A petty hint about passports

[Patanawet]

If you carry your passport with you-- and you shouldn't-- it is your most precious thing when abroad, a nice plastic cover for it which kept my last one pristine for ten years is the bankbook cover.
Just ask for them in your bank.
At least it worked for my UK passport with SCB cover.
You only need to carry a COPY of your documents whatever the money grabbing B.I.B. may tell you.

[unicorn]

1 hour ago, Patanawet said:

...You only need to carry a COPY of your documents whatever the money grabbing B.I.B. may tell you.

That depends on the country, obviously. Some actually do require foreigners have their actual passports on them (though it's probably not going to lead to serious trouble if one has only a copy in most cases). 

• China (People’s Republic of China)
  • Foreigners are required to carry passports; police can demand identification. Local regulations often require presentation during checks.
• Singapore
  • Foreigners must carry passports or valid identity documents; police have authority to require ID.
• South Korea
  • Foreigners are expected to carry passports or an Alien Registration Card (ARC). Police may request ID.
• Japan
  • While residents use the Residence Card, short-term visitors should carry passports; authorities can request ID for immigration/police checks.
• United Arab Emirates (including Dubai, Abu Dhabi)
  • Foreigners must carry passports or Emirates ID (if resident); police may demand ID; fines or detention possible for non-compliance.
• Saudi Arabia
  • Foreigners must carry passports or iqama (residency permit) and present to authorities on demand.
• Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman
  • Similar Gulf practice: foreigners expected to carry passport or residency permit (iqama/permit) and present to police/immigration upon request.
• Turkey
  • Visitors are required to have passports available when requested by police; residents carry residence permits.
• Egypt
  • Foreigners must have passport or travel documents; police/authorities can request ID.
• Thailand
  • Foreigners must carry passports or national ID/entry documents; police conduct spot checks and fines for failure to produce passport/reporting requirements for overstays/registration.
• Vietnam
  • Law requires foreigners to carry passports or temporary residence permits and present them to police upon request.
• Malaysia
  • Foreigners must carry passports or valid identity documents; routine checks occur.
• Indonesia
  • Foreigners must carry passports; police/immigration can request ID.
• India
  • No universal statute forcing all foreigners to carry passports at all times, but in practice authorities (police, immigration) can require proof of identity; certain states or situations (e.g., protected areas) have stricter checks.
• Pakistan
  • Foreigners expected to carry passports and visas/registration; police/immigration checks enforced.
• Iran
  • Foreign nationals are required to carry passports and visas/permits; presenting to authorities is required.
• Many African states (examples)
  • South Africa: foreigners required to carry passports or valid permits; police checks common.
  • Kenya: foreigners must carry passports/permits; immigration and police checks frequent.
  • Nigeria: foreigners should carry passports; enforcement varies.
• Latin America (examples)
  • Cuba: strict about carrying passport and tourist card for visitors.
  • Some countries (e.g., Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia) commonly require visitors to be able to produce passport/entry stamp when requested—practice varies by location and enforcement.
• Source: https://www.quora.com/Which-countries-require-foreigners-to-carry-passports-at-all-times

[Moses]

US:

8 U.S.C. § 1304(e)

Quote

“Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him pursuant to subsection (d).”

8 C.F.R. § 264.1

Quote

“The following forms constitute evidence of registration: … I-94..."

[vinapu]

I wonder what rules are for North Korea.

I personally don't carry passport with me most of the times , Thailand or any country, but always have drivers licence in case I need to be identified i.e. hit by the bus. I understand it may be risky and lead to problems with police but losing passport is BIG inconvenience so I rather keep it in the safe. 

statistically speaking last time I was stopped by police and asked for ID was in early 90ties in my own city. It looks I  looked similar to somebody police was actively searching in the area.

As for USA nowadays , yes , with all that illegal immigrants hunting instigated by What Is His Name ? , if one doesn't look like WASP  he better carry something with him as painfully  legal resident sent to El Salvador learned.  

[PeterRS]

Being here on a long term visa, my answer is simple. I take a photo of my passport details page and another of the visa. I cut to size, back one to another and then have it laminated. I always carry that in my backpack or back pocket. There are shops offering lamination all over the place, even one on Saladaeng just before you come to Senso.

I realise this is less easy for those here on short trips visa free. Then it is the arrival stamp the police are interested in. So just a quick photo copy of that and the details page should suffice. No need to risk losing your passport and it saves a trip to a police station if for any reason they ask for it.

[TMax]

I have never carried my passport around with me when overseas except for the currency exchanges that require the passport and then it goes straight back to the room safe after the transaction, I carry my driver's license and a photocopy of my passport information page and visa / stamp page. On my last trip to Bangkok X-One currency exchange accepted the photocopy as identification. I also have my passport in an RFID sleeve which helps to keep it in very good condition.

 

[Patanawet]

1 hour ago, PeterRS said:

. No need to risk losing your passport and it saves a trip to a police station if for any reason they ask for it.

Yes sorry Peter and others. In my initial message I should have specified that I was only talking about Thailand.

I repeat -- do not carry your original passport. It is worth a fortune to pickpockets.

We are always told that it is the law that you must carry your passport as Thais must carry their ID cards.

At a time of some troubles (forget which) one of the more notorious police area chiefs produced a poster in English aimed at farang stating what to do if stopped by police.
It included tips like -- insist, if  being searched, or urine checked that it is done in in a well lighted area. You CAN take photos of the officer etc.  About ten tips as I remember.
And one that said that it is only necessary to carry a good copy of your passport and visa(?).

I have lived and worked  here in the centre of Bangkok, involving many night taxi trips etc, for 25 years plus and holidaymaking more than that, and although stopped and searched  many times have NEVER been asked for my original passport, the copy sufficed.

Well, those are MY experiences. I wonder if anyone else can recall the original police poster (as in 'poster' stuck on a wall). It could have been Thong Lor or Asoke police that issued it.

And Peter, any idea of a print shop that laminates near to Silom or Phrom Pong? My big local one claimed not to do it.

Edited 12 hours ago by Patanawet
slightly more grammatical

[PeterRS]

3 minutes ago, Patanawet said:

Peter, any idea of a print shop that laminates near to Silom or Phrom Pong? My big local one claimed not to do it.

I said in my earlier post that I have mine done is a small shop on Saladaeng. It's on I think the first corner on the same side as Senso and probably around 50 meters or so prior to Senso. Cost earlier this year was I think Bt. 4.

[unicorn]

3 hours ago, TMax said:

I have never carried my passport around with me when overseas...

Yes, truth be told, I usually keep my passport in the hotel safe also. Obviously, it will rarely lead to trouble. One should be aware, however, that this can be technically illegal in some countries, and might get oneself in hot water in some of them. 

[khaolakguy]

3 hours ago, PeterRS said:

I said in my earlier post that I have mine done is a small shop on Saladaeng. It's on I think the first corner on the same side as Senso and probably around 50 meters or so prior to Senso. Cost earlier this year was I think Bt. 4.

I also had my important passport pages photocopied and laminated in this shop earlier this year!

[Patanawet]

5 hours ago, PeterRS said:

I said in my earlier post that I have mine done is a small shop on Saladaeng. It's on I think the first corner on the same side as Senso and probably around 50 meters or so prior to Senso. Cost earlier this year was I think Bt. 4.

Thanks Peter. It's just, in my innocence, I don't know what Senso is.  Could it be a sour bread bakery? --- something else I'm looking for.
I will go wandering.

[PeterRS]

1 hour ago, Patanawet said:

Thanks Peter. It's just, in my innocence, I don't know what Senso is.  Could it be a sour bread bakery? --- something else I'm looking for.
I will go wandering.

Senso is one of the best known gay massage spas in Bangkok. Saladaeng is very close to Saladaeng Skytrain (BTS) station. Get off at the Silom Complex exit at the back left of the train, go down to street level, do a U-turn and walk up 100 meters or so to Saladaeng. Turn right into Saladaeng, stay on the left of that soi, immediately after the first small soi opening on your left there is a dingy looking shop. That's the one. Very easy if you are in the Silom area. This map might help.

[jimmie50]

I have a US Passport Card that I use for identification purposes when I travel internationally.  They currently cost $30, plus a $35 processing fee if it is the first time getting the card.  You get them from the Passport Office at the State Department...same as the passport book.  I find it convenient as it fits in my wallet (size of a credit card) and contains all of the same information as the passport booklet minus the entry/exit stamps.  I just photo copy the entry/exit page and carry that around in my bag.  So far, I have had no issues or problems using the passport card.  Super Rich accepted it in Thailand with no problem when exchanging currency.  Hotels all accepted it on my recent tour of Northern Thailand, as did certain venues we visited that required ID.  

[vinapu]

23 minutes ago, jimmie50 said:

I have a US Passport Card that I use for identification purposes when I travel internationally.  They currently cost $30, plus a $35 processing fee if it is the first time getting the card.  You get them from the Passport Office at the State Department...same as the passport book.  I find it convenient as it fits in my wallet (size of a credit card) and contains all of the same information as the passport booklet

that's one of great American inventions along with presidential term limit

[jimmie50]

33 minutes ago, vinapu said:

presidential term limit

According to the current occupant, regardless of what the constitution says he plans to run again in four years.  Go figure.  Just cannot make this stuff up.