How To Travel With Two Passports If You’re A Dual Citizen
Having two passports and nationalities opens up the world of travel to the estimated 1% of the globe’s population [PDF] that has some form of dual citizenship. I should know because I’m included in that group of 60 million people; as many of you know, I carry both a Turkish and U.S. passport. That combination means dealing with fewer visas for countries around the world but can also leave you with complications if you’re not careful.
For those of you who are also dual citizens, these general guidelines can make sure neither of your nationalities causes problems for you as you hop over one international boundary after another.
Always Use The Same Passport Entering And Exiting A Country
This one seems straightforward but if you’re on a longer journey and visiting several countries with differing entry requirements for your particular nationalities, it can feel intuitive to to enter with one passport and exit with the other. I’ve made this mistake once or twice (most recently when flying out of Georgia to Ukraine) and had to charm my way out of buying an impromptu flight to Istanbul.
The reason is because countries want to keep track of foreigners entering their borders; using two passports not only makes that more difficult, but also changes the legal framework you fall under.
In general, even if the next country you are visiting would require a visa from you with passport #2, use the same passport to enter and exit a nation. The passport control officer in the country you’re leaving doesn’t care about where you’re going – only about you when you’re in their borders.
Airlines And Governments Are Different; Flash The Right Passport
The advice above is specifically for passport control – not when you check-in with the airlines. They are the ones who are going to care about whether you’ve got the rights (e.g. visa-free travel) to enter the destination. In these cases you should show airline staff the appropriate passport for where you’re going. The airline staff want to make sure you’ll be allowed entry to the country you’re flying to.
Several times prior to boarding a flight I’ve been taken aside by staff to have my documents re-examined. If there’s any question about whether you can (visa-free) enter the country you’re headed to, don’t hesitate to let them know about your dual status.
Don’t Advertise Your Dual Nationality Otherwise
Yes, says the guy who is publicly blogging about his citizenships to thousands of people right now. Broadly speaking, most governments worry about illegal immigration; which your second citizenship may actually be guilty of. Don’t tell passport control you’ve got two nationalities – even if asked. Doing so can forfeit your rights as a legal traveler. By the way, you’re not lying in this case either. No country in the world records dual citizen entries by tourists – they only see you as a single national.
I should mention also that many immigration and passport controls are tinged with a hint of racism, often biased against citizens of Third World or those who make up a significant minority in a given country. Another good reason not to mention your second citizenship and to keep your second passport inconspicuously stored in your carry-on luggage.
Which Country Sends Commandos After You In Case Of Kidnapping Varies
That is a bit of an extreme example for most people, but the basic premise is if you get in real trouble in a country, whichever passport you used to enter is the nation that’s going to bail you out. So if you’re a French-American dual citizen held hostage by genetically-engineered llamas on your trip to Ecuador you’ll know whether to expect Navy Seals or French Special Forces. (Or Superman, who doesn’t discriminate unless Lois Lane is in trouble at the same time.)
What To Do If Problems Arise
Problems aren’t likely to happen if you’re a dual citizen taking advantage of your two passports – especially if you’re cognizant about not flashing both around. Your biggest troubles are likely to be at passport control due to a second nationality – remember to stick to the one that gets you legal entry. Be firm but confident and if all else fails, get in touch with your embassy.
I had problems on both times I tried to leave Turkey in the last year. One trip was to Meis and the other to the UK. It involved an old British passport, a new British passport, lack of residency visas (because they took them off me when I got my citizenship) and a kimlik.
Both times, they said the kimlik was no good because I was not leaving on a Turkish passport but I had to show how I had been living legally in the country and that was the only proof. On both occasions, they tried to piece the time line from the last entry stamp in the old British passport which was about eight years ago, to present day!!
They both gave up in the end but I have learned to arrive super early if I try to leave the country.
I am assuming you enter and leave Turkey on your American passport?
I wonder if that’s because of the British passport, residency, and the ignorance of whomever was checking your passport!
No, I always enter and leave Turkey with my Turkish passport. (And if from Istanbul pay that stupid 15TL exit fee.)
I will be exiting Thailand on my American passport and want to get into KL Malaysia on my German passport.
Would this be possible if my German passport is empty and has never been used?
Hold would I need to do this?
Can I do this also by border crossing, or do I need to fly.
Please help
Why switch passports if you don’t have to? As far as your German passport being empty, you can tell them you hold dual citizenship if you like or use your German passport for entry to Thailand and into Malaysia. I wouldn’t recommend switching if you don’t have to.
It’s because I have to get a Non B visa in my German pp because of a work requirement.
How can I make this work departing out of Thailand?
Why didn’t you then enter with your German passport, obtaining the visa first? (Read the first bullet point of this post.) I’m not sure in your case, I would contact the German embassy in Thailand to see if they can be of assistance.
I didn’t know you were Turkish… I love Turkey (just had to share). Thanks for the post… I always get so nervous when I am going to switch between passports. Then again I have only done it once. I entered Europe on my US pp then exited with it spent a month in Morocco and came back in with my Mexican one. I did it cus my 90 days in the SZ was up. It worked fine. This is one of the reasons I love having two passports. I didn’t know that the country that you used to enter would be the country to bail you out. So if I used the Mexican one I couldn’t have USA get me out? I know it’s extreme but am curious.
Always happy to hear people who’ve been and loved Turkey
When I first saw your Facebook comment I had to look up the visa-free area of the Mexican passport – very advantageous to have the Schengen as part of it. Really for you it’s like 180 days of entry (with a quick hop out, then back in).
As for getting international help, it can depend on the specific situation. Occasionally countries will work together to help resolve an emergency if the person is a dual citizen (and both countries of citizenship get along). Otherwise, generally, jurisdiction initially falls to the country whose passport you used.
Thats a really useful post. Its hard to find information on traveling for dual citizens. I agree, its important to be consistent and remember the passport that you used to enter the country!
Thank you and sounds like you’ve got two passports as well. Definitely an important point – using the same passport in and out – as it’s the most probable place you’ll have problems. After that, it’s much more of an advantage than anything else
There is also the “master nationality rule” which states that if you are citizen of a country and physically located in that country, then that country has the strongest claim on you. This usually means that if you are arrested etc, another country’s diplomatic mission cannot provide assistance to you even if you are also a citizen of that other country.
This is certainly the inspiration for why many countries have a national law that requires citizens to use that country’s passport (another reason is for immigration – it can get messy if dual citizens enter on a foreign passport and then take up employment for example), but the master nationality rule applies no matter what passport you use. A dual UK/US citizen is not entitled to consular representation from the US embassy while he is in the UK, even if he entered the UK on a US passport. Lots of people have been trapped by the misconception that entering on a foreign passport means they will be treated like a foreigner if they get into trouble.
A very good point I didn’t include in the first draft of this post. This is even written in US passports as well and something dual citizens of any two nations should keep in mind. I appreciate you pointing it out!
The state department recommends that only use your American passport when entering your other country of citizenship; the reason being that if you use any other passport besides your American passport. The state dept can not get involved, because when you enter let say with Turkish passport, then the Turkish law will apply to you while in the country!!but if you only showed the US one then you are just visiting and if you get in any kind of trouble, you can count on The US to try to get you out…
That’s not quite accurate although, at least according to the first page of the U.S. passport. It states the government will be limited in its authority to help you in your other country of citizenship. (With a very few exceptions.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_Nationality_Rule
One problem I’ve had traveling with two passports is switching between the two. A lot of countries I’ve been to want to see the exit stamp of the previous country, making it impossible to switch at their border. At this point, I’ve actually got a little list of places I know I can go to if I need to switch for whatever reason.
I have been asked why there isn’t a previous exit stamp but never had to show my second passport; interesting to hear. I hope it didn’t cause too many problems at any such exchange.
Hi Anil,
So what do you say when they ask you why there is no exit stamp? Iam going backpacking in SE Asia soon with two passports…French/Israeli.. and i iam especially worried about going to Malaysia! any advise would be greatly appreciated thank you!
In your case are you concerned about Malaysia asking about no exit stamp from France and discovering the second Israeli citizenship? I’ve never been asked by another country about a third country’s stamps. If they’re concerned about entry; they almost always just look at the last country you’re entering from. So you should be OK as long as you’re using your French passport in SE Asia or at least from the country before arriving in Malaysia. Hope that makes sense, but let me know if not
When I was asked about not having an exit stamp, I just had to show them the stamp in the other passport and then enter with the stamped passport. I actually think Malaysia was one of the countries where I tried to switch once, but they wouldn’t let me. Either way, if you have the exit stamp from the previous country in your French passport, you won’t have a problem. If it’s in the Israeli one, then just hope they don’t ask to see it. I’d switch to the French passport somewhere else and make sure the stamps and visa from the country before Malaysia are in the French one.
If they don’t let you switch anywhere, one place that lets you switch right in front of them (they look at the exit stamp in the one and have no problem putting the entry stamp in the other) is on the ferry between Hong Kong and Macau.
In Thailand currently on US PP.
Wanting to enter country using German passport for need to apply for work visa in Thailand under German nationality.
There will be no exit stamp in the German pp.
What are my options?
[Replied above]: Best to call the German embassy in Thailand to get the most accurate information for your situation.
Anil, you’re a naturalized U.S. citizen, right? And, therefore–American, right?
Both of my parents are naturalized U.S. citizens. In order to become Americans, they had to renounce their former citizenship. I was told the U.S. didn’t recognize dual citizenship and that taking on another or retaining your old citizenship meant losing your American citizenship.
So, my question is: how did you do it?
I was born in the US and then it’s a bit of a story after that. The United States does not recognize second (dual) citizenships but doesn’t require naturalized citizens to give them up so far as I know. Renounce but not relinquish is the main distinction.
Oh. Thanks Anil. Sounds like they could’ve kept their old citizenship after all, with their master nationality as American. The U.S. State Dept’s website says that claiming dual citizenship doesn’t forfeit U.S. citizenship, unless they did so with the intention of reliquishing it.
Thanks–it finally makes sense! Wonder if I could get dual citizenship…:)
It all depends on the second country’s requirements – many don’t allow dual citizenship forcing naturalized citizens to give up theirs.
As far as Britain is concerned, if I understand correctly, then – for example – even if a UK citizen had to renounce their UK citizenship to become a US citizen, the British authorities wouldn’t necessarily recognise the renunciation and may still issue a British passport to that person.
Also, surely another important point is that a person with an EU/EEA/Swiss passport (e.g. British-Australian or Rep. of Cyprus-American dual national) should always use that passport to enter an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland since it allows them an unlimited stay (plus the right to reside, work etc.)
Yes, so long as they don’t terminate the citizenship officially – but it depends, you’ll have to talk with the appropriate British government office for the most accurate answer.
Great idea for a post! I’m in the process of applying for my Bulgarian citizenship so I might be able to live within the EU without anyone knocking on my door saying time to go. (I’m American.
A good (soon) Schengen visa have – in addition to your US passport
That’s cool stuff. Never required to travel with 2 PPs, but certainly it feels great to be a citizen of two nations. Leaving for Canada in September, and may be will settle down there, at that time your post will help me a lot Anil.
Good luck on the move!
Hi, I hsve dual citizenship for Germany and the US. Before I knew I held German Citizenship, I legally changed my name in the US.
Now I have two passports, two different names, and the same picture:). Soon I am leaving the US to live and work in the EU but a different country than my citizenship.
If I enter the new EU country with my US Passport, will that country require me to have an entry stamp on my EU passport to legally be there for work or is this a non-issue?
I assume the name on my plane ticket has to match the name on my passport.
Check with the German embassy to confirm but I would suggest entering the EU on your US passport (names must match ticket like you mention) and then legally change your name in Germany and update your passport.
Thanks. Unlike the US, Name Changing is difficult. It requires an approval. In the US, there’s an approval process based off one’s criminal history.
So if you have no issues with police, the approval process takes minutes and it cost about $5o. In Germany, the approval process seems more complicated and it costs up to 1300 euros.
It would be great if I could know what to expect. BTW- thank you for the ticket information.
I am familiar with German bureaucracy – and costs for enduring it unfortunately
Having two different names is not a problem if you use the appropriate one in Germany; however it can cause problems when you are traveling out of the Schengen. Do you have a common middle name you can use perhaps?
i hold two passports Saudi and Canadian there is a slight difference in the last name. is it possible for me to go into Bahrain with my Saudi passport, bored the plain and then when i get off the plain in Dubai use my Canadian passport to bass customs and continue using it for the rest of my journey.
note: i will be entering Bahrain by car so should i enter with my Saudi PP and then go to the airport and use my Canadian pp even tho my Canadian pp is empty. it only has one entry and exit stamp from 2011-2012 and no entry stamp into Bahrain, and do Canadian pp holders need a visa to enter Bahrain now if so what should i do
Please help its the first time i use both pp and i will be traveling soon
Thank you in advance
That may cause you problems – try to enter and exit countries with the same passport. To find out the visa requirements, check the embassy websites of the countries in question.
Hi may,
I know it may be a bit late to reply, but in case someone else reads this…
Canadians now require a visa arranged in advance to visit Dubai. I met a guy from Winnipeg who said he was actually turned away at the airport in Dubai (in August 2011) and had to book a flight out of there because he had no pre-arranged visa.
This is a pretty recent development over a political tussle with the government of Canada refusing to grant landing rights to Emirates airlines in exchange for having a base in Saudi Arabia as promised. The Saudis thus after that now charge a fee and require Canadian citizens to have a visa.
In short, I wouldn’t bother with the Canadian passport there.
From Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs:
“Whatever the purpose of their stay, Canadians must be in possession of a visa obtained at one of the agencies authorized by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Ottawa or the nearest embassy or consulate of Saudi Arabia if residing in a foreign country, prior to departure.”
“Visa applications must be sponsored by a Saudi citizen, company, or organization. Upon arrival, foreign residents are required to surrender their passports to their sponsor and obtain a residency card (iqama).”
how can i enter Bahrain with an empty passport or a passport that’s not stamped would they questions that ??
They may, so it’s best to call the Bahraini embassy in Saudi Arabia to find out if there might be any problems using both passports there.
if i enter the country by land with my saudi and only present my Canadian passport when exiting would that be an issue
It may be, I can’t say with certainty. Your embassy(ies) are the only definitive source of information. I wouldn’t take a chance but rather give them a call to find out.
My husband and my son have dual citizenship ( USA and Brazil ). We live in Atlanta. Which passport should they travel on? US requires visas for Brazilians, and Brazil requires visas for Americans (they don’t hold any visas for either country). Did you say they need to check into the flight with the Brazilian passport, and then do security and boarding with the American passport? And then coming back home, just use the American at check-in, security, and boarding? I am so confused. My husband is goign ahead of my son and I, so I don’t want my 19-month old to get detained because of passport problems. I also have a question about my passport. I have a 5-year visa in my old passport that expired, so I was issued an new passport, but my valid visa is in my expired passport?
Please help!
Confirm all of this with the appropriate embassies. But, check in with the US passport, letting the airline know about the Brazilian citizenship. Upon landing, show the Brazilian passport at passport control; on the way back, do the the reverse.
As for the expired visa, I’m really not sure. You may be able to bring both passports (one for entry and the other for the visa) but double-check with the embassy to be certain.
Hope this helps, best of luck.
heya, im dual australia/uk…. i just applied for my indian visa online and it asked if i had dual nationality and so i tried to type both in but it wouldnt accept the issue date for my uk passport so i just said that i had single citizenship. do you think that’s a bad idea? and what the hell am i supposed to do if it wouldnt let me enter in the right info anyway?
Pick up the phone and give the people behind the site or the relevant embassy
hey. i’m going to brazil in december and i have dual citizenship for Peru and USA. i know that i need a visa for my american passport, but not for my peruvian one. so i just want to make sure i understand what you’re saying. i’m supposed to leave the US with the american passport, arrive in brazil with the peruvian one, leave brazil with the peruvian one, and enter the US with the american one? and if i’m right, when should i show each passport? i’m just a little bit confused.
Check this comment, it should help:
http://foxnomad.com/2012/06/07/how-to-travel-with-two-passports-if-youre-a-dual-citizen/comment-page-1/#comment-270632
Anil, this is a fantastic site. I recently discovered that I have been a dual citizen of the US and the UK with out actually knowing it (UK being the previously unknown one) and I’m in the process of applying for my UK passport. Do you know of anything I have to do with the US State Department to make sure it’s all above board?
Hi Tom, thanks very much
You don’t need to do anything on the US side as far as I know when opening up a UK passport.
Ok.. so i have a Polish and American passport. I entered usa with the american one, and now I want to go back to Europe. From what I understand, when I will be checking in, I should use my American passport, show them the Polish one if they ask..and than when I land in Poland, hide the American one and enter with the Polish one?? Sooo confused!
[replied below]
iam a filipina ..i would like to ask if i have my dual citizenship British and filipino and when going back home is it possible that i will just use my british passport ? what are the advantage(s)if any using any ?
I am having my dual citizenship because i have my property and a stockholder of a duly registered in SEC small company in the phil of which i acquired while i was still living there but at present iam a dual citizen.Thank you very muchin advance to all replies
Why use your British passport to get in the Philippines? There’s no advantage that I know of and you may even have to pay any applicable visa fees. When visiting a country you’re a citizen of, use their passport.
http://www.newcitizen.us/dual.html Here it says that you can carry two passports on the same time, even in the airport and you should not have a problem with that.
The advice above works as well. You’re not breaking any laws in the case of either country, you just want to make sure you’re showing the proper papers throughout the trip.
Great article! I feel more comfortable traveling with both passports now. I have US/German nationality. I changed my name in the US but not Germany. As a result, I must travel with both passports and US Court Order to avoid issues in case questions pop up:).
Hi there, I have German and Myanmar Passport.I wanted to go and live in Myanmar.But Myanmar passport doesn’t allow to use in German , and I won’t be got a long stay in Myanmar with German passport. I considered that, If I exit from Germany with German Passport with one way ticket to Thailand , then get in with Myanmar Passport with Thailand Visa into Thailand. And then I will buy one way ticket with Myanmar Passport, and exit with Myanmar Passport , then get in Myanmar with Myanmar Passport
Wait, I’m confused. Myanmar doesn’t allow or doesn’t recognize dual citizenship?
Could you give me an advice what if I got wrong? Thanks…
I try to get to all the comments as fast as I can – though under 24 hours is pretty good
I don’t think so, that Myanmar doesn’t accept dual. I can go to Myanmar from Germany exit with German Passport and enter with Myanmar Passport.Problem is, I need to show Myanmar Visa if I exit with German Passport to aboard.Right?
Call the embassy, it’s the best way to find out honestly but if you’re exiting Germany with a German passport you won’t need any other papers.
Hi, I have both an Iraqi and Canadian passport, im residing in Iraq trying to go back to Canada soon. Im travelling via Turkish Airlines so my transit is in Istanbul, the city which i adore i must add, my Canadian pp is recently renewed so it has no stamps, ive been to Turkey before with my Iraqi pp, my question is can i use my iraqi pp to get into turkey and then from there switch to my Canadian one to go back to Canada? please help! thanks in advance
I love Istanbul too
So, you’ll be leaving the airport in Istanbul with the Iraqi passport? When you check in to the airline, make sure you show them the Canadian passport as they’ll want to check if you need a visa otherwise – but at customs show the Iraqi passport. If there are any questions you can let them know about Canadian citizenship but if not, I wouldn’t bother mentioning it.
I recently came back from Istanbul after spending 2 months there, taking a Turkish course as we speak haha
Ill be leaving the airport in Iraq with my Iraqi passport, and arriving in Istanbul and i plan on going through the passport control and customs with the Iraqi one so i dont pay the visa fee 
anfd then from there youre saying once i get to the check in i use the Canadian one? and i shouldnt run into any problems? Btw my plane from Istabul goes to barcelona first, then to toronto. What do i do once i get to barcelona? get the transit visa with the Canadian one? wouldnt they want to see an exit stamp from Turkey?
Kolay gelsin
Use your Iraqi passport to enter Turkey, and then when leaving to Canada: when checking in to the airline, show the Canadian passport. After you get your ticket and head to passport control, show the Iraqi passport at immigration. Transit shouldn’t be a problem since the airline has you as Canadian and in Barcelona if you have to show the passport, you can use your Canadian one there if that makes sense.
Tessekurlel Abi!
Yea it makes sense cok tessuker ederim! Im booking two seprerate tickets online, the first to Istanbul with my Iraqi passport, the next from Istanbul to Toronto via Barcelona using my canadian passport, Im booking the flights online so that shouldnt be a problem right? So what i understood is, leave with the Iraqi passport, get a visa entry to turkey with it, show the iraqi one at passport control and then switch to the canadian one which is the one i show to the airline there with my ticket and luggage? degil mi?
Rica ederim
Almost correct
You’ll show the Canadian passport when checking in to the airline (before passport control). Then at passport control in Istanbul, Iraqi passport – from there just your Canadian passport.
tamam tamam sag ol!
İyi yolculuklar!
Btw abi, Im planning on booking a round trip tiket even though i dont plan on coming back, only because its alot cheaper. will that cause any problems?
No, it shouldn’t. I know of several people who’ve done that trick. You can even call the airline to let them know there was an ‘emergency’ so they can give your flight to someone on standby.
okay sag ol abi! you made me relieved haha thanks again great topic!
Hi Anil,
I read your post and it’s great!! I have dual citicenship US/ Honduran Citizen. I am traveling to Argentina and if use my US passport the entre fee is extremely high and if enter with my Honduran passport it’s free. My question is when checking online, they ask to put your nationality and passport number. Which one should I put, the US info or the Honduran info? Thank you for the info!!
Thank Ali – when checking in online, use the US passport. The airline needs to confirm you have valid entry papers into the country.
Hi
I have dual citizenship Peruvian/US, i left US with American Passport got in Peru with the same, they stamped it for 60 days , that will expire september 20 2012 is close they told me i could step out n back in so i dont pay taxes,(i will be staying more than 60 days in Peru) right now im getting my peruvian passport since i had it expired thats why i didnt use it to get in Peru, now if i have my peruvian passport can i go out with it and get in US with the American? But my question is , it wont have the american passport with the stamp that i got off Peru, and if i get off from Peru with Peruvian passport wont have Visa since i will it need to leave Peru to go to US.
Thank you i will really appreciate your answer …
Also, im confuse, i have my kids one got in with peruvian passport the other with american, which passport i use to get out?? n get in over there??
The US immigration won’t care about your lack of a Peruvian stamp as long as you have a valid US passport.
Okay. I have 2 passports, 1 from peru and 1 From usa. I entered Peru with USA passport 1 year ago. Can I exit with brand new peruvian passport so I don’t pay $220 for staying over 180 day time period. Which passport do I book arline with to exit? I have maiden name on documents in Peru and married. Name on my USA passport. Confused. So enter Peru with USA for protection and exit with Peru to avoid overstay penalty?
“Can I exit with brand new peruvian passport so I don’t pay $220 for staying over 180 day time period.” < < Yes.
“Which passport do I book arline with to exit?” << US
“I have maiden name on documents in Peru and married. Name on my USA passport. Confused. So enter Peru with USA for protection and exit with Peru to avoid overstay penalty?” << If you a citizen of a country, always use their passport for entry and exit.
Hey,
Thanks for the post. I have a similar issue as most of these post but I couldn’t find the exact answer I was looking for. I have a “scientific” Visa to France starting October 1st but I would really like to be there before that. Since I have dual nationality and the second passport (Mexican) allows me to visit France as a tourist, I was thinking of going there with the Mexican passport and then leaving a few days before October first to London and going back to France. I’m not sure however as to whether this will work and where would I be getting stamps? Any help would be appreciated
What’s your other citizenship? It sounds like that would be fine; though call the appropriate embassies to confirm. Also, you will most likely be getting stamps between UK-France as the UK is not a part of the Schengen Area.
I have the visa on the Lebanese nationality…Is that still the case for smaller airports, like Lyon? Thanks.
Any international airport that will be the case.
Hi Anil,
Great post! I’ve done a bit of travelling on Swiss and Australian passports, and I know what you mean when you sometimes don’t know which one to use. I was once flying from Columbo to Singapore, and was asked to show my proof of Australian entry because it was a connecting flight (even thought I had to wait in Singapore for about 8 hours). The downside is you don’t get any visa stamps in your passport!!
Another plus is that you can use the one you’re not using for a ‘security deposit’ for car/motorbike/hotel rental. If they try to get you to pay extortionate fees for a ‘scratch’ etc, then you can probably bargain it right down if you pretend you don’t need it. The Swiss ones are connected to your fingerprints so it’s super easy to get a new one if needed.
I guess it also helps with the problem of travelling from Israel to the Middle East (if anyone wanted to take that route), these days most people have to go Israel after the Middle East due to entry restrictions.
Thanks Sarah, and another great set of advantages to having two passports, despite the occasional confusion and complications!
Hi, I have a US passport and a Spanish passport,I used to live in the UK legally with my Spanish passport but I decided to move to the US, I used my US passport to leave London as well as to enter the US. But now I want to move back to the UK! and I’m worried I might have any problems. What can I do?
It is extremely unlikely you’ll have problems but call the UK embassy to be sure. Good luck.
I’m British, and – for some crazy reason – for several years the UK hasn’t had exit controls, so immigration don’t know what passport Maria left on (or even that she left, as far as I can tell). If she showed her passport when leaving Britain, it was most likely only to airline or airport security staff.
So there should be no problem. As a Spanish citizen she has the right to live and work here, and can actually use a Spanish ID card to enter instead of a passport if she wishes.
(I hope I’m not double posting)
My daughter is going to Argentina on a student exchange. I’d like her to enter with her Swiss passport to avoid the $160 charged to US citizens. When she comes back to NY in 3 months, will she have problems if her US passport has no stamps from where she’s been?. She has no plans to go anywhere else, only Argentina.
She shouldn’t have any problems, though I would double-check the Argentinian embassy website to see if there are any conditions for dual-US citizens.
Hi Anil, thanks for the post. The comments are just as informative too. My wife, kids and I are Australian’s and entered the States on our Australian passports. My wife has a UK passport and the kids and I have German passports. We’re planning on heading to Europe for a short stay and then returning back to the States. We plan on exiting the States on our Australian passports, and entering the Europe on our EU passports. We don’t have a set destination yet. When we exit Europe we plan on exiting with our EU passports. So I have a few questions: (a) Are there any countries in the EU that would prevent us entering on our blank/new EU passports (no stamps at all)? (b) We entered the States on VWP, can we re-enter States on our EU passports, or should we re-enter on our Australian passports? (c) If we leave North America and come back, does our VWP 90 day limit get reset (do we start a new visa period)? and (d) How can we maximize our length of stay in the US by traveling in and out of N. America to Europe?
Hi Dom, thanks. I hope I can answer your questions:
a. unlikely but check embassy websites prior to confirm.
b. best to stick with the same passport for multiple entries
c. call the US embassy to confirm, I’m not sure the reset length
d. you could try using both passports but that’s likely to get you denied entry as you’ll be registered twice. I would look at getting a longer term visa if you plan on staying longer than 3 months
Thanks for your fast reply Anil – much appreciated. I’ll post back about our experience when the time comes, it might help others in the decisions they make – this is a new experience for us.
You’re welcome and best of luck on a smooth journey.
Hey guys! I am sorry if someone already asked this question but I have U.S. citizenship and Bulgarian one. So will the U.S. let me leave the states with my Bulgarian passport? I don`t want to use my U.S. passport. Thanks
No, you will check in to the airline, showing both passports. At passport control in the airport, if you’re asked to show papers, give them your US passport. (Otherwise you’ll likely have problems.) Then enter Bulgaria (or next destination) with Bulgarian passport at passport control.
Hi, I was wondering If i can leave the US with my US passport and enter the UK with my EU passport, however my EU passport is expired =|
I’m pretty sure an EU passport allows you entry to the UK but it has to be valid. Double-check their immigration site to confirm.
Hey, thanks for the great post, just what I needed!
I have a Serbian and Bosnian passport and want to travel to Botswana via South Africa (I need visas for both countries with both passports), but the good thing at least is that I can send both of my passports at the same time to have the visas issued.
My plan is to get the Batswana visa in my Serbian passport and the SA one in my Bosnian passport. BUT! My Bosnian passport is brand new i.e. stampfree (I will just have the SA visa)…
Would it be better to exit Serbia with my Bosnian passport then, to get some stamps in it (I can do it easily in Serbia, because Bosnians enter Serbia with an ID card), or I shouldn’t worry?
My plan is to enter and exit SA with my Bosnian passport and to go then to Botswana with my Serbian one. Just hope it will work. And then exit Botswana with my Serbian passport, fly to Johannesburg and show them my Bosnian passport again.
I’m just scared that the Batswana will ask to see my SA exit stamp, because there aren’t many flights from Gaborone, Botswana to other countries… So, I mean, they can really easily “keep track” of where you just came from.
I mean, I’m ready to defend my rights, I’m sure it’s nothing illegal, but still, you don’t argue with border control. If they don’t let you in, they don’t.
What should I do in case of problems, I’m a bit insecure, because it’s going to be in Africa, where I’ll be a complete foreigner, and I’m not sure how their administration works (trying to be realistic, I know that people here in Serbia would make fuss about nothing just because they are uninformed, I guess that could also happen “down there”
)
Is there any particular reason you’re not using the same passport for entry into both countries?
Actually yeah, because I need to get both visas done as soon as possible, so it’s much quicker like this. Coz the Botswanan visa alone can take up to 2 month (I need to send out my documents to England through the British embassy) + the South African visa… I get that in Greece.
Ok, I see. Call both embassies to confirm your plan will work and you’re not violating any local rules to be sure.
Thanks!
Your blog is definitely very useful!
You’re welcome and safe travels…
Hi Anil…. I have dual citizenship from the US and the UK. I have lived in the US most of my life, but will be moving permanently to Amsterdam in a couple months. Since Holland is part of the EU, I do not need to get a visa to work over there, however, it is imperative that I am not on the radar as entering Amsterdam on a US passport, otherwise I will not be able to stay for longer than 90 days, and I will also not be able to register as a resident of Amsterdam and receive a Burger Service Number. Given the exit & enter on the same passport laws, in addition to passport control checking for an exit stamp in my passport, I am not sure which passport I should use to enter the EU to become a resident. Right now, my flight is booked Amsterdam via London, but I’m wondering if I need change the flight so that I enter London with my US passport and then, on a separate flight, enter Amsterdam with my UK passport.
I have looked everywhere I can, called both the US and the Dutch Embassy, and still cannot get a definite answer. I just want to make sure I’m doing it the right way, and to ensure that I do not run into any problems once I have begun the journey.
Thanks so much!
Check in to your flight from the US with the UK passport and you should be set.
That’s what I thought too, but I’m worried that passport control in London will wonder why I’m entering the UK, without ever receiving an ‘exit’ stamp.
What do I tell them when they ask what I was doing in the US?
They likely won’t ask, you’re a UK citizen. And if they do ask, say you’re a dual citizen (which UK recognized I believe but confirm that.)
Thank you Anil.
Hi, i just want to ask because my daughter’s Philippine passport expired last August 22,2012 and i had forgotten to renew it.We are here in Dubai and we are leaving for South Africa for good this coming October.My husband is a South African and he got new South African passports for my kids.Is there any problem showing the expired Philippine passport with the valid Dubai visa at the departure together with her new South African passport? I knew that to renew her Philippine passport here in Dubai,we still need to wait 4-6 weeks before the new one will be release and we are leaving before that time.I am planning,if it is okay to use the expired Phil. passport for exit here in Dubai and use the new South African passport in entering South Africa? I will just apply for her new Philippine passport in the embassy in South Africa.Will there be no problem doing that?I don’t want to encounter any problem at the airport during our departure so I need to clarify everything before leaving.Please advise. Thanks.
Yes, there will be a problem. You can’t use the expired passport and visa with a valid passport from another country (even if you’re a dual citizen). This post may help clear things up:
http://foxnomad.com/2012/09/18/what-can-you-do-if-your-passport-expires-before-your-valid-visas-do/
Hi! I’m a passport holder of both Australia and Estonia. When I first entered Europe I was not thinking clearly and entered on my Australian one (stupid I know) however my 90 days is almost up. I go from Serbia to Denmark soon,sk you think it would be an issue of I left Serbia on my aus passport then enter Denmark with my Estonian (never before used) so no stamps etc… thanks in advance
Are you stopping by Estonia? They might just stamp both passports for you if you ask. Otherwise what you mentioned should work fine.
Something here doesn’t make sense. If I have to enter the country and leave it on the same passport, it means that I can enter it and leave it on one passport and enter it again and leave it again on another passport. This is my situation, I am both French and American.
So I have entered the US on my french passport with a visa and I have been there for 2 years, and now I am going to leave the US with my french passport, as it is suggested. And I would like to reenter one week after with my US passport instead and stay for one year this time and leave with my US passport next year. According to what you say, this is ok, because I made a 2 years trip on my french passport, and now I am going to make a 1 year trip with my US passport, each time entering and leaving with the same passport. However, if you look at a smaller time scale, it also looks like I am going to make a one week trip to france, leaving with one passport and entering with the other. Which, according to you is no correct.
So what’s wrong ?
Generally speaking, you should use the passport of the country you’re a citizen of when going there. Why enter the US on your French passport? You’re a US citizen so use the US passport.
Great forum – but any experience of travelling with UK and Chinese passports?
I know China does not accept 2 dual citizenships but any chance to get away from it?
Hi Dan,
Perhaps someone can jump in here and give you a hand. I would also call the British embassy in China or send them an email, they might be able to give you some information.
I’ve heard it’s like ‘Don’t ask don’t tell’
Basically don’t tell or let the Chinese authorities know you have dual citizenship. However, if you are flying to China say from the UK, they may ask you why you don’t have a visa to be in the UK…which might reveal your dual citizenship.
My friend had to renounce her Chinese citizenship when she became a Canadian, now when she travels to China it is definitely more work to get a visa to go (because they know she used to be a Chinese citizen). One way around it (at least for Canadians) is to request a special passport that doesn’t indicate your birthplace, thus they might not guess that you once had Chinese citizenship.
Definitely contact the British (NOT Chinese) embassy.
Hi
Thanks for the replies.
I am planning to travel back to china via Dubai from the uk. I have got uk permanent residency in my Chinese passport. I am thinking that I exit uk with my British passport, in and out Dubai with the British one as well and enter china with the Chinese one. The only concern is whether there will be any problems entering china? Will the immigration ask any questions where I travel from etc?
Thanks
Hi Anil, this is an excellent blog by the way…. previously my wife was a Kenyan citizen. Whilst being kenyan she got an OCI (overseas citizen of india). She is now British with a British passport but her OCI is on the Kenyan passport. We’re going to India and were thinking of leaving on her British passport, entering India with her Kenyan passport and then coming back out of India with Kenyan and into UK with the British passport. Can you forsee any issues with this?
Thanks Sonchi, I appreciate the kind words. As for your question, honestly I’m not sure. It might just be easier to use the British passport and get a visa to India to avoid complications.
If you have dual citizenship for US and Jordan do you have to get a visa if you live in US and going to Jordan or vice versa? If so do visa expire?
You don’t need a visa to enter a country you’re a citizen of.
I have a South African and a British Passport. I exited the UK on my SA passport and entered SA on my SA passport. I’m not sure what to do on the way back though. Do I exit on my SA and enter on my British passport? Will the British border control not ask why my British passport has not been stamped? How would they know where I cam from kind of thing? I’m so confused.
Enter SA on your SA passport and the UK on your British passport.
Hi Anil,
I’m in quite an urgent situation. I have a Greek Passport and a US Passport. I’ve been living in the UK for the past three and a half months and I entered the country from Greece. I have never been to the States before in my life, so now that my girlfriend is studying there, I though it is the best time to go there. I though, “AT LAST”!!! However, I’m starting to fear that my dual nationality will become a big issue. I’m planning on leaving the UK with my US passport because I figured I wouldn’t need any visas. I tried to go to the US Embassy but they don’t let you enter without appointments, so I couldn’t have any of my queries answered. Could please help me with this information? Is it going to be a problem for me to leave the UK with a US passport if I’ve entered with a Greek one? If that is an issue, what do I need to do? I would be very grateful if you could help with this.
Thank you in advance
Sorry,
Also one more question, when I leave the States again to go back to the UK (which will be in about 9 months from the time I arrive, I believe) which passport should I use to exit the country?
Thanks.
No problem, simply do the reverse of below
Hi Jim,
It shouldn’t be an issue. When you book your flights, do so with the US passport information – at the airport when you check in with the airline, show your US passport – then at UK passport control the Greek one. Then in the US the US one
It should be a smooth process.
Safe travels,
-Anil
Hi,
I am holding british passport and wish to leave UK and go back to my home country (Malaysia), but my old malaysia passport has expired long long time and never used after i had my british passport. When i leave UK and entry into Malaysia, i wish i could used my malaysia passport (need to renew) but if i used my british passport to leave UK, i don’t think that’s a good ideal to used malaysia passport to enter into Malaysia. But if i used my malaysia passport on departure, what if the british immegresen found that my passport enter to UK many years ago but never go out, they might think i am illegal stay in uk, but infact i have a british passport (with different surname – after marriage). Can anyone help?
Go to the Malaysia embassy in the UK and get a new passport, are you close enough? They likely will also let you do it through the mail as well.
Hello; i’m going to Cuba for the Christmas holidays with my french passport, departing from France where I live and I would like my daughter to join me. She is currently studying in the US and she holds dual french-US citizenship. Because of the embargo, she cannot go straight to Cuba with her american passport nor can she exit the country with her french passport as she entered it with her us passport. She’ll have to travel through another country, Mexico for instance. My question is : can she exit the US with her US passport, enter Mexico with her french passport, use that french passport to travel back and forth Cuba, leave Mexico with her french passport (the one she used to enter the country) and then reenter the states with her US passport? Is that feasable and won’t they ask her (at us custom) why she has no stamp on her american passport? Do you have any idea or alternative solution on how she could join me? Thanks a lot for your help.
Joelle
Here are two articles that may help:
http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/how-to-travel-to-cuba-legally-as-an-american/
http://lonelygirltravels.com/2009/12/30/yankee-in-a-che-shirt-how-to-travel-to-cuba-independently-and-illegally-as-an-american/
Thanks Anil P,
But i still worried, if i used Malaysia passport to leave UK, and what if the UK immegresen think i am over stay in UK for many years? with new passport, and different surname. should i bring my british passport and marry certificate to prove? will any other problem may occur?
Thank you.
You’re a UK citizen no? You can’t then overstay
You basically want to follow this procedure (in the article above and here in the comments as well):
http://foxnomad.com/2012/06/07/how-to-travel-with-two-passports-if-youre-a-dual-citizen/comment-page-1/#comment-281957
Hello Anil, you mention above:
“Don’t tell passport control you’ve got two nationalities – even if asked. Doing so can forfeit your rights as a legal traveler. By the way, you’re not lying in this case either”
What do you mean “forfeit your rights” ?
This is the scenerio :
I will be flying out of Thailand into Macau on my American PP.
They will have to stamp me out of Thailand on my American PP.
I will then want to stamp into Macau on my German PP.
My German PP has never been used before, so what do I say if PP control in Macau ask where is my exit stamp?
Tosh
Basically if there are restrictions on your other nationality, they may be imposed. As for Macau, almost always you have to enter and exit on the same passport.
Thank you Anil,
Ok well, having a German and American passport should then be ok? Do you know if there are restrictions on these two nationalities?
Will what I have planned above work?
I don’t know if there are any restrictions off hand but be sure to check the embassy websites of both to confirm there aren’t any visa or other conditions. Your plan otherwise should work, just follow the sequence mentioned above with airline check-in and passport control.
Great site! I am a dual UK & South African citizen. I am looking to go to Dubai & want to enter & exit on my British passport (to get the visa on arrival), as South African’s have to purchase a visa beforehand. Here’s my question – I have to exit South Africa on my SA passport,will it be a problem that there is no exit stamp in my British passport, when I land in Dubai?
Use the format above in the post along these lines: UK passport at check in, SA at passport control, UK at Dubai arrival, then reverse…if that makes sense.