I’m lucky enough to have dual citizenship, as both of my parents were born in Germany, and I was born in the United States. Sometimes I get questions from readers about the logistics of traveling with two passports, and figured that’s worth addressing in a post, given that I imagine this is something that many people deal with.
Which passport should you provide when you book an airline ticket? Which passport should you show when you check-in for your flight, or when you go through immigration? Do you need to show both passports at every stage of the travel journey? Let me address some of those points…
In this post:
How I decide which passport to use when traveling
Let me first share how I go about deciding which passport to use when traveling. I generally use my passport from Germany:
- When I’m entering Germany or any other European Union country; that’s because this is the “home” passport for the region, not to mention we’ll soon see an electronic travel authorization rolled out for most foreign passports
- When I’m entering a country where a German passport is advantageous compared to a US passport; for example, some countries have reciprocity fees or require visas for those with US passports, but not for those with German passports (especially with the US passport not being as “powerful” as it once was)
I use my passport from the United States in virtually all other situations, including:
- When I’m entering the United States, both since I have Global Entry, and since entering with my German passport would require an electronic travel authorization
- When I’m entering countries under any other circumstances, since it’s easier for me to get a second passport in the US than in Germany, if I run out of pages
Furthermore, I usually try to use the same passport when entering a particular country, even if it’s not the United States or European Union. For example, I once used two different passports to enter the same country several months apart, and that got me sent to secondary, as it seemed to trigger some alert in the system.
A practical example of passport logistics
Let me give an example of my typical passport “routine” when traveling between the US and Germany. There are a few general things to keep in mind:
- You always need to enter and exit a country with the same passport
- Many countries require you to use your passport from that particular country if you are a citizen
- There’s no shame in admitting you have two passports, if you get confused at any step in the process; you could even proactively present both passports every step of the way
With that in mind:
- It doesn’t matter what passport information you enter into the itinerary when you book, if it’s even required
- When I check in for my flight to Germany, I provide my German passport, since this is the information shared with German authorities, and determines my eligibility to enter the country (and in some cases determines whether online check-in is possible)
- When I land in Germany I use my German passport at immigration
- When I check in for my flight back to the US, I provide my US passport, since that’s what will be shared with US authorities, and avoids me needing an electronic travel authorization
- Then when I go through departure immigration (which is a step that doesn’t exist on the outbound, since we don’t have that) I present my German passport, since it’s the passport with which I entered the country
- Then when I land in the US I again present my US passport, since that’s what I need to get through immigration, and also what has Global Entry
I’ve certainly been absent-minded in the past and accidentally showed the wrong passport, whether at check-in, immigration, or wherever. However, that has always been quickly noticed and corrected without issue.
Bottom line
I’m incredibly fortunate to have dual citizenship, as I have both a US and German passport. Hopefully the above sheds some light on how I decide to use each passport, and also helps anyone who may be trying to figure out which passport to use when traveling.
To anyone else who has passports from two different countries, how do you decide which to use when traveling?
Will dual EU citizens who live abroad (not in EU) be able to apply for ETIAS if they have no EU passport or just want to use their non EU passport for the whole trip ? In Australia you must leave with Australian passport . Different names between citizenships has never been a problem until ETIAS. However this can be mitigated if you are able to apply for ETIAS with your non-EU passport . Any news ?
If it's anything like the rules with the ESTA for the US, then an ETIAS application by a EU citizen will get rejected the same way a US citizen would get rejected for an ESTA if they apply with their foreign passport.
I've been in a situation where corrupt immigration officer forced me to use a specific passport to enter Malaysia before. I also alpha e dual citizenship and immigration flagged me because I tried to use the US passport to enter and the officer questioned to why I did not use the other passport (which was used to exit the origin country). TLDR they wanted money simply because the US passport was visa-exempt and the other...
I've been in a situation where corrupt immigration officer forced me to use a specific passport to enter Malaysia before. I also alpha e dual citizenship and immigration flagged me because I tried to use the US passport to enter and the officer questioned to why I did not use the other passport (which was used to exit the origin country). TLDR they wanted money simply because the US passport was visa-exempt and the other wasn't; ended up forced to pay for a landing visa on the spot.
It is getting tricky on longer cruises visiting several countries. For example Gambia charges USA citizens 100 Euro for a visa, but for EU citizens no visa is required. Till May 2025 it was exact opposite for Namibia (they changed the rules recently). Similar for a number of other countries.
When you book a cruise they typically allow you to enter only one passport. As soon as you embark you need to ask them...
It is getting tricky on longer cruises visiting several countries. For example Gambia charges USA citizens 100 Euro for a visa, but for EU citizens no visa is required. Till May 2025 it was exact opposite for Namibia (they changed the rules recently). Similar for a number of other countries.
When you book a cruise they typically allow you to enter only one passport. As soon as you embark you need to ask them to change the passport for specific ports - they need to inform that port authorities days in advance. A headache for them so they often "forget" - must check repeatedly.
Irrespective of global entry you MUST use your US Passport when entering the United States. Not sure if Germany has the same rule, but in general, when you have multiple nationalities, you must use your home passport when entering that country.
You’d probably also be using the US passport to enter Canada. US citizens don’t need an ESTA for Canada and have more privileges there than EU citizens.
Sorry if I'm over-complicating matters, but when departing Germany, how do you provide the US passport for check-in (at FRA, MUC, etc.) and then the German one for departure immigration?
I understand the logic on providing your US passport for check-in when en-route to the US, since those details are shared by the airline with US immigration, but then at German departure immigration, how can you switch passports? Is the information shared at check-in...
Sorry if I'm over-complicating matters, but when departing Germany, how do you provide the US passport for check-in (at FRA, MUC, etc.) and then the German one for departure immigration?
I understand the logic on providing your US passport for check-in when en-route to the US, since those details are shared by the airline with US immigration, but then at German departure immigration, how can you switch passports? Is the information shared at check-in only provided to US immigration (your destination country) and not German immigration, too (your departing location)?
How I "broke in" my Irish passport and learned the hard way that a US citizen is required to enter the US with his US passport:
I have actually been a dual citizen since 1989, but I never got an Irish passport until 2022. Once I received it, I decided to break it in on a trip to Iceland. Not knowing there could be a problem, I took only my Irish passport.
I had a...
How I "broke in" my Irish passport and learned the hard way that a US citizen is required to enter the US with his US passport:
I have actually been a dual citizen since 1989, but I never got an Irish passport until 2022. Once I received it, I decided to break it in on a trip to Iceland. Not knowing there could be a problem, I took only my Irish passport.
I had a great trip until the night before my flight home. I had managed to get a negative Covid test in the required time frame to return to the US, so it was just a question of checking in for my flight with Icelandair. But having claimed Irish nationality when I booked and checked in for my outbound flight, the website demanded my green card number. Being a US citizen, of course I don't have a green card, but the website was unyielding and I could not check in.
I tried calling Icelandiar in Iceland, but the office was already closed. So I called Icelandair in Boston, and the phone agent told me there should be no problem; just check in at the airport.
I go to Keflavik to check in many hours before my flight and get hit with the same question: where is my green card? I tell him I don't have one because I'm a US citizen. "Can you prove that?" was his reply. And I realized I couldn't. He called his supervisor, and she called Customs and Border Protection. Their decision was, "We will let him make this mistake...once." And so I got checked in for my flight and got home.
Of course, when I got to Boston, I was hit with the same questions, plus the CBP agent had a new one: Had my US passport expired? I told him it had not, that I had just foolishly gone with just my Irish passport to celebrate having received it. So I got sent to the secondary screening room. After waiting a little while, I recounted this whole tale, promised that I had my US passport at my suburban home, and showed them my driver's license. At that point, they let me go home, repeating that I always need to enter the US on my US passport.
The kicker? A few months later, I happened to look in a side pocket of my suitcase, and discovered I'd had a photocopy of my US passport with me all along! I count myself lucky that CBP didn't make me have one of my roommates FedEx my US passport to Reykjavik.
Ben, you should clarify that you not only will use your German passport for going to and entering/exiting EU countries, but that you will also need to use it for the Schengen countries that are not members of the EU: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
The purportedly upcoming EU Entry/Exit System (EES), if it is ever implemented, will basically force dual citizens, who also hold an EU-member state citizenship, to identify themselves with a passport or a national ID of said country when crossing the Schengen Area external borders. Otherwise, they'd have to be fingerprinted, and such.
Such a document requirement is even now from the legal standpoint, but rarely enforced...
It's very convenient to hold more than...
The purportedly upcoming EU Entry/Exit System (EES), if it is ever implemented, will basically force dual citizens, who also hold an EU-member state citizenship, to identify themselves with a passport or a national ID of said country when crossing the Schengen Area external borders. Otherwise, they'd have to be fingerprinted, and such.
Such a document requirement is even now from the legal standpoint, but rarely enforced...
It's very convenient to hold more than one citizenship.
As an example, Taiwan allows just a handful of foreign nations to use their E-Gates upon arrival, previous personal registration.
Therefore, I use my Italian passport to breeze through their immigration, even if I am flying on a passport from another country.
As a dual citizen of Australia and New Zealand I often have to go through manual immigration processing rather than using the automated gates. You have to enter one passport on the airline website when checking in and the gates only work if you use that passport to pass through them on both ends.
So if I'm flying from Australia to New Zealand and I enter my Australian details before my flight I'll get...
As a dual citizen of Australia and New Zealand I often have to go through manual immigration processing rather than using the automated gates. You have to enter one passport on the airline website when checking in and the gates only work if you use that passport to pass through them on both ends.
So if I'm flying from Australia to New Zealand and I enter my Australian details before my flight I'll get an error using the automated gates in New Zealand. Coming back I'll have the same issue going into Australia. Not a major issue but just an interesting data point. I wonder if this happens in other countries as well or if this is just a result of Australia and New Zealand being tightly integrated.
As a dual citizen of Australia and New Zealand I often have to go through manual immigration processing rather than using the automated gates. You have to enter one passport on the airline website when checking in and the gates only work if you use that passport to pass through them on both ends.
So if I'm flying from Australia to New Zealand and I enter my Australian details before my flight I'll get...
As a dual citizen of Australia and New Zealand I often have to go through manual immigration processing rather than using the automated gates. You have to enter one passport on the airline website when checking in and the gates only work if you use that passport to pass through them on both ends.
So if I'm flying from Australia to New Zealand and I enter my Australian details before my flight I'll get an error using the automated gates in New Zealand. Coming back I'll have the same issue going into Australia. Not a major issue but just an interesting data point. I wonder if this happens in other countries as well or if this is just a result of Australia and New Zealand being tightly integrated.
I totally understand the logistics. I have even more passport. I’m US citizen and also hold Portugal and Macao SAR passport. Basically I would doing the same thing as Ben does. In my experience most countries don’t really care which passport you use. Just stick with the same passport when entering and exit. Such as Thailand and Japan. Some counties does care or even require you use the same passport, such as Korea and Taiwan.
I am born and raised in the United States, but I recently immigrated to Canada and became a Canadian citizen. Soon after getting my Canadian passport, I did my first trip with two passports.
I entered Cambodia on my Canadian passport. Then I flew to Laos, and attempted to use my U.S. passport to enter (because I had read the visa-on-arrival fee was cheaper with a U.S. passport).
The Laos border agent looked through my...
I am born and raised in the United States, but I recently immigrated to Canada and became a Canadian citizen. Soon after getting my Canadian passport, I did my first trip with two passports.
I entered Cambodia on my Canadian passport. Then I flew to Laos, and attempted to use my U.S. passport to enter (because I had read the visa-on-arrival fee was cheaper with a U.S. passport).
The Laos border agent looked through my U.S. passport and asked "where is your other passport?" The agent didn't even ask whether I was a dual-citizen. He just knew, presumably because I had no exit stamp from Cambodia in my U.S. passport. They made me enter Laos with my Canadian passport because I used that passport for Cambodia.
a question for a common scenario visiting a question without exit immigration (like the US and Canada):
say I have a Canadian passport and another from country X. I m going to the US to fly to X. I need to use Canada passport to enter the US and then check in with passport X. There is no exit immigration so how does the US know I (as a Canadian) left the country properly...
a question for a common scenario visiting a question without exit immigration (like the US and Canada):
say I have a Canadian passport and another from country X. I m going to the US to fly to X. I need to use Canada passport to enter the US and then check in with passport X. There is no exit immigration so how does the US know I (as a Canadian) left the country properly and will not give me trouble the next time I try to enter using the Canadian passport?
Lucky gave a similar example in the article but in his case he is a US citizen probably don't have worry of being denied entry even if border control doesn't know about his prior exit, vs being a visitor from Canada.
If a US citizen legally you must enter and leave the US on the US passport. Maybe you can get away with it but as a naturalized citizen I am not going to mess with it. As far as going to UK I always use my UK passport. With the new ETA I am told there is not even a dropdown on the application if place of birth is UK. And, like you, when i go to Vietnam I use my UK passport as no visa required !
Ok, I may have missed while reading but every time I provide my EU passport at the check in desk in the US the agent asks me where I live. When I say I live in the US, they always ask to see my US passport. That always confuses me since I know I want to let the EU authorities know I am arriving in the EU as a EU citizen but I am always...
Ok, I may have missed while reading but every time I provide my EU passport at the check in desk in the US the agent asks me where I live. When I say I live in the US, they always ask to see my US passport. That always confuses me since I know I want to let the EU authorities know I am arriving in the EU as a EU citizen but I am always asked to give the US passport as well. The way back is more straightforward as I check in with my US passport, go through immigration to leave EU with my EU passport and use the US passport to enter in the US via Global Entry. Any clue why I always need to show both my US and EU passport when checking in the US?
Don’t. Show the passport in the arrival country that the customs agent is expecting: in this case, your US passport. Keep the EU one in your back pocket.
Telling any customs official you have two passports just starts further awkward questions.
I think you miss read my post. I am nit talking about customs officials. I am talking about airline agents at check in at a US airport on my way to Europe. I am a US citizen and I live in the US. But when checking for my flight from the US to Europe, I show my EU passport and I am immediately asked the question: “Where do you live?” When I say I live in the US they than ask for my US passport.
I fly from the US to Europe several times a year (five times this year) and the procedure is always the same. When I check into my US-Europe flight online, I enter my Irish passport information. When I arrive at the airport, I give my Irish passport to airline officials at the check-in desk if I have to stop there, and to the gate staff before boarding my flight. No airline agent has asked me...
I fly from the US to Europe several times a year (five times this year) and the procedure is always the same. When I check into my US-Europe flight online, I enter my Irish passport information. When I arrive at the airport, I give my Irish passport to airline officials at the check-in desk if I have to stop there, and to the gate staff before boarding my flight. No airline agent has asked me where I live, nor have I ever shown my US passport for the outbound flight. When I arrive at immigration in the EU, a non-EU Schengen country, or the UK, I present my Irish passport.
For my return to the US, I check in online with my US passport. For any interactions with the airline at the airport, I provide my US passport. When I go through exit control, I provide the Irish passport I arrived on. When I arrive in the US, I use my US passport, which the law requires I do.
Some airlines make it easy to enter two passports, while others do not. You can enter two passports on the United App, but I have yet to find any way to enter two passports with American or Delta either through their website or app. With British Airways, I enter my Irish information, but can change it for the return trip via "Manage my bookings." With Air Canada, you can only enter one passport, but they have told me I can change it with a phone call for the return trip.
I have a funny story about how I broke in my Irish passport which I will put in a separate comment.
KennyT - thanks for sharing your story! Sorry if I'm over-complicating matters, but when departing Ireland, how do you provide the US passport for check-in and then the Irish one for exit control?
I understand the logic - as you should provide the passport you entered upon when exiting - but would the details captured by the airline (which says you have a US passport) also be shared with Irish immigration? Or are the systems...
KennyT - thanks for sharing your story! Sorry if I'm over-complicating matters, but when departing Ireland, how do you provide the US passport for check-in and then the Irish one for exit control?
I understand the logic - as you should provide the passport you entered upon when exiting - but would the details captured by the airline (which says you have a US passport) also be shared with Irish immigration? Or are the systems separate / does that information not flow between the airline and immigration?
I do the same. No idea if the systems are linked or not but if I am flying to the US the airline needs to know I am a US citizen and have the right to enter into the country. As for EU immigration, since I entered the EU with my EU passport I have to leave the EU with the same.
Andy, of course when I fly to Europe, both passports are on my person at all times. When I check in online for my return flight the night before, I fill in my US passport info. On departure, if I go to the airline ticket counter, say to check a bag, I hand the agent my US passport. When I reach Irish (or UK, or Schengen) exit control, I provide my Irish passport. When the...
Andy, of course when I fly to Europe, both passports are on my person at all times. When I check in online for my return flight the night before, I fill in my US passport info. On departure, if I go to the airline ticket counter, say to check a bag, I hand the agent my US passport. When I reach Irish (or UK, or Schengen) exit control, I provide my Irish passport. When the gate agent checks my passport for the flight back to the US, I give them my US passport.
As far as I know, the airline for my flight home does not share my info with Irish immigration. Ireland, and other European countries, use exit control to make sure people have been there legally, not overstayed their visa, etc. Since exit control is the legally determinitive information, the authorities do not need the airline info. The airline needs your arrival country information to ensure that you can legally travel to your destination, so it is shared with CBP in this example. If you would be turned away on arrival, the airline will not transport you.
Kenny,
I basically use the same procedure with one important difference. As you mentioned, American does not allow you to enter two passports so if I am on a Roundtrip , I have to enter my US Passport during online check-in on the flight to the EU.
I made the mistake of putting in my German Passport and what happens is that one is not able to do an online check-in on the return...
Kenny,
I basically use the same procedure with one important difference. As you mentioned, American does not allow you to enter two passports so if I am on a Roundtrip , I have to enter my US Passport during online check-in on the flight to the EU.
I made the mistake of putting in my German Passport and what happens is that one is not able to do an online check-in on the return trip to the US.
It still lists my German passport and is asking for the ESTA which of course we don't need.
Udo, you make a good point: booking roundtrip rather than two one-way tickets. In my Iceland story recounted above, I had booked roundtrip with Icelandair. Perhaps it would have been different if I had booked two one-way tickets, but of course with many airlines, it is less expensive to book roundtrip. Since I have not been back to Iceland since that trip, I have not looked to see if I could put two passports into...
Udo, you make a good point: booking roundtrip rather than two one-way tickets. In my Iceland story recounted above, I had booked roundtrip with Icelandair. Perhaps it would have been different if I had booked two one-way tickets, but of course with many airlines, it is less expensive to book roundtrip. Since I have not been back to Iceland since that trip, I have not looked to see if I could put two passports into my records with Icelandair or switch it for my return if I do two one-ways. I did not see any way to change my passport on the Icelandair website, but perhaps the fact that I was in shock from encountering the issue left me unable to think creatively enough.
I am curious about what you do. If you book a roundtrip from the US to Germany on American, you enter your US passport info for your trip to Germany since you would otherwise have to check in at the airport for the return trip. But what happens when you get to Germany? Do you just hand German immigration officials your German passport and then you're no longer subject to 90/180? What will happen when ETIAS is finally implemented? I guess paying 20 euros every three years is less hassle than having to check in at the airport for every return flight.
I now use my Australian passport for everything except entering and leaving the UK. This often means showing both at check in as they need to see th British one for the (automated) departure check and the Australian one to confirm I have the right to go where ever it is I’m going. (eg. My TTP card for Japan is tied to my Australian passport)
When leaving the US, which passport are you using for booking the ticket? I imagine to use TSA precheck you need to have the USA passport in the reservation, however you stated that you're 'exiting' the US with your German passport, so do you go through regular security?
You have to enter your passport info into your airline reservation if travelling overseas. But when you go through TSA security, you could go through with just your state ID. I think that's because what the airline provides to TSA is just your name, DOB and trusted traveler number, not your ID information (state ID is not requested by the airline when you book). So TSA doesn't know or care what passport you've given the...
You have to enter your passport info into your airline reservation if travelling overseas. But when you go through TSA security, you could go through with just your state ID. I think that's because what the airline provides to TSA is just your name, DOB and trusted traveler number, not your ID information (state ID is not requested by the airline when you book). So TSA doesn't know or care what passport you've given the airline, or what passport you're using to enter the foreign country. TSA just checks to make sure your state ID matches both what the airline reports to them (name, DOB) and what they have on file for you.
Also, if I remember right, when you apply for Global Entry (maybe also PreCheck), and when you update your info in your GE account, you're asked if you have dual citizenship. Presumably you can enter your passport details there. Potentially, then, you might even be able to go through TSA PreCheck using a foreign passport (but I'm not sure about this).
snic, if you are a US citizen you always have to enter the US on your US passport. I learned this the hard way when I "broke in" my then-new Irish passport thinking I could use it in both directions. Headaches and retrospective hilarity ensued.
Dual citizenship is ridiculous. How can one swear loyalty to two countries?? Here is the actual text of USA citizenship oath.
"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against...
Dual citizenship is ridiculous. How can one swear loyalty to two countries?? Here is the actual text of USA citizenship oath.
"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."
I'm sure it's a similar oath in every other country as well.
Just pick one- there's something much more sacred to citizenship than simply having better travel documents.
Citizenship and loyalty to one’s country are such BS concepts in the first place. Luckily I’ve never had to affirm loyalty to the UK and had my fingers firmly crossed when I affirmed my pledge to Australia. Fortunately there’s nothing about bearing arms in ours. I can stand behind all of it apart from the loyalty bit, and I can maybe even get behind the loyalty to the people but even if a lot of...
Citizenship and loyalty to one’s country are such BS concepts in the first place. Luckily I’ve never had to affirm loyalty to the UK and had my fingers firmly crossed when I affirmed my pledge to Australia. Fortunately there’s nothing about bearing arms in ours. I can stand behind all of it apart from the loyalty bit, and I can maybe even get behind the loyalty to the people but even if a lot of them are boofheads.
Loyalty to governments and countries - the start of a world of troubles.
“ From this time forward, I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey.”
I think you are assuming that all countries have "oaths" that their citizens have to swear to. The rest of the world is not brainwashed as children into standing in front of flags and pledging allegiance every day.
I am a dual citizen and when I got my second citizenship I got a text message telling me the news. No ceremony, no flags, no oaths. Actually nothing on paper at all and the text message just said a decision had been made on my application.
Multiple citizenship is now so common that even country leaders have it. The Canadian Prime Minister has UK and Irish citizenship. If you want political power you should definitely only have one citizenship.
When buying an airline ticket from US to DE, which passport do you enter? Doesn’t it have to match the one that you show upon check-in/ departure? Doesn’t it have to match immigration+ carrier?
This part confuses me:
“It doesn’t matter what passport information you enter into the itinerary when you book, if it’s even required
When I check in for my flight to Germany, I provide my German passport, since this is the...
When buying an airline ticket from US to DE, which passport do you enter? Doesn’t it have to match the one that you show upon check-in/ departure? Doesn’t it have to match immigration+ carrier?
This part confuses me:
“It doesn’t matter what passport information you enter into the itinerary when you book, if it’s even required
When I check in for my flight to Germany, I provide my German passport, since this is the information shared with German authorities, and determines my eligibility to enter the country (and in some cases determines whether online check-in is possible)
Apparently what you provide at booking doesn't have to match what you ultimately show the airline at check-in. I think the only reason airlines ask for your passport info is to speed up the process of checking that you have a valid passport. Instead of entering your passport info, the check-in agent can just glance at what you've already entered and compare it to your document. So if you use a different passport, they probably...
Apparently what you provide at booking doesn't have to match what you ultimately show the airline at check-in. I think the only reason airlines ask for your passport info is to speed up the process of checking that you have a valid passport. Instead of entering your passport info, the check-in agent can just glance at what you've already entered and compare it to your document. So if you use a different passport, they probably have to waste time entering the new info.
I seem to remember that the last several times I booked an international flight ex-US, I wasn’t even asked for passport information when booking my ticket, at least several months out. The system perhaps started nagging me a month before departure to input my passport information.
I do the same as you as a Spanish / American
One cautionary tale which happened to me when I was a child... if one of your dual citizenship countries doesn't recognize dual citizenship, make sure to show only that country's passport and not show/mention the other one.
I made the mistake of giving both my US and Japanese passports to JP immigrations and they threatened to take away my JP passport, but since I was still a minor at the time I was still...
One cautionary tale which happened to me when I was a child... if one of your dual citizenship countries doesn't recognize dual citizenship, make sure to show only that country's passport and not show/mention the other one.
I made the mistake of giving both my US and Japanese passports to JP immigrations and they threatened to take away my JP passport, but since I was still a minor at the time I was still within the window to choose my citizenship so I got a stern lecture about citizenship rules (go 1980s immigrations officials) and sent me on my way.
Officials still give me beef about it when I renew my JP passport at the consulate but seem to be a lot nicer about it even though I'm an adult and they know I have US citizenship.
Do you still have both? I am in my 30s now and i have both.
Yes, I still have both.
In fact in 2022 when I needed to go to Japan right after Covid restrictions lifted for US Residents, but it was still up in the air if US nationals could get in.. My Japanese passport was expired for about 25 years, so I called the local consulate for advice and they told me to come in and renew my JP passport. They didn't seem to be bothered much...
Yes, I still have both.
In fact in 2022 when I needed to go to Japan right after Covid restrictions lifted for US Residents, but it was still up in the air if US nationals could get in.. My Japanese passport was expired for about 25 years, so I called the local consulate for advice and they told me to come in and renew my JP passport. They didn't seem to be bothered much that I had a US passport and declared on the application, but they did hand me a pamphlet to read about the Japanese citizenship law.
When you’re entering EU passport at online check-in, you’re exiting US on EU passport (and not US). If airline doesn’t allow two passports on PNR, I use US. As we’re required to enter/exit on US passport. And enter EU on EU passport.
As the US citizen, one needs to exit and enter US with US passport even if you are dual citizen.
Same holds true for the EU.
But the US does not ask for your passport when you exit. (Although apparently that is going to change - I think Ben had a post about this a while back, or maybe I read it somewhere else. At some airports, CBP agents are stopping people at the boarding gate to ask to see their passports.)
Correct, the US does not ask for your passport when you exit. If it changes in the future, you would provide your US passport for exiting the US, just as one does in the EU/Schengen Area. But you would still provide your EU passport info to the airline taking you to Europe.
When flying out of the US, better show two passports at airline check-in for proper emigration. Otherwise when coming back, it will appear as if this person has never left the country. That was my understanding. (I have a dual citizenship too)
Also even with a higher visa fee or even need a visa, use US passport as much as possible since US is better at protecting its own citizens abroad with a better...
When flying out of the US, better show two passports at airline check-in for proper emigration. Otherwise when coming back, it will appear as if this person has never left the country. That was my understanding. (I have a dual citizenship too)
Also even with a higher visa fee or even need a visa, use US passport as much as possible since US is better at protecting its own citizens abroad with a better embassy network worldwide. Especially if you think you'll live in the US forever and would rely more than the other.
In case you (or your family - spouse & kids) later get a job requiring DOD/DOE clearance, other family member's elective passport usage might create a red flag (entering a 3rd country using the other passport). I learned the hard way - I'm using US passport all the time ever since and forcing my family members do so as well.
I was thinking the same thing. The US doesn't have departing "passport control" and they keep track of who's leaving by the flight manifests - whatever passport a passenger inputted online for that flight is what the US authorities go by. If you had departed the US with an EU passport and the manifest showed you as an EU citizen, then that could be big trouble returning to the US on your US passport, Global Entry or not.
Like you, I also hold both US and German citizenship and I do exactly as you discussed in your article.
Nice! So, do you vote in German elections, too? Fan of CDU? You know, because... Christian... Democrats... *wink* (just having fun, play on words).
In all seriousness, that's another bit of fun: voting in multiple countries. Technically, dual citizens can do that in many cases.
Our children our dual citizens (USA & UK.) We follow pretty much the same as Lucky. When we enter the EU or UK we use their UK passports. Just a pain to carry 6 passports when we travel internationally.
We are now up to 7 for 3 people (toddler gets to have 3). Multiple passport wallets folders are spectacularly ugly. I was doing fine with my Belroy dual wallet till the baby came, now dad duties include being keeper of the passports, something that was never part of the husband duties.
That's a 'good' problem to have, Ben.
Yes, always use the passport of that country when entering it (German passport for Germany/EU; USA passport for USA, etc.); and, if when leaving, if there's an exit-immigration (like in the EU), exit with that passport (German passport), etc.
Where this gets interesting is 3rd countries, where there may be a significant difference in cost or procedure; for instance, EU get visa-free entry to Brazil, but USA...
That's a 'good' problem to have, Ben.
Yes, always use the passport of that country when entering it (German passport for Germany/EU; USA passport for USA, etc.); and, if when leaving, if there's an exit-immigration (like in the EU), exit with that passport (German passport), etc.
Where this gets interesting is 3rd countries, where there may be a significant difference in cost or procedure; for instance, EU get visa-free entry to Brazil, but USA has to pay expensive reciprocity fee; obviously, use your Germany passport for Brazil, even if you fly USA-GIG, etc.
Oh, and, I know this was on logistics... but, all those bank/credit card applications... they ask too... but... *cough* Also, the speed limit is 50... *cough* And, all income above $10 must be reported... *cough* And... you must board with your boarding group only... *cough* I think I may have a cold.
Talking to yourself again?
I really wish the PNR system evolve to let you put multiple passport info.
I'm a dual citizen, too, and I can't check-in online when traveling between the two countries.
And it's not my case, but it's a lot worse for those who have a different name on each passport.
Quite a lot of international couples name their children differently in each country like following the father's surname in his country and the...
I really wish the PNR system evolve to let you put multiple passport info.
I'm a dual citizen, too, and I can't check-in online when traveling between the two countries.
And it's not my case, but it's a lot worse for those who have a different name on each passport.
Quite a lot of international couples name their children differently in each country like following the father's surname in his country and the mother's surname in her country.
Even the first name can be different. A lot of Asian dual citizens have asian names for one passport, and "international" names for the other one.
There's also a case that the two passports have different birthdays.
South Korea used to convert the time on foreign birth certificates to Korean time.
If you were born in the USA in the afternoon and when your parents register your birth in Korea, they converted the DOB to Korean time, so your DOB on Korean passport would be a day later than on your US passport.
Whether it's first name, surname or DOB, any discrepancy between the the two passports make things really complicated.
If you're a dual citizen and the name and DOB on both passports are identical, you're really lucky.
Hah. Some stupid airlines still mess up birthdays too.
I remembered I encountered a few of them when your device timezone is different than you location timezone.
They should fire all these overpaid incompetent IT people.
Shouldn't the Korean birthday then be one day ahead, not later? Or am I missing something? Afternoon in the US should already be the next calendar day in Korea.
"Many countries require you to use your passport from that particular country if you are a citizen."
Hi Lucky,
to my knowledge, the U.S. is one of those countries. I think U.S. citizens must enter and depart the United States using their U.S. passports, even if they also hold a passport from another country.
ICE is there you you.
DistincTravel, if you, as a US citizen with a US passport, attempt to enter the US with your foreign passport, they'll ask about your visa, which you likely won't have, so, you'll end up having to present your US passport. If you're leaving the US and plan to return to the US, always bring your US passport with you, unless you want a huge headache.
What are you even talking about Eskimo? CBP officers handle immigration at most airports.
You don't /have/ to enter and exit on the same passport...but if it's a country you aren't a citizen of, it could cause some issues. Generally I would agree to stick to using the same passport to enter/exit a specific country each time (e.g. always using the same one to enter/exit the UAE, each time), but I did try it in one (non-middle East) country to see, and now have entry/exit stamps in all three,...
You don't /have/ to enter and exit on the same passport...but if it's a country you aren't a citizen of, it could cause some issues. Generally I would agree to stick to using the same passport to enter/exit a specific country each time (e.g. always using the same one to enter/exit the UAE, each time), but I did try it in one (non-middle East) country to see, and now have entry/exit stamps in all three, from the same country, months apart. Wouldn't recommend it though.
Australia also requires its citizens to enter and exit on an AU passport, in theory...in practice, that isn't the case (in fact as an Australian citizen you don't need any passport to enter Australia, given the right to entry, but naturally trying to do this deliberately will be causing yourself unnecessary inconvenience - I've never tried without one, but have used an alternative while my Aussie was with the Passport Office).
US has same requirement: bolded at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/Relinquishing-US-Nationality/Dual-Nationality.html
@QFFlyer
Leaving with a different document could flag you as entering illegally or overstayed.
@Ben -- Does your profile with CBP have both passports? I recently acquired a second citizenship (on top of US citizenship) and assume it's routine to add this second citizenship to my profile at an enrollment center as soon as I can, correct?
One minor but frustrating thing I've experienced: I can only have one passport in my airline's profile. So I have to remember to check, each time I'm traveling, which one it's pulling.
Good point - I actually check in with the same passport every single time, even when not using that passport to enter the country.
Only time I can see this being an issue is if there's a different visa requirement, or a fee applied to one country's citizens and not another - for example, Aussies can travel to/from (and live/work in) NZ freely and don't have to get an ETA or pay the tourism fee...
Good point - I actually check in with the same passport every single time, even when not using that passport to enter the country.
Only time I can see this being an issue is if there's a different visa requirement, or a fee applied to one country's citizens and not another - for example, Aussies can travel to/from (and live/work in) NZ freely and don't have to get an ETA or pay the tourism fee - if I tried to use a UK passport to travel to NZ, I'd have to have an ETA and pay all the fees, unless I proved at the last minute I had an Aussie passport (i.e. at check in), because the carrier would see I have no ETA and deny check in (I presume).
Having UK and EU passports will come in handy when the UK entry system and similar ETIAS start charging Australians (if they haven't already, I lose track).
The introduction of the equivalent of ESTA by Schengen and UK is going to make this an issue for a much larger number of people.
It might be large enough to prompt the European airlines to want to change the system.
But then they will have to persaude Amadeus ...
Meanwhile I am apparently not the only person for whom BA's decrepit IT will not store even one set of passprt details!
The United app lets you enter two passports. For some reason, I don't think you can do it on the United website. Go figure.
One thing to touch on Lucky:
How does using 2 passports on the same trip work out? For example when flying from
Germany to the US, do you have any issues exiting Germany on the German passport and then presenting your US passport on arrival to the US?
@ Aaron -- Nope, no issue with that at all, that's exactly what I do. In the second section of the post I share the exact logistics, and they match exactly what you're outlining. :-)
Just a bit of juggling, in the example presented it goes as follows:
Leaving US, check in using DE passport.
Exit US using US passport.
Board plane using DE passport.
Enter DE using DE passport.
Check in using US passport.
Exit DE using DE passport (if entering using it).
Board plane using US passport.
Enter US with US passport.
QFFlyer gets it.
@QFFlyer: "Exit US using US passport."
I've never been asked by a US government authority to show my passport when leaving the US. Have you?
I agree, never had CBP check my AU passport on departure, but somehow arriving on a following trip even a month or two later, the immigration system gives no hint that it thinks I was still in the country from my last visit. In another era, the agent would take the I-94 from your passport when you checked in to depart. I assume they automated the departure notification when they did away with paper I-94s.