Get a Visa or Passport?

[ATLcenter]

WEll,

today I found out theat as much as Europe is trying to be one coutry, they never will be.

I'm going to France, Italy, and Austria one June 3 in a tour.

France-3 Days
Italy-6 days
Austria- 2 days

There is a French consulate 29 miles from my house. I skip school and go there to request a visa for my trip (I am an INdian citizen for those who don't know...). AND THEY TURNED ME DOWN!!!

They said that I had to apply at the country that is my MAIN destination. It said if you don't have a MAIN destination, you should apply at the first country you enter.

So 3 countries, no main destination? Yeah riiiiiiiight. I have to apply at the Italian COnsulate because we are staying there the most days.

And of course, you'd think the Italian Consulate is a few streets down. NO! It's in godamn Miami. And I'm in ATL. So now I have two choices:

1) Remain Indian and go down to Miami with my dad and get that visa

-or-

2) claim US citizenship through my mom and dad (both are US citizens) and go with out a visa.

So which one? I dunno which one, and I really coundn't care a lot.... If I'm becoming naturalized, I lose a 764 trip....and if I don't I'll have to explain a few paragraphs of speech to every customs/immigration person I see...

[Greg]

Fly to Miami. It's your best bet.

[herpa2003]

Get the passport. I lived about 1 1/2 hours from the German-French border for 3 yrs, the passport makes it so much easier. They just look at it and wave you through. Of course, I have never had a visa, so...

[DeltaCappy]

I wouldn't go to France.

[iceman]

Ok...so both your parents are citizens and you're not? That's a little strange. And why didn't you get your citizenship to being with?

By the way, you can now have dual citizenship, which wasn't the case a few years ago. The only thing is you cannot work for a foreign government or you lose your US citizenship.

[ATLcenter]

I wanted to stay Indian til 17 and then become American.... I don't like having to get a visa to see my own house...

So mum and pa become citizens, and I remained Indian. But that'll change by this time tomorrow.

Rather than Dual Citizenship, I may get a PIO (Person of INdian Origin) card. DUnno though


Cory: Most tourists to France (even this year!) are carrying American Passports.

[ATLcenter]

Well, that's that!

I'm now an American Citizen. Got my passport on rush-delivery, and in under 2 weeks I should have my new passport.

Greg, I didn't go to Miami because then my dad would ahve to take a day off, I'd ahve to take a day off, we'd ahve to spend the nite, and get food, and a little tourism activity must go on.... better to give the Feds 160 and get over it.

Plus, with finals coming up, I'd be mad to go on vacation!

[iceman]

Well, that's that!

I'm now an American Citizen. Got my passport on rush-delivery, and in under 2 weeks I should have my new passport.

Greg, I didn't go to Miami because then my dad would ahve to take a day off, I'd ahve to take a day off, we'd ahve to spend the nite, and get food, and a little tourism activity must go on.... better to give the Feds 160 and get over it.

Plus, with finals coming up, I'd be mad to go on vacation!

Congratulations!! Welcome aboard! It's good to have you with us!

[JeffinDEN]

Congratulations!! Feeling better already I bet.

[Avianca 757]

I am also a dual citizen, I've got Colombian citizenship and British citizenship by descent (mom born in London), well, I am a British Overseas Citizen (thats the way they call a citizen in my circumstances there in England).

[ATLcenter]

Jeff:
In a way, I feel OK. I feel bad that I had to give up my Indian citizen. Hey, I eat more INdian than American, and speak more Tamil than English...and wear more Indian stuff than shirt and pants...

But all the same, I'm VERY happy I don't a visa for Europe and other parts of the world.


Avianca:

Unfortunatly, dual citizenship is not open for Indians who have American passports. I am American on paper, and that's it. NO Indian-American. Atleast not yet.


20 more days before I leave for Paris...hope the feds check my passport thru on time!

[Greg]

Get some pictures and a a good trip report.

[iceman]

Strange that they have restrictions -- I have dual US and Canadian citizenships. My sister has three: US, Canadian and Greek.