Citizenship and passport question..
Jan 21st 2020, 6:17 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 97
Citizenship and passport question..
Probably a stupid question, but when I become a USC, do I need a US passport to travel or can I still travel on my UK passport? I have my USC interview next month, and we had been thinking of going to the UK around april, but I don't know when my ceremony will be and I read it can take 6-8 weeks to get a passport. So, when I become a USC, will I need to get a US passport to leave? I intend on doing it anyway, just thinking about the timing.
Jan 21st 2020, 6:25 pm
#2
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Citizenship and passport question..
US law requires that US citizens, including dual citizens of other countries, use a US passport to enter and leave the US.
The "leave" is a bit nebulous as AFAIK passports aren't usually checked when you leave the US, but yes as a US Citizen, you MUST have a US passport to enter the US. You can end up with some very awkward questions and an extended delay for questioning if as a USC, you try to enter the US using a foreign passport.
If you're concerned about timing, delay your citizenship interview until after your trip.
The "leave" is a bit nebulous as AFAIK passports aren't usually checked when you leave the US, but yes as a US Citizen, you MUST have a US passport to enter the US. You can end up with some very awkward questions and an extended delay for questioning if as a USC, you try to enter the US using a foreign passport.
If you're concerned about timing, delay your citizenship interview until after your trip.
Last edited by Pulaski; Jan 21st 2020 at 6:27 pm.
Jan 21st 2020, 6:58 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 97
Re: Citizenship and passport question..
US law requires that US citizens, including dual citizens of other countries, use a US passport to enter and leave the US.
The "leave" is a bit nebulous as AFAIK passports aren't usually checked when you leave the US, but yes as a US Citizen, you MUST have a US passport to enter the US. You can end up with some very awkward questions and an extended delay for questioning if as a USC, you try to enter the US using a foreign passport.
If you're concerned about timing, delay your citizenship interview until after your trip.
The "leave" is a bit nebulous as AFAIK passports aren't usually checked when you leave the US, but yes as a US Citizen, you MUST have a US passport to enter the US. You can end up with some very awkward questions and an extended delay for questioning if as a USC, you try to enter the US using a foreign passport.
If you're concerned about timing, delay your citizenship interview until after your trip.
Jan 21st 2020, 7:09 pm
#4
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Citizenship and passport question..
You're welcome, but there's no harm at all to doing it the other way, delaying your interview until after a trip.
