Passport Pages and Stamps

[n8net]

Just want to ask what are the rule of the law when crossing the boarders when pages run out on passport for Immigration officers to put their 'embarked/landed' stamps?

are they legal requirements, is there a way to have them stamped in another document or tell them on which page to put their stamp on to avoid them using valuable passport pages to reserve them for Visa stickers instead for future applications?

Thanks for reading..

[vinny]

See also Passport stamp.

Your passport doesn’t have enough blank pages

File this under “one of those nit-picky things you never check.” Visa pages cannot be added to a passport, according to the State Department, so for most destinations, you’ll be required to have at least two blank passport pages before you’re allowed in the country, but this varies based on where you’re going. You can check out the requirements for your destination here.

See also Making your passport last longer when running short of pages.

[n8net]

thanks Vinny. I have read through them, but could not ascertain whether they are legal requirement or not (I assume it is) and if there is anyway to talk-out of it...

The 'sticky note' tip had been tried already, but not all immigration officials are very obliging.

any other tips especially in the context of UK issued Travel Documents - is there a way to add pages to an existing document ?

[vinny]

is there a way to add pages to an existing document ?

No. However, frequent travelers may choose to order a 50-page passport or additional passports.

[n8net]

thanks Vinny...good info on additional passports, not known that before..

do you know if the same applies for Travel documents, especially those issued under 1951 Refugee convention?

[secret.simon]

To the best of my knowledge, the rules on British passports do not apply by analogy to Home Office Travel Documents (HOTDs) issued under the various Refugees or Statelessness conventions. The former is issued under the Royal Prerogative and the Home Office has much more leeway compared to the latter in making the rules for the former.

Found this quote in the Home Office guidance (dated 2013) for Home Office travel documents.

(Page 44)If an HOTD has expired or is full, the holder must apply for a new HOTD by completing application form TD112 BRP and paying the appropriate fee. An existing HOTD cannot be extended.
If the holder of an expired or full HOTD is not currently in the UK they must contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission for advice

Also, I assume (from the fact that they are not mentioned in the guidance) that HOTDs are issued in a standard size (i.e. you can't apply for one with a larger size) and one can't apply for additional HOTDs, as one can with British passports.

is there a way to have them stamped in another document

That may well depend on the country in question. For instance, some countries, such as Israel or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, issue some visas on additional pieces of paper/landing slips that have to be carried in addition to the passport and can then be discarded after you leave the country.

Some countries, such as Australia, do not stamp passports at all except on request, while others may stamp your passport on both departure and arrival within discrete parts of the same country (such as from French Polynesia to another part of France and vice versa).

Again, keep in mind that Travel Documents issued under the various conventions may not be treated under the same rules as passports and while some exemptions may apply to passports from certain countries, that may not automatically be extended to TDs issued by that country.

From vinny's link on Passport stamp above, it seems that UKV&I agents can also send a stamp across by letter, fax or email rather than by stamping within the passport itself. BUT that may be limited to on-arrival visit visas (i.e. that may not apply to somebody who is resident in the UK on some form of visa or leave to remain) and may be limited to passports themselves (i.e. that may not apply to travel documents, whether British or issued by other governments).

I'd say that your only option is to request for a fresh HOTD when you run out of pages.

[n8net]

thanks Simon.

Think some part of this guidance may be outdated, as applications for HOTD are now made online and not on forms.

but the information is very clear and concise !