Israeli Stamp in Passport - any problems?

[Richard10002]

For a diving holiday in Jordan last year, I flew into and out of Israel, with transfers to jordan by coach. As a result, I have a page of Israeli stamps in my passport.

Some people have said that this can cause problems if I want to visit countries like Morrocco and Tunisia and other Arab/muslim countries.

It obviously didnt cause a problem entering and leaving Jordan but...

Anyone know if this is the case, or is it merely a rumour.

Cheers

Richard

 

[BrendanS]

I used to travel and do business in Israel and Arabic countries, and travelled on two passports. You won't see anything on the UK passport agency site about this, but you have to apply and give good reason why you need two.


Morocco and Tunisia I can't see being a problem though, it's close and conflicting neighbours that usually get you the second passport.

 

[No1_Moose]

It's worth remember that you can ask Israeli immigration to either not stamp your passport or to stamp a piece of paper and staple that onto a page in your passport so you can remove it later. They are happy to do this. I agree with Brendan that Morocco and Tunisia shouldn't pose a problem but if you want to go sightseeing in Jeddah or Tehran you may have some problems.

 

[BrendanS]

Good point about the stamp on separate bit of paper, and generally they are happy to do this. Though once you have the Israeli stamp in your passport you are a bit stuffed, and the only way around it is to renew your passport or apply for a second one, if you want to travel to countries that don't like Israeli stamps.

 

[rwoofer]

I'm sorry to say everyone I know gets a stamp on a separate piece of paper. Standard practice for Israel, which they seem happy to oblige with.

You could "lose" your passport and get a new one, if you are worried about Arab countries.

 

[ccscott49]

You wont have a problem in Saudi either, I travelled to Iran last year with an old israel stamp, (used the wrong passport) no problems either, however the Russians asked a few questions? Morocco, tunisia, Egypt, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Yemen, no problems.

 

[Oliveoyl]

My daughter was questioned on arrival in New York because she had a Moroccan stamp on her passport! Compounded by tha fact that her grasp of English is fairly poor for a UK passport holder.She now has both UK and Belgian passports.

 

[ccscott49]

Good old US of Assholes! Land of the free eh?

 

[Amphitrite]

In Morocco you will get stamps (inward and outward) on each entry into port - that may be a reason for a second passport in itself, esp. if you intend travelling to the US later.... In Germany you also can apply for a second passport, the reasoning that normally works is that you travel so much and have to apply for so many visas that you need a second one when one passport is at an ambassade for obtaining a visa in advance....

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
It's worth remember that you can ask Israeli immigration to either not stamp your passport or to stamp a piece of paper and staple that onto a page in your passport so you can remove it later. They are happy to do this. I agree with Brendan that Morocco and Tunisia shouldn't pose a problem but if you want to go sightseeing in Jeddah or Tehran you may have some problems.

[/ QUOTE ]

The stamp on a piece of paper was something I discovered after the event.... although Israeli immigration were so inquisitive and aggressive that I'm not sure I would have had the guts to ask for the stamp on a piece of paper.

Cant see me wanting to go to Jeddah, Iraq, or Iran, so perhaps I'll be OK.

Thanks for the info though - reassured now.

 

[snowleopard]

Going back a bit but looking at a Saudi visa from the 70s it contains the wording: 'This visa is considered void if bearer obtained there after an Israeli visa'.

No idea what it says these days.

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
For a diving holiday in Jordan last year, I flew into and out of Israel, with transfers to jordan by coach. As a result, I have a page of Israeli stamps in my passport.

Some people have said that this can cause problems if I want to visit countries like Morrocco and Tunisia and other Arab/muslim countries.

It obviously didnt cause a problem entering and leaving Jordan but...

Anyone know if this is the case, or is it merely a rumour.

Cheers

Richard

[/ QUOTE ]

As UK Citizen technically you have one passport. But it is common and accepted by Passport Office that people have 2 or more. This can be for many reasons ... no space for more stamps, a country's stamp giving problems to visit another, etc. etc.

I have 2 passports and carry both ... and when second was issued - passport issuing office was fully aware of the first and only asked if I wished to keep it and use it ... to which I replied yes.

 

[Shannoner]

[ QUOTE ]
Good old US of Assholes! Land of the free eh?

[/ QUOTE ]

I remember the days when an Irish passport meant that you were in for a grilling from the Constabulary when you flew into the UK.
The phrase "people in glass houses etc." comes to mind.
But thank God those days are well behind us, and hopefully the same will happen in the USA when they get rid of that eejit Bush.

 

[Norman_E]

Absolutely. My partner is a British citizen, born in Tehran, but has lived in UK for 30+ years, has a British passport with Turkish stamps in it because we keep the yacht there, and have holidayed there.
She used to live in Arizona, and had a green card, but let it lapse. On going back to see her mother in Arizona she flew via Houston and was detained in immigration for about two hours, not because she is Persian, but because she has the Turkish visa stamps. Turkey is of course an ally of the USA and a member of NATO, which did not stop the [--word removed--] immigration officers from questioning her about why she visited "an extremist Arab country". (news to the Turks that they are Arabs) Of course they do not teach geography in America, and it shows.

 

[PembrokeshirePromise]

Don't "lose" tha passport - lost passports cause lots of hassle.

If however it was accidentally "damaged" - preferably with number still readable - you'd need a replacement wouldn't you ?

Washing machines can be quite dangerous for the forgetful as can puppy dogs ...

 

[Pasarell]

Lebanon will not allow you in with an Isreali stamp in your passport. Probably not much of a problem at the moment because you won't want to go there with their current problems. Shame because it's a beautiful place.

 

[Searush]

Don't mess about "losing/ spoiling" passports. Just ask for a second. You only need to write a pleasant & sensible letter explaining your reasons - frequent Visa applications is a good one, as is a probable need to travel to countries that don't recognise Israel. It isn't difficult or especially expensive - but takes as long as any other passport application.

 

[PembrokeshirePromise]

It was a few years ago - but they wouldn't replace a passport (or in our case issue a second) - no matter how nicely they were asked - unless it was damaged - guess thing may have changed - progress !

 

[BrendanS]

They've been issuing second passports for decades if you had a valid reason

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
It was a few years ago - but they wouldn't replace a passport (or in our case issue a second) - no matter how nicely they were asked - unless it was damaged - guess thing may have changed - progress !

[/ QUOTE ]

Never had any trouble over having extra passport ... have 2 now ... as others say - be polite and have good reason and bingo.