Border Control, no stamp!

Good Reminder

Well this week has been full of lessons on the road! Our latest lesson is when border crossing, ensure you get a stamp.

Now we have heard horror stories before about people being detained due to stamps not being placed into passports on entry.  I assure you this is not that dramatic – BUT a good reminder.  Had this issue not been noticed now, in Sweden with Border Control, it could have been a very different experience trying to board the ferry back to Dover in a couple of months time.

OK, so as you all know, those that have been following our journey, we arrived in Calais France on 11 June 2018 by Ferry.  Luckily for ease of documentation today, we had our ticket printed out prior to leaving.  We were able to produce it which Border Control could then verify this was actually the case.

On the other Side

Upon entering Sweden over Oresund Bridge we were met with border control (no surprise there).  Due to the break in earlier this week, we had secured the passports in a very difficult position in the van. On entry we were asked to detour off to the side to retrieve them, which we did.

Upon inspection of the passports it was pointed out we did not have evidence of entry into France. When a non EU citizen arrives you are given a Schengen Visa (required by countries outside of the EU). This is supposed to be put on when entering France.  We explained that we arrived by Ferry on 11 June 2018, they requested a ticket which I retrieved (very thankful I had an actual copy).

Remedy

We were advised although it was not our responsibility to get the stamp, it was in our best interest to go to the nearest airport and remedy the situation.

Must say, very lovely officers at the border control.

Of course, we obliged and after retrieving our documentation went straight to Malmo airport.  Border Control again verified our documents, provided a statement of detail, stamped our passport with a special stamp and away we went (less 30 Swedish Krona for parking).

Good reminder – always check when entering a country it has been stamped correctly.