Passport problems/questions

Mr_Wang

My passport has only two pages left blank (not next to each other) and I need a Chinese Visa and an Indian Visa.
India visa say they need two blank pages though I know they only actually use one. Chinese visa says they need 'sufficient' visa space, i.e one page since that's all they use.

In addition I will be en route getting a Nepali Visa which is basically a sticker which takes half a page and could probably be squeezed onto one of the pages - Does anyone have experience of this?

Most the pages in my passport are stamped multiple times but my questions are these:

Does anyone have experience of getting the Indian/Chinese visas with such limited space and the blank pages not being together. And has anyone ever travelled with a full passport (since that's what the passport will be) I know usually immigration will just stamp anywhere it fits, but with a full passport will they stamp over other stamps, or be creative in fitting it on???

Finally my passport doesn't run out until 2020 (and my kids 2015) so if I do have to get another is it just a straight renewal?
My issue is that both my two kids are in the same boat and so would rather not have to shell out for 3 passports right now if I don't need to.

Thanks

Incapuppy

Well if you will be such a globetrotter!

I would think better safe than sorry, all well and good if several people say 'you should be ok' but what if you reach some jobsworth who insists on doing absolutely everything by the book (ie: what if the person issuing the Indian Visa really does insist on two blank pages?)

Rather annoyingly I cannot find anything on the official website on what your course of action should be if your passport gets full but there is an enquiry form here, perhaps they can help?

https://contact.homeoffice.gov.uk/contact.php?survey=1&pager=1

*j*

I've always been annoyed by how wasteful immigration officers were, by stamping in the middle of blank pages, rather than using the space efficiently.

To preserve blank pages I write "RESERVED FOR VISA" in pencil across some of the pages, forcing immigration officers to fill up the partly used pages.

In your situation I would simply apply for a new passport. You'll get ten years plus nine months on it, and you'd need to renew it in a few months time anyway.

I understand US passport holders can get "extra" pages added when they run out of space!

*j*

dzug1

UK passport holders can get extra pages - but only at the time the passport is first issued.

I think I'd get new passports. You might well get the Indian one now with the two blank pages - but then get told on arrival it's no longer valid because there's no longer a blank page for them to record your arrival.

Bob_the_Saver

*j* wrote: »

I've always been annoyed by how wasteful immigration officers were, by stamping in the middle of blank pages, rather than using the space efficiently.

To preserve blank pages I write "RESERVED FOR VISA" in pencil across some of the pages, forcing immigration officers to fill up the partly used pages.

In your situation I would simply apply for a new passport. You'll get ten years plus nine months on it, and you'd need to renew it in a few months time anyway.

I understand US passport holders can get "extra" pages added when they run out of space!

*j*

I can't imagine many from the US being brave enough to do that amount of travelling.

dickydonkin

If your passport is virtually filled up now with seemingly only having two years of use - you are delaying the inevitable.

But many may suggest you already knew that.

Mr_Wang

You've all just clarified what I expected, I just wondered if there was any way around it temporarily.
It's particularly annoying that there isn't something in place whereby you can get extra pages or a replacement at a reduced fee since there is still 8 years left validity on mine
Having to fork out almost £200 is a bit annoying if I'm honest.

Thanks

budgetflyer

If you are to continue globetrotting It may be worth applying for a 48 page passport

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/passports1/passports-a-to-z/a-topics/adding-pages

Incapuppy

Mr_Wang wrote: »

Having to fork out almost £200 is a bit annoying if I'm honest.

Perhaps you should stay at home for the next 8 years then?

SnowBelle_2

Can't help but just had to say I am green with envy about your nearly full passport!:)

Mr_Wang

Incapuppy wrote: »

Perhaps you should stay at home for the next 8 years then?

But then what would be the fun in that