Can I Get A Second Passport? Well, Maybe…
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24/01/2009 – Can I Get A Second Passport? Well, Maybe…
Since writing about requesting extra pages for a passport earlier this month in this post: 6/1/2009 – My Passport Is Full, What Do I Do Now? , I have received a quite few enquiries from travelers asking how to acquire a second passport.
The answer to this question varies widely from country to country, so I am only able to address this issue directly for those holding passports from the United States of America.
Obtaining a duplicate passport used to be fairly easy. Like everything else technology makes this more difficult, and the needs for stricter international security has created more challenging terms to determine who is eligible for a second passport.
You might wonder why someone needs a second passport, and the answers are quite simple
A) Requiring a visa to a foreign country that will not issue a visa to you if you have visited another foreign country. Such as Saudi Arabia will not issue a visa to anyone with an entry stamp into Israel.
B) Travel security. Traveling in unstable or hostile nations and not wanting the immigrations officers to know other places you may have been, such as nations they are feuding with.
In general the United States Passport Service only issues second passports on an individual basis. This case-by-case basis is determined based upon the justified reasons cited by the person applying for a second passport. The second passport is only valid for a period of two years.
In order to apply for a second passport, you must submit a DS-82 form along with your current passport and two passport photographs. Along with these documents you must turn in a detailed written request from your employer or organization explaining the need for a second valid passport, along with an official affidavit signed in the presence of a State Department, or Consular, Officer attesting to the legitimate use of the second passport.
Finding direct information for the requesting of a second passport is not as easy as one might think on the US State Department’s Passport web site, however there is very clear and detailed information on the website for the Embassy of The United States in London, England (just click HERE).
For those of you, who are not U.S. Passport holders, check with your home country for their individual rules on issuing second passports.
Happy Flying!
Sir, I wish to differ with you on your statement of “Such as Saudi Arabia will not issue a visa to anyone with an entry stamp into Israel.”
Although in the past this has been an issue, this is no longer the case.
I must mention that I can only speak for US passport holders, I am sure the situation is different for other countries.
Thanks for the informative website.
Tony,
While Saudi Arabia claims to not deny Visas based on religion, which they are very well known to do, they also regularly deny visas to those with Israeli stamps into Israel.
Additionally, Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Sudan are also known to not grant visas to those who have Israeli stamps within their passports. There are exceptions, such as those who travel on Diplomatic or ‘Official United Nations’ passports (issued to those working directly for the UN,not UN issued refugee passports).
Happy Flying!
-Fish
Sir,
I must ask what proof you are basing this statement on.
As you said in your response, “Saudi Arabia claims to not deny Visas based on religion, which they are very well known to do, they also regularly deny visas to those with Israeli stamps into Israel.”, but what facts are you using?
Yes Saudi Arabia is not a tourist destination, nor is it truely “friendly” to westerners. However, almost anyone wishing to perform the Hajj can apply and are usually granted a visa provided they apply correctly.
Maybe with what occurred in December 2008 will affect the issuing of Visas to anyone with a stamp from Israel, but the official policy is not to deny based on that.
As a caveat, I believe when you are issues a visa for Israel, you can ask for it not to be stamped into your passport, but it goes on a removeable card to prevent such situations.
Thanks again for your time
But the Hajj is a Muslim tradition. Applying to enter Saudi Arabia on that basis will certainly cause no problems with them because it proves that you are not someone that they would find to be “offensive”.
Actually, go to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth office website and it clearly states that Israeli stamps may preclude entry to Saudi. sept 2012.
Dilbert,
This is why people get a second duplicate passport. One passport can have a a visa or stamp from Israel and while traveling to a place such as KSA you use your other passport,which does not have a stamp from Israel.
Keeping both passport separate is ideal for avoiding certain Passport Control entry conflicts.
Happy Flying!
-Fish