Passport Held Hostage

[micarp]

Hi Head Rat,
In answer to the question above , I havent used the site as much as I should because Im NOT a computer whizz , and I get frustrated . I hope someone can read this -I need to take a class on using the site. I have a concern about something I could use some advice on , though. There is a company I have done a couple of short embassy jobs for that curently has my passport (theyve had it for a month and a half now) to get me the visa for our next 2-week job that keeps getting delayed . In the meantime I have had a couple of offeres for much longer jobs that I cant take because Im being kept in limbo by these lying jerks. The office manager (head lier) loves to tell me she only now just it back and is fedxing it back to me Now (on the next pick up)She has used this line on this and other isssues like my perdiem check which comes days later after she said it was sent the night before. Im getting tired of being lied to. I am sick of this but afraid to tell them to keep their 2-week job that hangs me up for 3 months. Im afraid that if I Really demand it and piss them off , theyll feed my passport into the shredder out of spite. Any advice on this? Feel free to post this so others can read it, someone else must have run into this before. Has any one ever reported a passport stlen in a situation like this to get it back? Thanks-Micarp-

[Natch]

Hi Head Rat,
In answer to the question above , I havent used the site as much as I should because Im NOT a computer whizz , and I get frustrated . I hope someone can read this -I need to take a class on using the site. I have a concern about something I could use some advice on , though. There is a company I have done a couple of short embassy jobs for that curently has my passport (theyve had it for a month and a half now) to get me the visa for our next 2-week job that keeps getting delayed . In the meantime I have had a couple of offeres for much longer jobs that I cant take because Im being kept in limbo by these lying jerks. The office manager (head lier) loves to tell me she only now just it back and is fedxing it back to me Now (on the next pick up)She has used this line on this and other isssues like my perdiem check which comes days later after she said it was sent the night before. Im getting tired of being lied to. I am sick of this but afraid to tell them to keep their 2-week job that hangs me up for 3 months. Im afraid that if I Really demand it and piss them off , theyll feed my passport into the shredder out of spite. Any advice on this? Feel free to post this so others can read it, someone else must have run into this before. Has any one ever reported a passport stlen in a situation like this to get it back? Thanks-Micarp-

Hey Micarp,
It sounds to me like they are holding you captive, via your passport, in order to have you available at their leisure. Very Wrong. Sounds like they have you between a rock and a hard place. Not true. You can grab them by the balls if you want. Call this company and inform them that you are reporting your passport stolen, by them, and that you are filing this report with the police.
If this company doesn't immediately start jumping through their ass to send it back to you, I would go ahead and call the police, file a report stating that said company has stolen your passport, and file for a replacement. I am aware that this replacement passport will cost you some money, but what is it costing you to miss these other opportunities.
Next thing I would do is post the name of the company and the people involved here on these pages, so that the other Rats don't find themselves in a similar situation. Good luck.

[frozo]

Just my two cents on the passport issue.
-I agree with the HeadRat about them holding your Tourist Passport hostage.
-I have been in that situation before, but no more.
I suggest to all to apply for a second tourist passport (you can have a second tourist passport if you travel abroad regularly and posting visas creates a potential delay). This second passport is only valid for a couple of years but it is handy on getting one out of a jam, say loss or "hostage" passport situation.

I do find painless and fast using a visa and passport firm like Passport Visa Express (www.passportvisaexpress.com (http://www.passportvisaexpress.com)). They charge a bit above using the local post office but you get your stuff in a jiffy.

Finally, when you renew you next passport, request a 40 page passport instead of the standard 25 page. That way it gives you more "visa" room.

Hope this helps.

Frozo

[HeadRat]

I suggest to all to apply for a second tourist passport (you can have a second tourist passport if you travel abroad regularly and posting visas creates a potential delay). This second passport is only valid for a couple of years but it is handy on getting one out of a jam, say loss or "hostage" passport situation.

Finally, when you renew you next passport, request a 40 page passport instead of the standard 25 page. That way it gives you more "visa" room.
These, these son, are pearls of knowledge. I would HIGHLY suggest anyone in this business to do both of these steps

Call this company and inform them that you are reporting your passport stolen, by them, and that you are filing this report with the police.
If this company doesn't immediately start jumping through their ass to send it back to you, I would go ahead and call the police, file a report stating that said company has stolen your passport, and file for a replacement. I am aware that this replacement passport will cost you some money, but what is it costing you to miss these other opportunities.
Next thing I would do is post the name of the company and the people involved here on these pages, so that the other Rats don't find themselves in a similar situation. Good luck.An even BETTER suggestion, get in touch with ANY OBO person you can. I'm assuming you are on a work location, grab ANY OBO person on site and you'll have their FULL ATTENTION. Not only that, but they WILL bring it up with the contractor and if you're lucky, in a meeting, which then goes into the records/notes/minutes.

[Expat]

Sounds to me like you need to stop playing nice, grow a pair and demand your passport back. You didn't mention who the company is I assume you are afraid of pissing them off, screw that if they are going to treat you like this you don't need to be working for them. The second passport is a good idea I have done it for years.

Good luck

[Gabriele]

Just tell them you want your passport back, when/if they ask you why, ask them why not.

[TheJester]

I totally agree:

You "I want my passport"
Them "Why?"
You "to put in my pocket"

Reguardless of excuses, it is a security issue if anything. What happens if something was to go down, "everyone to the airport, we are out of here, don't worry buddy. When we get there, we'll have someone send you your passport"

[wkdivr]

You could report it as stolen. I'm sure they'll get it back to you quickly after the FBI pays them a visit!