Travelling to USA with italian passport

07/10/2009 - 05:50

Hello, I am looking to travel to the USA from England with an italian passport on a direct flight. I live in England, but I come from italian parentage. In order to travel to the US I understand that you need to obtain a "Marca da bollo" to travel to non eu-countries. It appears that this is just an italian tax that is not checked when travelling from non- �� airports. My query is that on my passport it states that "This passport is valid for member countries of the european union and for transit through non eu countries." I was wondering whether this is written on all italian passports regardless of whether they were issued in England, like mine, or in Italy. If anybody has travelled to the US I will be happy to learn of your experiences of this, as I am a bit uncertain of what to do. Im not sure whether the marca da bollo is meant to validate the passport for non eu travel or simply is just a tax, and therefore if the latter applies the passport remains valid for travel outside the EU not withstanding the declaration inserted. Many thanks

Topic

Travel

Comment

It is difficult to ascertain the validity of your passport without looking at it, but that statement is a bit strange. Normally, passports are valid to travel worldwide. Anyway, have a look at these instructions from the US Embassy in Italy:

Doesn't "This passport is valid for member countries of the european union and for transit through non eu countries" effectively mean valid to travel worldwide? My wife's �� passport instead says "This passport is valid for all Countries whose Governments are recognized by the �� Government" That's actually a bit more restrictive than "This passport is valid for member countries of the european union and for transit through non eu countries". BTW, if you're a US citizen you must enter/exit US on your US passport. As for the marca da bollo, it's a tax, legally you should do it. No one will check in the US or on return to UK though, only if you enter Italy. But do the right thing- Italy's running a budget deficit of 9.3% of GDP- she needs your money!

I am not so sure about that mention. To me, it sounds as if that particular passport is only valid within the EU and to transit through non EU countries (i.e. Switzerland). Just check its validity as the US Immigration is not easy to deal with if something is wrong. I have checked my EU passport (Spanish) and there is no restriction or mention regarding the countries it is valid for.

Thanks for your comments. By the way Bill could you tell me where your wife's passport was issued and what type it is, as mine is one a lettura ottica and therefore perhaps they have changed the wording in the newer passports?Many thanks

No, I'm afraid it's a poor translation of a false friend. Rather than "transit through", transitare means "to pass", as in "pass into the country" (think passport). There is no variant of �� passport that only allows one to travel within EU and only "transit through' non-EU countries to reach other EU countries. BTW for EU countries, you can visit with only your carta d'identità. Furthermore, you can go to some non-EU countries (e.g. Switzerland, Norway and Croatia- for more download ) with only your carta d'identità, no passport needed. A passport permitting only the same would be rather useless.My wife's passport was issued at Los Angeles consulate. It's 2005 pre-lettura ottica, so I suspect you're right- they've "improved" the wording, further confusing us poor Inglesi.