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How To Travel With Two Passports If You’re A Dual Citizen

by Anil Polat | Jun 7, 2012 | Advice, Air, Security | 634

dual citizenship

Having two passports and nationalities opens up the world of travel to the estimated 1% of the globe’s population [PDF] – over 60 million people – that have some form of dual citizenship. That combination means dealing with fewer visas for countries around the world but can also leave you with complications if you’re not careful.

For those of you who are also dual citizens, these general guidelines can make sure neither of your nationalities causes problems for you as you hop over one international boundary after another.

Always Use The Same Passport Entering And Exiting A Country

This one seems straightforward but if you’re on a longer journey and visiting several countries with differing entry requirements for your particular nationalities, it can feel intuitive to to enter with one passport and exit with the other. I’ve made this mistake once or twice (most recently when flying out of Georgia to Ukraine) and had to charm my way out of buying an impromptu flight to Istanbul.

The reason is because countries want to keep track of foreigners entering their borders; using two passports not only makes that more difficult, but also changes the legal framework you fall under.

In general, even if the next country you are visiting would require a visa from you with passport #2, use the same passport to enter and exit a nation. The passport control officer in the country you’re leaving doesn’t care about where you’re going – only about you when you’re in their borders.

Airlines And Governments Are Different; Flash The Right Passport

The advice above is specifically for passport control – not when you check-in with the airlines. They are the ones who are going to care about whether you’ve got the rights (e.g. visa-free travel) to enter the destination. In these cases you should show airline staff the appropriate passport for where you’re going. The airline staff want to make sure you’ll be allowed entry to the country you’re flying to.

Several times prior to boarding a flight I’ve been taken aside by staff to have my documents re-examined. If there’s any question about whether you can (visa-free) enter the country you’re headed to, don’t hesitate to let them know about your dual status.

Don’t Advertise Your Dual Nationality Otherwise

Yes, says the guy who is publicly blogging about dual citizenships to thousands of people right now. Broadly speaking, most governments worry about illegal immigration; which your second citizenship may actually be guilty of. Don’t tell passport control you’ve got two nationalities – even if asked. Doing so can forfeit your rights as a legal traveler. By the way, you’re not lying in this case either. No country in the world records dual citizen entries by tourists – they only see you as a single national.

I should mention also that many immigration and passport controls are tinged with a hint of racism, often biased against citizens of Third World or those who make up a significant minority in a given country. Another good reason not to mention your second citizenship and to keep your second passport inconspicuously stored in your carry-on luggage.

Which Country Sends Commandos After You In Case Of Kidnapping Varies

That is a bit of an extreme example for most people, but the basic premise is if you get in real trouble in a country, whichever passport you used to enter is the nation that’s going to bail you out. So if you’re a French-American dual citizen held hostage by genetically-engineered llamas on your trip to Ecuador you’ll know whether to expect Navy Seals or French Special Forces. (Or Superman, who doesn’t discriminate unless Lois Lane is in trouble at the same time.)

What To Do If Problems Arise

Problems aren’t likely to happen if you’re a dual citizen taking advantage of your two passports – especially if you’re cognizant about not flashing both around. Your biggest troubles are likely to be at passport control due to a second nationality – remember to stick to the one that gets you legal entry. Be firm but confident and if all else fails, get in touch with your embassy.

Updated, Expanded, And Improved: The Ultimate Tech Guide For Travelers Version 2.0

by Anil Polat | May 31, 2012 | Books, Security, Site News, Tech, Travel | 10

We all travel with gadgets, store our trip memories as digital data, and stay connected with loved ones over the Internet. Our technology doesn’t take away from our travel experiences but rather enhances them in endless ways. For those who resist it, tech can become a burden heavier than the most over-packed luggage. For those who know how to wield them, gadgets can find you cheaper airfare, the best local restaurant to eat at on a long layover, and even help you find the next best city to live in.

The Ultimate Tech Guide For Travelers Version 2.0 Puts That Knowledge Into Your Hands

The Ultimate Tech Guide For Travelers Version 2.0 is all of the most relevant tricks, tips, and tech hacks I’ve researched, tested, and compiled to give you a hacker’s edge for you next trip.

Plus, included with The Ultimate Tech Guide For Travelers v. 2.0 is an actual hacker just for you. Me.

This is a travel tech ebook that comes with 6 months of free technical support for anything discussed inside its digital pages. I’ll help you setup an online backup system, jailbreak your iPhone, and consult you on your next laptop purchase, for example. Emails, phone calls, Skype, carrier pigeon, I’ll be with you step by step.

Expanded To Over 150 Pages And References To Over 500 Resources

Within its 11 chapters, The Ultimate Tech Guide For Travelers Version 2.0 reads like a part-digital story part-hacking manual for your travels. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a budget traveler like myself or not, and neither does the number of trips you take a year. In 12 months you’ll save at least $100 on your gadget purchases, make it possible to find your lost laptop, learn how to get free flights to the best places at the right time, and yes – more.

Your input also keeps this ebook alive, with 3 months of free updates with your purchase; it’s the only technology book you need for your travels.

Version 2.0: A Peek Inside

These are just a few of the things I’ll show you how to do:

Backup Your Entire Online Presence – Not only your laptop, phone, and tablet but I’ll show you how to protect and store anything you put online automatically.
Find Out How The Busiest Users On The Planet Find The Right Laptop – What they know is how you’ll find the perfect laptop for your travels.
Backup Your Photos Straight From Your Digital Camera – Instantly. And it doesn’t matter what camera you’re using.
Talk To Anyone When You Don’t Speak Their Language – For those times you can’t quite remember that Chinese word or want to ask that cute Brazilian out.
Hide Your Data From Government Eyes – While still making it look like you’re not.
Get The Best Public Transportation Route – Each time you head out of your hostel or hotel for the day.

Plus you can preview The Ultimate Tech Guide For Travelers v. 2.0 on Kindle and preview on Nook.

Become A Traveling Digital Jedi (Yoda Included For 6 Months)

Version 2.0 makes you a more powerful traveler, upgrades your laptop and other gadgets, plus comes with your own personal computer consultant for 6 months. I always try in every post here to keep to foXnoMad’s motto, “travel smarter”. By hacking minds – ours and others – manipulating wireless signals, and beating the airlines at their own tricks, with science and technology usually in hand. The Ultimate Tech Guide For Travelers Version 2.0 is an extension of foXnoMad’s best.

Available For Kindle, Nook, iPad, And Laptops For A Special Price Through Monday

The Ultimate Tech Guide For Travelers Version 2.0 normally sells for $37 but from now until next Monday, June 4th I’m giving you a special price of $27. Support, updates, and everything else included and nothing taken away – except 10 bucks.

How To Purchase The Ultimate Tech Guide For Travelers Version 2.0

You can purchase The Ultimate Tech Guide For Travelers Version 2.0 in several ways.

Purchase On Amazon For Kindle here
Purchase On Barnes & Noble For Nook here

Opening The First Page Is Just The Beginning

You will never travel the same after reading The Ultimate Tech Guide For Travelers v. 2.0 and you’ll learn something new, even if you’re already a traveling geek like myself. I wouldn’t sell an ebook for any price, let alone $37, if I wasn’t sure it will be invaluable to you. Have your tech work for you on the road so you can focus on what you should be – traveling baby!

The Ultimate Tech Guide For Travelers v. 2.0 will show you even more ways to travel smarter in ways you may not have even considered. And if you have any questions at all, you’ll get live help from the only ebook that takes your emails and calls.

Happy travel hacking,
-Anil

How To Use Technology To Replace Your Lack Of A Foreign Language

by Anil Polat | May 25, 2012 | Culture, Tech | 8

Obviously learning the basics of any language before you arrive in a new country is ideal but sometimes you just don’t have the time or are moving too fast to keep up. That’s when the technology you travel with can fill in the gaps. Although we’re not quite at Star Trek‘s universal translator yet, these tools can help you communicate on the fly with words you might not otherwise understand.

Talk Through Your iPhone

The free iOS app Vocre (previously mentioned) keeps getting better as new versions are released. Initially Vocre was only able to translate words from someone speaking to you from your physical vicinity but version 2.0 now lets you have translated phone conversations. (In the 55 languages Vocre currently supports.) Aside from the lack of an Android version and obvious lag time in translating, Vocre may not quite be practical for long conversations but just right when you’re fishing around for a specific word. Or asking a cute person out for a drink.

Another alternative is Google Translate (free download: Android and iOS) which also has a speech translation engine. It’s not quite as smooth as Vocre and better suited to short phrases yet worth checking out if you’re looking for another app to give you a speaking second opinion.

Translate Signs, Menus, And Other Written Text

Word Lens for iOS (previously mentioned) and CamTranslator (Android) translate written text in foreign languagesin real time as you point your mobile phone (or tablet) camera at the words in question. Both apps don’t work perfectly though well enough to decipher road signs, public notices, and most menus. Small text, unconventional fonts, and handwriting all confuse both (free) apps but without them you’ll just be completely 困惑.

It’s worth mentioning that you can combine the speech and text translations of all of the apps above using SpeechTrans (Android and iOS). The two drawbacks are the price, $14.99, and the fact that you have to take a picture of any text you want translated. (As opposed to the seamless function of both Word Lens and CamTranslator.) Still, if you want to combine your translation apps, SpeechTrans may be a good fit for you.

Android users who want to test SpeechTrans (or most other apps for that matter) without paying for it upfront can give it a test drive using Amazon’s App Store.

Lastly, those of you with poor memories like mine can hold on to iTranslate (free download: iOS and Android) to store those phrases you can’t quite remember.

Pronounce Español Without Saying “Pan” And Find Out What The Squiggly Line Is For

Speech translators like the several I’ve mentioned above do a great job getting your point across, especially when the recipient can smooth out rough pronunciation edges for you. But unless you want to sound like a robot speaking French who doesn’t know what a “ç” is, Forvo can give you the proper pronunciation to words in over 200 languages. The free website Forvo does have a iOS versions (around $0.99 per language) but if you stick to the site you can search for most any word for free.

Android users looking for a mobile alternative, you can check out the free Free Pronunciation Checker. The biggest drawback being it only supports 4 languages.

Be Sure Not To Accidentally Tell That Stranger Over There To Have Intercourse With His Mother

Languages are not only spoken – a fact we often take for granted – particularly when we’re showing someone in Greece things are O.K. or giving a British person an inverted peace sign. You can brush up on your obscene gestures at eDiplomat, where you’ll find a fairly comprehensive list, among other cultural etiquette. Fasten Seat Belts (previously mentioned) is less dry with handy animations that not only prevent you from inadvertently offending someone, but can show you practical advice like how to get around like a local.

Also, let me help those of you heading to Turkey but avoiding these um, common English words that translate into Turkish curses.

Get Social, Confident, And Meet Some Foreign Friends

Languages aren’t much use if they’re not spoken (says the guy who’s silently writing this) so get practicing with these 3 language social networks and perhaps meet up with some native speakers to boost your confidence. Although languages are only as difficult as they are different from your mother tongue, picking up a few words with some digital assistance should take next to no time at all.

The Bridge Of Peace Over The Kura River In Tbilisi, Georgia

by Anil Polat | May 24, 2012 | Pictures and Video | 10

bridge of peace tbilisi georgia

I wouldn’t call The Bridge of Peace in Tbilisi, Georgia an eyesore but during the bright daylight hours is certainly sticks out against the backdrop of the “old” part of town. Sitting above the Kura River that winds its way through the middle of Tbilisi, The Bridge of Peace (built in 2010) practically screams, “I am modern!” next to places that are well over 800 years old. Georgians, who are probably the friendliest people I’ve ever encountered, will tell you enthusiastically to visit the bridge, and you should, though I’d amend that to add: at either sunrise, sunset, or after dark.

That’s when the over 10,000 LED lights built into The Bridge of Peace are illuminated, quite a lovely sight as the dusk sky turns slightly orange. You’ll find families, teenagers skipping their homework, and young lovers walking over to the large park just behind my camera from the angle above. It’s a long walk up the bridge from the other side, strangely with the entrance right in front of a casino. (Whose bouncers do not appreciate you taking photos of. You’ll have to sneak a few and trust you’re faster than Mr. Air Muscles standing outside.)

So after visiting The Bridge Of Peace at sunrise, sunset, and in the middle of the night (after partaking in the Georgian pastime of drinking far too much wine), I could go back to my enthusiastic Georgian friends and tell them what an impressive sight I saw. The Bridge Of Peace was designed by Italian Michele De Lucchi, built in Italy, then broken down into 200 pieces and driven to Tbilisi. Considering how far Georgia has come since 2003 and 2008, it seems only appropriate a bridge of peace would be put together in this capital city.

Hold On To Your Boarding Pass Stubs For At Least 4 Weeks After Flying To Ensure Frequent Flyer Mileage Credit

by Anil Polat | May 22, 2012 | Air, Money | 10

turkish airlines boarding pass

Any of you looking to ensure you get mileage credit for your last flight should hold on to your boarding pass stubs for at least 4 weeks after flying. Often airlines neglect to post the appropriate miles to your account and require either the physical copy, scan, or digital photo (my preferred method) of your boarding pass to correct the oversight.

Always Track Your Miles; Airlines Can Be Forgetful So You Shouldn’t Be

Using a service like Awardwallet to track your reward accounts you should always verify that miles or other bonus points are accurately posted to your account. Off the top of my head I probably take more than 40 flights a year and in about 20% of those cases find that my miles don’t appear on my frequent flyer accounts. Most airlines state that you should wait up to 14 business days before contacting them about missing miles; and processing those requests can take another 14 business days. (Hence holding on to those boarding pass stubs for at least 1 month after a given flight.)

Avoid Missing Miles By Giving Your Frequent Flyer Account Number At Check-In…

…before the airline employee prints out your boarding pass. Depending on the person behind the counter, the country your in, and the line behind you, once that boarding pass has been printed it can be very difficult to get a re-print with your frequent flyer account credited. Being forgetful can be a valuable travel asset but not when it comes to accruing frequent flyer miles.

To avoid this common problem and the hassle of trying to claim miles after-the-fact, as soon as you walk up to any check-in counter let the clerk know you’ve got a frequent flyer account number you’ll be giving them. Typically they’ll then take the number as they process your luggage, seats, and boarding passes.

Upon receiving your printed boarding pass, confirm that your frequent flyer number is actually on your ticket. If it’s not and you notified the employee prior to getting checked-in, don’t leave the counter without getting another boarding pass. Having a boarding pass with your mileage account number on it means there’s a good chance you’ll be credited your miles and won’t have to jump through hoops later on. (Of course if doing self-check-in don’t forget to add your mileage account; and in either case, always check your frequent flyer mile account number was printed on your ticket.)

At The Very Least Have A Clear Digital Photo Of Your Boarding Passes

Most airlines and airline alliances specify in order to claim miles, you need send them a scan via email but a digital photo of a boarding pass works just the same. (Set your camera to ‘document’ mode if it’s got one.) Usually you’ll need your online ticket confirmation as well so don’t delete those emails ever, just to be safe. Typically, a simple forward of that email along with a picture of your boarding pass is all you need to claim missing miles – but always follow the procedures specified by the airline. Also, don’t neglect to verify mileage claims are posted either – even if you get a confirmation email. (Check your account!)

Finally, aside from claiming miles that might be missing you should ensure you’re accumulating your frequent flyer rewards in one place to get more free stuff and boost your account even further with these 7 steps.

About Anil Polat

Hi, I'm Anil. foXnoMad is where I combine travel and tech to help you travel smarter. I'm on a journey to every country in the world and you're invited to join the adventure! Read More