Grown a beard - passport problem????
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: UAL 1k
Posts: 107
Grown a beard - passport problem????
My husband's grown a beard and he is clean shaven in his passport photo. We'll be going to FRA in the not too distant future. Do you think he'd have trouble in immigration with the beard? He'd rather not shave it but will if he has too. I think he's going to have to.
#3
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,020
Wow! What faith in civil servants.
IMHO, it might be a good idea to carry a disposable razor and some shave cream.
To some folks, a beard means low-life scum--probable terrorist.
Yes, I do know that Abe Lincoln had a beard. ^
The problem is liable to be coming back. In Germany, a bearded guy can be an upstanding citizen. In the US of A ....
IMHO, it might be a good idea to carry a disposable razor and some shave cream.
To some folks, a beard means low-life scum--probable terrorist.
Yes, I do know that Abe Lincoln had a beard. ^
The problem is liable to be coming back. In Germany, a bearded guy can be an upstanding citizen. In the US of A ....
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: UAL 1k
Posts: 107
Wow! What faith in civil servants.
IMHO, it might be a good idea to carry a disposable razor and some shave cream.
To some folks, a beard means low-life scum--probable terrorist.
Yes, I do know that Abe Lincoln had a beard. ^
The problem is liable to be coming back. In Germany, a bearded guy can be an upstanding citizen. In the US of A ....
IMHO, it might be a good idea to carry a disposable razor and some shave cream.
To some folks, a beard means low-life scum--probable terrorist.
Yes, I do know that Abe Lincoln had a beard. ^
The problem is liable to be coming back. In Germany, a bearded guy can be an upstanding citizen. In the US of A ....
He keeps it well trimmed and wears brioni suits. Just kidding about the suits. Actually, we did test it in the US. Just got back from puerto vallarta and they didn't bat an eye. The disposable razor option is a good idea though. If he has to, he can shave for the immigration agent - at his/her counter
#5
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Right here
Posts: 2,940
Not quite the same as a beard, but in a similar vein, I haven't cut my hair since June of 2005 (at which time it was quite short), and I've packed on about 30 pounds () since my driver license photo was taken in December of 2004 (with the very short hair). Have not had any sort of problem.
#6
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London
Programs: I've got three passports, A couple of visas, Don't even know my real name.
Posts: 909
Seriously though, I grew a beard and didn't get a blink from passport authorities in many different countries. If you are travelling within the EU on an EU passport then they probabably won't even look at the photo.
#9
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MIA/SJU/MCO
Programs: AA LT PLT; DL GLD, UA nothing, B6 Mosaic; Emerald Club Executive
Posts: 3,331
I shaved today (well, yesterday now) in anticipation of going to MEX tomorrow. My passport picture shows me clean shaven, and I had a beard... I'd rather not risk it with vacation starting on Thursday.
#10
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BHD/DUB
Programs: BA Gold, TK*G, EI Elite
Posts: 7,622
In my last passport, which ran out in November, I had short back and sides and was clean shaven. In the last few years, post divorce , I've grown my hair considerably, have a greying beard and wear glasses.
Most officers looked twice, smiled, and made a comment like 'Yeah, that's you'. Female officers would normally follow that with a comment on which look they preferred. Thankfully it was mostly the newer one.
Most officers looked twice, smiled, and made a comment like 'Yeah, that's you'. Female officers would normally follow that with a comment on which look they preferred. Thankfully it was mostly the newer one.
#11
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London
Posts: 6,265
My passport photo looks very different to me.
It is amazing how much you can change in quite a few years.
I'll either get one of two reactions when showing my passport to immigration. Either I get stamped into the country without any dramas or they'll look at the photo, look at me, look at the photo, look at me and/or make a comment "Is that really you?" or "Wow. How long ago was this photo taken?".
SIN agents are the funniest. They just about always have a funny comment about the photo.
Sometimes I'll pre-empt the second comment with a smile and a "yeah it's really me" comment if they're up to their third glance back and forth or staring too long.
Passport officers are trained to detect certain characteristics of people vs photos - things like the size/shape of nose, moles/freckles, the way the ears sit, eyebrow/eye shape etc. They shouldn't be worried about you looking exactly like your photo - if you did then it could arouse more suspicion for a passport that is supposedly old.
That's why it really isn't an issue. The worst thing that will happen is they'll spend a few minutes asking you some details to put their minds at ease.
It is amazing how much you can change in quite a few years.
I'll either get one of two reactions when showing my passport to immigration. Either I get stamped into the country without any dramas or they'll look at the photo, look at me, look at the photo, look at me and/or make a comment "Is that really you?" or "Wow. How long ago was this photo taken?".
SIN agents are the funniest. They just about always have a funny comment about the photo.
Sometimes I'll pre-empt the second comment with a smile and a "yeah it's really me" comment if they're up to their third glance back and forth or staring too long.
Passport officers are trained to detect certain characteristics of people vs photos - things like the size/shape of nose, moles/freckles, the way the ears sit, eyebrow/eye shape etc. They shouldn't be worried about you looking exactly like your photo - if you did then it could arouse more suspicion for a passport that is supposedly old.
That's why it really isn't an issue. The worst thing that will happen is they'll spend a few minutes asking you some details to put their minds at ease.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Programs: KL Gold, SQ KF Gold, CX Green
Posts: 9,396
#13
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: CGK
Programs: LH SEN (LH*G), HH Diamond, AB Gold (1W Saph)
Posts: 5,677
My passport photo looks very different to me.
It is amazing how much you can change in quite a few years.
...
Passport officers are trained to detect certain characteristics of people vs photos - things like the size/shape of nose, moles/freckles, the way the ears sit, eyebrow/eye shape etc. They shouldn't be worried about you looking exactly like your photo - if you did then it could arouse more suspicion for a passport that is supposedly old.
That's why it really isn't an issue. The worst thing that will happen is they'll spend a few minutes asking you some details to put their minds at ease.
It is amazing how much you can change in quite a few years.
...
Passport officers are trained to detect certain characteristics of people vs photos - things like the size/shape of nose, moles/freckles, the way the ears sit, eyebrow/eye shape etc. They shouldn't be worried about you looking exactly like your photo - if you did then it could arouse more suspicion for a passport that is supposedly old.
That's why it really isn't an issue. The worst thing that will happen is they'll spend a few minutes asking you some details to put their minds at ease.
#14
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SJC
Programs: NZ*G, QF NB, UA 1K, AA ExecPlat, IHG PlatAmb, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, ZE1 PC
Posts: 2,636
Obviously not either of the countries in question, but I just flew WLG-MEL with a beard (and blue paint), and nobody batted an eyelid. My passport photo shows me sans blue paint and the beard. I think it's not a terribly uncommon thing to have to deal with -- especially around, say, Movember.
My previous passport photo had me about 40lbs heavier and with a different hair color... THAT used to get second looks.
My previous passport photo had me about 40lbs heavier and with a different hair color... THAT used to get second looks.
#15
Commander Catcop
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 10,259
I have gone through every extreme (goatee, beard and clean shaven - some of my friends don't like me clean shaven saying I look scarey. Thus I keep some hair in my face.)
Your facial hair may change but other things should not: eye color, head size, lips, nose (for the last two unless you have surgery.)
I've never had a problem in any country no matter how I look. Actually I look heavier in my passport foto and one UA agent in EWR said "You lost weight."
Your facial hair may change but other things should not: eye color, head size, lips, nose (for the last two unless you have surgery.)
I've never had a problem in any country no matter how I look. Actually I look heavier in my passport foto and one UA agent in EWR said "You lost weight."