How can an American college student go about visiting Iranian Kurdistan?

The second passport is only valid for 2 years. Otherwise, it's the same size as any other US passport. Of course, it has no stamps if it's brand new.

The State Dept issues them for a variety of reasons, not just so people can avoid Israeli stamps. You can get one if your passport is shipped off to some embassy awaiting a visa, and you need another passport for an imminent trip, for example.

Do some of the Muslim countries refuse to admit people for using a 2nd US passport w/ 2 year validity, figuring that you're using this passport because of Israel? I have no idea. I've never read that, but who knows.

To add my 2 cents: 10 years ago I went to Lebanon using a virgin 2nd passport(yes, due to Israeli stamps in the main passport) obtained only weeks before the trip. It didn't raise any eyebrows when we entered Lebanon.

Thank, everyone. I have a question:

Do you think I will be able to obtain a second US passport while abroad? I am living for university in Israel this fall semester and France this spring semester.

The French Embassy in Israel already told me they will allow me to apply for my French student visa in Israel since I am an "Israeli resident" due to my Israeli student visa. Could I try to get my US passport in Israel this fall? Or, will it say it was issued in Israel?

If that doesn't work, do you think I could get my second passport this spring while studying abroad in France?

Whenever I ask someone this question, I am always told "maybe, yes" or "maybe, no." Do any of you know for sure? I can't remember if I have said, but I am getting ready to leave the US in a couple of weeks and will not be returning to this country whatsoever until the very end of June 2016.

You can certainly apply for a second US passport in TLV/J'lem, e.g., http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov/second-valid-passports.html . I have no idea about France, but I don't see how it would be any different.

I believe that US missions abroad don't currently issue passports themselves (except in emergencies), and that the passports are actually printed and issued from the States and sent back to the mission. Of course, this isn't official info and you should take what anyone says on a message board with a grain of salt. ;)

your passport will say place of issue: Tel Aviv.

Get it in France.

I think you can normally only get passports in countries you are resident in. As for will it be stamped Tel Aviv or US, that depends on whether it gets issued by the embassy or whether it gets sent back to the US. This changes periodically, so you would have to call the embassy.

Also bear in mind that being Iran they can just say no because immigration is is a bad mood. At least that's what happened to me.

#16

That's the same in every country. It's the immigration officer who ultimately decides whether you can enter the country or not. I bet much more travellers are turned back from the USA than from Iran.

So, I'm hearing a mix of opinions on where I should apply for a second US passport.

Just to clarify, I am a legal resident of Israel and this spring I will be a legal resident of France for 5 or so months.

I want a second passport so that I can visit countries that Israel hates/ hate Israel. Currently, my passport has a giant Israel sticker in it to reflect that I am a resident of Israel.

This spring, when I am studying abroad in France, I want to visit places like Lebanon, Iran, and Iraq. Therefore, it is best that I have a passport without any indications of living in Israel.

I was going to get a second US passport in Israel, but there's a slight chance it will say I got it in Israel. Thus, I will have to call the Americans to see if this is the case.

However, if that route does not work, I think it will be impossible for me to get a second US passport and visit places like Iran. This is because, if I get a second US passport while in France and want to fly to a place like Beirut, the French will probably want to see my first US passport because it will have my France student visa in it. As a result, when I arrive in Beirut, they will probably want to see a passport showing I just left France (my first US passport) rather than a brand new second US passport with nothing in it.

Do you all see my problem? Does anyone have any possible advice or solutions for me? Thanks for your help.

Also - I am aware that border officials can just say no if they don't like my shirt. Thanks for the heads up, though.

Also bear in mind that being Iran they can just say no because immigration is is a bad mood. At least that's what happened to me.

Can you please explain, or link to your previous trip report detailing this? I'd like to hear more detail.

I think you can normally only get passports in countries you are resident in.

I've never heard of this. And it doesn't make sense -- if you lose your passport while traveling abroad, obviously you wouldn't need to be a resident for emergency passport services.

I was going to get a second US passport in Israel, but there's a slight chance it will say I got it in Israel. Thus, I will have to call the Americans to see if this is the case.

They're intelligent/helpful at the US Embassy in TLV. They'll be able to tell you where the passport is issued. According to the link I posted, it does say non-emergency passports are issued in the US. But who knows. Check with them.

However, if that route does not work, I think it will be impossible for me to get a second US passport and visit places like Iran. This is because, if I get a second US passport while in France and want to fly to a place like Beirut, the French will probably want to see my first US passport because it will have my France student visa in it. As a result, when I arrive in Beirut, they will probably want to see a passport showing I just left France (my first US passport) rather than a brand new second US passport with nothing in it.

I don't see the problem here. Why would the Lebanese immigration look through your passport to see if you have a French (Schengen) exit stamp? Plenty of countries don't give exit stamps -- including our own country and the UK.

The bigger issue than the brand new passport is traveling to Beirut with a US passport on your person that has an Israeli stamp. If they do search through your stuff, they might find that. But when I flew into Beirut, they just did a quick thumb-through of my passport for Israeli stamps. Of course, YMMV.

Do you all see my problem? Does anyone have any possible advice or solutions for me? Thanks for your help.

Find out about where the embassy in TLV prints their passports, first.

Do you live in a major city in the US with a passport office? You could always do an emergency application for a 2nd US passport before you leave, and tell them you're leaving the country in a week.

Third, call the embassy in Paris and find out what their policies are.