pre HRT passport picture and international travel

[JessicaSondelli]

OK, I will probably travel internationally in a few months and I'm really nervous about my passport picture. I doubt that I will travel in male mode but I'm attaching a screenshot of my passport picture and me in "male mode" so you can see the best case scenario.... oh dear.



What is your experience in traveling with outdated pre-HRT pictures??.... I don't wanna end up in Guantanamo Bay... yikes.

Hugs
-Jessica

[Michelle_P]

Um... Jessica, the one on the right is supposed to be you in "male mode"?!??  I'm sorry, dear, but you don't pass. 

There will probably be some serious squinting and double-takes from the passport control people. The eyes, nose, and hair texture will look the same, and that may be enough.  The shot on the right is at a higher angle than the passport shot, so the actual passport photo, if the usual straight-on shot, might pick up less of the cheek changes.


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[JessicaSondelli]

Well. .. I know... I don't wear any makeup plus a male T-shirt but I probably should not smile to make my cheeks less prominent. I do have an updated picture in my US driver's license that I updated about a month ago. Could that be of any help?

Now I'm really scared...


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[jentay1367]

Look em' straight in the eyes, tell them your on HRT and transitioning and your still legally who that passport says you are. End of story. Rock it, girl!.... who gives a hoot.

[summer710]

If you're NOT traveling in male mode, using an outdated photo isn't really a good fight to fight or smart game to play.  And it has nothing to do with transequality, etc.  It's simply an issue that a traveler's government-issued photo (i.e. passport, GlobalEntry, SENTRY, etc) must accurately reflect their current state of appearance, presentation, etc.  At university, I studied for two semesters abroad (non-consecutive), my photos were outdated (both male) and didn't physically match my then-current appearance (still male, but grown-up) - I ran into many issues at various passport checkpoints (airports, Eurailing through countries, etc).

At the very least, the person represented in the government photo is the person they will be looking for should something ever happen - they need to know who they're looking for.  An outdated photo or photo that doesn't match your current presentation helps nobody.  A new passport is $60 USD and lasts 10 years...my nails costs more and last 3 weeks...

[JessicaSondelli]

If you're NOT traveling in male mode, using an outdated photo isn't really a good fight to fight or smart game to play.  And it has nothing to do with transequality, etc.  It's simply an issue that a traveler's government-issued photo (i.e. passport, GlobalEntry, SENTRY, etc) must accurately reflect their current state of appearance, presentation, etc.  At university, I studied for two semesters abroad (non-consecutive), my photos were outdated (both male) and didn't physically match my then-current appearance (still male, but grown-up) - I ran into many issues at various passport checkpoints (airports, Eurailing through countries, etc).

At the very least, the person represented in the government photo is the person they will be looking for should something ever happen - they need to know who they're looking for.  An outdated photo or photo that doesn't match your current presentation helps nobody.  A new passport is $60 USD and lasts 10 years...my nails costs more and last 3 weeks...

I'm not a us citizen so it's a bit more complicated than that and I also have a valid US visa which shows a very similar photo and I can't change that.





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[JessicaSondelli]

Look em' straight in the eyes, tell them your on HRT and transitioning and your still legally who that passport says you are. End of story. Rock it, girl!.... who gives a hoot.

I like your approach.

Thanks for trying to give me strength :-)


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[warlockmaker]

Please dont travel with that passport. Get a new one with a new photo. Even with a visa for USA its going to be trouble. You are required by international lawl to be identified by your pic. And you do not look like the same person. Dont challenge immigration officers, I know tg
Westerners tend to confront but they are the law when you are a visitor.

There have been many incidents of non entry because the pic does not match.

[AnonyMs]

Its not worth risking problems at immigration. They can cause you a lot of problems and there's nothing you can do about it. And if you get sent back you may may get flagged and have even more problems when you try to travel later on.

[jentay1367]

Looks like I dont know what I'm talking about here, Jess. I guess it's time for a mew photo. Sorry for the bad advice.