Quick Passport Question
Jul 7, 2015 | 10:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / RSW Up in the Air avoiding the Snowflakes
Programs: UA GS 1.8MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriott LT, Accor P
Posts: 8,088
Quick Passport Question
Just arrived in Frankfurt on UA 944 - at the immigration desk the officer told me that next time I will not be admitted to the EU because my passport needs two empty pages! I just got my new passport in September - and yes it is nearly full but ive never heard this rule before for the EU! Do I have to do this immediately or is the officer mistaken?
On a lighter note - in the Senator lounge now and omg what do they put in the eggs - they are amazing!
On a lighter note - in the Senator lounge now and omg what do they put in the eggs - they are amazing!
Last edited by bmwe92fan; Jul 7, 2015 at 10:09 pm
Jul 7, 2015 | 10:10 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2015
Programs: IHG Platinum, HHonors Gold, DL Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 76
Just arrived in Frankfurt on UA 944 - at the immigration desk the officer told me that next time I will not be admitted to the EU because my passport needs two empty pages! I just got my new passport in September - andbyesbit is nearly full but ice never heard this rule before for the EU! Do I have to do this immediately or is the officer mistaken?
On a lighter note - in the Senator lounge now and omg what do they put in the eggs - they are amazing!
On a lighter note - in the Senator lounge now and omg what do they put in the eggs - they are amazing!
If you are from the U.S., this explains how to get more pages:
http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...ces/pages.html
However, I recall reading somewhere that the practice of adding pages to an existing passport is going to end. You may have to just replace yours with the 52-page book.
Jul 7, 2015 | 10:11 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 308
Must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area and contain at least two blank pages
Jul 7, 2015 | 10:13 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2015
Programs: IHG Platinum, HHonors Gold, DL Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 76
Anyone can use this web site to search for information on the countries they plan to visit.
http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...h/country.html
The search for Germany reveals the two blank pages requirement.
http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...h/country.html
The search for Germany reveals the two blank pages requirement.
Jul 7, 2015 | 10:17 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / RSW Up in the Air avoiding the Snowflakes
Programs: UA GS 1.8MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriott LT, Accor P
Posts: 8,088
Thanks all - well at least I got 10 months use from this passport lol. Looks like I will be adding pages ASAP. I'm travelling to Tokyo after this - better read up on their requirements this morning!
EDIT - Thanks for the links all - guess I'm ok for Japan as they need only one page.... Thank goodness I am travelling on to Finland today - otherwise I might not be allowed in!
EDIT - Thanks for the links all - guess I'm ok for Japan as they need only one page.... Thank goodness I am travelling on to Finland today - otherwise I might not be allowed in!
Jul 7, 2015 | 10:19 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: QFF Gold, Flying Blue, Enrich
Posts: 5,369
Why would anyone trust what a foreign government site has to say about entry requirements to Germany? I would have no faith that an American site would necessarily be up to date - check with the German consul/embassy.
Jul 7, 2015 | 10:19 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NYC/WAS
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL '90s PM, now FK (Flying Kettle)
Posts: 541
Where did you see this??? I always max out the 3 added page sections limit after about 5 yrs, and when I have to change passports, I lose a bunch of difficult and expensive multiyear visas!
Jul 7, 2015 | 10:26 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / RSW Up in the Air avoiding the Snowflakes
Programs: UA GS 1.8MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriott LT, Accor P
Posts: 8,088
+1 - and this time I only made it 10 months on my first (~50 page) passport!
Jul 7, 2015 | 10:29 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / RSW Up in the Air avoiding the Snowflakes
Programs: UA GS 1.8MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriott LT, Accor P
Posts: 8,088
I have used passport expedite agencies in the past that can get it done in 24 hours - but have been told on this board multiple times I'm foolish to spend the money and do it - can you recommend an alternate process that can get this done fast for me? I'm usually only in the states for a few days at a time - when I get back from Finland this trip on Saturday I'm only home for 36 hours before heading to Tokyo....
Jul 7, 2015 | 10:38 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2015
Programs: IHG Platinum, HHonors Gold, DL Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 76
Not sure where I read about it first. A mention appears in this article:
http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1.../p2p-81424638/
The Points Guy, Thrillist, and Jaunted all had posts about it in March, according to a Google search. Those stories used the same source (a passport agency), so maybe the agency drafted a press release in March to drum up business?
There was also a notice posted in November 2014 on a web site promoting travel to Africa.
http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1.../p2p-81424638/
The Points Guy, Thrillist, and Jaunted all had posts about it in March, according to a Google search. Those stories used the same source (a passport agency), so maybe the agency drafted a press release in March to drum up business?
There was also a notice posted in November 2014 on a web site promoting travel to Africa.
Jul 7, 2015 | 10:40 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 308
What Germany has to say on the subject:
http://www.germany.info/visa
US citizens in possession of a valid US passport (on the planned date of departure from Germany, your passport should have at least another three months validity) do not need a visa for airport transit, tourist or business trips (for stays up to 90 days).
...
In order to apply for a visa, your passport must have at least two empty pages
...
In order to apply for a visa, your passport must have at least two empty pages
http://www.germany.info/visa
Jul 7, 2015 | 10:46 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: UA 1MM, SPG Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,796
OP travels enough to obtain a second unrestricted passport, but they are valid only two years. My advice is to get a second passport. Have all the visas put in the ten year passport and all the stamps from non-visa countries in the two year passport. One who does this can always have one valid passport in hand, even while waiting for a visa, a new passport, or pages to be added.