Stamping a UK/EU Passport

[Marco 72]

Does anyone know if UK immigration can put a stamp on an EU passport (or even a British passport) upon request?

[Christophe]

They were certainly willing do this a few years ago, with British passports at least; they would stamp the passport with the date of entry and make a hand-written annotation "by request" or "stamped by request". Whether they will still do it if asked I don't know for certain, but I think that they would. (A common reason for people asking for it to be done is because they discover on arrival at their UK airport that they didn't surrender their US immigration card on leaving the US.) Having the passport stamped on departure from the UK would be more problematic in that exit passport controls are still rather erratic, although becoming more frequent.

[INSIDER]

The answer is; IOs do have the power to do this but whether they are willing depends entirely on which IO you get and to be honest what kind of mood he /her is in.

@Christophe

Embarkation controls only consist, at the moment, of checks. There are no exit stamps.

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

I have been told by an IO that it is "illegal" for them to stamp a UK passport.

It is certainly illegal for them to stamp a passport from another EU state (Directive 2004/38/EC) but that does not apply to UK passports.

[INSIDER]

I have been told by an IO that it is "illegal" for them to stamp a UK passport.

It is certainly illegal for them to stamp a passport from another EU state (Directive 2004/38/EC) but that does not apply to UK passports.

I beg to disagree, it is procedurally incorrect for an IO to endorse an EU passport with a refusal stamp. But nothing in law prevents an IO placing an entry stamp in an EU passport if it is requested by the holder. It often happens with kids who want a stamp.

[JAJ]

I have been told by an IO that it is "illegal" for them to stamp a UK passport.

It is certainly illegal for them to stamp a passport from another EU state (Directive 2004/38/EC) but that does not apply to UK passports.

The stamp may have no legal effect but I very much doubt that the term "illegal" is appropriate.

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

I have been told by an IO that it is "illegal" for them to stamp a UK passport.

It is certainly illegal for them to stamp a passport from another EU state (Directive 2004/38/EC) but that does not apply to UK passports.

The stamp may have no legal effect but I very much doubt that the term "illegal" is appropriate.

I would have expected exactly the same thing. But the IO very politely refused to do it for the person who was asking, even though the IO had the stamp right there.

[JAJ]

The stamp may have no legal effect but I very much doubt that the term "illegal" is appropriate.



I would have expected exactly the same thing. But the IO very politely refused to do it for the person who was asking, even though the IO had the stamp right there.

Perhaps a polite request should have been made to see his supervisor.

[Decus et Tutamen]

I was given to believe that for an IO to endorse either a British or EEA passport could be construed as having treated the holder as subject to immigration control which, of course, they are not, and would be illegal.

There is a myriad of reasons why someone not subject to immigration control may ask for a stamp in their passport, the principal ones being kids who just want a stamp, and others for tax reasons (demonstrating to HMRC the number of days absent). As a consequence, the IO annotates the stamp "on request" in order to indicate it was given at the passport holder's instigation.

Indeed, there are other passports which an IO should not endorse, for example a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) passport, as to do so would tacitly acknowledge a government which the UK does not recognise.

[paulp]

I will ask for a stamp next time as my british passport will remain empty if I keep travelling around europe and use my other passport when I go back home.

[INSIDER]

I will ask for a stamp next time as my british passport will remain empty if I keep travelling around europe and use my other passport when I go back home.

As I said whether it is given to you willingly all depends on the IO on the day, how you ask and the circumstances. So for example if there is a long queue you are likely to be told no. Also if the IO considers that by giving you a stamp then every other person in the queue will request one he/she might say no.

Good luck

[paulp]

As I said whether it is given to you willingly all depends on the IO on the day, how you ask and the circumstances. So for example if there is a long queue you are likely to be told no. Also if the IO considers that by giving you a stamp then every other person in the queue will request one he/she might say no.

Good luck

Thanks. I'll try the IO at the non-EU queue, as my wife definitely wants a stamp. She's applying for ILR+nat soon and wants her travels recorded.