Job Discussion Forums

[oldboy]

Okay, so if all goes well I should be flying out next week.
My passport is currently at the Chinese embassy whilst my visa is processed. The worry I have, is looking back, I remember the bottom left corner of my passport laminate is slightly peeled. Now, do you think I could encounter any big problems at the airport when trying to fly out because of this?
I mean, if the embassy doesn't reject it, and processes my visa with the passport, will the airport be okay with it as well? Are the Chinese very strict on passport conditions?

I've contradictory info on the internet. Guidelines say the laminate must be perfect, but I've read on other forums that people have gotten away with it numerous times..

Is it worth just getting a bit of transparent glue and just sticking it back down?

EDIT: I would only need to get out to China, as when I'm down teaching I could just get it renewed at the Embassy

[askiptochina]

I would chance it because they would have to get another teacher otherwise. I doubt they would do that in the time you could get a new one replaced. Also, if it goes through the embassy, I would think the restrictions would be less at the airport. They are (should be) more concerned about security.

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

[daCabbie]

What country are you leaving from? Will you pass through another country on your way to China?

I wouldn't worry to much. The might face 'additional security', but on the other hand you might get stuck in a third country until someone can verify your identity.

You said you are flying out next week. So, it is to late to get a replacement in most countries, especially the USA. If it were me I would chance it and then get it replaced as soon as you get to China or soon after you get your residence permit.

If you send your passport off after you get the visa you need to include a note with it that says you have an active visa and to NOT cancel the page that has your active visa. Then you should still carry both passports.

My passport is in rough shape and I have passed through a number of countries with no problem, but I still worry about it. I have never had a problem the two times I entered China, but they gave me headache once when I passed through Canada on my way to China. Just a short delay to check me out. Nothing serious.

[oldboy]

Yeh I think I will have to just go for it and see what happens. Thanks for the help guys, I'll keep you posted with what happens

[Jayray]

DON'T GLUE IT!

The Rev is right about the visa looking as if it were tampered with. If your passport shows that you've traveled a fair amount, a little delamination might not raise any eyebrows. If it looks as though you've glued it , it WILL raise eyebrows.

The passport that I was issued in 1995 looked pretty rough by the time I renewed it. Nobody gave me any problems because of it. What DID cause problems was my beard.

[askiptochina]

Maybe that's the solution, LOL, find something else like a beard to cause a distraction.

[oldboy]

haha I think I'll try wearing a casual suit.. make me look more professional and reduce any suspicions they may have. Also speak really heavy RP English

[samhouston]

On changes in appearance... Inside my passport there is a photo of some fatass with short hair and a big stupid looking goatee. Last time I got a new visa, it was delayed because the photos supplied with the application were of a much thinner guy, clean shaven with long hair. I was asked to supply photos that more resembled the one in the passport. Luckily, I still had some old ones on my hard drive. Everything went through ok with the old out of date pics.

Moral of story, keep old photos handy.

[oldboy]

Been to the Chinese embassy today and they stuck the visa in my passport. First hurdle done

[killian]

it amazes me they still make passports out of such low quality materials. my last one sat in a plastic bag one summer in taiwan and when after a few months when i was neccesited to find it the humidity of taiwan had cooked it. the laminate on the picture page was coming off on all corners.

was a constant hassle everytime i flew using that shoddy little book. happy was the day the new passport was obtained.

[Jayray]

[Rob Aston]

My Passport is in a pretty rough condition and the laminate is peeling on both open corners (though much more on one) it also looks like it has partly delaminated inside over part of the picture. Its only 3 years old, its a British Electronic Passport not that any of the print on the front remains. That said I have had no problems with it, been in and out of China a dozen times. As I live in Guangzhou I do a lot of travelling to Hong Kong and Macau, also used it on the militarised Vietnam border with no problems. Sometimes I get a dirty look from a border official (only Chinese ones not Hong Kong ones) but thats about it.

I have had a beard though in the past, that certain causes a lot more trouble!

[Lorean]

[oldboy]

The visa sticker is stuck in fine. What I'm talking about is the laminate on the passport picture