Dual Citizen, which passport do I show
#1
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 111
Dual Citizen, which passport do I show
Hi all - I am new to this dual US/UK citizenship and have some questions as I just acquired US citizenship and am keeping my UK passport. i will be travelling soon with the following plan USA--->UK--->India--->USA. Please note that my Indian visa is in my US passport.
Can you tell me which passport to use in the following segments of my trip
When leaving USA for UK (at US port of departure):
When entering UK (assume UK passport here):
When leaving UK for India (Indian visa is in US passport):
Rest will all be USA passport of course.
While it is not illegal for me to carry two passports, I just feel that I better only whip out the right one or else I am in trouble..haha, not sure why I keep thinking that
Thanks all for your help
Can you tell me which passport to use in the following segments of my trip
When leaving USA for UK (at US port of departure):
When entering UK (assume UK passport here):
When leaving UK for India (Indian visa is in US passport):
Rest will all be USA passport of course.
While it is not illegal for me to carry two passports, I just feel that I better only whip out the right one or else I am in trouble..haha, not sure why I keep thinking that
Thanks all for your help
#2
Re: Dual Citizen, which passport do I show
You could do the whole thing on your US passport and leave your UK one in a safe place if you wanted. As you are really only transiting the UK there is no advantage or need to use your British passport to land there.
#3
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Joined: Mar 2013
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Re: Dual Citizen, which passport do I show
I will be in the UK for 3-4 weeks (not just transitioning) but I never even considered that option...but that makes perfect sense. But what if I wanted to use my UK passport as well? What would be the right way in my scenario? Thanks
#4
Re: Dual Citizen, which passport do I show
Yes, the only point at which the UK passport comes into play is landing in the UK. I guess it might make skipping the immigration lines easier. You must leave and enter the US on your US passport.
#5
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Re: Dual Citizen, which passport do I show
So, would it be ok to enter the UK on my UK passport, and exit the UK for India while showing my US passport? Any issues with that?
#6
Re: Dual Citizen, which passport do I show
If you try to enter UK on US passport, do you not need the equivalent of esta?
#9
Re: Dual Citizen, which passport do I show
You mean there is no form filling/ pre-screening in the US-UK direction? I had not heard of anything like esta equiv, but assumed there must be. So you just get a 90 day stamp in US pp, and on your way? I genuinely don't know, and will be doing my first "dual" entry next month. (US-UK-NL-UK-US, fwiw).
#10
Re: Dual Citizen, which passport do I show
You mean there is no form filling/ pre-screening in the US-UK direction? I had not heard of anything like esta equiv, but assumed there must be. So you just get a 90 day stamp in US pp, and on your way? I genuinely don't know, and will be doing my first "dual" entry next month. (US-UK-NL-UK-US, fwiw).
#11
Re: Dual Citizen, which passport do I show
Now I think about it, the one time I entered UK with my USC (then) wife, she went through the non EU line, and was done quicker than me, and she had no pre -work to do, that I remember.
#12
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Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Maryland (via Belfast, Manchester, Toronto and London)
Posts: 4,802
Re: Dual Citizen, which passport do I show
To be honest, it's easier just to use the US passport the entire trip.
#13
Re: Dual Citizen, which passport do I show
You mean there is no form filling/ pre-screening in the US-UK direction? I had not heard of anything like esta equiv, but assumed there must be. So you just get a 90 day stamp in US pp, and on your way? I genuinely don't know, and will be doing my first "dual" entry next month. (US-UK-NL-UK-US, fwiw).
Rene
#14
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Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Maryland (via Belfast, Manchester, Toronto and London)
Posts: 4,802
Re: Dual Citizen, which passport do I show
You mean there is no form filling/ pre-screening in the US-UK direction? I had not heard of anything like esta equiv, but assumed there must be. So you just get a 90 day stamp in US pp, and on your way? I genuinely don't know, and will be doing my first "dual" entry next month. (US-UK-NL-UK-US, fwiw).
#15
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 860
Re: Dual Citizen, which passport do I show
Which goes to show just how a-symmetrical the VWP really is.
UKC->US has to register online, pay a fee, wait for confirmation. Gets a 90 day stamp.
USC->UK just boards the plane. Gets a 6 month stamp.
I believe that the VWP is, for all intents and purposes, a visa. The UK govt. prefers to pretend otherwise.
UKC->US has to register online, pay a fee, wait for confirmation. Gets a 90 day stamp.
USC->UK just boards the plane. Gets a 6 month stamp.
I believe that the VWP is, for all intents and purposes, a visa. The UK govt. prefers to pretend otherwise.