Job Discussion Forums

No Moss · Joined: 15 Apr 2003 Posts: 1995 Location: Thailand

Well, I've finally run out of room on my (American) passport, even though it was a 48 pager. (BTW, Americans should always ask for a 48 page passport instead of a 24 pager--no extra charge). My current passport has a valid China visa in it (not the "Z"). What can I do? The nearest embassy/consulate is in Hong Kong, but I'm also close to GuangZhou. Passport is still valid for 7 years. Help!

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

oNCE YOU ARE OUT OF SPACE FOR NEW STAMPS, THEY WILL REFUSE TO STAMP YOUR PASSPORT - WHICH MEANS YOU CANNOT CROSS THE BORDER IN ANY DIRECTION.
in OTHER WORDS: YOU MUST GET A NEW PASSPORT EVEN IF YOUR OLD VISA IS STILL VALID.
i AM CURRENTLY USING TWO PASSPORTS - ONE WITH 4 HOLES MADE BY THE CONSULATE OF MY COUNTRY TO INVALIDATE IT although it contains a still-valid visa, which I must show every time I go to HK, and they put their stamp in my new vpassport.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Well, nothing like waiting 'til the last moment. You must have really done some travelling. My understanding is that you don't have to apply for a new passport, but that you have to go in person to get aditional pages. Contact the American consualte in Beijing. They often send a representative to travel to the various provinces for just this purpose

MyTurnNow · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 860 Location: Outer Shanghai

And, there is a US Consulate in Guangzhou.

The US Consulate General in Guangzhou
No. 1 Shamian South Street, Guangzhou, PRC 510133
Tel: (86-20) 8121-8000 Fax: (86-20) 8121-9001

MT

Freaky Deaky · Joined: 13 Feb 2003 Posts: 309 Location: In Jen's kitchen

My American mate just had extra pages added to his passport - no charge.

No Moss · Joined: 15 Apr 2003 Posts: 1995 Location: Thailand

Thanks for the help. I called the US consulate in Guangzhou, and they said I could add extra pages (I already had 4 Cool

at no charge. Then I went to the embassy in Hong Kong (on Garden Road just a minute up the street from the tram to Victoria Peak) and got my extra pages--no charge. The Hong Kong office is open for US citizen services every day (except Wednesday afternoon) from 8:30-5:00, with lunch from 12:00-1:30.