travel dual citizenship

Update May 10, 2024

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What is Dual Nationality?

Dual nationality means a person is a national of two countries. They have legal rights and obligations in both countries. A person may hold more than two nationalities, and the same guidance generally applies. Having dual nationality has advantages. These include ease of living abroad and access to government programs. But dual nationals should understand the potential legal issues. These can make life and travel more complex.

How Do You Get Dual Nationality?

You may knowingly or unknowingly be a national of another country, even if you have not been issued a passport by that country. You may become a dual national of the United States and another country by:
Being born in the United States, and subject to the laws thereof, to one or two parents holding a nationality other than United States, with your second nationality based on the other country’s nationality law;
Being born outside the United States to one or two U.S. citizen parents, with your second nationality based on the foreign country’s laws; or
Naturalizing as a U.S. citizen while keeping the nationality of another country.

Requirements for U.S. Citizens Holding Dual Nationality

While the United States allows for dual (or multiple) nationality, there are some requirements that U.S. citizen dual nationals must follow, regardless of whether they hold another nationality:

You must enter and leave the United States on your U.S. passport. You are not allowed to enter on your foreign passport, because U.S. law requires all U.S. citizens to enter and depart the U.S. on a valid U.S. passport. U.S. citizens are not eligible for a U.S. visa.
If your child is a citizen of the United States, they are not eligible for a U.S. visa. This is true even if you have not taken steps to document them as a U.S. citizen. If you want to enter or depart the United States with your child who is a U.S. citizen, you must obtain a U.S. passport for your child.
You may need to file your U.S. tax returns, even if you do not owe any taxes. Your worldwide income is subject to U.S. taxation. You may also need to file a tax return in the State where you were last resident. You may want to consult a tax advisor experienced in dual-national filings.
If you have more than $10,000 in overseas bank or brokerage accounts, you may need to fill out the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Account (FBAR) .

Potential Challenges to Holding Dual Nationality

Different countries have different laws on dual nationality. Some countries may not permit it. Research the laws on dual nationality in your destination before you travel. The Country Information Page for your destination is a helpful resource. You may also check in with the embassy of any country where you have a foreign nationality before you travel. Examples of regulations that may impact dual nationals include:

Entry and Exit Requirements: When traveling to a country where you have U.S. and that country’s nationality, you may need to use a passport from that country or show an ID from that country. Some countries impose restrictions on its departing citizens. For example, they may need an exit visa.
Exit Bans: Some countries may impose exit bans on dual nationals as an alternative to criminal detention or in civil or familial disputes. Exit bans may also be used coercively on people not facing charges. They can be used to compel an associate or relative under investigation to return from abroad. Those subject to an exit ban may not know how long the restrictions or investigation may continue. Exit bans and lengthy document processing often cause a significant financial burden. This includes unemployment, unexpected living expenses, and fines.
Limited U.S. Assistance Abroad: Local authorities may not recognize your U.S. nationality if you are also a national of that country. This is especially true if you did not enter the country using your U.S. passport. Even if dual nationals who are detained ask police or prison officials to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate , U.S. consular officials may not be allowed to access them police or prison officials to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate .
Military Service: Dual nationals may have to do military service in the foreign country where they are a national. This obligation may be imposed immediately upon arrival or when attempting to leave the country.
Registration: In some countries, you may be required to register your other nationalities.
Prohibition of Dual Nationality: Some countries prohibit dual nationality. You may be forced to give up that country’s nationality if you are also a U.S. national. You could be compelled to do so through a formal act of renunciation. We recommend that you research the dual nationality laws of your countries. This includes countries where you are a dual national, or where you want to naturalize. You can find a list of local attorneys who may be able to assist you on the websites of U.S. embassies and consulates abroad, or travel.state.gov.

Additional Resources

Information on possible loss of U.S. nationality if you seek public office in a foreign country .
Information on possible loss of U.S. nationality if you serve in a foreign military .

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

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 time-saving quick itineraries. Browse her top articles or have her help you plan your itinerary to your dream destination!

Find me on: Web | Instagram

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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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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.

U.S Immigration

July 1, 2023

U.S. Immigration Support is managed and operated by a U.S.-licensed law firm, ETAS TRAVEL LEGAL. Our mission is to help immigrants and travelers through the complex United States immigration system with our do-it-yourself immigration guides and travel authorization consultancy. We are not affiliated with the United States government. All applicants can apply directly at uscis.gov or travel.state.gov without our assistance. U.S. Immigration Support is owned by ETAS TRAVEL LLC, and managed by ETAS TRAVEL LEGAL.

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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.

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 .

What the Law Really Says About Dual Citizenship in the U.S.

March 5, 2024 Citizenship

Dual citizenship means that a person is a citizen of two countries, having legal rights and obligations in connection with both countries. Persons may gain dual citizenship automatically in some situations, and others may obtain it through choice. The U.S. government recognizes that dual citizenship exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy. That’s because there may be some obvious advantages to holding dual citizenship, but there are also other factors that can make life more complicated.

Confusion about Dual Citizenship How People Become Dual Nationals Benefits of Dual Citizenship The U.S. Government Doesn't Force You to Choose Complications with Dual Citizenship Due Diligence Before Applying for U.S. Citizenship Applying for Citizenship in the U.S.

Generally, dual citizenship and dual nationality are the same thing. For the purposes of this discussion, we will use the two terms interchangeably. In reality, there are minor differences.

Confusion about Dual Citizenship

So why, if Americans can have dual citizenship, does this seem to be a question people still have? Why are people confused about whether U.S. citizens can be citizens in two or more countries?

Part of the reason is that there is no mention of dual citizenship in the U.S. Constitution.

The 14th Amendment in the United States Constitution says, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.”

This is the only part of the Constitution that talks about citizenship. Dual citizenship is not regulated in the Constitution of the United States, but Americans are more interested than ever in getting a second passport.

When the Constitution doesn’t address something, it’s left to Congress to make laws. If there are no laws, we check what the Supreme Court has said about it. The Supreme Court has ruled more than once that Americans can be dual citizens.

There are two important Supreme Court decisions on dual citizenship:

In Afroyim v. Rusk , the Supreme Court decided that only an American citizen can let go of its own citizenship. The government cannot cancel anyone’s citizenship - doing so violates the 5th Amendment and contradicts what the 14th amendment says about who is considered a United States citizen: “all persons born or naturalized”.
In Vance v. Terrazas , the Court decided that having another citizenship while you are a U.S. citizen doesn’t imply you’re giving up your U.S. citizenship.

Therefore, you’re American first, even if it’s your second citizenship. Other countries may demand that you give up your American citizenship, but the U.S. has no say in that.

How People Become Dual Nationals

It’s possible to acquire dual citizenship without even knowing it. In fact, you may knowingly or unknowingly be a national of another country, even if you do not accept the nationality or hold a passport of that country. You may acquire dual citizenship in the U.S. in one of several ways, including:

Being born in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, to one or two parents holding a nationality other than the United States, with your second nationality based on the other country’s nationality law;
Being born outside the United States to one or two U.S. citizen parents, with your second nationality based on the foreign country’s laws; or
Naturalizing as a U.S. citizen while maintaining the nationality of another country.

Benefits of Dual Citizenship

The benefits of dual nationality include broadened privileges and more conveniences. Here are just three reasons why people may desire to be citizens of more than one country:

Greater Freedom of Movement

Having U.S. citizenship opens a lot of doors. The United States passport is one of the most powerful in the world. It allows visa-free or visa on arrival entrance to more than 185 countries. Remember that U.S. citizens must leave and enter the country with their U.S. passport. You can learn more about applying for a U.S. passport on the Department of State’s website .

Expanded Benefits

Being a dual citizen generally gives you the right to live and work in both countries. You can also tap into both countries' social services and apply for assistance if you need it. You also have more educational opportunities. As a dual citizen, you are also able to own property in both countries.

A Voice in Two Places

As a dual citizen, you also have the right to vote in both places. In the United States, you also have the responsibility to report for jury duty. You can influence issues that are important to you and may shape public opinion for years to come. Your vote matters on issues ranging from immigration to healthcare to the presidency.

The U.S. Government Doesn't Force You to Choose

U.S. law does not obstruct 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.

Likewise, U.S. law does not require a U.S. citizen to choose between U.S. citizenship and another nationality. A U.S. citizen may naturalize in a foreign state without any risk to their U.S. citizenship. In order to lose U.S. citizenship, the law requires that the person must apply for the foreign citizenship voluntarily, by free choice, and with the intention to give up U.S. citizenship.

U.S. dual citizens 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.

Complications with Dual Citizenship

Having citizenship in two or more countries does have advantages, but there are some tradeoffs to consider. Countries have different laws and policies for persons with dual nationalities. In fact, some countries may not permit dual citizenship. Examples of a nation’s laws or policies that may affect a dual citizen include the following:

Entry and Exit Requirements: When traveling to a country where you have citizenship (while also holding U.S. citizenship), you may be required to enter and depart on a passport from that country. Some countries impose specific restrictions on departing nationals, such as the requirement for an exit visa.
Exit Bans: Countries may impose exit bans on U.S. and dual nationals for a variety of reasons, such as an alternative to criminal detention or in cases of civil or familial disputes. Some governments may even use exit bans coercively on individuals who are not facing criminal charges themselves, but rather to compel an associate or relative under investigation to return from abroad. Due to the uncertain lengths of these restrictions, exit bans or the prolonged processing of civil documents often create a significant financial burden, including unemployment, unexpected living expenses, and fines.
Limited U.S. Assistance Abroad: Local authorities may not recognize your U.S. nationality if you are also a national of that country, especially if you did not enter the country using your U.S. passport. The U.S. embassy or consulate’s ability to provide consular assistance may be limited.
Notification and Access to Detained Dual Nationals: Many countries do not recognize dual nationality under their laws, even if they do not expressly prohibit dual nationality. U.S. consular officials may not be permitted to access U.S. nationals in detention if they are also nationals of the country where they are detained. Dual citizens who are arrested or detained should request that police or prison officials notify the closest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Military Service: Dual nationals may be subject to mandatory military service in a foreign country. This obligation may be imposed immediately upon arrival or when attempting to depart the country.
Registration: In some countries, you may be required to register your other nationalities.
Prohibition of Dual Nationality: Some countries have laws that prohibit dual nationality, and you may be forced to give up a foreign nationality. You could be compelled to do so through a formal act of renunciation.

Due Diligence Before Applying for U.S. Citizenship

Before applying for dual citizenship, consider these factors. It's worth spending some time researching the dual citizenship laws of the countries in which you currently have dual citizenship, or where you are interested in naturalizing. Laws are different in every country. You may need to check with the embassy of that secondary country. When in doubt, seek the assistance of an immigration attorney who is familiar with that country's laws. Also, access your own comfortable level with the these three possible scenarios for dual citizenship:

Not Lawful: In a worst case scenario, your country does not allow dual citizenship. If you want to become a citizen of the U.S., you lose your citizenship. For example, nationals of China, India, and Singapore generally lose citizenship when naturalizing as a U.S. citizen.
Flexible: In some cases, there is a way to mend forfeited citizenship. Some countries have a process to reclaim or retain your citizenship. The Philippines is a notable example.
Best case scenario: Ideally, your country allows dual citizenship. When you become a U.S. citizen, you will be a citizen of both countries. You can check countries that allow dual citizenship. But remember, the best place to confirm this is your country’s embassy or consulate.

3 Practical Benefits of U.S. Citizenship That Shouldn’t Be Overlooked

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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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Dual Citizenship, Explained

How to get dual citizenship in the united states.

In this guide

What Are The Benefits of Dual Nationality?
How to Get Dual Citizenship
Related Information

What is dual citizenship?

Dual citizenship —or dual nationality— is when you are a citizen of two different countries at the same time. In the context of the U.S., it means you’re both a U.S. citizen and a citizen of another country. Not every country allows dual citizenship, and the rules vary among those that do.

Does the United States allow dual citizenship?

Yes, the U.S. allows dual citizenship by default. The government does not require naturalized U.S. citizens to give up their citizenship in their country of origin. Although the Oath of Allegiance to the United States speaks of renouncing “allegiance and fidelity” to other nations, U.S. immigration law does not explicitly address the topic of dual citizenship. The best summarization of the U.S. government’s position on dual citizenship lies in a U.S. Supreme Court opinion , which explains that “a person may have and exercise rights of nationality in two countries and be subject to the responsibilities of both.” The U.S. Department of State also has a more technical discussion of dual citizenship .

Just because the United States allows dual citizenship, however, doesn’t necessarily mean your country of origin does, too. Some countries, such as China and India , will not recognize your status as a naturalized American on their soil. You may even lose your citizenship automatically in those countries upon becoming a U.S. citizen. It’s therefore important to understand the dual citizenship rules in your country of origin before pursuing U.S. citizenship.

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Having U.S. citizenship, in addition to citizenship in another country, provides many advantages that could help you meet certain goals. It’s important to be aware, however, of the obligations, you would be taking on as a naturalized American. (Our detailed guide to the rights and duties of U.S. citizens also has more information for those who seek only U.S. citizenship, not dual citizenship.)

Rights of dual citizens in the United States

You can work anywhere. You can apply for employment anywhere in the United States without first obtaining a work visa. As a dual citizen, however, you could be overlooked for certain federal jobs, which often require a security clearance and the ability to maintain confidentiality of classified state information. That could be a challenge if you’re also loyal to a nation that has conflicting interests with the United States.

You can travel without restrictions. You can travel abroad for as long as you’d like without any risk of losing your U.S. citizenship. And if you plan to stay outside of the United States for longer than a year, you won’t need a re-entry permit in order to return, as is the case for green card holders (permanent residents).

You can obtain green cards for your family. Your parents, adult children, and siblings can apply for their own green cards.

You can vote. You can vote in any U.S. election. In the United States, only citizens are allowed to vote in federal elections.

You can attend school. You can enroll in a U.S. school without a student visa and without paying international student tuition rates.

You can access public benefits, if necessary. Assuming you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for public benefits, including access to tuition assistance that’s available only to U.S. citizens.

Obligations of dual citizens in the United States

You must pay U.S. taxes for life. As a U.S. citizen, you must file (and pay, if necessary) U.S. income and other taxes for life — even for the income you earn outside of the United States — regardless of where you live. This means that you could owe taxes on the same income to both the United States and to your other country of citizenship unless that country has an agreement with the United States that allows dual citizens to avoid “double taxation.”

You must disclose any previous encounters with law enforcement. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers who evaluate citizenship applications scrutinize applicants’ backgrounds very heavily. Certain types of violations , such as immigration fraud, drug abuse, or domestic violence, could expose you to the possibility of deportation. If you’re concerned about your history with law enforcement, it’s important to seek legal help before applying for naturalization.

You must serve in the military if required by law. All males who have lived in the United States or received a green card between the ages of 18 and 26 — unless they had an immigration status other than “green card holder” — are required to register with the Selective Service System . In case of war, a U.S. citizen must serve in the U.S. military (in combat or otherwise) if called upon to do so by the government.

You must serve on a jury when summoned. Jury duty is mandatory for all U.S. citizens. You may not necessarily need to serve, however. The judge and attorneys in a legal proceeding must select you as a jury panelist in order to actually serve. The selection process happens after you are summoned to court.

How can I obtain dual citizenship in the United States?

There is no application or form available to file for “dual citizenship” in the United States. Obtaining dual citizenship simply means applying for a second citizenship.

Before you apply for U.S. citizenship as your second citizenship status , it’s crucial to contact the embassy or consulate of your country of origin to find out whether that country allows dual citizenship in the first place. Otherwise, you may lose your citizenship in that country without knowing.

Once you’ve determined that your country of origin will recognize your U.S. citizenship status, you will need to make sure you’ve satisfied all naturalization requirements (unless you qualify for U.S. citizenship through a parent ). You can then begin the naturalization process by submitting Form N-400 (officially called the “Application for Naturalization”) to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Our detailed guide to the naturalization process explains the rest of the steps, eligibility criteria, requirements, costs, and more.

When should I apply for dual citizenship?

You can apply any time after meeting the eligibility requirements for naturalization , which is usually 3–5 years after getting a green card.

How long is the process?

Filing your citizenship application with USCIS is only the first step of the process. Overall, naturalization can take up to 1.6 years, depending on the USCIS field office that receives your application and how soon you start the process. (See our detailed guide to the naturalization timeline for more information.)

Unsure about which immigration path is best for you? Answer a few simple questions to get started.

Countries that Allow Dual Citizenship (or Don’t)

More than 75 percent of the world’s countries allowed dual citizenship in 2020. Their rules, however, are not uniform. The following table lists the 10 countries with the highest green card holder populations who are eligible to naturalize in the United States , as well as whether those countries recognize dual citizenship:

The above list was compiled using research from official and unofficial sources and is intended for informational purposes only. Dual citizenship laws are often complex and can change at any time. As such, Boundless cannot guarantee that the information above is accurate and/or current. It is therefore best to consult the embassy or consulate of your country of origin to learn about its most current dual citizenship policy before applying for naturalization in the United States.

In the U.S., anyone who fulfills the requirements for naturalization may be able to become a U.S. citizen. However, you should contact the embassy or consulate of the other country you hold citizenship with to see what the requirements are for your country.

In the U.S. you are eligible to vote as long as you’re a citizen and you fulfill any other requirements, such as residency and age.

If you are a U.S. citizen with more than one passport, you must use your U.S. passport to enter and leave the U.S.. If you are not traveling to the U.S., you may use whichever passport you prefer.

Being a U.S. citizen gives you all the rights and responsibilities of citizenship as listed above. If you’re a green card holder , you’ll still be able to work and live in the U.S. but you may have different obligations. For example, if you want to leave the U.S. for more than a year, you might have to apply for a re-entry permit before you leave.

Yes, you may hold citizenship in three countries. The same rules apply as for dual citizenship — not every country allows for multiple citizenships, so you would need to check whether your country of origin permits triple citizenship.

Generally, if a country allows dual citizenship it most likely allows triple citizenship. It’s best to check the embassy or consulate website of the countries to be sure.

Yes, the U.S. does allow for triple citizenship and does not require naturalized U.S. citizens to give up citizenship in their home country or other countries.

Immigration guideS

How to Avoid Common Naturalization Traps
How to Complete the Application for Naturalization (Form N-400)
Supporting Documents Needed to Apply for Citizenship
The Benefits of American Citizenship
U.S. Citizenship Requirements
What Is the Cost of Applying for Naturalization?
The U.S. Citizenship Timeline
Getting Ready for Your Naturalization Interview
Common Questions to Expect in Your Citizenship Interview
Getting Ready for Your Naturalization Exam
The Oath of Allegiance Ceremony of Naturalization

Article Contents

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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

Does dual citizenship makes sense for you?

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, the potential drawback is the possibility of double taxation . We explore these and other pros and cons of being a citizen of two countries at once.

Key Takeaways

Dual citizens 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 St 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, stand in elections, and make donations to political candidates.

Work and Travel

Unlike foreigners, dual citizens do not require 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 a 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 of their citizenship. 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 the U.S. and New Zealand, which can be especially 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 the 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.

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 $120,000 in 2023.

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.

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.

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. " IRS Provides Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2023 ."

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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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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Philippine Consulate General

The Republic of the Philippines

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

New york, usa.

dual citizenship (ra 9225)

Republic act 9225 otherwise known as the citizenship retention and reacquisition act of 2003 (more popularly known as the dual citizenship law) enables former natural-born filipinos who have become naturalized citizens of another country to retain/reacquire their philippine citizenship by taking an oath of allegiance to the republic of the philippines before a philippine consular officer. upon retaining or reacquiring their philippine citizenship, they shall enjoy full civil, economic and political rights as philippine citizens..

TABLE OF CONTENTS

How to Apply

Requirements for Principal Applicant

Requirements for Each Dependent Child (below 18 years old)

Petition for Inclusion of Dependent/s under RA 9225

Next Step/s After Issuance of Dual Citizenship Papers (For Principal and Dependent Child who is former natural born-Filipino)

Next Step/s After Issuance of Dual Citizenship Papers (For Dependent born in the US to parents who were already US citizens at the time of child’s birth)

Downloadable Forms

Dual Citizenship FAQ

Natural-born Filipinos are those who are citizens of the Philippines from birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship. These are persons:

1. Born after January 17, 1973, whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines at the time of their birth; 2. Born before January 17, 1973 to a: a. Filipino father; or b. Filipino mother and that person elects Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority.

Under the principle of derivative citizenship, unmarried children below eighteen (18) years of age, whether legitimate, illegitimate, or adopted, of former Filipino parents who retained/reacquired their Philippine citizenship under this law, may also be deemed Philippine citizens, if they are included as dependents in the parent’s application for retention/reacquisition of Philippine citizenship, and the requisite fees paid

HOW TO APPLY

Step 1. set up an appointment, step 2. proceed to the consulate on the appointment date and time.

Wearing a face mask at all times inside the premises of the Philippine Center is recommended.

STEP 3. Proceed to the Consulate for interview/Oath-taking on your booked appointment for the following:

Bring a printed copy of the e-receipt;
Bring original and submit two copies of required documents, including required photos;
Interview; and
Oath-taking (takes place once in the afternoon for all approved applicants).

CORE REQUIREMENTS FOR PRINCIPAL APPLICANT

A. two (2) duly accomplished dual citizenship application forms.

Download an Adobe-fillable dual application form here .

For instruction on how to fill out the form, please click here .

Applicant must not sign the application. This must be signed before a Consular Officer during your appointment.

B. PSA Birth Certificate

One original and two (2) photocopies of the Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA or formerly National Statistics Office/NSO).

If you do not have a PSA-authenticated birth certificate, you can order one online through http://www.psaserbilis.com.ph OR the applicant may wish to designate a representative to secure it from the PSA and send it via courier.

If there is no record of birth with the PSA, check first with the local civil registrar (LCR) where the birth took place. If LCR birth record is available, the LCR should forward/endorse its copy to the PSA. If LCR does not have a copy of applicant’s birth record, the applicant or his/her duly appointed representative may apply for late registration of birth at the local civil registrar at the place of birth.

The applicant should request for a PSA-authenticated birth certificate once the LCR have endorsed the applicant’s birth record to the PSA.

C. Latest Philippine Passport (if available)

Original and two (2) photocopies of the data page of latest Philippine passport.

D. PSA Marriage Certificate / US Marriage Certificate

Required for married women. One original and two (2) photocopies. Please see above on how to secure a PSA-issued document.

E. Death Certificate

Required for widow. One original and two (2) photocopies.

F. Divorce Decree or PSA Marriage Certificate with Annotation on Divorce

Required for applicant who has previous marriages or divorced. One original and two (2) photocopies

G. US Naturalization Certificate

Original and two (2) photocopies.

If the original is not available, applicant must obtain a digital copy from the US Citizenship and Immigrant Services (USCIS).

This can be requested through their website: www.uscis.gov/FOIA

H. Valid US Passport

Original and two (2) photocopies of the data page of the valid US passport.

I. Applicant’s Photos

On appointment date, bring three (3) colored, identical 2″x 2″ photos, with plain white background. Applicant must not be wearing eyeglasses.

J. Notarized Affidavit of Explanation on How You Attained US Citizenship

Required for adult applicants who were included as dependents when their parent/s were naturalized. Attach to the affidavit a copy of your US Certificate of Citizenship (if available) and the US Naturalization Certificate of your parent/s. Click here to download affidavit.

REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH DEPENDENT CHILD (BELOW 18 YEARS OLD)

(Personal Appearance not necessary)

For minor children born in the US: (a) if the principal applicant was already a US citizen at the time of the birth, the child/ren should be included as dependents in the petition.

(b) If at least one parent was still a Philippine citizen when the child was born, there is no need to include them as dependents in the petition. Their birth has to be reported to the Consulate instead.

For reporting a birth of a child born under our jurisdiction, please click here: http://newyorkpcg.org/pcgny/civil-registration/report-of-birth-of-a-filipino-abroad/

A. PSA Birth Certificate / US Birth Certificate

One original and two (2) photocopies of the Birth Certificate issued either by the PSA/NSO or US Vital Records.

B. Latest Philippine Passport (if available)

C. us certificate of citizenship (if available).

Original and two (2) photocopies

D. US Passport (if available)

E. child’s photos.

On appointment date, bring three (3) colored, identical 2″x 2″ photos, with plain white background.

PETITION FOR INCLUSION OF DEPENDENT/S UNDER RA 9225

If the principal applicant already applied for dual citizenship and failed to include dependent children in the application, he/she may file a petition for inclusion of dependent children who are under 18 years of age and unmarried.

Requirements:

Duly accomplished Petition for Inclusion of Dependents Application Form . To download the the form click here: newyorkpcg.org/pcgny/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Petition-for-Inclusion-of-Dependents-Under-RA-9225-1.pdf
One (1) Original and two (2) photocopies of Petitioner’s Dual Citizenship papers (Oath of Allegiance, Identification Certificate, & Approval Order)
Two (2) pieces of dependent child’s 2″ x 2″ photograph with white background taken not more than 3 months before the date of application.
One (1) piece of principal’s 2″ x 2″ photograph with white background taken not more then 3 months before the date of application.
Original and two (2) photocopies of dependent child’s birth certificate.
Two (2) photocopies of dependent child’s valid foreign passport bio-page.
Two (2) photocopies of petitioner’s valid passport bio-page and have the original passport ready for vetting.

The Consular Officer reserves the right to require additional documents from the informant or applicant when necessary.

Next steps after issuance of dual citizenship papers, 1. principal applicant and dependent child*.

*Dependent Child born to Filipino parent/s and became naturalized US citizen.

(Optional) Apply for Philippine passport.

As a dual citizen, it is not mandatory to apply for a Philippine passport. You may use your US passport when travelling to the Philippines. You simply have to present your dual documents to the Philippine Immigration Officer as proof of Philippine citizenship, per the Bureau of Immigration’s Operation Order No. SBM-2014-045 dated 30 September 2014 which is in force and still in effect. Incoming Filipinos may present a valid PHL passport, Identification Certificate or a Certificate of Re-acquisition / Retention of PHL Citizenship to be admitted as Philippine citizens.

Individuals who have just retained/reacquired their Philippine citizenship and who wish to apply for a Philippine passport will need to make a separate application and submit the requirements as specified in “passport for dual or newly-registered PH citizens”.

Requirements for application for a new passport may be found here: http://newyorkpcg.org/pcgny/consular-services/

To secure an appointment for passport application, visit www.passport.gov.ph.

2. For Dependent Child**

**Born in the US whose parents were already US citizens at the time of child’s birth.

Report the birth to the appropriate Philippine Embassy/Consulate which has jurisdiction over the place of birth.

Click here for information about requirements and procedure in reporting the birth.

Apply for a Philippine Passport

The child is eligible to apply for a Philippine passport immediately after reporting the birth to the appropriate Philippine Embassy or Consulate.

Click here for information about requirements and procedure in applying for Philippine passport.

DOWNLOADABLE FORMS

Dual Citizenship Application Form (Rev.2020)
Petition for Inclusion of Dependents Under RA 9225

Dual Citizenship Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

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Citizenship and living in the UK
British citizenship

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship (also known as dual nationality) is allowed in the UK. This means you can be a British citizen and also a citizen of other countries.

You do not need to apply for dual citizenship. You can apply for foreign citizenship and keep your British citizenship.

Many countries do not accept dual citizenship. Check with the country’s consulate or embassy in the UK to find out about that country’s laws on dual nationality.

Apply for British citizenship

To get British citizenship in the UK, check how to apply in your situation .

Travelling abroad

As a dual national you cannot get diplomatic help from the British government when you are in the other country where you hold citizenship.

For example, if you hold both British and French citizenship you cannot get diplomatic help from the UK when you’re in France.

Dual citizenship, marriage and children

You do not automatically become a British citizen when you marry a person from the UK. You need to apply as the spouse of a British citizen .

In some countries, a married person is automatically counted as having their partner’s nationality. Children may also automatically have a parent’s nationality even if they were born abroad.

Check with the country’s consulate or high commission in the UK to find out about that country’s laws on dual nationality.

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Is Indonesia really ready to embrace dual citizenship?

The vast majority of children of mixed marriages have direct and powerful connections with Indonesia.

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Is Indonesia really ready to embrace dual citizenship?

nce again, the Indonesian government has trotted out the prospect of changes to the country’s citizenship laws as an enticement to the diaspora community to return to Indonesia.

As an Indonesian living abroad, I heartily welcome such initiatives. The Indonesian diaspora includes many young adults who were forced to forego Indonesian citizenship because of the country’s single citizenship rule. As an Indonesian and the mother of such children, I too hope that one day they might regain their Indonesian citizenship.

But as a member of a mixed-marriage organization, PerCa Indonesia, I urge all parties to recognize the complexity and magnitude of the process entailed in offering dual citizenship. Such a paradigm shift would require new levels of commitment – and courage – from Indonesian policymakers.

Two decades ago, the mixed marriage community’s call for dual citizenship culminated in Law No. 12/2006, which redefined Indonesia’s concept of what it meant to be a citizen – at least for children until adulthood. The groundbreaking law allows minors to hold dual nationality – even though the Constitution recognizes only single citizenship – but then requires them as adults to actively choose Indonesian citizenship or automatically lose it. This temporary reprieve, called limited dual citizenship, was seen as an expedient and preferable option, especially in cases where a child born to an Indonesian mother could lose the right to be an Indonesian citizen and, therefore, residence in Indonesia.

Unfortunately, even now, more than 15 years after being enacted, Law No. 12/2006 and its limited dual citizenship concept still face complications. PerCa Indonesia’s members have encountered cases where, first, the authorities have had different interpretations or understandings of the law and, second, the resolution sometimes did not reflect the noble intent of the law.

PerCa Indonesia believes that the solution is to simplify the path to dual citizenship. This solution, which we call “Indonesian forever”, defines citizenship roughly as follows:

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First, an emphasis on the principle of j us s anguinis (lineage by blood) rather than j us s oli (place of birth), with equal rights before the law. So as long as the child is born to an Indonesian mother or father, the child will forever be an Indonesian citizen.

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Comforting foreign policy, advancing national interests

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Act now: The Real ID deadline is less than a year away

Third time's the charm, says the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which, despite a five-year delay, says it is one year out from implementing the Real ID requirement for domestic air travel.

"The Real ID implementation date is May 7, 2025. On that date, airline travelers will need to have a REAL ID-compliant state-issued identification card or driver's license or a U.S. Passport," a Transportation Security Administration spokesperson confirmed via email.

Here's everything you need to know.

What is a Real ID?

Every state, along with Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, is issuing compliant IDs, so your license may already be a Real ID.

You can tell if your driver's license is Real ID-compliant if there's a star in the upper right or left corner, as shown below.

However, if your ID is missing the star or says something like "federal limits apply" or "not for federal identification," your ID is not Real ID-compliant.

If you see the star but want to double-check, this tool will help determine whether your ID will work for air travel. You can also use that page to check individual state requirements.

In many states, getting a Real ID may only involve renewing your driver's license; costs vary by state, ranging from $10 to $85.

Living in a state that issues a Real ID doesn't mean you'll automatically receive one, so be sure to ask for one if you want it.

"Each state is encouraging its residents to be Real ID ready," per the TSA spokesperson.

Can I still fly if I don't have a Real ID?

When the Real ID Act is enacted, passengers departing U.S. airports will not be allowed through TSA checkpoints without a compliant Real ID.

If you don't want to upgrade your driver's license to a compliant version, you can still travel with a U.S. passport or any of the following TSA-approved forms of identification:

U.S. passport card
DHS Trusted Traveler card ( Global Entry , Nexus, SENTRI, FAST)
Permanent resident card
U.S. Department of Defense ID
Border-crossing card
State-issued enhanced driver's license
Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
HSPD-12 PIV card
Foreign government-issued passport
Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
Transportation worker identification credential
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services employment authorization card (I-766)
U.S. merchant mariner credential

Travelers under 18 need not provide identification when traveling with a companion. A TSA PreCheck card is not a valid form of compliant photo ID.

Could the deadline be pushed back again?

Even though the TSA says it will move forward with the Real ID deadline next year as planned, it's reasonable to remain skeptical given previous delays to 2021, 2023 and now 2025.

"Travelers have seen this deadline slip so many times, and so far back, that they may understandably be tuning out the agencies' messaging found at airports," said Henry Harteveldt, founder of Atmosphere Research, a travel industry analytical firm. "It will be critical for DHS, the TSA, and airlines to communicate the upcoming change later this year, ideally starting no later than the Thanksgiving travel period."

Bottom line

For those who don't already have a Real ID, you have a little less than a year to obtain one. As the deadline approaches, make an appointment at your local DMV sooner rather than later.

Also note that even if you have Clear or TSA PreCheck, you still need an ID matching Real ID requirements.

"Should the deadline slip modestly, I suspect travelers will understand. But if the deadline slips more than three months, especially if this occurs at the last minute, I'm concerned DHS and TSA will lose their remaining credibility," warned Harteveldt. "Travelers will engage in a massive communal eye-roll. It will be like the fable of the boy who cried wolf — when the agencies are ready to implement, no one will believe them."

More Fil-Ams are applying for dual citizenship

A trend has emerged among naturalized American citizens of Filipino descent since the COVID-19 pandemic: An increasing number of dual citizenship reacquisitions and applications.

Ricarte Abejuela, head of the Legalization Department and Dual Citizenship Section at the Philippine Consulate in New York, told Inquirer.net USA that the surge of dual citizenship applications began during the pandemic.

Abejuela said the increased demand for dual citizenship was “an immediate effect of the lockdown in the Philippines during the height of the (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020.”

The Balikbayan program by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging and Infectious Disease, which allowed former Filipino citizens to visit the Philippines without the requirements for foreign nationals, was halted to alleviate COVID-19 risks.

The Balikbayan privilege was suspended and “only Philippine citizens were allowed entry into the Philippines,” Abejuela said. “US citizens who were former Filipinos could not enter the Philippines as balikbayans, thus the surge in the increase in dual citizenship petitions.”

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The demand decreased when the Philippines eased the restrictions and once again allowed the entry of foreign visitors, but there has been sustained interest in dual citizenship, with an average of 5,000 per year since 2022, Abejuela said.

Navigating the dual citizenship process

Under Republic Act No. 9225, natural-born Filipinos who lost their Filipino citizenship through naturalization in a foreign country may re-acquire Filipino citizenship by taking the Philippine Oath of Allegiance before a duly authorized Philippine official.

What are the advantages of re-acquiring Filipino citizenship?

Filipinos who have re-acquired their Filipino citizenship under this Act may once again enjoy full civil and political rights under the Philippines’ existing laws, including the right to:

Vote in the Philippine national elections
Own land and property in the Philippines
Engage in business or commerce as a Filipino
Travel bearing a Filipino passport

More information on how to apply for dual citizenship is available here .

More Fil-Ams are applying for dual citizenship

In Lithuania, the divisive issue of dual citizenship is put to a vote

Dalia Henke, right, chair of the World Lithuanian Community, and Skirmantas Mockevicius, mayor of Jurbarka, in western Lithuania, campaign to change the country’s constitution and allow for dual citizenship. Anna Liminowicz/The Globe and Mail

Whether or not to allow dual citizenship is an issue Canada has long resolved, but it still divides Lithuanians, and has ever since the country broke free from the Soviet Union 34 years ago. On Sunday, voters here will finally decide whether Lithuanian citizens can also be citizens of another country.

Lithuania’s constitution has prohibited dual citizenship for everyone who left after the country declared independence in 1990. Only four other European Union countries – Austria, Estonia, Slovakia and the Netherlands – have similar restrictions, and more than 100 other nations, including Canada, have permitted some form of dual citizenship for decades.

The ban has left Lithuania’s substantial diaspora – estimated to number around one million – facing an often-painful dilemma about whether to give up their citizenship, and each year as many as 1,000 Lithuanians living abroad go through with it after becoming citizens of their adopted country.

“I live in Germany now. So why can’t I keep my Lithuanian passport when I get my German citizenship?” said Dalia Henke, chair of the World Lithuanian Community. “I’m Lithuanian in my heart, but why do I need to lose it?”

Ms. Henke has been among the campaigners pushing to win over enough support in Sunday’s referendum to change the constitution. The vote is being held in conjunction with the election for Lithuania’s president, which campaigners hope will increase turnout.

“We are hopeful,” Ms. Henke said after a meeting with voters on Tuesday in Jurbarka, a town in western Lithuania. “We are talking to as many people as possible.”

From left: Tadas Kubilius, an official in Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mockevicius and Ms. Henke, address residents in Jurbarka about Sunday’s referendum. Anna Liminowicz/The Globe and Mail

The issue of dual citizenship has been divisive in Lithuania ever since independence. After the country split from the Soviet Union, patriotism and loyalty were deemed essential in building a new nation, and restricting dual citizenship played a key role. Deep mistrust of Russia lingered, and while the Russian-speaking population in Lithuania is relatively small, the idea of allowing someone to become a citizen of both Russia and Lithuania left many people wary of dual citizenship.

The steady stream of Lithuanians moving abroad, especially after the country joined the European Union in 2004, has intensified the debate. Expats argue that the sizable diaspora can provide substantial benefits to Lithuania in the form of greater international clout and support in a time of need. Along those lines, they point to Ukraine – which is also currently considering amending its constitution to allow dual citizenship – emphasizing how that country’s diaspora has been instrumental in the war effort.

But Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has only heightened some Lithuanians’ concerns about dual citizenship. “People are afraid and most of them ask ‘What about Russians?’,” said Marija Šaraitė, who has been campaigning in support of a constitutional change in Vilnius, the country’s capital. The government has already made it clear that dual citizenship would not be extended to Russians, but Ms. Šaraitė said campaigners have had a difficult time convincing some people of that.

Only 47 “Lithuania-friendly” countries would meet the criteria for dual citizenship – including EU member states, NATO members and countries that belong to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Along with Russia, citizens of countries such as Argentina and South Africa would be excluded.

Most politicians and presidential candidates support the change, but getting enough people to cast a vote on the issue is a challenge. Ms. Šaraitė's group is holding an outdoor concert on Sunday, and several mayors have been holding public information sessions about the importance of the referendum.

Mr. Mockevicius, Mr. Kubilius, and Ms. Henke chat with residents. Anna Liminowicz/The Globe and Mail

“Absolutely, I favour it,” said Skirmantas Mockevičius, the mayor of Jurbarkas, who joined Ms. Henke at the town’s public library for the meeting with residents. Mr. Mockevičius has also been working with a number of other regional mayors to encourage people to vote “Yes” on Sunday.

He has two cousins living in the United States who had to give up their Lithuanian citizenship when they became American citizens. “The majority of people who came here to this meeting have somebody in their family who are living abroad,” he said.

After the meeting, Tekle Kucinaite, 18, said she would vote for the change. “I have a brother in Germany, and he had to give up Lithuanian citizenship and he’s now only German. And it’s really sad because we grew up together.”

While opinion polls show that most Lithuanians support dual citizenship, the population has been historically apathetic on the issue.

A similar referendum in 2019 failed because it didn’t meet the required voting thresholds. Changing the constitution requires what’s known as a double majority: at least half of eligible voters must participate in the referendum, and at least half of all voters must vote to approve it.

In 2019, the turnout was 53 per cent, which met the first test. Around 74 per cent voted in favour, but that represented only 38 per cent of all registered voters, short of the 50 per cent required.

There are also substantial sections of the population who oppose the idea. Many fear that dual citizens living outside the country could have undue influence on Lithuania’s affairs and elections, given that they could account for up to one-quarter of the population.

“I’m personally afraid they might vote in the wrong way,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Linas Idzelis, who heads the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, a volunteer military organization that has around 15,000 members. “Why should they interfere in my life, living in the United Kingdom or somewhere?”

Others worry that dual citizens could claim social benefits or avoid compulsory military service.

Campaigners for the change have gone to great lengths to ease those concerns. They point out all citizens living abroad share only one representative in Lithuania’s 141-seat parliament, and that eligibility for social benefits is based on residency, not citizenship.

Furthermore, they remind people that dual citizens would still have to complete military service.

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Indonesian diaspora welcomes dual citizenship plan, but details needed to make it a reality

JAKARTA – A plan by the Indonesian government to offer dual citizenship to former citizens, to entice those with skills to return, has been given a big thumbs-up by the diaspora. But far more details are needed to make this a reality, analysts and officials say.

The proposal – announced in April without details by a senior minister – comes at a time when countries are competing to attract talent, with Indonesia itself keen to move up from an upper-middle-income economy to a high-income country.

President-elect Prabowo Subianto told an investment forum in March that he is aiming for annual growth of 8 per cent in the five years of his term. This compares with annual economic expansion of just over 5 per cent in the last two years.

Indonesia’s law does not recognise dual citizenship for adults, and a child holding two passports must choose one and renounce the other when they turn 18.

The country has suffered from a brain drain as skilled locals shifted their citizenship to the countries where they work and live , often driven by better career opportunities and much higher pay. Nearly 4,000 young Indonesians, for example, obtained Singapore passports from 2019 to 2022, according to Indonesia’s Immigration Office.

In total, there are around six million people in the Indonesian diaspora, based on government data. They include skilled and unskilled workers, along with their families, with some having renounced their citizenship and others remaining Indonesian.

Indonesian Diaspora Network Global president Sulistyawan Wibisono called the government’s plan a “strategic step”, saying it would give the nation a boost should former Indonesian citizens return.

“If the Indonesian diaspora can enter Indonesia without many hurdles, they – with their expertise – will bring positive impact to the businesses,” said Mr Sulistyawan, a 47-year-old Melbourne-based trademark attorney.

The professionals now working overseas could fill jobs in various fields in the homeland such as information technology (IT), financial services, mining and healthcare, he told The Straits Times.

Like other foreigners, former Indonesian citizens must have the necessary employment permits in order to work in the country.

Melbourne-based IT specialist Jeffry Merril Liando, 51, said that beyond skills, those offered dual citizenship may bring a new work culture into their Indonesian workplaces. “They may break the (existing) culture of bureaucracy. As they have nothing to lose, they might be more brave and outspoken,” he told ST. “This may affect Indonesian work culture, and change the attitude of its people.”

Mr Liando renounced his Indonesian citizenship in 2015 and became a New Zealander. His daughter, Kezia Liando, 19, followed his step in 2017. His wife, Ms Krisna Liando, 50, remains Indonesian and his son, Isaiah Liando, 15, holds dual citizenship. They also live in Melbourne.

He hopes to return to Indonesia to work in the near future to contribute to the development of his birth country, and would like the same opportunity for his two children.

Indonesian Restu Satriotomo, who has worked in Belgium for 13 years, is keen to apply for Belgian citizenship, which will give him more flexibility to work across Europe, among other advantages. But the 41-year-old bank executive will do so only if Indonesia allows dual citizenship.

For now, he is holding on to his Indonesian citizenship because he wants to retain his family’s assets in Indonesia and retire there some day.

Still, Indonesia’s dual citizenship plan excites him.

“If, let’s say, one day I can get a good (job) offer in Indonesia and be appreciated as an international expert, I can use my expertise, knowledge of the Indonesian language and culture to bring added value to Indonesian companies, allowing them to gain a higher competitive edge,” he said.

The dual citizenship plan was made public on April 30 by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan, ahead of a meeting between President Joko Widodo and Mr Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, which has pledged a US$1.7 billion (S$2.3 billion) investment in the country.

Mr Luhut said that the government may soon give dual citizenship to former Indonesian citizens living overseas, which he thinks “will bring very skilful Indonesians back to Indonesia”.

But he did not offer details such as what the government is doing to make this plan come true, and how it could convince lawmakers to approve the plan, which is controversial in the country.

Moreover, Mr Prabowo, who will be inaugurated as Indonesia’s next president in October, has not given his views on the issue.

In the nearly 10 years of Mr Widodo’s administration, the plan to accommodate dual citizenship has emerged several times.

In 2016, he revealed the government’s intention to amend the Citizenship Law, which would include the dual citizenship provision. But Parliament blocked him, saying the move would compromise national security.

Concerns were raised then that giving citizenship to foreign nationals could result in a rise in crimes such as terrorism and illegal drug trading.

Observers and officials acknowledged the complexity of the process to make the scheme a reality.

Indonesian director-general for immigration Silmy Karim told ST: “Changing the laws is not easy, and the deliberation of its amendments until the new laws are passed takes time.”

Dr Siwage Dharma Negara, a senior fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, said that he does not see any urgency in recognising dual citizenship now, and questioned if it was the only option to bring back Indonesians.

“Can’t they be lured by other means? Why not start a pilot project by fulfilling what is needed by the desired workers?” he said.

“The political process to realise the dual citizenship policy is long,” he added, referring to the amendment of laws in Parliament.

Centre for Economic and Law Studies executive director Bhima Yudhistira said that dual citizenship alone will not effectively entice the Indonesian diaspora to work in Indonesia due to a significant salary gap between local and overseas companies.

“Jobs in the services sector that offer high salaries, especially IT, do not need dual citizenship and permanent stay (in Indonesia),” he said, adding that such hires may work on projects in Indonesia while based overseas.

The dual citizenship scheme will likely attract the older Indonesian diaspora who want to spend more time holidaying or retiring in the country, Mr Bhima said.

“What we seek is a diaspora of productive age. So there can be an adverse selection,” he said.

Still, for some of the skilled workers abroad, the lower cost of living in Indonesia could tempt them to return should they continue to earn high salaries.

“Given the high cost of living in America and other Western countries as well, I think it will entice more of the Indonesian diaspora to live and work in Indonesia with the appeal of a very high quality of life,” said 25-year-old Imam Widodo, a machine learning engineer at Apple in Silicon Valley who gave up his Indonesian citizenship at 18 to become an American.

This article has been edited for accuracy.

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Update May 10, 2024

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