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Owning A Passport Of A Country You've Never Been In

  • 04-07-2012 08:35PM
    #1
    SharpshooterTom
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,017 ✭✭✭


    Does it sound strange?

    I'm eligible for a Canadian passport, my father was born there in 58', moved back to Ireland in 1960, has only been on a two week holiday in 1978 as a student since.

    I'm thinking about applying for one, but I'm bit self concious by the fact I've never set foot in the country though however.

    "Oh cool a Canadian passport!"
    "Yeah!"
    "Cool so you're Canadian, wow whats Canada like?!"
    "Dunno never been"

    I'd be embarresed if this conversation ever took place heh. :pac:

    Does anyone by chance own a passport to a country they've never set foot in ever? Just wondering. :D


«1

Comments

  • #2
    My name is URL
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,626 ✭✭✭✭My name is URL


    Seems a bit pointless to me, unless you plan on actually going/moving there at some stage.


  • #3
    Pushtrak
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,640 ✭✭✭Pushtrak


    Are you planning on going there at any point? If so, get one, just don't carry it around places. Unless you don't have an Irish passport, in which case get on that.


  • #4
    kowloon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 14,187 ✭✭✭✭kowloon


    I believe Mossad get Irish passports in bulk.


  • #5
    DEFTLEFTHAND
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,499 ✭✭✭✭DEFTLEFTHAND


    Everyone is eligible for a Sealandic Passport. They're quite expensive though and not recognised by any sovereign state. :pac:


  • #6
    El Guapo!
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,450 ✭✭✭✭El Guapo!


    No point getting one just for the sake of it. That'll just be a waste of time and money.
    If you're planning on going there then get one.


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  • #7
    Pushtrak
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,640 ✭✭✭Pushtrak


    DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »
    Everyone is eligible for a Sealandic Passport. They're quite expensive though and not recognised by any sovereign state. :pac:
    Am I right in thinking you can get a fancy title too?

    Edit: Yep, Lord, Lady, Baron or Baroness...

    http://www.sealandgov.org/title-pack/lordladybaronbaroness


  • #8
    Helix
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,661 ✭✭✭✭Helix


    ThomasFlynn wrote: »
    Does it sound strange?

    I'm eligible for a Canadian passport, my father was born there in 58', moved back to Ireland in 1960, has only been on a two week holiday in 1978 as a student since.

    I'm thinking about applying for one, but I'm bit self concious by the fact I've never set foot in the country though however.

    "Oh cool a Canadian passport!"
    "Yeah!"
    "Cool so you're Canadian, wow whats Canada like?!"
    "Dunno never been"

    I'd be embarresed if this conversation ever took place heh. :pac:

    Does anyone by chance own a passport to a country they've never set foot in ever? Just wondering. :D

    get it! there are thousands of people in ireland who'd kill to be able to just move to canada whenever they wanted without having to go through the long immigration process

    if nothing else it leaves your options open


  • #9
    DEFTLEFTHAND
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,499 ✭✭✭✭DEFTLEFTHAND


    Pushtrak wrote: »
    Am I right in thinking you can get a fancy title too?

    Edit: Yep, Lord, Lady, Baron or Baroness...

    http://www.sealandgov.org/title-pack/lordladybaronbaroness

    That's right, all for a hefty fee though.

    EDIT: scratch that, 29.99 doesn't sound to bad, I might get one.


  • #10
    JohnMearsheimer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,302 ✭✭✭JohnMearsheimer


    No harm in getting one, it gives you more options. Ireland and Canada allow for dual citizenship. Wouldn't mind having that myself.


  • #11
    kneemos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,606 ✭✭✭✭kneemos


    I have a plan, get one and then don't tell anyone.Sneaky eh.


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  • #12
    SharpshooterTom
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,017 ✭✭✭SharpshooterTom


    Yes I am btw planning to visit Canada at some point within the next 5 years maybe even go there regularly. Emigrate? Who knows!

    Does anyone know anything about the process, I'm told it takes around 18 months? :( I have to apply for citizenship first and then apply for a passport apparantly. Anyone know anything?


  • #13
    wexie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,478 ✭✭✭wexie


    Helix wrote: »
    get it! there are thousands of people in ireland who'd kill to be able to just move to canada whenever they wanted without having to go through the long immigration process

    if nothing else it leaves your options open


    What Helix said

    Both my kids had passports of a country they'd never been to (since rectified) although that was simply cause it was easier to get then an Irish passport (bizarre but more an indication of the screwed up processes here rather than anything else).


  • #14
    Pushtrak
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,640 ✭✭✭Pushtrak


    ThomasFlynn wrote: »
    Yes I am btw planning to visit Canada at some point within the next 5 years maybe even go there regularly. Emigrate? Who knows!

    Does anyone know anything about the process, I'm told it takes around 18 months? :( I have to apply for citizenship first and then apply for a passport apparantly. Anyone know anything?
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1183#


  • #15
    Helix
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,661 ✭✭✭✭Helix


    my wife is canadian and ive been living over here since 2009, and as soon as im able to get a canadian passport ill definitely be getting one. i know that's not the same as the OPs query, but i see absolutely no reason not to get one. my kids will be entitled to an irish passport and they'll be getting it so that the whole of the EU as well as canada, and the states through the various schemes available to canadian citizens, will be open to them for their future. absolutely no point in limiting yourself when it comes to serious life opportunities

    the fact that my kids will be able to grow up knowing that they can get into anywhere in the EU without jumping through hoops is a serious advantage for them


  • #16
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 25,909 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Isn't just about everyone here allowed a British passport?


  • #17
    Helix
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,661 ✭✭✭✭Helix


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Isn't just about everyone here allowed a British passport?

    in the south? not unless they were born before the 1940s if i remember correctly. i looked into it a while back actually


  • #18
    Mint Sauce
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,293 ✭✭✭✭Mint Sauce


    Am sure there would be plenty of holders of a GB&NI passport (if you can count it as an example) who would have never been to all four countries of the UK. I only visited Scotland for the first time 5 or 6 years ago. Was never in it whilst I had my GB&NI passport.


  • #19
    Mint Sauce
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,293 ✭✭✭✭Mint Sauce


    Helix wrote: »
    in the south? not unless they were born before the 1940s if i remember correctly. i looked into it a while back actually

    Would they be allowed one if their parents were born in the south before the 1940s?


  • #20
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 25,909 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    irish-stew wrote: »
    Would they be allowed one if their parents were born in the south before the 1940s?

    That's what I was thinking. Also for football even a Grandparent would be enough :P


  • #21
    Helix
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,661 ✭✭✭✭Helix


    irish-stew wrote: »
    Would they be allowed one if their parents were born in the south before the 1940s?

    no


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  • #22
    Mint Sauce
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,293 ✭✭✭✭Mint Sauce


    Deleted User wrote: »
    That's what I was thinking. Also for football even a Grandparent would be enough :P

    I know thats a certainty for applying for an Irish Passport, and possibly for a GB&NI passport if the grandparents were born there, not sure though for a grandparent born on the Island of Ireland after or before a certain year.


  • #23
    pseudofax
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 60 ✭✭pseudofax


    Helix wrote: »
    the fact that my kids will be able to grow up knowing that they can get into anywhere in the EU without jumping through hoops is a serious advantage for them

    Who says the current legislation will remain so by the time they grow up? Sorry for being pedantic, but the EU could collapse at any moment, and even if it does not, there is nothing stopping a few members of parliament from revoking the freedom of movement within the EU back to before these measures were applied.

    Even barring these two, the right of free movement in the EU is not absolute, and a country could in theory introduce more stringent controls, ie barring foreigners outside the EU, say Canadians.


  • #24
    Killer Wench
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,386 ✭✭✭Killer Wench


    Are you liable for any taxes once you claim that citizenship?


  • #25
    pseudofax
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 60 ✭✭pseudofax


    irish-stew wrote: »
    I know thats a certainty for applying for an Irish Passport, and possibly for a GB&NI passport if the grandparents were born there, not sure though for a grandparent born on the Island of Ireland after or before a certain year.

    GB&NI passports by descent to not transmit to grandchildren, only to the parent(s), therefore, it is currently impossible for a grandchild to claim citizenship through their grandparent. Ireland on the other hand allows it, the UK does not.


  • #26
    Helix
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,661 ✭✭✭✭Helix


    pseudofax wrote: »
    Who says the current legislation will remain so by the time they grow up? Sorry for being pedantic, but the EU could collapse at any moment, and even if it does not, there is nothing stopping a few members of parliament from revoking the freedom of movement within the EU back to before these measures were applied.

    Even barring these two, the right of free movement in the EU is not absolute, and a country could in theory introduce more stringent controls, ie barring foreigners outside the EU, say Canadians.

    of course that's always a risk, but are you suggesting i should just not bother getting my kids irish passports just on the off chance that the EU changes structure? by having an irish passport, they're not foreigners (say, canadians), they're irish citizens


  • #27
    Mint Sauce
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,293 ✭✭✭✭Mint Sauce


    pseudofax wrote: »
    Who says the current legislation will remain so by the time they grow up? Sorry for being pedantic, but the EU could collapse at any moment, and even if it does not, there is nothing stopping a few members of parliament from revoking the freedom of movement within the EU back to before these measures were applied.

    Even barring these two, the right of free movement in the EU is not absolute, and a country could in theory introduce more stringent controls, ie barring foreigners outside the EU, say Canadians.

    Was there not already discussions for this between Irish and GB air and seaports?


  • #28
    pseudofax
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 60 ✭✭pseudofax


    Killer Wench wrote: »
    Are you liable for any taxes once you claim that citizenship?

    No, America appears to be the only country in the world that believes a non resident US citizen must file USA tax forms. Absolutely bizzare country for legislating this. Not to mention the fact US citizens can have their passports revoked for failing to honour IRS tax claims above or equal to $50,000.

    That is bordering on Soviet Russia style travel restrictions. I would not touch an American passport with a bargepole. Infact, offshore financial institutions will generally refuse American Citizens for these reasons.


  • #29
    Helix
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,661 ✭✭✭✭Helix


    Killer Wench wrote: »
    Are you liable for any taxes once you claim that citizenship?

    the states is the only country ive heard of that uses that completely ridiculous approach


  • #30
    Killer Wench
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,386 ✭✭✭Killer Wench


    pseudofax wrote: »
    No, America appears to be the only country in the world that believes a non resident US citizen must file USA tax forms. Absolutely bizzare country for legislating this. Not to mention the fact US citizens can have their passports revoked for failing to honour IRS tax claims above or equal to $50,000. That is bordering on Soviet Russia style travel restrictions. I would not touch an American passport with a bargepole. Infact, offshore financial institutions will generally refuse American Citizens for these reasons.

    Eh. Personally, I think if you are gonna claim citizenship for your benefit, then you should be liable for supporting the government like any other citizen. It should not be a one way street.


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  • #31
    Helix
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,661 ✭✭✭✭Helix


    Killer Wench wrote: »
    Eh. Personally, I think if you are gonna claim citizenship for your benefit, then you should be liable for supporting the government like any other citizen. It should not be a one way street.

    you should only need to pay taxes in the country you live in, anything else is absolute nonsense


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