bon voyage AbuS

[UmmSqueakster 54]

So, finally, finally, finally, AbuS is going home to visit his family. He arrived in the US on October 3, 2005, and hasn't been home since then.

He is planning on using his US passport for the entire trip. Has any MENA person done this before and have they encountered any issues with the officials in the MENA country? He was planning on bringing his egyptian passport in his carry on as well. Will this cause problems?

[AngelK96 0]

Hi Rahma,

My husband used his US Passport when he went to visit Jordan. No problems there. Although he has to register at the police dept after 2 weeks. He took his Jordanian Passort with him, but it's expired and he wanted to get it renewed.

He used his US passport to go visit Israel he was able to get in there with the usual questioning they do to Arab Men. He is now in Nazareth visiting his mother's family for a few days.

Hope that helps!

Angel

[Tunisia216 2]

Does Egypt have a law like Tunisia? It states right in the airport on a sign that all Tunisian citizens must always enter and leave the country on their Tunisian passport No exceptions.

Then again if you are lucky enough to slip by immigration without them suspecting you are Tunisian you can use a "foreign" passport. But I think in Tunisia it has more to do with the fact that they charge you every time you leave the country. Jihed had to buy an exit stamp for 50 dinar when he came here.

Funny that you have to pay to leave but not get in - don't know who would pay that fee lol

[prince+angel 3]

My husband also had to buy a stamp to exit Tunisa, he ended up mailing it back to his family though ...IDK why?

Wouldn't hurt for him to carry his Egyptian passport but like Ash stated, would definitely check to see if there is an entry/exit requirement to use that one vs. his U.S. passport.

Good luck!

[UmmSqueakster 54]

According to the state department website, they encourage dual citizens to enter egypt on their US passport, as any assistance they can render will be limited if they enter on the egyptian one. He's already registered with the US embassy about when and where he'll be, so inshaAllah everything will be good. I'm just such a worry wart

[Tunisia216 2]

Yes the information is the same for most countries that they can only offer assistance to those that entered on the US passport. I was speaking from the point of Egyptian immigration officers at the airport and rules.

I've heard several stories from friends whose husbands tried to enter Tunisia on UK or Tunisian passports and were made to produce their Tunisian passport and enter with that. It just depends in Tunis whether or not they suspect you are a Tunisian citizen and ask to see the papers.

Other friends have also had problems with their dual citizen children. For instance the first time that we take Sayed we are expected to enter on the American passport but to obtain a Tunisian passport for him and he should use that one in the future. Friends have tried to circumvent this and were asked at entry if the child had a Tunisian father and were informed they must obtain a Tunisian passport and birth certificate for him.

It complicates things though as from that point on (with the Tunisian passport) the mother can not leave the country with the child unless she has the father traveling with them or a notarized letter from the baladyia (municipal) that the father grants her permission to travel abroad with the child.

Jihed said we try to hide Sayed's Tunisian-ness LOL

PS I think I'd just have him go on the US passport but keep his Egyptian passport and documents with him in the event they ask for them or cause a problem. All his bases are covered that way.

[amysaid 9]

My husband used to work at the Cairo airport for a long time, he says he never heard of anyone getting hassled or given a hard time for using their non-Egyptian passport to travel in or out of Egypt. He also said he knew of several Canadian and British/Egyptian dual citizens who always used their foreign passports to travel to and from Egypt, and they never had a problem. HTH.

[amysaid 9]

My husband used to work at the Cairo airport for a long time, he says he never heard of anyone getting hassled or given a hard time for using their non-Egyptian passport to travel in or out of Egypt. He also said he knew of several Canadian and British/Egyptian dual citizens who always used their foreign passports to travel to and from Egypt, and they never had a problem. HTH.

ETA: He says now that the only issue might be that he has to pass through the non-Egyptian line to have his passport stamped, but he's not sure of that, since his passport should say that he is born in Egypt. He also said he may have to go to Tehrir square and report that he has another citizenship so that the next time he enters, he will be in the system as having dual citizenship. He says it's actually a good idea to travel with his Egyptian passport in his carry-on, in case anyone has any question about his Egyptian citizenship status, and that he should never have to buy a visa.

[LRA 0]

Does Egypt grant visas at the airport or are the required for US citizens for entry? In Jordan as a non-Jordanian passport holder you can pay 10JD at the airport for the visa. Jordanians pass through to the border/passport control for a stamp. I determine which passport I will enter on from a pure $ standpoint. Jordanians used to have to pay a 25JD exit fee when they left and I think non-Jordanians was 10JD, but then the non-Jordanians was reduced to 0. So I started going on my US passport. Also depending on how many people are in line for visas at the airport (there is only 1 border patrol officer that issues them and if there are tour groups/lots of non-Jordanians) there could be a long wait. There are rules in Jordan that you must register with the local police (again paying more $) if you are a non-Jordanian. I don't think he will face much trouble either way, and he should look at from a time and $ standpoint to determine which is best. They will know he's Egyptian, one way or another. ;-)

[venusfire503 54]

Maybe those who have done this with all the different countries can let us know. I was wondering (of course) about Morocco....

venusfire

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Thanks for the responses everyone. He was planning on going in the non egyptian line and paying the $15.

Amysaid, by Tahrir Square, does he mean Mogama? I'm sure AbuS will be thrilled to know he has to waste a day running around there

Only 9 days until he leaves! I've got to make up my list of things for him to get me and finish up on the present shopping. I got my SIL a nice black leather purse and a gorgeous shiney pinkish scarf from Len Druskin. AbuS insisted on a cinderella handheld video game for my niece, but I got her a cool hot pink purse (she's 9). Microwave from egypt for the MIL. Hmm, what else?

Edited February 26, 2010 by UmmSqueakster

[sara535 15]

Thanks for the responses everyone. He was planning on going in the non egyptian line and paying the $15.

Amysaid, by Tahrir Square, does he mean Mogama? I'm sure AbuS will be thrilled to know he has to waste a day running around there

Only 9 days until he leaves! I've got to make up my list of things for him to get me and finish up on the present shopping. I got my SIL a nice black leather purse and a gorgeous shiney pinkish scarf from Len Druskin. AbuS insisted on a cinderella handheld video game for my niece, but I got her a cool hot pink purse (she's 9). Microwave from egypt for the MIL. Hmm, what else?

candy, OTC meds, and good smelling toiletries like from Bath and Body works.....

[ya hayat alby ♥ 0]

I don't have personal experience with this, but there was an American lady who I visited often while I was staying in Alex and her husband traveled between the US and there where she lived... I remember she said to me he used his US passport and just showed them the Egyptian one too in the line so he wouldn't have to pay the visa fee.

[SimoFati 0]

I entered Morocco with my us passpost twice. I never had an issue. the only thing they want to see is La carte nationale which is the moroccan ID , if you don't have it you will be treated like any american and can't stay in morocco longer than 3months without extention also you have to register with local police. anyway Moroccan don't have to pay as I am hearing Tunisian do leaving(at least since last time I visited Morocco in summer 2006).

[venusfire503 54]

I entered Morocco with my us passpost twice. I never had an issue. the only thing they want to see is La carte nationale which is the moroccan ID , if you don't have it you will be treated like any american and can't stay in morocco longer than 3months without extention also you have to register with local police. anyway Moroccan don't have to pay as I am hearing Tunisian do leaving(at least since last time I visited Morocco in summer 2006).

SimoFati,

Thank you so much for the info - good to know!

venusfire