dual citizenship travel advice

How to Travel with Two Passports: The Stress-Free Flying Guide

Last updated on March 19th, 2022 at 04:58 pm

You’ve gotten dual citizenship – yay! There’s something so satisfying about finally having your second passport in hand. But how do you actually travel with two passports ? When do you show what and what are the rules to follow?

While traveling with two passports should not be difficult, it can be intimidating the first few times you do it. You don’t want to make a mistake and get into any trouble!

To provide the clearest explanations possible, I’m going to use examples, many of them being from my own situation as a US and EU citizen. If you have any questions about your specific situation, please leave them in the comments so I can help!

You can read more about how I got my Italian dual citizenship .

Traveling With Two Passports: FAQs, Answered

How can you get two passports.

A person can apply for a passport in any country in which they have citizenship. If you were born a dual citizen, you likely can apply at any time. But you can also obtain dual citizenship in other ways, most commonly through ancestry, naturalization, and marriage. Once you’ve obtained dual citizenship, you should be able to apply for your passport right away, but you’ll have to check your country’s specific rules.

It’s important to note that every country has different policies on this (and it’s important to note that all the information in this article may vary depending on the country in question.) Always check official rules, which can usually be found on government websites, regarding if dual citizenship is allowed and their rules on traveling with two passports.

Is traveling with two passports allowed?

Yes. And people can even have more than two! It’s usually advantageous to have multiple passports (if your home country allows it). Having a second passport allows you to choose which one makes your entry into a foreign country easier and you’ll likely have shorter lines to wait in.

Do dual citizens need to travel with both passports?

No, you are not required to have both passports on you when you travel – just the one you are using. In my case, if traveling back and forth from the United States and the European Union (EU), I need both because I enter and leave the EU as an EU citizen and enter and leave the USA as a US citizen. Scroll to find detailed definitions of “entering” and “exiting.”

I highly suggest always bringing both passports with you when you travel, even if you don’t plan on using one of them. This assures that if you run into any trouble, you have all your documentation on hand and can explain your situation as a dual citizen. Follow these other international travel tips for a smooth experience.

Can you enter a country on one passport and exit on another?

No. The way that countries track whether or not you have overstayed your visa or the amount of days you’re allowed to stay there is based on what passport you used.

So, for example, if you enter the EU on an American passport, but then exit on an EU passport, then “on file” it will seem as though you never left the EU because they’ve seen you entered on an American passport.

Some countries do not stamp passports, which would then imply it doesn’t matter which you show. But to avoid trouble, the number one rule for traveling with two passports is to keep it consistent.

Defining “Entering” and “Exiting” a Country

The reason why I want to define these terms is that their messaging can get confusing in the context of the full flight journey.

This is because there is not just one stop where you show the passport you’re traveling with and move on. There are multiple passport control stops that can make you doubt which passport you are supposed to use.

Entering a country is when you land and you go through passport control. You will enter your destination country, but you will also re-enter the country that you are returning to. And this may cause you to use two different passports on the same journey.

For example, I am an EU and US citizen. If I travel to the US, I will use my American passport. But when I re-enter the EU, I will present my EU passport because I want to be considered an EU citizen in the EU.

The same goes for leaving a country. I will leave the EU on my EU passport, the same I used to enter it. And when I leave the US, I will present my US passport; the same I used to enter it.

Step-By-Step Flying Guide with Two Passports

Booking Your Flight: How to Choose Which Passport To Use

The first point where you will need to decide on which passport to use when traveling is when you go to book a flight. The main factors you will want to consider when choosing which to use are:

• Destination country’s laws . Your destination country may have certain laws about which passport you can use, usually if it’s the country from which you have citizenship. For example, US citizens must enter and leave the US using their US passport . So even if you are a dual citizen of another country, you don’t have the choice to use that passport to enter the US.
• Ease of visa requirements . The benefit to having two passports is that you can choose which one allows you to enter a country more easily. For example, if I’m traveling to Venezuela, I would choose to use my EU passport. With my EU passport, I don’t need to apply for a visa, whereas with the US passport I would have to apply for a visa, pay for it, and do the entire waiting process for it to be granted. These visa requirements are all based on agreements between the countries regarding the visitor’s nationality, length of stay, reason for visiting, etc.

Part of the booking and online check-in process can also get muddy when they ask for nationality. Dual nationals should always put the nationality that goes with whatever passport they are traveling on.

Airport Check-In

When you check in for your flight, you will present the passport that you used to buy the ticket. The airline wants to see the passport information match up and they want to know you have valid entry to your destination country.

At Security Check

You will present the passport associated with your ticket. Again it makes sense, as the agents all want to see that the information is consistent and that you won’t have problems entering the destination country.

At Passport Control When Departing

When you go through passport control after having checked in and gone through security, you will then present whichever passport you used to enter the country you are currently in. So, if I am in Italy, I would present my Italian passport.

Now, for example, if I have a connecting flight from Italy somewhere in the EU on my way to the US, I will not go through passport control in Italy. I will go through passport control at the last EU country I am traveling from.

Arriving At The Destination

When you go through the immigration check at your destination, you’ll present the passport you used on your ticket to fly there. This makes sense, as its the passport that is allowing you entry into the country.

Departing From The Destination

Same as when you arrive, you’ll show the passport you used to enter the country.

Returning Home/Re-entering Departing Country

So, now when you go through border control after your return journey, you will present which passport is most advantageous for you to enter that country with. Remember, this is the passport you will then use to leave this country the next time you take an international flight.

If I’m an EU citizen returning to the EU, then I will use my EU passport.

Final Thoughts

Traveling with two passports is not difficult, but it can be intimidating. It’s hard enough trying to travel stress-free and now it’s a whole new world with two passports in hand!

Now when you travel with two passports you will be a pro!

Michela is a travel writer and photographer living in northern Italy. She is passionate about helping people make the most of their travels by sharing advice gained from her personal experiences, off-the-beaten-path destinations and memorable itineraries. Browse her top articles or have her help you plan your itinerary to your dream destination!

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43 Comments

Hi Michela. My name is Hans i have both Nicaraguan and German Citizenships.

I was born in Nicaragua and in the beginning of the year i booked a flight from Nicaragua to Amsterdam with my Nicaraguan passport, nevertheless, a month ago i obtained my first German passport.

My concern lies in that as a nicaraguan citizen i obtain both my father and mother last names while under the german legislation my second last name (my mother’s) is eliminated.

The Nicaraguan government obligates me to book my flight with my Nicaraguan passport that has the two last names (which i did back in the beginning of the year) and the info has to correlate with an exit authorization form that i have to fill about 48 hours prior to leaving. If it is not identical i can have issues.

So where i see the problem is that when i enter Paris which is my connecting flight to Amsterdam and go through inmigration my ticket will have my two last names and my German passport only one last name. Do you think that inmigration will understand if i explain them my situation? I strongly feel that the correct thing would be to enter the EU with my EU passport but i am afraid of running into trouble. I would appreciate you insight. Thank you!

I totally understand your fear because there is no way to contact anyone you’ll encounter at immigration before you arrive. I do believe you are correct that you should enter the EU with your EU passport.

Airlines are most concerned with seeing that you are allowed to enter the country that you are traveling to. For example, I was returning to Italy from the US and had flights booked with my US passport. The airline in the US asked me if I had proof I could travel to Italy and that’s when I showed my Italian passport and everything was fine.

And when I do arrive back in Italy, I just use my Italian passport and go through the e-gates. I don’t think you will be asked to show your ticket and passport if you enter through the e-gates since you are an EU citizen.

My best advice would be to try to email the Paris customs and get a response back in writing of what they advise you to do because then you can print that email and have it as a backup document (depending on what they write to you) that justifies your actions! You may even want to do the same and contact Amsterdam customs.

I hope this helps and that you have a smooth trip!

How do you answer visa questions about where you were born when traveling with second passport? I have a US passport and a Costa Rica by investment passport. I am unsure on some of the questions on the visa applications. Thanks for any help you can give me.

I believe the way you answer visa application questions is all based on which passport allows you to most easily enter/obtain that visa. I would keep all the information the same so once you choose one passport to fill out the application with, only input information related to that passport. Of course I know that filling out paperwork can be really confusing because they don’t allow you to explain your whole story, but I believe you should be okay if you fill out the paperwork in this way!

I hope this helps and let me know if you have any more questions!

Hi Michaela,

I have both a US passport and Thai passport. I was in Thailand on my US passport and went to Europe. I left Thailand and entered Europe on my American passport. However, when I came back to Thailand I left Europe on my American passport and entered Thailand on my Thai passport. Now I want to travel to Australia but I am in Thailand (entered using my Thai passport). For visas, it is much easier to enter Australia on my US passport. Is it this correct, I purchase my ticket using my US passport even though they have no record of me in the country with US passport? And when I get to border control in Thailand I show them my Thai passport and when I arrive in Australia I show them my US passport?

When I leave Australi should I book on my US passport, correct?

Kind regards,

First I just want to say that since I don’t have these two kinds of passports and have not personally experienced this travel route, I always recommend trying to get in contact with the border police in order to confirm your situation and receive an answer directly from them.

Now, from my experience, you are exactly right. The airline is concerned about whether you will be allowed into your destination country, whereas the border police are looking to make sure you are entering and exiting a country on the same passport.

So, you should book everything related to your Australia visit on your US passport. Show your Thai passport to the border police in Thailand upon exiting and re-entering, but give your US passport to the airline agents so they can check you are eligible to enter Australia and that all info matches and also to the border police in Australia when you enter and depart that country.

If on your way back to Thailand the airline agents are questioning whether you can return (since they are looking at your US passport), you should be able to also show them your Thai passport so that they know you are allowed to enter that country. It once happened that I booked my flights to and from the US on my US passport (since that is the law, even though I’m in the EU on my EU passport) and while checking in for my return flight to Italy, the agent asked me if I had proof that I could go back there. I then just told her I am a dual citizen and showed my Italian passport as well and all was fine.

Like I said, if you can get confirmation from border police agents that this works for your situation, all the better. It’s my go-to strategy, as written confirmation by email is hard to refute. I hope this information was helpful and that you have a safe and smooth trip!

Hi , thanks for this. I have two passports and both are visa free to enter EU for 90days /180z I wanted to enter EU after the first 90 days with the first passport. Can I use the second passport to reenter with this 180 days limits? they check stamps only? Do they have electronic system to know it’s me the same person?

I’m nearly 100% certain that border police do cross-reference your passports if you are a dual citizen and that you can risk a fines/other penalties trying to enter with another passport to avoid the 180 day limit!

My daughter has UK and Spanish passports. My question is over what you say above: “When you check in for your flight, you will present the passport that you used to buy the ticket. The airline wants to see the passport information match up and they want to know you have valid entry to your destination country.” but then when arriving in the UK “When you go through the immigration check at your destination, you’ll present the passport you used on your ticket to fly there. This makes sense, as its the passport that is allowing you entry into the country.”. If she uses her SPANISH passport to BUY the ticket and CHECK IN in in Spain, why should she not use the UK passport once she arrives in London and when she leaves?

So, if your daughter is flying to the UK from Spain, I would assume she should buy her ticket with her UK passport, which would be the passport she shows to airline agents and immigration officers in the UK!

Meanwhile if she is flying to Spain from the UK she would do the opposite – buy the ticket to Spain with the Spanish passport and show that to the airline agents and the immigration officers once she lands in Spain.

Does that make more sense? I hope it helps!

Very helpful, thanks.

I’m happy you have found it useful!

I have both Taiwan and New Zealand passport. I’m going to China end of the year. I book my flight ticket with my Taiwan passport because i don’t required visa to go in. But the last time I enter nz I’m using my nz passport, so is that ok if I show the border police my New Zealand passport even tho my ticket is under my Taiwan passport ?

And when I’m leaving China n going back to New Zealand , which passport I should use to book my flight ?

You could almost think of the airline agents and the border police agents as separate parts of your journey. The main priority of the airline agents is to see that you are allowed in the country to which you are traveling, which is why you are correct in that you should book your ticket with and show the airline agents your Taiwan passport.

The border agents want to make sure you are entering and exiting the country on the same passport, which is why you would show them your New Zealand passport when leaving New Zealand. If you showed your Taiwan passport, they would see you entered New Zealand with one passport and left on another, which means they don’t know where you are/can’t track you and this could cause problems in your future international travels.

I also have never traveled to China or New Zealand, so I always encourage people to try to get in contact with the country’s border police before traveling if something seems unclear. I have done this before with other countries’ border police and I will usually print their email response to me about what I should do and bring that to the airport with me so that I feel confident while traveling.

When booking your return flight, as I mentioned, it is best to book with the passport that allows you access to the country you are traveling to. Now, I, for example, have booked a roundtrip flight US-Italy all on my US passport after I had spent about a year in Italy. When I went to check in for my return flight to Italy, I gave the airline agent my US passport since that is what I used for the roundtrip ticket and the airline agent asked me if I had proof that I was allowed to return to Italy (since you can only stay there for 3 months as a US citizen every 180 days) and I simply showed her my Italian passport. Everything went fine!

I hope I was able to explain myself clearly and that this has been helpful!

Hello. Say I am an Indian citizen with an Indian passport in the US and have a green card. Over time I obtain US Citizenship and Passport. Now India does not allow dual citizenship.

Now say just have obtaining my US Passport, I have to travel to India for an emergency, can I present my Indian Passport to enter and then exit India. Does anybody in India check in any system that I am a US Citizen now?

Since I have no personal experience with these types of passports and visas, I would highly recommend you reach out to your local consulate to get clarity on the situation. Safe travels!

Hi Micheala, My son has an Irish passport and a US passport. He was born in the US. I was born in Ireland. He will be studying abroad in Spain from 9/22 to 12/17. Under 90 days so no visa required. He will fly to london beforehand on Sept 3 to visit my sister, and also fly to Ireland to visit my brother. A total of 18 days before flying to Spain. It’s his first time abroad alone so I’m kind of worried about passport use and visas. I know he was told he didn’t need the visa to study in Spain because it’s under 90 days, and he has an Irish passport, but he has those added days in london and Ireland. Would you be able to take us through passport use for his trip? He will leave The US on the US passport. Should he use that same one to enter london? I think that is the correct one. He will flys to Ireland for a short visit, and then back to london. For this he will use his Irish passport. When he leaves london on 9/22 for his stay until 12/17 which passport is best? Ireland and England are not belong to Schengen Area so you are only allowed the same 90 days with no visa as a US citizen. (But you can leave and come back again on the Irish passport) 12/17 he flys Seville to Portugal to connect with his US flight home Im concerned, as he enters and leaves Seville that it will all go correctly. I’m anxious that some one will not let him in somewhere. I believe has to make sure he gets stamped everywhere along the way. When he returned to the US, does he need to primarily show the border patrol stamps in his US passport showing; that he arrived in london, departed london, arrived Seville, departed Seville, arrived Portugal, departed Portugal, arrive chicago? I know any flights to Ireland or EU countries, while studying abroad, he will use his Irish passport. But the trip listed above is his round trip in and out of the US. I hope this makes sense. Thank you.

Hi Vivienne!

I completely understand why you are nervous, as traveling with two passports can definitely be confusing.

I believe he could use the Irish or the US passport to enter London, as long as he uses that same one when he leaves London to go to Spain.

When entering and leaving Spain, since both passports have the same stipulations of 90 days no visa required, he should be fine to use either one, again as long as the one he chooses is the same one that he leaves Spain with.

I remember in London, and now in many places in Europe, there are e-gates where you scan your passport and you don’t receive a stamp, but this has never given me issues when returning to the US. I believe he can choose to see a border control agent for a stamp but it could also depend on the airport.

As long as he enters and exits each country using the same passport (enters and exits Ireland on the Irish passport, enters and exits US on the US passport, etc.) then he should be fine!

When he goes from Seville to Portugal, he should only have to cross border authorities in Portugal since the flight from Seville to Portugal is an EU flight. It’s when he is leaving the EU that he would have to cross border control.

I always encourage reaching out to a country’s border control authorities, as most will respond to emails, and traveling with that response to lessen the anxiety!

I hope this has been helpful – since I don’t have personal experience with both these types of passports, I can only say what I believe are the best practices, so like I said, if you can reach out to border authorities to ask your question, this is best!

I hope your son has a nice, smooth trip!

Hi, thanks for the guide. I am a US citizen who recently obtained an EU passport. I am traveling soon to Turkey from the US, and want to use my EU passport so I won’t need a visa (unlike with the US passport). The part that confuses me is the airline check-in. You linked to the State Dept. site which effectively says, “US citizens must enter and leave the US using their US passport.”

But if I am entering Turkey with my EU passport, shouldn’t I use the EU passport to book the ticket and check-in? If I use my US passport to book the flight, would I encounter problems when I try to go through Turkish customs with my EU passport? I assume the airline shares its passenger list, and I would show up as a US citizen. Or does that not matter? Also, the US has no passport exit control, so it seems like it shouldn’t matter on the US end either way.

I understand that when coming back to the US, I will show my EU passport to go through Turkish exit control (same as I entered), and my US passport for my return flight. But normally when you book a round-trip flight, you enter your passport information once when purchasing. What do I do if I want to use my EU passport to book/board the flight to Turkey and then fly back to the US with my US passport?

Thank you for the help!

You should book your flight with your EU passport since that’s the passport that is allowing you visa-free entry to Turkey. You will show the EU passport to the airline agent to check in and at border control entering and leaving Turkey.

When they say to enter and exit the US on your US passport, this refers to the passport you will show at border control when coming into and leaving the US. I don’t know exactly what gets shared, but basically you can think of the airline agents and border control as two separate entities. Airlines want to know you’ll be allowed into your destination country (hence booking with the EU passport) and border control want to make sure you are entering and leaving on the same passport (US passport shown entering and exiting the US; EU passport shown entering and exiting Turkey.)

As far as how to handle the passport booking information for the return flight, this was my experience: when I was traveling back to Italy from the US, I had already booked my roundtrip flight with the US passport details. The airline agent noticed that I wouldn’t be allowed back in Italy on my US passport since I had technically overstayed as a US citizen and all I had to do was explain I was a dual citizen, show the Italian passport and everything was fine as soon as she saw that I would be allowed into Italy. So, even if you have the EU passport details on the ticket, if you show them you are a US citizen and will therefore be allowed into the US, there shouldn’t be a problem.

I always recommend reaching out to border control/the airline agents with your personal situation as they will best be able to shed light on the correct procedure! I know sometimes it can be difficult to get a response, but it’s always worth a try.

I hope that I explained this well enough but don’t hesitate to ask any more questions for clarity!

I am a US and EU citizen, residing in NY. Never traveled on both before, but I am going to travel from JFK to LHR and will. From what I understand: Book tickets in the US provide US passport info to the airline and present your US passport at the gate at JFK. Upon arriving in London present EU passport at Border Control. On the return (as with the US there is no exit check) present the US passport to the airline and again at entry at Passport Control (Global Entry) in JFK. My question is doesn’t the airline tell Border Control in the UK that John Doe, US citizen is coming? and when John Doe, EU citizen shows up, won’t that cause an issue?

I don’t know exactly what happens on the other end – but I can tell you that from what I do know, airline agents care that you will be allowed in your destination country and border control cares that you are entering and exiting their country on the same passport.

You’re completely correct to show the US passport at the border control exit and entry at JFK. From what it sounds like, it may make more sense for you to just use the US passport also during your visit to England if it gives you the same entry requirements. If you prefer to use the EU passport entering England, you’ll show this to the border control exit and entry at LHR (which I am pretty sure are just E-gates now).

What will cause problems is if you enter the UK on an EU passport and then leave the UK on a US passport (by this I mean showing your EU passport to LHR border patrol when entering and then showing your US passport to LHR border control when leaving). Then border control sees that there is something inconsistent. So, while I don’t know what information is shared, this is how I have traveled between the US and Italy with two passports without yet encountering a problem having contacted the authorities to understand how to use my two passports correctly. I also recommend you do the same if you have any doubts! Border control authorities in the destination country usually have an email you can contact and that is the best resource for asking specific questions related to that country’s entry regulations.

I hope I explained myself well and that you have a smooth trip!

I went on my trip, skipped the online check-in and such, and asked at the airline desk. The agent had no clue, and called someone over who knew precisely what to do:

At JFK I checked in with my EU passport (next time, I’ll do this at one of the kiosks, you slide your passport in and it gets read). My boarding pass included Pre TSA (with KTN info Delta already has). At the TSA security, I presented my US passport. When boarding the flight I gave my EU passport and utilized my EU passport at LHR, and when I headed to France on the train. Returning, I again skipped the online check (because Delta had no way to update the passport info on the web to add my US passport, I had assumed it was populated with my EU passport info from the trip over) and I check in at a kiosk with the US passport and presented it again at the gate and at JFK Global Entry point.

Worked seamlessly and painlessly and next year I’ll be able to avoid the EU ETIAS.

I’m so glad someone was able to give you such specific instructions! You did everything right and thank you for sharing your experience so others can also learn from it!

Hi Bob can you please elaborate which passport did you book your flights with? Sounds like you checked in with the airline using your EU passport on the first leg but then you used your US passport to check in on your return leg. If your flights are on one itinerary, how is it possible to present two different passports to the airline? Thank you.

Thank you so much for this incredibly helpful information Michela! I read several other articles prior to this one and was still confused but you cleared everything up for me.

I’m in a very similar situation as you, an American who has obtained his Italian citizenship through ancestry. I’m currently in Italy at the moment and we are about to depart for the US in three days. I started to get concerned as I used my US passport to check into my flight when departing the US but then used my Italian passport to go through control after landing in Italy. I wasn’t sure which passport to use when departing Italy (actually, as we fly first to Paris then I’ll be using it there) and then again when arriving in the US but you perfectly made things clear to me.

I feel much more confident now so again a big thank you!

Hi Lance, I’m so glad you found it helpful! It can be so confusing and once you figure out the steps, they’re still a bit confusing to explain and understand. I’m happy I was able to explain it clearly! Have a wonderful trip!

Hi! I’m a Canadien citizen and I have my Belgian citizenship. I’m going to study abroad in Germany for 4 months but I currently live in Canada. This is what I understand : 1) Book my flight to Europe with my Canadien passport. 2) Show my EU passport when I’m at the borders in Europe (so I don’t have to show a visa to study). 3) Book my flight back with my Canadien passport. So, if I understand correctly, I book all my flights leaving and returning to Canada with my Canadien passport but when I arrive in Europe, I only show my European passport. Is that right?

At the border, if I only show my EU passport, will they ask to see my bording pass to be sure everything is matching or they won’t care because I’m a EU citizen?

Thank you! 🙂

Hi Claudia! First I just want to say since I don’t personally hold these two kinds of citizenship, I always recommend reaching out to local border authorities to get any important questions answered and cleared up. From what I know from my own personal experience and research, this is what I think: 1) You can book your flight to Europe with whatever passport allows you to remain in your destination country. So, you could book your flight with the EU passport, the important thing would be to show your Canadian passport to Canadian passport control as you “exit” Canada and make your way to Europe. 2) Yes I believe this works. 3) Yes exactly since this is the passport that allows you into Canada.

And then when you “exit” Europe, you show your European passport to the border control in Europe. When you re-enter in Canada, you show your Canadian passport to “enter” Canada.

I’ve never been asked for the boarding pass while entering the EU on my EU passport. You will likely go through the electronic gate where you scan your passport and they do a biometric check!

I hope this helps!

Thanks a lot for the travel tips!

I have a question regarding my situation, i have a Dominican Republic passport with an American Visa and a Spanish passport.

Im going to Dubai but I have to Stop in the USA and I’m a little bit stressed about what to do, why?

Scenario 1: Booking with Dominican passport and USA Visa.

1) I book the ticket with the Dominican Passport because i have my USA Visa there. And I do a check-in in the Dominican Republic. 2) In the Dominican customs I will present my Dominican passport. 2)In USA Customs I will enter with my USA visa and Dominican passport 3) I Spent a (1) day in the USA 4) By the time I have to do a check-in again to travel to Dubai I have to present my Dominican Passport but they will request a VISA and I dont need a visa with the Spanish Passport to enter Dubai, can I show in the counter my Spanish passport to the airline? 5) Customs USA will present My Dominican passport. 6) Then I have to enter Dubai with my Spanish Passport (Dont need a visa) 7) When returning i have to leave Dubai with the Spanish and then enter USA with the Dominican passport.

Scenario 2: Booking with Spanish passport

1) I book the ticket with the Spanish Passport 2) At the check-in with the airline in the Dominican Republic they will request to me an ESTA (A permit to enter the USA) but I won’t have it because I have my Visa in the Dominican, can i show my Dominican to the airline? 3) In the USA customs I have to present my Dominican passport because of the Visa, but can I do that? Booking and traveling with the Spanish but using the Dominican to enter is a problem? 4) I Spent a (1) day in the USA 5) By the time I have to do a check-in for the Dubai travel i won’t have a problem since i dont need a Visa 6) At USA customs I have to present my Dominican passport to leave the USA 7) In Dubai i have to enter with my Spanish one 8) When returning at the airline check-in they will request to me the ESTA but again i dont have it because I have a Dominican passport. Can i show them my other passport? 9) I have to leave Dubai with the Spanish one 10) I have to enter the again USA with the Dominican one.

I believe which scenario you do will depend on if you are booking the trip with Dubai as your final destination or if you are booking the trips as two separate legs – one leg is the US, then the other separate trip is from US to Dubai.

If it is all booked with Dubai as your final destination, then you should follow the second scenario, proving that you are allowed to enter your final destination visa-free, which is what interests the airlines the most. Then follow the steps that you laid out, using the passport that allows you to enter and exit each country visa-free.

If they are booked as two separate legs, I would recommend the first scenario, proving you are able to stay in the US and then showing your Spanish passport for the second leg, while exiting the US on the Dominican passport.

Honestly, I believe you will be ok in either scenario by explaining to the airline or border agent that you have all the permissions to enter and exit each country that is part of your itinerary, if they even ask you any questions! It happened to me that I was returning to Italy from the US and the ticket was booked under my US passport. The agent asked to see proof that I could travel to Italy (since she could see I had been there previously for more days than the US passport would allow me without a visa) and I was able to show her my Italian passport and explain and it was all settled by that!

I hope this helps and safe travels!

Hi Michela,

How do I retain you as a consultant?

I currently don’t offer any professional passport consultancy services but I can do my best to answer your question based off of my personal experience. You can email me at [email protected] . I however still highly suggest consulting a legal professional for anything regarding passport services!

Hi Michela, Thank you so much for you website info. However, I think I might be in a bad situation. I am looking for some advice. I am a naturalized US Citizen, (however I am originally from Colombia) This week I traveled to help out my father in Colombia. I was planning to only use my US Passport. However, when I arrived the Colombian agent asked be to show both my passports. HE then Stamped my Colombia Passport… (WHICH is Expired)… I never planned to use it. NOW I fear they will not be able to leave with my US Passport. Truly I do not know what to do… I have a family and job waiting for me to return at the end of the week. Any Advice?

Hi Mislady,

Having never been in a similar situation and not having these same two nationalities, I cannot confirm that my advice is completely correct. I can only tell you from personal experience what I think you can do and what I think the situation calls for. The most difficult part is that the Columbian passport is expired, which is where I think you could encounter the most issues.

If it weren’t expired I would tell you to show the US passport to airline agents for your return flight, the Columbian passport to border control to get your exit stamp, and then your US passport upon arrival into the US, so that you enter and exit each country using the same passports. I truly have no idea if the expiry of the passport will affect this situation and unfortunately this is the best I can think of to do having not gone through this myself and not being a legal professional.

If you can, I highly recommend you reach out directly to the border police to explain the situation to get a clear answer! Safe travels and wishing you the best.

Hi there! I have US and Bulgarian passports…and I live in the UK. I am planning a trip to the US soon and I’m very confused as to how to go about it – Do I book the flight with my American passport, which I will also show at the check in desk? But then after going through security I show my EU passport before boarding the flight?

Hi Natalia,

The general rule is to book your flight with the passport that allows you to enter the destination country in the easiest way possible, which is usually considered visa-free. In this case, you should book your trip with the US passport to show the airline you will be allowed in the country. The US passport is what you will show at the check in desk.

When you go to exit the UK aka, go through the border control in the UK, you will show whatever passport you used to enter the UK, which I am assuming in this case is your EU passport. To the airline before boarding the flight, show your US passport since that is what your ticket is booked with.

Once you arrive in the US, since you are a US citizen, you must enter and exit the US with your US passport, meaning the US passport is what you will show to customs/border control in the US.

If you buy your flight roundtrip, it will all be associated with the US passport. If you are asked by the airline on your return trip verification that you are allowed to enter the UK, you can show them your EU passport or UK residency (because of the whole Brexit thing I suggest you to confirm the rules on the official websites.) Once you get back to the UK, you will go through border control showing your EU passport!

It can be confusing and a lot of information at once, but I hope this helps!

Thanks so much for publishing; this is so helpful!

My 17 year old niece has dual US / UK citizenship. She is traveling over the holidays from the US (where she lives) to visit family in the UK.

I understand she needs to show her US passport upon exit from the US and upon entry to the US.

Is there any reason for her to use her UK passport at all? Since US citizens don’t need a visa to visit the UK for < 6 months, it seems easiest to just use her US passport through the whole trip and avoid the confusion.

Is there anything I am missing?

Hi Michelle, The only situation in which she would have to use her UK passport to enter and exit the UK (as far as I am aware) is if the UK requires it by law. For example, if you are a US citizen, you MUST enter and exit the US on your US passport, even if you have another passport that would allow you entry.

I did a quick search and it doesn’t seem like there is this rule but I highly recommend you do your own research/even reach out to a border official in the UK (a lot of times there is an email address for border police that you can contact) in order to get a direct, confirmed answer.

Otherwise if they truly don’t have this rule, then I think you would be ok to just use the US passport throughout. I hope this helps!

Hi! I’ve been reading through your entire blog post, and it is very informative. However, I’m still a bit confused. I have an EU (Polish) and US citizenship. I’m flying to Italy via Paris. From other questions I understand that when checking-in to the US-Italy flight, I should use my EU (Polish) passport, since this gives me hassle-free entrance to the EU. As I leave the US there’s only check of documents to the security belt, and at the boarding gate. So at the security belt I should show my EU passport, and same at the gate, because then they’ll know I can enter EU. Then when I land in Paris I go through the EU citizens gates and then there’s no more control. However, when I fly back, at the check-in for the return flight do I also use the EU passport? Then there will be passport control when leaving EU and at the gate (probably to ensure I can enter the US). Is it only at the gate when leaving the EU that I should show the US passport? Then when I land in the US I would also show the US passport. But then it seems I have not used the US passport at all when leaving the US. So I’m a bit confused – could you help what are your thoughts since you’ve travelled US-Italy? Which passport in the US do you show when you go through the security? Thanks a lot!

When you check in for the return flight, and this is based off of my personal experience, you will show the passport that you used to book the flight under, so the EU passport.

Here’s exactly what happened to me when I was traveling back to Italy from the US after a week stay:

I showed my US passport to the airline agent for my return flight to Italy. She could see that technically I had overstayed in Europe the 90 day visa-free period, but all I had to do was show her the EU passport and she let me through no problem. If something like this happens, as soon as you show them you are a citizen of the US, even if your whole flight is booked under the EU passport, there should be no problem.

So, when leaving the EU, you can still show your EU passport to all airline-related checkpoints and for sure at the exit passport control. If anyone asks, you can show the the US passport so that they know you are able to travel to the US.

When you leave the US, show your EU passport to airline agents since that is what the flight is booked under. If you have an exit passport control in the US, show the US passport. Then when you return and land in the US, you will show the US passport at the control.

I hope this helps makes things a bit clearer and if you have other questions, please let me know!

This is very helpful and thanks so much for posting. I have a slightly more complex situation that I hope you can help with. I have three passports (US, EU and UK) and will soon make a 12 day trip that involves stops in all three regions.

Is the following correct or should I just travel on my US passport for the whole trip?

US to EU – Use US passport EU to UK – Use UK passport UK to EU – Use EU passport EU to US – Use US passport.

Thanks, Jeremy

I always recommend traveling to each destination using the passport that will allow you into the country or zone in the easiest way. Based on your itinerary, I would think you should travel like this:

US to EU – Use EU passport because you will be entering the EU EU to UK – Use UK passport to enter the UK, EU passport when leaving the EU UK to EU – Use EU passport to enter the EU, UK passport to leave the UK EU to US – Use US passport to enter the US, EU passport to leave the EU

Let me know if I can give any more advice on the situation!

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Why dual citizenship is one of the most powerful tools you have when traveling

Editor's Note

Dual citizenship is an incredible privilege to have. Not only can you live abroad, but you can use your second passport to access more countries visa-free. Plus, the coronavirus outbreak has made dual citizenship even more useful — in a world where many borders are closed to Americans , having a second passport means you may be able to travel where others can't.

That said, actually traveling with a second passport can be confusing. You have to know which passports to use and when to use them. Plus, it's hard to know which passport gains entry to which country, and the benefit of using one passport over the other.

As a dual Czech/American citizen myself, I've used two passports when traveling for the better part of the last decade. In this article, I'll walk you through everything you need to know about traveling abroad with two passports during the pandemic.

We'll start by discussing the benefits of dual citizenship and then dive into how to travel abroad with two passports.

Before we begin, though, I want to make one thing clear: Don't take this article as an encouragement to travel now. Instead, use this as a quick look at what you can expect if you do decide to travel abroad during the pandemic.

Let's get started!

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The travel benefits of dual citizenship

Being a dual citizen means you're a national of two countries. In turn, you're afforded the benefits of being a citizen of both countries. For me, this means I can live in the U.S. or the EU with my American and Czech passports for as long as I'd like. Likewise, I am entitled to other benefits when I'm in the Czech Republic, like healthcare, the right to enroll in Czech universities and the right to vote.

Dual citizenship gives you a handful of travel benefits too, and that's what we'll focus on in this article. Here's a quick look at the practical travel benefits of dual citizenship.

More visa-free access

Each country has its own set of countries wherein its citizens can travel without getting a visa. The U.S. has one of the world's most powerful passports, offering visa-free access to 186 countries worldwide. There are still many countries where U.S. citizens must get a visa though, so you may turn to your second passport and see if it offers visa-free travel to said country.

For example, I can travel to Venezuela without a visa and enter Turkey without an eVisa with my Czech passport. This makes travel to these countries easier and more seamless for myself and other European passport holders.

You can compare visa-free access across two passports using Passport Index's passport comparison tool . It's updated with coronavirus restrictions too, so you can see where exactly you can travel during the pandemic with each of your passports.

This is incredibly important if you need to travel during the pandemic. With my Czech passport, I can still enter the EU despite the region being closed to Americans. When I land in the EU, I will be treated like any other EU citizen despite my American residency -- though I could still be subject to quarantine.

Related: Will your US passport still be as valuable after pandemic restrictions are lifted?

Travel for longer than a travel visa

You may be able to visit certain countries for longer with a second passport too. Some countries let certain nationalities stay in their country for longer on a tourist visa, making it easier to plan long trips or work remotely from another country.

The most obvious example of this is having freedom of movement with an EU passport. Any EU citizen can stay in any EU member country for as long as they'd like, meaning that you can move anywhere in the Union at-will. Americans, however, are only given a 90-day visa on arrival in the Schengen Zone.

Other countries simply let select nationalities stay in the country for longer. For example, Barbados lets American tourists stay for up to 180 days while Europeans can stay for 90 days.

Related: How vacationing too long in Greece almost got me banned from Europe

You cannot be denied at the border of your home countries

This may be the most valuable benefit during the coronavirus pandemic. Under most circumstances, you cannot be denied access to countries where you're a citizen, even if your country of residence isn't allowed in the country.

This means that an Australian dual-citizen living in the U.S. can travel to Australia even if the country is closed to tourists from the U.S. However, keep in mind that you may be subject to mandatory quarantine or other restrictions on arrival.

Related: Everything you need to know about renewing your passport

Expedited entry to your home country (and others)

Certain countries offer expedited or digital border checkpoints for their citizens. For example, I can use automated passport controls at most major airports in Europe with my Czech passport. This is far faster than waiting for an actual border guard to check my passport — a welcome benefit on my frequent trips to and from Europe.

Related: These are the global travel restrictions by country

Consular protection from both countries

Another benefit of dual-citizenship is being able to claim consular protection from both of your nationalities. Further, many European countries have partnerships with each other, allowing citizens of one European nation to claim consular protection with another.

This can be helpful if something goes wrong when traveling. If there's a natural disaster, war or another mishap pops up when traveling, you can visit whichever consulate is closer to get the help you need.

Related: Travel insurance vs. credit card protections

That said, you may not be able to claim consular protection from one of your nationalities when in the country of your second nationality. For example, I may not be able to claim consular protection from the U.S. when I'm in the Czech Republic.

It's also worth noting that — in many cases — you'll only get consular protection from the country whose passport you used to enter the country. There may be exceptions to this rule, but you'll want to enter using the passport for the country where you'd like to claim consular protection when traveling abroad.

You're subject to the laws of both countries

This one isn't a huge deal, but it's still worth noting. When you're a dual-citizen, you're subject to the laws of both countries. If you break a law in one the countries in which you're a citizen, the other cannot help you. In other words: The U.S. couldn't help me if I broke a law while in the Czech Republic.

Related: These are the most powerful passports in the world this year

Dual citizens traveling abroad during the pandemic

In a perfect world, you should be able to use your second nationality to travel abroad to places accepting said nationality during the pandemic. If you have EU citizenship, this means you can travel to the European Union and other countries that are allowing European citizens. That said, things don't always go as planned.

For example, I heard from a friend who flew from Boston (BOS) to Copenhagen (CPH) via New York-JFK and Amsterdam (AMS) on Delta and KLM during the pandemic. He is a dual Danish/American citizen, so he shouldn't have had any issues with his flight. That said, he was almost denied boarding by a Delta gate agent in Boston who was unfamiliar with rules on transitioning through Europe on an EU passport.

Speaking of Europe, the EU recently published a list of countries that can enter Europe for nonessential travel, listing countries like Canada and Australia. The list specifically states that this only applies to residents of these countries, not citizens. This means that an American with a Canadian passport cannot visit Europe at this time. Other regions may have similar rules as well.

That said, EU citizens, essential workers and long-time EU residents are exempt from this ban, so an American resident with a French passport would be able to enter the EU. Likewise, an American citizen living in Canada would also be able to enter the EU on their American passport.

Finally, traveling to another country with a foreign passport may not make you exempt from mandatory quarantine. Read up on this beforehand and ensure that you follow all local laws and regulations surrounding the coronavirus when you land.

Related: Complete guide to traveling during the deadly coronavirus outbreak

How to travel with two passports

So, you have two passports — how do you use them? In this section, I'll cover the process I follow when I travel abroad with my U.S. and Czech passports.

This process could be different depending on your two nationalities, so make sure to do your research before you travel. Each section below is labeled by whatever step in the journey I'm in followed by the passport I use when traveling from the U.S. to Europe.

Checking in for a flight: Either passport

Let's start at the airport. When headed to Europe, I can show my U.S. or EU passport at check-in as either can enter the region without a visa. While U.S. law requires that you have your U.S. passport with you when exiting the country, it doesn't require that you actually exit with it. This is largely because the U.S. doesn't have passport control when exiting the country.

Boarding the plane: Czech passport

You'll be asked to show a passport when physically boarding the airplane. I show my Czech passport when going to Europe, as it's the passport I'll enter the next country with. This is important when traveling during the pandemic so that you don't get pulled aside for questioning on why and how you plan to enter the EU.

Arriving in Europe: Czech passport

Upon arrival in Europe, I always enter with my Czech passport. For one, if I'm entering Europe it just makes sense to use my European passport. Further, this is often a faster process: European citizens can use automated border control at most major airports in the EU.

Again, this is more important than ever during the coronavirus pandemic. Americans can't enter Europe for nonessential travel right now, so you'll need to show a passport that does give you access.

Checking in for my return flight: U.S. passport

When it's time to check-in for my return flight, I again enter my U.S. passport information. This is a requirement: Americans are not allowed to enter the U.S. with a foreign passport.

Exiting Europe: Czech passport

European countries — unlike the U.S. — have border control when exiting the EU. When going through this checkpoint, I always show my Czech passport as this is the passport I used to enter. Showing my American passport would raise an issue as there would be no entry stamp in that passport.

Pre-flight passport check: U.S. passport

When you travel to the U.S., you may experience a secondary passport check before you board your flight. Always show your U.S. passport when you experience this — otherwise, you may be asked to prove you have a U.S. visa or ESTA that corresponds to your foreign passport.

Entering America: U.S. passport

After I land back on American soil, I always use my U.S. passport or Global Entry card to enter the country. As discussed, this is a requirement put in place by the U.S. government.

Related: 6 passport mistakes that could leave you stranded at the border

And that's all there is to it! Your experience may be different depending on the country you're traveling to and the passport you're traveling on. That said, your experience leaving and entering the U.S. will be the same if you're a dual-citizen with an American passport.

Bottom line

Dual citizenship is a powerful tool to have in your travel toolbox. In normal travel times, a second nationality opens up more visa-free countries and lets you live in a second country if you so choose. During the coronavirus pandemic, however, it may be the deciding factor on whether or not you can travel to another country.

Again, if you are a dual-citizen, don't take this article as encouragement to travel abroad right now. Only you can decide if traveling during the coronavirus pandemic is worth the risk, so do your research before you book a ticket.

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Relinquishing U.S. Nationality

Dual Nationality

Section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) states that “the term ‘national of the United States’ means (A) a citizen of the United States, or (B) a person who, though not a citizen of the United States, owes permanent allegiance to the United States.” Therefore, U.S. citizens are also U.S. nationals. Non-citizen nationality status refers only individuals who were born either in American Samoa or on Swains Island to parents who are not citizens of the United States. The concept of dual nationality means that a person is a national of two countries at the same time. Each country has its own nationality laws based on its own policy. Persons may have dual nationality by automatic operation of different laws rather than by choice. For example, a child born in a foreign country to U.S. national parents may be both a U.S. national and a national of the country of birth. Or, an individual having one nationality at birth may naturalize at a later date in another country and become a dual national.

U.S. law does not impede its citizens' acquisition of foreign citizenship whether by birth, descent, naturalization or other form of acquisition, by imposing requirements of permission from U.S. courts or any governmental agency. If a foreign country's law permits parents to apply for citizenship on behalf of minor children, nothing in U.S. law impedes U.S. citizen parents from doing so.

U.S. law does not require a U.S. citizen to choose between U.S. citizenship and another (foreign) nationality (or nationalities).  A U.S. citizen may naturalize in a foreign state without any risk to their U.S. citizenship. 

U.S. dual nationals owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country (or countries, if they are nationals of more than one). They are required to obey the laws of both countries, and either country has the right to enforce its laws.  Claims of other countries upon U.S. dual-nationals may result in conflicting obligations under the laws of each country.  U.S. dual nationals may also face restrictions in the U.S. consular protections available to U.S. nationals abroad, particularly in the country of their other nationality.   

U.S. nationals, including U.S. dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States.  U.S. dual nationals may also be required by the country of their foreign nationality to use that country’s passport to enter and leave that country. Use of the foreign passport to travel to or from a country other than the United States is not inconsistent with U.S. law.  

You can find additional information on dual nationality and the potential challenges for  international travelers here.

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U.S. Dual Citizenship Explained: A Complete Guide to Acquiring and Managing Dual Nationality

In 2020 alone, nearly 900,000 people obtained U.S. citizenship. Interestingly, a significant percentage of these new citizens did not relinquish their original nationality, embracing the concept of dual citizenship. This guide serves as an illuminating resource for those navigating the nuanced path of acquiring and managing dual nationality in the United States. Covering a wide array of topics, from the legal implications and benefits, to the process of obtaining dual citizenship, and how to effectively manage the responsibilities that come with it, this guide provides an exhaustive insight into the multifaceted world of dual citizenship. The concept of US dual citizenship allows individuals to be citizens of two countries simultaneously.

Understanding Dual Citizenship

Acquiring US dual citizenship can provide a plethora of benefits, including access to social services, work rights, and the ability to participate politically in two countries. To grasp the intricacies of dual citizenship, one must first understand its core definition. US Dual Citizenship, or dual nationality, refers to the legal status whereby an individual is concurrently recognized as a citizen of two countries. This recognition confers upon the person the rights and obligations of citizens in each country, such as the right to live, work, vote, and be subjected to the laws therein. This intriguing legal status comes with unique benefits and challenges, shaped by factors such as international relations, personal circumstances, and the laws of the countries involved.

Benefits of Dual Citizenship

US Dual citizenship opens up a myriad of opportunities for individuals. By being a citizen of two countries, one gains increased mobility with potentially visa-free travel, access to social services and benefits in both countries, enhanced economic opportunities, and a broader cultural experience. It also provides a safety net, allowing individuals to relocate with ease if socio-political situations deteriorate in one country. In essence, dual citizenship can broaden an individual’s personal and professional horizons by providing a more global perspective. US dual citizenship is a significant status to hold, requiring careful navigation of rights and obligations across both nations.

Considerations and Challenges

While pursuing US dual citizenship, one should be aware of the possible obligations, including potential military service and tax responsibilities in both countries. However, dual citizenship is not without its complexities. Dual citizens must navigate and adhere to the laws of two countries, which can sometimes be contradictory. For example, they might face issues concerning taxation, as some countries tax their citizens based on worldwide income. Military service is another consideration if one or both countries require it. Furthermore, diplomatic protection could be compromised in situations where a dual citizen is in the country they are not currently claiming citizenship of. Lastly, the process of acquiring dual citizenship can be lengthy and complex, requiring thorough research and potentially considerable time and financial investment.

Acquiring US Dual Citizenship

The journey towards dual citizenship in the United States is characterized by stringent eligibility prerequisites, multi-tiered pathways, and intricate bureaucratic processes. This feat requires a thorough comprehension of the conditions for eligibility, various routes to dual citizenship, and the intricate steps involved in the documentation and application processes. The following section delves deeper into these components, aiming to provide a clear and comprehensive overview for those seeking dual citizenship. The path to US dual citizenship varies depending on individual circumstances, and can be achieved through birth, naturalization, or descent from a US citizen parent.

Eligibility Criteria

Holders of US dual citizenship often have to navigate complex matters such as travel considerations, cultural integration, and family legalities across both their countries of citizenship. Navigating the path to dual citizenship in the United States necessitates a profound understanding of its eligibility criteria. Whether it’s through birthright, acquisition by descent, or the process of naturalization, each method of acquiring US dual citizenship presents its own set of conditions and requirements. This segment aims to elucidate these various criteria, providing a comprehensive outlook to those aspiring for dual citizenship.

Birthright Citizenship

Under the doctrine of “jus soli,” or the right of soil, the U.S. confers citizenship to any individual born on its soil, regardless of the nationality of their parents. This legal principle allows individuals to possess dual citizenship if their parents retain their original nationality. It’s a birthright that paves a straightforward path to dual citizenship, providing the individual with the rights and obligations of both nations from the moment of birth.

Acquisition Through Ancestry or Descent

In contrast to birthright citizenship, dual citizenship can also be obtained through the principle of “jus sanguinis,” or the right of blood. In this scenario, children born overseas to one or more U.S. citizen parents may be granted U.S. citizenship. However, the implementation of this principle is often subject to specific conditions, such as the requirement for the U.S. citizen parent to have lived in the U.S. for a certain period prior to the child’s birth. Understanding these stipulations is essential for those seeking to acquire dual citizenship through ancestry or descent.

Naturalization Process for Non-Citizens

The path of naturalization offers another avenue for non-citizens to acquire U.S. citizenship and potentially hold dual citizenship. This rigorous process involves meeting several requirements, such as having a permanent resident status for a specified duration, exhibiting proficiency in English, and demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of U.S. history and government. Upon successful completion of the naturalization process, and provided that their country of origin allows dual citizenship, individuals can retain their original nationality while simultaneously acquiring U.S. citizenship.

Pathways to Dual Citizenship

Once an understanding of the eligibility criteria for dual citizenship is established, it’s crucial to explore the various routes available to confirm this dual nationality. From acquiring the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) and Certificate of Citizenship to undertaking the naturalization process, each pathway has its unique set of rules and procedures that must be followed diligently. US dual citizenship countries are those nations that recognize dual nationality alongside the United States.

The CRBA serves as an official declaration of the U.S. citizenship of a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent or parents. This document, issued by U.S. consular officers, is a critical stepping stone on the path to dual citizenship, validating the child’s status as a U.S. citizen from birth.

Another route to asserting dual citizenship is the Certificate of Citizenship. This is primarily for those who acquired U.S. citizenship after birth through a U.S. citizen parent. It’s a key document that solidifies an individual’s status as a U.S. citizen and can be instrumental in their pursuit of dual citizenship.

The naturalization process is a transformative journey for foreign-born individuals. It allows those who meet specific requirements to apply for U.S. citizenship, while also potentially retaining the citizenship of their birth country if it allows dual citizenship.

Documentation and Application Process

It is essential to check the US dual citizenship countries list to verify if the country you wish to hold dual citizenship with permits this status alongside US citizenship. To make the aspiration of dual citizenship a reality, it’s necessary to master the documentation and application process. This involves compiling necessary documents, adhering to specific filing procedures, and understanding the expected processing times and fees.

The US dual citizenship application process involves a range of steps, including the gathering of necessary documents, correctly filling out application forms, and meeting residency requirements. Essential documents include but are not limited to birth certificates, evidence of U.S. citizenship for parents (if applicable), proof of residence, and various others depending on the specific route to dual citizenship. Preparing these documents with accuracy is crucial for a successful application.

Equally important is the correct completion and filing of the necessary forms. Each pathway to dual citizenship comes with specific forms that need to be filled out and submitted to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Lastly, applicants should be aware of the time it takes for their applications to be processed and the associated fees. This requires patience and budgeting, as processing times can vary, and there are typically substantial costs involved in the application process.

Managing Dual Citizenship

To acquire US dual citizenship, one must meet specific US dual citizenship requirements, which could include proof of US nationality in a parent, evidence of birth in the US, or successful completion of the naturalization process. Securing dual citizenship is a monumental achievement, but it also ushers in a new phase where managing the intricacies of this status becomes paramount. One must understand the rights and privileges it entails in the U.S., encompassing aspects like political participation, access to services, and job prospects. This section explores these aspects in depth, aiming to provide dual citizens with a comprehensive understanding of the privileges they can enjoy.

Rights and Privileges

One of the most empowering aspects of holding dual citizenship is the ability to participate politically in both countries. As a dual citizen, one can vote in elections, run for public office, and be a part of the democratic process in both nations, amplifying their voice and influence. This allows dual citizens to contribute to the civic life of both countries and have a say in shaping their future.

Another advantage that dual citizens can relish is unrestricted access to public services, such as education and healthcare, in both the U.S. and their other country of citizenship. This opens up a plethora of opportunities. For instance, they could avail themselves of subsidized tuition rates in both countries or access different healthcare systems, depending on which best suits their needs.

Holding dual citizenship also broadens the horizon of employment and business opportunities. A dual citizen has the right to work in both the U.S. and their other country of citizenship, without needing any work permits. This freedom to work across borders can lead to a wider array of job options and career growth. Furthermore, as a dual citizen, one can also establish businesses in both countries, exploiting the unique markets and business environments they offer.

Obligations and Responsibilities

Dual citizenship, while advantageous in many ways, also entails specific responsibilities and obligations. From adhering to tax regulations and fulfilling potential military service obligations to respecting residency requirements, it’s important for dual citizens to comprehend these duties and uphold them meticulously. This section illuminates these responsibilities, providing a clear picture of what dual citizenship necessitates.

Dual citizens are typically subject to tax regulations in both the U.S. and their other country of citizenship. This might involve filing tax returns and reporting income in both countries, a process that requires a nuanced understanding of international tax laws and potential tax treaties that might be in effect between the two countries.

Navigating Dual Nationality

Traveling as a dual citizen requires careful planning. There are specific rules concerning which passport to use when traveling, and dual citizens must follow these guidelines. Typically, when entering and leaving the U.S., they should use their U.S. passport.

Dual citizenship provides the opportunity to immerse oneself in two different cultures. While this can be enriching, it also requires the ability to navigate and integrate into both societies, balancing different customs, traditions, and social expectations.

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Dual citizens

You should understand the requirements and impacts of travelling or living outside Canada while holding citizenship of another country or countries even when your Canadian citizenship is recognized.

On this page

Canadians with dual citizenship, before you go.

• While you're away

Returning to Canada

Canada allows you to have multiple citizenships while keeping your Canadian citizenship. However, not all countries do allow this. Some countries may even consider it illegal for you to have another citizenship.

Examples of ways you might have another citizenship(s):

• you were born in another country
• you have a parent(s) who was born in, or is a citizen of, another country
• you officially apply for citizenship of another country

Note: You may not even be aware that you have citizenship in another country. For example, even if you’re born in Canada, if you have at least 1 parent who is a citizen of another country, that country may see you as a citizen as well and may not recognize your Canadian citizenship.

Having dual citizenship can also impact other aspects of your personal situation. For instance:

• Child abduction and parenting or custody issues
• Marriage outside Canada

Before leaving Canada to travel to another country where you also hold citizenship: 

• make sure to understand and meet the requirements of dual citizenship for that country
• contact that country’s embassy or consulate in Canada for information on the laws and regulations relating to dual citizenship
• consult Travel Advice and Advisories for country-specific information, including about dual citizenship

It’s important that you find out if you have other citizenships if you’re planning to travel outside of Canada. You may be required to follow certain regulations or face restrictions if you hold citizenship there.

While you’re away

If you hold citizenship in another country, different entry and exit rules may apply to you, even if your Canadian citizenship is recognized there. These requirements may not necessarily apply to other Canadian travellers without dual citizenship. 

Some examples of laws and regulations you may encounter when travelling to or living in a country where you hold citizenship:

• You may need a passport issued by the country to enter, and in some cases exit, that country.
• You may need an exit visa on your passport to leave the country.
• You may need to register your Canadian citizenship upon entry or while you’re there.
• This ban could be due to investigations into you, your family or your employer. It could also be in relation to criminal and civil matters, including business disputes.
• some countries have laws requiring parental permission to exit, depending on your age, gender or marital status.
• Your nationality may have an impact on whether these rules might apply to you.
• You can be forced to register for military service. This could be imposed immediately upon arrival or when attempting to exit the country.
• You may be required to pay taxes , as any other citizen of that country.
• You may need to register your child with the country, even if the child was born in Canada.

Consider the possible laws and regulations when travelling to other countries where you do not hold citizenship. For example:

• If your Canadian passport shows you were born outside Canada, some countries may have specific entry requirements. In some cases, you may not be able to enter the country.

If your Canadian citizenship is not recognized

Limited or no access to canadian consular services.

Based on the country's laws, local authorities could be within their right to prevent Canadian consular officials from assisting you in a consular emergency. Local authorities may refuse your request to access Canadian consular services.

Renouncing your citizenship

You may be forced to give up your Canadian citizenship or be required to renounce your other citizenship.

Learn more about giving up your Canadian citizenship .

If you need help

For help with emergencies outside Canada, contact the:

• nearest Canadian office abroad
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa

If you are a Canadian with dual citizenship, you need to carry a valid Canadian passport to return to Canada by air.

This applies even if:

• the country or countries you’re travelling from require you to carry your other passport
• you’re only passing through

More information about why you need a valid Canadian passport .

Related links

• Find a foreign representative in Canada
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
• Canadian passports - IRCC
• Documents that prove your Canadian citizenship - IRCC
• A Guide for Canadians Detained Abroad - Travel.gc.ca

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What Is Dual Citizenship?

• Disadvantages
• How to Get Dual Citizenship

The Bottom Line

• Lifestyle Advice

Dual Citizenship: Pros and Cons, and How It Works in the US

Charlene Rhinehart is a CPA , CFE, chair of an Illinois CPA Society committee, and has a degree in accounting and finance from DePaul University.

A person with dual citizenship is a citizen of two countries at the same time, which has both advantages and disadvantages because it is a complex legal status. One benefit of dual citizenship that is often cited is the ability of an individual to possess two passports. But one potential drawback is the possibility of double taxation . Below, we explore these and other pros and cons of being a citizen of two countries at once.

Key Takeaways

• Dual citizens can enjoy certain benefits, like living and working freely in two countries, owning property in both countries, and traveling between the countries with relative ease.
• Drawbacks of being a dual citizen include the potential for double taxation, the long and expensive process for obtaining dual citizenship, and the fact that you become bound by the laws of two nations.
• The easiest way to become a dual citizen is by birth, although many migrants can become naturalized citizens when they move to a new country or marry a foreign spouse.
• Applying for dual citizenship is a complicated and typically expensive process that may require the assistance of an immigration lawyer.

Denisfilm / Getty Images 

Dual citizenship, which is also called dual nationality, means holding citizenship of two countries at the same time. This means you can have citizenship through birth in one country and be naturalized in another. For instance, you may be a citizen of the United States and become a citizen of another country. This may happen automatically. For instance:

• A child born in the U.S. to parents who are residents of a foreign country may qualify for dual citizenship. Unless the parents are foreign diplomats, the child generally becomes a citizen of the U.S., in addition to any citizenship they inherit from their parents.
• Similarly, if a child of U.S. citizens is born overseas, they may automatically become a citizen of both the U.S. and their country of birth (although this is situational because it depends on that specific country’s laws).

Dual citizenship can also be achieved through specialized legal processes, such as when a foreign national is naturalized as a U.S. citizen. In this case, that person would become a citizen of both countries, unless their home country does not allow dual citizenship.

Some countries also allow people to become naturalized through investment. This means contributing to another country's economy or cultural development. For instance, you can secure citizenship in Saint Kitts and Nevis by making a minimum investment of $250,000 in the country.

Keep in mind that not every country recognizes dual citizenship. For instance, Austria, India, Japan, and Norway are some of the countries that prohibit holding two passports. As such, you may need to renounce your birth citizenship to become a citizen of a new country.

To become naturalized as a U.S. citizen, a foreign national must be a permanent resident for several years, pass a U.S. citizenship test, and meet certain other eligibility requirements.

Advantages of Dual Citizenship

Political rights.

Dual citizens can participate fully in the political life of every country where they have citizenship. This includes the right to vote and make donations to political candidates.

Work and Travel

Unlike foreigners, dual citizens do not need a visa or permit to visit the countries where they have citizenship, and they can stay for as long as they like. They also have the right to seek work in both countries, while foreigners must pass through an at-times lengthy process to get a work permit . They are also exempt from any restrictions on foreign businesspeople .

Social Services

Dual citizens can receive the benefits and privileges offered by each country where they are a citizen. For example, they may travel to receive medical treatment or procedures that are not available in the other country where they are a citizen. They can also receive an education at the same price as domestic students.

Two Passports 

As a dual citizen, you are allowed to carry passports from both countries. For example, if you are a citizen of the U.S. and New Zealand, you can travel more easily between these two countries. Having a citizen's passport eliminates the need for long-stay visas and any questions about the purpose of your trip during the customs process.

Holding two passports also guarantees the individual the right to enter both countries, which can be beneficial if you have family members to visit in both countries or if you are a student or a businessperson who studies or conducts affairs in both countries.

It's important to note that people who are dual citizens of the U.S. and another country must use a U.S. passport when traveling to and from the United States. This is often the case with many other countries.

Property Ownership 

Another benefit of dual citizenship is the ability to own property in either country. Some countries restrict land ownership to citizens only. As a legal citizen of two countries, you would be able to purchase property in either or both countries.

If you travel frequently between the two countries, this might be especially useful, since property ownership might offer a more economical way to live in two places.

Cultural Education

As a dual citizen, you'll reap the benefits of being immersed in the culture of two countries. Some government officials tend to be fond of dual citizenship because they see it as a way to promote the country's image as a prime destination for tourists .

Dual citizenship offers individuals the opportunity to learn about the history of both countries, learn two or more languages, and experience a different way of life.

Because dual citizenship is complex and the rules and laws regarding citizenship vary between different countries, it may be in your best interest to consult with qualified experts, including accountants and lawyers, about certain purchases or decisions related to employment and your finances in both countries.

Disadvantages of Dual Citizenship

Dual obligations .

As a dual citizen, you are bound by the laws of both countries. For example, if you are a citizen of the U.S. and a country with mandatory military service, you can lose your U.S. citizenship under certain circumstances. This includes serving as an officer in a foreign military engaged in a war against the U.S.

In general, U.S. policy recognizes that dual citizens might be legally obligated to fulfill military obligations abroad, and many can do so without jeopardizing their U.S. citizen status, but it is important to research each situation carefully.

Double Taxation 

For individuals who are dual citizens of the U.S. and another country, the U.S. imposes taxes on its citizens for income earned anywhere in the world. If you live in your country of dual residence that is not the U.S., you may owe taxes both to the U.S. government and to the country where the income was earned.

However, income tax treaties between the U.S. and other countries serve to effectively reduce or eliminate an individual's tax liability to avoid double taxation.

For example, a treaty between the U.S. and New Zealand overrides the income tax laws of each country to avoid double taxation. Even so, dual citizens may be required to file U.S. tax returns even if they are living and earning income in New Zealand.

Because tax laws are complicated and can change from year to year, it's important for individuals facing this situation to consult with a qualified tax accountant .

U.S. citizens are required to report their overseas income, even if it is earned as a foreign citizen. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion allows U.S. citizens to exclude up to $126,500 in 2024. For married couples filing jointly, it's $253,000.

Barriers to Some Forms of Employment

Depending on your career path , dual citizenship can be a disadvantage. If you want to work with the U.S. government or your job requires access to information that is considered classified by the U.S. government, having dual citizenship may bar you from gaining the security clearance you need for this type of employment. Those born into dual citizenship may encounter fewer problems than those who actively sought it out. 

A Complicated Process 

Sometimes dual citizenship happens automatically, such as when a child is born in the U.S. to foreign parents. In other cases, the process can take many years and can be extremely expensive and complicated. This can deter some people from pursuing dual citizenship.

How to Gain Dual Citizenship in the United States

There are many requirements for gaining dual citizenship if you were not born in the U.S. and want to become a U.S. citizen. In addition, the requirements for gaining citizenship in the U.S. may be different for individuals based on their circumstances and their other country (or countries) of residence.

To apply for U.S. citizenship, you must generally have lived in the U.S. as a permanent resident and have a green card continuously for five years (or three years if you are filing as the spouse of a U.S. citizen). Other eligibility requirements include being at least 18 years old when you apply and being able to read, write, and speak basic English.

You must pay a fee to apply for permanent residency and then another fee to file a citizenship application. The fee depends on what application you use and your filing category. This fee is set by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

For most people, the complicated process of gaining citizenship requires the help of an immigration lawyer. Immigration lawyers can help individuals achieve citizenship, although they also require fees for their services. To apply for permanent residency, most individuals file form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. To apply for naturalization, most individuals file form N-400, the application for naturalization.

How Do You Become a Dual Citizen?

The shortest path to becoming a dual citizen is through birth, having parents with dual citizenship, or being born in a country with birthright citizenship. Otherwise, you can obtain dual citizenship by marrying someone who is a citizen of a different country than yourself, or by being naturalized as a citizen in a different country. Some countries also offer citizenship based on ancestry .

Note that not all countries recognize dual citizenship, and in some cases, you might be forced to give up your original citizenship to become naturalized.

How Do You Become a Dual Citizen of Canada?

Canadian citizenship is increasingly attractive to prospective migrants, due to the attractive social programs and advanced economy. In order to qualify for Canadian citizenship, you must be a permanent resident in Canada and have lived there for three of the past five years, as well as file taxes as required. You also have to pass a test to show an understanding of citizenship rights and responsibilities, and demonstrate language skills in English or French.

Which Passport Should Dual Citizens Use?

Each country has its own laws and restrictions about who can enter its borders, and dual citizens should consider the advantages of both passports when crossing customs. For example, if a certain destination offers visa-free travel to country A and strict visa requirements for country B, it makes sense for a dual national to use country A's passport rather than country B's. Conversely, some countries may require you to use a specific passport, if you have it. The United States requires all dual citizens to enter on their U.S. passport.

Dual citizenship is when a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time, with all the rights and privileges that come with it. Dual citizens can travel freely in both countries, as well as work, do business, own land, and do other activities that may be restricted to foreigners. However, there are also disadvantages, as dual citizens may face extra taxes or even military service. If you're considering pursuing dual citizenship, it may be wise to seek out the guidance of an immigration attorney who can tailor advice to your personal situation.

U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. " Dual Nationality ."

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis. " Apply for a Passport ."

Endevio. " Understanding Dual Citizenship, the Benefits, and the Process ."

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. " Become a U.S. Citizen Through Naturalization ."

The New Zealand Government. " Dual Citizenship ."

USA.gov. " Renounce or lose your citizenship ."

Internal Revenue Service. " Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About International Individual Tax Matters ," Select "General FAQs: 1. I’m a U.S. citizen living and working outside of the United States for many years. Do I still need to file a U.S. tax return?"

Internal Revenue Service. " United States - New Zealand Income Tax Convention ," Pages 20-21.

Internal Revenue Service. " Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About International Individual Tax Matters ," Select "General FAQs: 2. I pay income tax in a foreign country. Do I still have to file a U.S. income tax return even though I do not live in the United States?"

• Internal Revenue Service. "Figuring the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion."

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. " I Am Married to a U.S. Citizen ."

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. " Fee Schedule ," Pages 4, 12.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. " I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status ."

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. " N-400, Application for Naturalization ."

Government of Canada. " I Am A Citizen of Another Country. Will I Lose That Citizenship If I Become a Canadian? "

Government of Canada. " What Are the Requirements of Becoming a Canadian Citizen? "

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How to Easily Travel with Two Passports – A Guide to Understanding Dual Citizenship

Are you a dual citizen looking to travel with two different passports? Has exploring multiple countries with two separate documents confused and overwhelmed you? If so, worry no more because this guide, specifically tailored for dual citizens, will provide all the details needed to make navigating international borders with multiple nationalities effortless. Here, we’ll cover everything from obtaining dual citizenship in the first place to how it works when you get on a plane or cross border checkpoints.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

How to Travel With Two Passports?

Dual citizenship, as its name suggests, is holding citizenship in both the US and another country simultaneously. This can occur in several different ways depending on the situation. The first is by birth. If a child of a US citizen is born in another country, the child holds citizenship in both countries.

Marriage is another way that this can occur. Most countries automatically extend citizenship to people from the US who marry a person from that country. The third is by going through the naturalization process. This is where a US citizen will become a naturalized citizen.

When this happens, the person does not lose their previous status as a citizen of their home.

If you hold dual citizenship and are traveling with two valid passports, there are a number of essential things to keep in mind.

What Are The Benefits of Having a Second Passport?

The most important thing to know is that even if you are a dual citizen traveling with two completely valid passports , you will always need to travel with your United States passport at all times. You must use your US passport when you attempt to re-enter the US. The other passport is for the country where you have dual citizenship and want to enter that country.

The passport you should present when entering a country often depends on which passport you use when booking your airfare or other travel accommodations. For example, if you hold dual citizenship in France and the US, you may book your first flight with your French passport.

Then, book your return trip with your U.S. passport. In that event, you would present your French passport when you reach your destination. Hence, you’re US passport when you return home to the US. As a general rule of thumb, you should always use the passport number for the country you plan on visiting when booking any round-trip ticket.

Issuing and Renewing Passports

If you hold dual citizenship and plan on renewing or applying for a US passport , your second passport is not part of the application process. It can, however, be used as proof of your identity. Renewing your foreign passport while living in the US requires contacting your country’s embassy. Many will require you to return your current passport to complete the renewal process.

All in all, dual citizenship has many benefits, making it an attractive option. It can open the door for more opportunities to expand your career, study, and travel. Having dual citizenship also allows you to exploit two countries’ economic and political systems.

Related Topics

Top 10 Countries Every First-Time Traveler Must Visit

Travel Photography 101: How To Take Great Travel Photos?

7 Air Travel Tips to Have an Enjoyable Flight

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Dual Citizenship: Pros, Cons & How to Get a Second Passport in 2023

Dual citizenship is when you hold citizenship of two countries, with all the rights and responsibilities that come with each. You can get second citizenship through birth, ancestry, marriage, or residency. Some countries allow dual citizenship, while others don’t.

What would you do if you could have two passports?

Cross borders freely, work in another country, become a more global citizen?

Well, there are many possible answers to that question. But in short, having dual citizenship offers a lot of benefits. 

There’s plenty to consider before starting your quest for dual citizenship. I’m personally in the process of seeking dual citizenship for myself, so this is a topic close to my heart (and you can bet I’ve done a lot of research!)

In this guide, we’ll go through everything you need to know about dual citizenship in 2023.

What is Dual Citizenship?

Dual citizenship is when a person holds citizenship in two countries. They have all the rights and responsibilities that come with being a citizen of each country. 

Citizenship is the legal bond between the nation state and an individual. It can be granted via ancestry, marriage, birth, or naturalization. 

Citizenship vs residency? Understand the major differences

For example, dual citizens can vote in elections, own property, and work in either country. When you’re a dual citizen, you can hold a passport from each of your citizenship countries.

But not every country allows dual citizenship. Some will require you to give up your original passport before allowing you to acquire theirs. All the world’s hardest countries to get citizenship will require this.

Whether or not giving up your original citizenship is a good idea depends on many factors. 

For example, if your original passport is from a country with significant travel restrictions, then it makes sense to trade it for one that’s more powerful.

But in most cases, having two passports is always better than one.  You could also pursue multiple citizenships!

Does the United States Allow Dual Citizenship?

Yes it does. The US government allows US citizens to hold dual citizenship.

If you were born a US citizen, you can naturalize in another country without affecting your US status.

According to a US Supreme Court ruling from the 50s ( Kawakita v. United States, 1952 ) “a person may have and exercise rights of nationality in two countries and be subject to the responsibilities of both.”

Don’t forget, even though the US allows dual citizenship, some other countries do not.

You should be aware of this possibility when deciding whether to naturalize in another country. Here’s the list of countries that allow dual citizenship.

Does the UK Allow Dual Citizenship ?

Yes, dual citizenship is allowed for UK nationals. (Which is fortunate, so we have the chance to escape the aftermath of Brexit…)

According to the UK government website , you don’t need to “apply” for dual citizenship status. You can simply acquire your second nationality while keeping your British passport.

Waiting to get your first passport or renew an existing one? Check out these places you can travel to WITHOUT a passport.

7 Benefits of Dual Citizenship

Having a second citizenship comes with many benefits, which can change the course of your life for the better.

Here’s a list of the ones we believe are most important.

#1. Better security for you and your family

In a world that’s increasingly unstable, having dual citizenship is an essential insurance policy. 

Your second passport could mean the difference between being stranded in a country in turmoil or easily escaping to a safe haven.

Having a second passport can also protect you in a situation where your original national identity might put you in danger, such as hijacking or kidnapping.

As well as loss of freedoms, such as with Brexit, poor government decisions can also lead to civil unrest.

In the worst case scenario, they could lead to outright war. In such situations, a second passport is your ticket to safety.

#2. Increased global mobility

When it comes to ease of travel, some passports are much better than others.

Citizens of countries such as Afghanistan, Libya, or Syria have limited options for destinations they can travel to without a visa. 

In contrast, those fortunate enough to have citizenship of countries like Japan, Singapore or Germany, can travel visa-free to over 190 countries.

Having dual citizenship ( and a powerful passport ) opens up the world, providing access to smooth, unimpeded global travel.

#3. Access to more business and job opportunities

A second passport allows you to move easily around the world in search of the best job opportunities, as well as meeting potential business partners and negotiating deals in person. 

It can also allow you to easily establish a business in the country of your alternative citizenship, which can bring a multitude of tax planning benefits.

#4. More flexiblity in tax planning

Dual citizenship allows you to more easily switch your tax residency between jurisdictions.

For example, perhaps you’ve made large gains on cryptocurrency. You’re worried about your tax liability when you finally realize some of those gains. 

Certain countries don’t (currently) tax their residents on crypto gains. Having dual citizenship gives you a guaranteed route into an alternative jurisdiction.

#5. Access to a better quality of life

In many cases, having dual citizenship gives you access to a better quality of life.

That could include things like free state healthcare, top quality education, a safe and stable environment, and opportunities to access good jobs, invest in property and launch new business ventures in some of the world’s richest countries.

If you gain dual citizenship with an EU/EEA country, you’ll be entitled to an EU member state passport.

This gives you the right to live, work, study or retire across 30 economically prosperous and politically stable countries – without needing any visas or work permits.

#6. Broader political influence

Becoming a dual citizen gives you the opportunity to participate in the politics of two different nations.

You can vote in national elections and have a say in the futures of both your passport countries.

Depending on the laws of each country, you may also be able to run for office in either one.

#7. Alternative national identity

There’s no getting away from it – a passport defines your identity.

Having dual citizenship gives you the option to claim an alternative national identity, useful if you don’t like your original one, or feel that it no longer reflects your values .

Disadvantages of Dual Citizenship

Despite the numerous benefits of having dual citizenship, there are certain circumstances where it can be a negative. 

For example, anyone who holds a US passport is obliged to file US taxes every year, no matter where in the world they actually live. Fortunately, citizenship-based taxation is rare ; only the US and Eritrea still have this policy.

Another downside of dual citizenship is that some countries – such as Turkey , Israel and Greece – may require citizens to participate in compulsory military service . 

Finally, dual citizenship doesn’t always make you safer while travelling abroad. It all depends on where you’re going and whether they recognize your alternative citizenship. 

For example, Iran doesn’t recognize dual nationality. So if you have dual citizenship with Iran, you’d always be treated as Iranian while within Iran’s borders. This has gotten people into trouble in the past, so it’s something to be aware of.

How to Get Dual Citizenship

There are a number of ways to become a dual citizen.

Some of them are out of your control, depending on accidents of birth or heritage. But others can be leveraged deliberately as part of a strategic plan to expand your global footprint.

Let’s take a look at the different ways to get dual citizenship.

Dual citizenship by descent

Getting dual citizenship through descent is a popular option. Depending on which country you’re aiming for, you can apply for citizenship if your parents (and, in some cases, grandparents) are citizens of that country. 

Getting dual citizenship by descent is typically a relatively easy, low cost process. But of course, if you don’t already have an ancestor from another country, there’s not much you can do to create one.

Dual citizenship by birth

In many countries, it’s possible to get dual citizenship if you were born there. This depends on whether the country in question follows one of two systems: jus soli or jus sanguinis . 

The first system, jus soli , is Latin for “right of soil”. Under jus soli , you have the right of citizenship in a country if you were born on its soil, i.e. within its borders. The nationality of your parents is irrelevant in cases of jus soli.  

The United States and Canada are two examples of countries that follow the system. However, it’s less common than the second system, jus sanguinis.  

Jus sanguinis

In contrast, the second system, jus sanguinis , means “right of blood” in Latin. Under this system, you have the right to acquire citizenship of the country where your parents are citizens. Where you were born makes no difference.

Getting dual citizenship through birth obviously isn’t a great option if you’ve already been born. However, it could be a useful way to get dual citizenship for any children you’re planning on having in the future.

Dual citizenship by marriage

Another potential route to dual citizenship is through your spouse (or in some cases, long-term partner). Most countries allow you to apply for citizenship after marrying one of the citizens, although timelines may vary.

Certain countries, such as the US and the UK, have rigorous processes in place for testing how genuine the marriage is. This is to avoid illegal sham marriages purely for the sake of attaining a passport or residency permit.

Dual citizenship by naturalization 

Getting dual citizenship by naturalization is the route for those who don’t have marriage or ancestry to fall back on. 

Typically, it involves moving to your target country , acquiring legal residency, and living there for enough years to become eligible for citizenship. 

There are a number of ways to acquire legal residency. You can do so by getting a job in the country and being sponsored by your employer. 

Alternatively, you could get residency if you have enough independent income to support yourself, such as a pension or investments. The Portugal D7 visa is a popular example of this kind of ‘passive income’ residency.

Some countries also offer the option of citizenship by investment, where they grant citizenship in return for a major investment in the country. 

In the European Union, citizenship by investment schemes are falling out of favor, partly due to security and money-laundering concerns.

Instead, residency by investment schemes are becoming more common, which grant residency first then allow the holder to apply for citizenship after the required amount of years. 

For example, Portugal’s Golden Visa program allows investors to get residency in Portugal with minimal physical stay requirements. After five years, they can apply for citizenship of Portugal.

Which Citizenships Are Best?

In general, the best citizenships are typically those that lead to powerful passports with the widest range of visa-free travel opportunities, such as Japan, Singapore or Germany.

Unfortunately, those are often the most difficult ones to acquire.

Many people aim to get dual citizenship with the US or the UK. But we believe getting an EU passport offers a wider range of opportunities.

Because of EU freedom of movement rights, having a passport from any EU/EEA country allows the holder to freely live, work, study, do business, and retire in any of the 30 EU/EEA countries . 

What’s more, the EU includes several countries with short citizenship timelines of only five years, such as Portugal, Ireland, Luxembourg, France, and the Czech Republic.

Irish citizenship is especially appealing, because it gives freedom of movement not only across all of the EU, but also in the UK.

Which Countries Allow Dual Citizenship?

When planning your citizenship strategy it’s important to consider whether both your original country and your target country will allow dual citizenship.

The majority of countries do allow it, but a significant number do not. Others have certain circumstances under which they will allow it.

Nationality legislation is constantly changing. We recommend you check the latest laws for both your own country and your target country before making decisions about applying for dual citizenship.

Here’s a list of countries that allow dual citizenship, organized by region.

Allowed in all circumstances: 

• Côte d’Ivoire
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• Sierra Leone

Allowed with special permission: 

• South Africa

THE AMERICAS

• Saint Kitts and Nevis 
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Dominican Republic
• Bolivia 
• United States 

MIDDLE EAST AND ASIA-PACIFIC

• Pakistan (but only with certain countries)
• United Arab Emirates 
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• South Korea
• Taiwan (but only for those of Taiwanese descent, not naturalized)
• Bulgaria (only for those of Bulgarian descent, not naturalized)
• Croatia (only for those of Croatian descent, not naturalized)
• Czech Republic
• Germany (but only with other EU countries or Switzerland)
• Latvia (only for EU/EEA, NATO, or other countries with which Latvia has a special agreement)
• The Netherlands (under certain conditions)
• Slovenia (only for those of Slovenian descent, not naturalized)
• Spain (only for those of Spanish descent or Ibero-American heritage, not naturalized)
• Vatican City 

Which Countries Forbid Dual Citizenship?

Some countries forbid dual citizenship outright, while others either don’t recognize it or have significant restrictions in how they allow it. They typically require the foreigner to announce their original citizenship before acquiring the new one.

Here’s a list. 

• Equatorial Guinea
• Afghanistan
• Qatar 
• Saudi Arabia 
• North Korea 

Source: Wikipedia

Traveling With Dual Citizenship

Having dual citizenship is great for increasing your freedom and flexibility when travelling. But it also has certain implications when planning international travel.

Let’s take a quick look at some key pointers for how to travel with two passports.

First, always travel with both passports, even if you only use one. This is really important in case you face an emergency overseas or lose one of your passports. With two passports, you can get access to assistance from the embassies of both countries.

When booking your travel, be sure to use the passport that gives you the easiest access to the country in question. Then make sure you use that passport’s information when booking your trip.

The same consistency is important when checking in at the airport. Make sure to use the same passport throughout the process. Also, use the same passport for both leaving and entering the country.

Check the entry requirements for your target country. Typically, if you hold citizenship of a certain country, you must use that passport to enter and leave the country.

For example, if you’re a British citizen entering the UK, you must always use your UK passport for this purpose.

If you’re entering a country of which you don’t have citizenship, you can choose which passport to use on entry. Always go for the one that gives you the best entry conditions.

Check out our brand new guide to places you can travel to WITHOUT a passport.

Dual Citizenship and Security Clearance

You may be wondering if having dual citizenship can affect your chances of getting security clearance. In the United States, merely having dual citizenship doesn’t automatically disqualify you from getting security clearance.

Legislation passed in 2016 brought about this major change. Before 2016, most US dual citizens had to renounce their other citizenship before they could receive US security clearance.

In certain circumstances, such as when applying for a job with national intelligence agencies, the specific country of citizenship would be a factor. Namely, does that country pose a security threat to the United States?

If you’re in this situation, we recommend you seek expert advice before making any decisions that may affect your career.

What’s more, we’ve only covered the United States here. Other countries will have their own policies on dual citizenship and security clearance.

How to Get EU Second Citizenship

EU citizenship is one of the most sought-after citizenships in the world.

Holding any passport from an EU, EEA country, or Switzerland, allows you to move freely across all the others, including the right to live, work, do business, study, and retire, in any of them.

In a sense, it’s like having 30 passports in one. 

To get EU citizenship , you need to first acquire citizenship in any of those EU/EEA countries, or Switzerland. Most countries offer this possibility through any of the routes described above. 

Some countries also offer pathways to citizenship or residency by investment, such as Portugal’s Golden Visa .

Others have special pathways such as Germany’s citizenship program for descendants of Holocaust victims, or Spain and Portugal’s citizenship programs for those of Sephardic Jewish descent.

Want the ultimate flexible path to EU Citizenship? Check out Europe’s cheapest Golden Visas

Which eu citizenship is easiest to get.

We believe Portugal is, overall, the easiest country to get citizenship of the EU.

Here are some of the reasons why:

• Short residency period of just five years before applying for citizenship
• Range of flexible Portugal residency options to suit remote workers, retirees and investors
• Dual citizenship OK – keep your original passport
• Easy language requirements – A2 Elementary level Portuguese
• Access generous tax benefits while counting up the years to citizenship – with the NHR program
• Reasonable minimum stay requirements, especially with the Golden Visa

Some other countries offer easy routes to EU citizenship . For example, Malta, where you can buy Maltese citizenship for a donation of around €750,000.

Spain is another interesting option, as foreigners married to a Spanish national can apply for Spanish citizenship after just one year.

But be careful if you’re aiming for dual citizenship, as Spain typically doesn’t allow it.

Italy offers one of the most far-reaching citizenship by descent pathways in the EU – going back as far as the great-grandparents.

So if you can prove that you had an Italian great-grandparent, and meet other criteria, you may be eligible to apply for Italian citizenship.

Getting Irish citizenship could be a good option if you’re already a UK national, as you can become resident without any visa or proof of income.

Ireland’s timeline to citizenship is short, just five years, and there are no language requirements apart from English.

Can you have two passports?

Yes, you can have two passports, depending on the specific laws of each passport country regarding dual citizenship.

How many passports can you have from different countries?

There’s no upper limit to the number of passports you can have. But not all countries allow dual citizenship.

What are the benefits of dual citizenship?

The benefits of dual citizenship include: more freedom of travel, access to more business and employment opportunities, a safe haven in times of trouble, better scope for tax planning, access to better quality of life, broader political influence, and an alternative national identity.

What are the cons of dual citizenship?

The cons of dual citizenship include: the possibility of military service or conscription, citizenship-based taxation, certain countries not recognizing your alternative citizenship.

Can British citizens have dual citizenship?

Yes, British citizens can have dual citizenship. The UK recognizes dual citizenship.

Will I lose my UK citizenship if I move to another country?

No, you won’t lose your UK citizenship if you move to another country. Moving to another country will not deprive the individual of citizenship.

Where can US citizens get dual citizenship?

US citizens can get dual citizenship in a large number of countries, such as Spain, Portugal, Malta, Cyprus, Italy, Ireland, Belgium, Denmark, Australia, the UK , Canada, Mexico, Australia or New Zealand, among others.

Can dual citizenship be revoked?

Yes, dual citizenship can be revoked in certain circumstances. For example, the British government (along with several other democratic states) has recently adopted legislation to allow it to revoke the citizenship of naturalized British citizens. However, this can only happen when the individual already has another citizenship, as international law prohibits rendering any individual stateless.

Source: Tamara Lenard, P. (2016). Democracies and the Power to Revoke Citizenship.  Ethics & International Affairs,   30 (1), 73-91. doi: 10.1017/S0892679415000635

Can dual citizenship expire?

No, dual citizenship cannot expire.

Can dual citizenship affect security clearance?

It depends. Having dual citizenship may cause authorities to ask additional questions when deciding whether to grant security clearance to an individual. The biggest question for governments is usually: where does that individual’s loyalty ultimately lie?

Source: What Diplomats Do (2021)

Can you have citizenship in 2 countries

Yes, you can have citizenship in two countries, if both countries of those recognize dual citizenship.

What does nationality mean?

Nationality is the status of belonging to a certain country and being its citizen, whether by birth or by naturalization. It is a legal status under international law.

Before you go…

As the world becomes increasingly unstable, there’s never been a better time to consider getting dual citizenship.

This article has demonstrated how anyone can get dual citizenship, even without the ‘right’ ancestry.

We believe an EU passport is a great option for accessing freedom of movement across 30 countries, but the best strategy for you depends on your individual goals.

If you’re looking for a good all-rounder, we recommend Portugal. Not only is the Portuguese passport one of the world’s most powerful , but Portugal also offers a wide range of accessible routes to get residency – followed by citizenship after 5 years.

In particular, Portugal’s Golden Visa investor residency program offers maximum flexibility. You can start your journey to citizenship without ever living full time in Portugal. Many US investors prefer the fast and efficient Golden Visa investment funds route.

Join the Digital Émigré newsletter for tips on making your big move.

About the author.

Samantha North

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Dual Citizenship Travel Considerations

(This may not be the same place you live)

  What is Dual Citizenship?

Dual citizenship , also referred to as multiple citizenship or dual nationality, means that a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time. Dual citizenship can happen automatically in certain circumstances as when a child is born to foreign parents in the United States. In this case, the child has birthright citizenship in both the U.S. and the parents’ home nation.

Likewise, if a person has parents that are U.S. citizens but is born overseas, they may automatically become a citizen of both the U.S. and the foreign country.

One can also apply for dual citizenship. If a foreign national has permanent resident status in the United States, for example, if they have a green card , for at least three years and have been married to a U.S. citizen, they may qualify for dual citizenship through a naturalization as a U.S. citizen.

What Countries Allow Dual Citizenship?

What precautions should i take before traveling as a dual citizen, what passport should i carry when i travel, what if i left my country under less than friendly terms, do i need an immigration attorney.

The United States does not necessarily encourage dual citizenship, but it allows a person the right to retain dual citizenship. This can happen if a person has been a dual citizen from birth or if a person becomes a citizen of another country after already having U.S. citizenship. Another possible scenario is a person who is a citizen of another nation who becomes a naturalized citizen of the U.S., while retaining their citizenship in their nation of birth.

There are a number of countries that allow dual citizenship, such as Germany, South Africa, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Turkey, to name a few. There are many that do not allow dual citizenship, such as Austria, China, Malaysia, the Bahamas, Indonesia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. In these countries, a person would automatically lose their citizenship upon becoming a citizen of another nation. If a person with U.S. citizenship should want to become a citizen of these nations, they would be required to renounce their U.S. citizenship first. . Further, there are some countries that only allow dual citizenship only with specific other nations. For example, Spain, for example, allows its citizens to be dual citizens of certain Latin-American countries, but does not allow dual citizenship for Spanish citizens with the United States.

First, a person should confirm their dual citizenship status, if there is any doubt about it. While a person may have filed appropriate paperwork for dual citizenship, it may not have been processed through to a result. In that case, a person may not be a dual citizen, and travel would be more straightforward.

If a person does in fact hold dual citizenship and plans to travel, the person should contact the nearest diplomatic office of the country to which they intend to travel to find out whether there are specific requirements that they need to meet.

American citizens often do not recognize that other nations do not provide the same rule of law that is available to citizens of the U.S. In the U.S. a person cannot be detained by the police unless there is probable cause to believe that the person has committed a crime. If a person is detained, they must be informed of the charges against them and except in the rare case, the person is able to post bail and thus obtain their release from jail pending trial.

They have a right to a speedy trial . They have a right to an attorney and if they cannot afford one, the state must provide one for them at no cost. These are significant protections embodied in our Constitution , and the same protections are not available in all nations. They are probably not available in most nations

Some issues that may arise include the following:

• Entry and Exit Requirements: When traveling to a country where a person has a second citizenship, they may be required to enter and exit on a passport from that country or present a valid identity document from that country when they enter. The U.S. does not have identity documents, but some foreign nations do and they check them upon arrival. Some countries impose specific restrictions on their departing citizens, such as the requirement that an exit visa be entered in their passport;
• Exit bans may be used to coerce a person who is not personally facing criminal charges, as a means to compel an associate or relative under investigation to return from abroad to stand trial. A person with dual citizenship who is subject to an exit ban may have no way to determine how long the exit restrictions or investigation may continue. Dual nationals subject to an exit ban or prolonged “processing” of civil documents that delay their exit may face a significant financial burden, including extended unemployment, unanticipated living expenses and fines;
• Limited Assistance Abroad: Local authorities may not recognize a person’s U.S. citizenship, especially if they do not enter a country using their U.S. passport. The U.S. embassy or consulate’s ability to provide help may be limited;
• Some countries, especially those that do not recognize dual citizenship, are not going to contact the U.S. embassy when a dual national is arrested or detained. If a person is a dual national who is arrested or detained, they should ask police or prison officials to notify the closest U.S. embassy or U.S. consulate, because they are entitled to the help of the embassy or consulate;
• Military Service: U.S. citizens with dual nationality may be subject to mandatory military service in their second nation of citizenship. This obligation might be imposed immediately upon their arrival in the country or when they are attempting to leave;
• Double Taxation: Dual nationals may be subject to taxation in the United States and in any other country where they have citizenship. This can be avoided only if the other nation and the U.S. have a tax treaty that excepts a dual national from double taxation. A dual national should consult an accountant for advice;
• Registration: Some countries may require that a person register their other nationalities;
• Other Restrictions: Some countries have laws that prohibit dual nationality and a person may be forced to give up a foreign nationality. Other countries have laws that force a person to give up your nationality through a formal act of renunciation. Even then the other nation may not recognize the renunciation.

Officials in other nations may act in ways that are not constrained by laws and constitutions. It pays to do some research and consult with an experienced immigration lawyer before attempting travel with dual citizenship.

If a person’s travel destination is their other country of citizenship, a person should travel with both their U.S. and destination’s passports. When showing your documentation to airline officials, it is best to show the same documents as those that the person would show immigration officials as well as their U.S. passport .

U.S. law requires its citizens to be in possession of a U.S. passport to show U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials when they re-enter the country. A person should never leave the U.S. without their U.S. passport and they should have a copy of it also in case their passport is lost or stolen..

If this is the case, a person would want to exercise caution when they travel near that country, over its airspace or through its territorial waters. They should also be careful traveling to or near a third country that has an extradition treaty with a country in which a person formerly had or currently has citizenship. A person can always consult the U.S. State Department.

Dual citizenship and traveling as a dual citizen are complex issues that have specific legal obligations. For this reason, it’s a good idea to seek counsel from a skilled immigration attorney to advise you on citizenship matters and assist you in the event that any complications arise.

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Advice for dual nationals.

Read this page in another language: العربية , 中文 简体 ,  中文繁體 ,  Bahasa Indonesia ,  日本語 , 한국어 ,  Tiếng Việt , ภาษาไทย .

This page is for Australians with more than one nationality. 

Explore this page to learn about: 

• what is a dual national?
• passports and visas  
• compulsory military service overseas  
• access to healthcare overseas  
• marriage, divorce and child custody  
• consular services for dual nationals  

What is a dual national? 

A dual national holds nationality in more than one country. 

Whether you're a dual national depends on the laws of Australia and the other country. 

You could be a dual national if you: 

• have a parent who is a national of another country 
• marry a national of another country 
• apply for and receive citizenship of another country 
• were born overseas. 

A country can view you as a national even if you don't accept it. Many won't let you give up your nationality. Some only let you give it up through a formal process. 

Some countries don't recognise dual nationality. 

Before you travel, check with the country's  embassy or consulate  if: 

• you think you may be a national 
• they expelled you in the past. They may not allow you back in. 

Passports and visas 

An Australian passport is the best proof of Australian citizenship overseas. 

Leaving and entering Australia 

Use your Australian passport when going in or out of Australia. 

You may have issues coming into Australia on a foreign passport. Airlines may not let you board a plane to Australia without either 

• proof of Australian citizenship 
• an Australian passport 
• a valid visa. 

You can travel on another country's passport once you leave Australia. 

Read more  about citizenship and travel . 

Entering and leaving your other country of nationality 

You can enter and leave your other country of nationality on that country's passport. 

If you use that country's passport, local authorities may not view you as Australian. This can limit the Australian government's ability to help you. 

Some countries have rules for exiting nationals. You may need an exit permit or visa. 

Check with the  embassy or consulate  of your other country before you travel. 

Compulsory military service for dual nationals 

Some countries require their citizens to do military service. You may have to serve if you visit the country. 

Your other country may let you visit briefly without starting military service. Or you may have to start as soon as you arrive. 

You're breaking the law if you don't do your military service. They may arrest you as a defaulter. Even if you're past the age for military service. 

Check your military service duties with your other country's  embassy or consulate . Get this advice in writing before leaving Australia. Take a copy with you. 

Access to healthcare overseas 

Some countries may let you use public healthcare as a national. But being a national doesn't always mean you can use local services. Particularly if you don't live or pay tax there. 

Get travel insurance that covers healthcare. Even if you're going to a country where you hold nationality. 

Read our  travel insurance advice . 

Marriage, divorce and child custody 

Dual nationality can make marriage, divorce and child custody more complicated. 

• Australia recognises marriages done overseas if they meet Australian laws. But some agencies won't accept a foreign certificate as proof of a name change. 
• Marriages done in Australia aren't always recognised in other countries. 
• Some countries don't recognise divorces settled in Australia. 

Ask your other country's  embassy or consulate  if you're concerned about your marriage or divorce being recognised.  

Dual nationality can affect court decisions about child custody. Particularly if one parent wants to leave Australia. 

You must have the other parent's consent to leave Australia with your children. You could be charged with child abduction if you don't. 

Read our advice on  getting married overseas  and  travelling with children . Also, see  advice about marriage  (Attorney General's Department). 

Consular services for dual nationals 

Dual nationality can impact how and when we can help you overseas. If you're in your other country of nationality, their government may not let us help you. 

If you need help overseas, contact local resources first. You may be able to access support as a national. 

The  Consular Services Charter  explains how we can help Australians overseas. 

What we can do in your other country of citizenship 

• We can  provide  Australian passport services . 
• We can   legalise documents . 
• We can  give you a list of local English-speaking doctors or lawyers. 

What we can't do in your other country of citizenship 

• We can't  provide consular help if their government doesn't view you as Australian. 
• We can't  get you out of military service. Or out of jail if you've been charged as a defaulter. 
• We can't  get you out of trouble if you've been arrested. 
• We can't  give you legal advice. 

Read next 

• See our advice about  Australian Passports . 
• Read more on  travelling with children . 
• Learn more about  getting married overseas  and  forced marriage . 
• See our advice on  taking care of your health . 

Read more 

• Read and subscribe to the  travel advice for your destinations . 
• See the  CHOICE travel insurance buying guide . 
• Read the  Consular Services Charter  to learn how and when we can help. 
• Learn what to do  when things go wrong  overseas. 

See also 

• Learn about  passports for dual nationals . 
• Find more  about Australian citizenship . 

Related content

This page has general information on visa-free travel to European countries.

Foreign governments often require you to get a visa before they let you enter. This page provides general advice and information about visas overseas.

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How do I travel with double citizenship and two passports?

Have you ever thought about how double citizenship can impact your traveling? How can you use the fact of having two passports to your benefit?

Do you know that if someone in your family was a Polish citizen, you are likely eligible to confirm your Polish citizenship, become a dual citizen, and apply for a second passport? There are a couple of requirements that you need to fulfill to be eligible for it and if you need help in assessing your eligibility for Polish citizenship by descent, contact us and we will assess it free of charge for you.

Once you are the lucky owner of a Polish passport, below you can find a list of tips and advice that will make your life easier while moving around the EU, between the EU and your country of origin, and while traveling to third party countries.

1. In your own country, use your own country passport

When you are in your country of birth, you need to use your birth country passport. Meaning if you are born in the United States, and you return to your country from abroad, you need to show the American passport while entering the USA. Also in America, you should use your American id that confirms your American citizenship and gives you American citizen rights.

While traveling from the USA to the EU, the little inconvenience is that you need to travel with two passports. For example, if you are going from the States to Europe, you leave the US on your American passport and enter Europe on your Polish passport, then when you return to the US, you leave Europe on your Polish passport and enter the US on the US passport. This way you will avoid being asked for a visa in your country of origin.

Also, when you enter the EU with your Polish passport, you can go to the queue for the EU citizens which will speed up the process and formalities for you at the airport. In other words, you will not be standing in the long and tiring queues. Yes, with a Polish passport you became a citizen of the European Union so while entering any European Union country, use your Polish passport.

2. Once you are in the European Union, use your Polish passport

A Polish passport gives you freedom of traveling within the EU, and Schengen Zone. Once you enter the EU, you are considered a European Union citizen and your Polish passport is your identity document. Once you enter the EU with your Polish passport, you do not have any stay limits, you are not obliged to apply for any sort of visa, and you are free to move around. How cool is that? There are no passport controls on the borders and if you travel by land, sometimes you may not even notice that you are already in another country. Also, while traveling by plane, if you travel within the EU your passport will be checked only as proof of an id and there are no border or passport controls.

What is also worth mentioning is the right to work in any European Union country without a need for a work visa. Once you are a fully-fledged Polish citizen and have a Polish passport, you can work anywhere in the European Union. So even business trips will be much easier and more pleasant for you!

3. Travelling to countries outside the European Union and Schengen Zone

Here the trick is rather simple and depends mainly on the immigration and visa rules of the country you enter or plan to travel to. What that means is that we advise you to check on the official government websites about entry and visa conditions for both of your passports and use the one which is more convenient. For instance, some countries in Asia have a visa-free option for a Polish passport, some will require a visa on arrival, for others you will need to apply for a visa before.

If you need to apply for a formal visa anyway, check which passport has less or easier formalities as visa requirements may vary for different country passport holders. Some countries may require less paperwork if you apply for your visa as a Polish citizen or if you decide to apply as a citizen of any other country e.g. Canada or Australia.

The situation is a bit different if you travel to a country that is still in Europe and is not part of the European Union or Schengen, for instance, United Kingdom, Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, and others. Likely it will be more convenient for you to use your Polish passport which is still a European passport. Most European countries, even though they are not part of the EU or Schengen, will have fewer visa requirements or no entry visa at all for Polish passport holders.

Again, the best recommendation is to check the latest visa information on official and governmental websites. This way you can be sure they are updated and relevant.

As you can see, having double citizenship and two passports has lots of benefits and it allows you to use the one which is more convenient for you in the situation.

If you have Polish ancestry and think about applying for Polish citizenship and a Polish passport, think no further. It will allow you to freely travel to the European Union, then freely travel within the European Union. You can reside within the EU with no time limits and work anywhere within the EU without any visa restrictions. All that with Polish citizenship and a Polish passport! 

Barbara Cebula

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How to get dual citizenship or nationality

Having dual citizenship, also known as dual nationality, means being a citizen of the United States and another country at the same time.

Learn about dual citizenship

Whether born an American citizen or naturalized, if you have dual citizenship, you:

• Owe allegiance to both the U.S. and a foreign country
• Must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the U.S.
• Do not have to choose one nationality over the other. As a U.S. citizen, you may naturalize in another country without risking your U.S. citizenship.

Learn more about dual citizenship or nationality.

Get dual citizenship

Your eligibility to become a dual citizen depends on the policies of the second country where you are applying for citizenship.

Dual citizenship if you are a citizen of another country

Some countries allow people to keep their citizenship after becoming U.S. citizens, while others do not.

Contact the other country’s embassy or consulate to find out if they recognize dual U.S. citizenship.

If you qualify for dual citizenship, you must first immigrate to the U.S. Then you must become a permanent U.S. resident before being eligible for U.S. citizenship. 

Learn more about immigrating to the U.S. And find out how to become a permanent resident .

Dual citizenship if you are a U.S. citizen

If you are a U.S. citizen who is seeking dual citizenship, you must find out if the other country recognizes dual citizenship with the United States.

Contact the other country's embassy or consulate to learn if you are eligible.

LAST UPDATED: December 8, 2023

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