Full or empty passport easier at immigration?

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runningnomad
runningnomad

A rather strange question maybe. Anyway, I've been living/working in the Persian Gulf for several years and therefore collected stamps in my passport from almost everywhere in the region except Iran & Saudi. Now I've left and want to take the opportunity to visit Israel later this year while the stamp won't impact my residency. My passport has only 4-5 empty pages left so it needs replacing either before this trip or immediately after... does anyone have any opinion on whether the Israeli authorities will want a longer 'discussion' due to an entirely empty passport or one full of stamps from less-than-friendly states? It isn't exactly life or death but the thought of getting quizzed on exact dates & locations of multiple trips over the last 5ish years doesn't appeal much, I was hoping my days of swotting for oral exams were long over.

Thanks.

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marcopoloo
marcopoloo

Empty passport is best.No checking where you have been and less questions asked.

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chabibi
chabibi

My passport was almost full & the problem wasnt' stamps, but that it was tattered.

Maybe get a nice new one to keep the kiddy policewomen happy.

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gordoosh
gordoosh

If you're thinking of going back to the Middle East with your new passport then you don't want to have the Israeli stamp or an exit stamp from a border post leading into Israel in it. With your full one, you will be subject to a good long chat with the border officials but as long as you patiently answer all their questions you should have no problem. One thing to avoid is something silly in your luggage. My friend had passport stamps from Lebanon, Syria and Jordan and, in his rucksack, a book on the history of al Qu'eda! He had to answer endless questions about that but they eventually allowed him entry.

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gordoosh
gordoosh

And the Israeli consular service states that you should have minimum six months validity left on your current passport to enter the country.

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runningnomad
runningnomad

Gordoosh - I have 4 years left on the passport so that's not the issue, just the lack of blank pages, and I don't expect to use the new passport to enter Lebanon, Syria etc. before that too is full. So it looks like getting a new passport is the best approach.

Thanks all!

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faustines
faustines

If you're landing in Ben Gurion, it's better to have an empty passport. With the old one you'll be allowed to enter but only after having answered the endless questions of teenager border guards about each and every stamp. Usually they don't stamp the passport if asked nicely.

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