Anyone travelled to the Middle East using 2 passports?

[lamaman3]

Hello all - I am scheduled to travel to Lebanon in a few weeks and my current passport had Israeli entry stamp in it which would bar me from entry into Lebanon- so I applied for a 2nd US passport thinking having both would be good in case I wanted to go back and forth - now I want to go to both the Lebanese and Syrian embassies to get travel visas with my second passport but I just noticed that 1) The second passport is valid only for 2 years and 2) the last page of the passport says "This passport expires XXXX 2012 AND was issued by the Department of state under 22 CFR 51.2.B" - The first page of my passports also has "remarks - see page 27," the page on which the above is written.

If you google 22 CFR 51.2.B it very clearly states "22 CFR 51.2(b) provides that unless authorized by the Department no person shall bear more than one valid or potentially valid U.S. passport at any one time"

Now I've read on certain sites that I was supposed to USE the 2nd passport for Israel and leave the regular one for other countries - but I clearly stated my reasons for the second passport and the state dept still issued it to me. Will it be obvious to Lebanese and Syrians that this is a 2nd passport for the rather obvious reasons?? (My name is identifiably Jewish as well which doesent help). This trip is happening soon so any answers would be appreciated ASAP!

[Angus Young]

When I got my Saudi visa the information supplied with the application said it was illegal to bring in a second passport. I don't want to jail anywhere but an Arab prison is an especially unapealling thought. If you need to go to Isreal with your new passport you can ask them not to stamp it. They will give you a stamped form to keep with your passport while you are in the country.

[_JP_]

To start off with, this is a legal issue that you need to resolve with the Department of State. Don't rely on what people here tell you.

As far as I know, when a replacement passport is issued the previous passport gets canceled and sent back to you. Since you didn't submit your previous passport that might be a problem for you right there.

[airplanedoc]

While I have not personally done this. I do know of several people who travel the world for work and, many of them do have 2 US passports. The problem is mainly travelling in the middle east, but they are also used when travelling to 2 countrys that are in conflict with each other (think N and S Korea as a example not a real scenerio) travel is generally done thru a intermediary country, and not direct country to country. The best scenerio is to get a passport from a second country (thru legal methods) if you are able.

[Big_Fuzzy]

As a Lebanese migrant in Australia... I must ask, what on Earth would a man with a clearly identifiable Jewish name be doing in Lebanon. I am hardly anti-Israel or bigoted, but please do be careful telling your name etc. I am sure you have an appreciation for the situation.

As for the passport situation, I have travelled through Lebanon and Syria using Lebanese and Australian passports, depends on the type of guard on the borders...

[SRock]

To start off with, this is a legal issue that you need to resolve with the Department of State. Don't rely on what people here tell you.


Best advice in this thread. Contact the State Department or an immigration attorney for assistance.