted by Flaflyer (Post 11229253)
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 believe they scan all your pages when you add pages. Not 100% certain though

ESpen36 Feb 11, 2009 2:32 pm

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.)

rankourabu Feb 11, 2009 2:43 pm


Originally Posted by jplus (Post 11233030)
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).

Make sure to get the 48 page version :)

Clay_C. Feb 11, 2009 4:20 pm


Originally Posted by BobbySteel (Post 11242022)
There's no way anyone will tell if you don't damage the page below.

This would be the sticky part...figuratively and literally.

deepbluesky Feb 11, 2009 5:13 pm


Originally Posted by BobbySteel (Post 11242022)
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.

While I understand the concerns others have raised, this advice is correct. It's better not to do it, get more pages when you can, so on and so forth, but there will not likely be any negative consequence as long as you are careful -- and of course honest in case you're ever asked about it. But realistically, peeling off a sticker or two is not a huge deal.


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