22

I have several blank pages in between already stamped pages. They didn't stamp the first available page, they just opened my passport and stamped. Do the pages still count as blank if they are blank but between existing stamped pages? Or do I need a certain number that are blank after the last known stamp?

I have stamps on pages 8, 11, 14 & 24 out of a total of 20 stampable pages- the rest are blank.

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
39

A page is blank if it has nothing on it. Stamps on subsequent pages are irrelevant, a blank page is a blank page.

Some countries may have rules about needing (for example) two consecutive, facing, blank pages (so a full-page visa can go on one page and the entry/exit stamp on the one facing it), which could rule out the use of some blank pages for those countries.

I've never heard of a country requiring blank pages to be after all other stamps. If there is one, I'm sure their rules would make that requirement explicitly clear.

Improve this answer
14
  • 1
    I believe you! Thank you- with covid running rampant, it would probably take more than 7 weeks for me to renew it- and I have SO many blank pages or pages with one tiny stamp. I see there are lines like for 4 entry/exit stamps to fit to a page- so I'll just open it to the page and gently suggest they stamp it there to start filling the gaps. Thank you so much for your answer!
    – LindseyLucas
    Sep 11, 2020 at 6:43
  • 3
    on my trips in central and eastern europe, before Schengen or beyond Schengen, I saw most border officials starting to stamp on the very last page. they'd fill two of my passports from behind which had others complain about a full passport when they leaved through it from behind, eventually finding only some blank pages near the front.
    – dlatikay
    Sep 11, 2020 at 13:36
  • 1
    @dlatikay See also: [customs and immigration - Are there countries that are known to place their stamp at the end of the passport?] [travel.stackexchange.com/questions/77090/…
    – Mark Johnson
    Sep 11, 2020 at 14:47
  • 12
    One country can't tell another country how to stamp a passport.
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Sep 11, 2020 at 16:21
  • 2
    @WGroleau Think about the task from the agent's perspective. They need to make sure you and the passport match. So the photo page is the one they are going to look at first. It's a busy thankless job, so they need to do their work quickly. Finding the right page for your ordering scheme is out of scope. They only need to match enter and exit stamps for their country. Yes this is annoying for you and me, but it's just life. Perhaps you could put in a small post-it note and ask them to please stamp that page, to keep things tidy, after they have identified you. Make their life as easy!
    – DarcyThomas
    Sep 12, 2020 at 20:23

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.