Mixing
Can you leave the US as a dual citizen with an expired US passport?
My daughter has dual citizenship: US/German.
We will be flying from Germany to the US in 6 weeks. Her US passport will expire during our stay in the US, but not on the day of our flight (4 days later).
Do you think I should get ESTA for her? Just to make sure that the airline will let her board the plane? Will there be any problems with getting back to Germany without ESTA and with an expired US passport?
usa passports esta dual-nationality
edited Jan 21 at 20:12
JonathanReez♦
49.7k41237510
asked Jan 21 at 13:48
user90945user90945
7913
|
show 4 more comments
My daughter has dual citizenship: US/German.
We will be flying from Germany to the US in 6 weeks. Her US passport will expire during our stay in the US, but not on the day of our flight (4 days later).
Do you think I should get ESTA for her? Just to make sure that the airline will let her board the plane? Will there be any problems with getting back to Germany without ESTA and with an expired US passport?
usa passports esta dual-nationality
edited Jan 21 at 20:12
JonathanReez♦
49.7k41237510
asked Jan 21 at 13:48
user90945user90945
7913
1
Although not a direct answer to your question, this travel.stackexchange.com/questions/52100/… might be useful reading
– Traveller
Jan 21 at 14:09
16
You should consider renewing her passport while you are in the US.
– Michael Hampton
Jan 21 at 16:36
10
Just to be clear, does she IN FACT HAVE IN HAND a valid EU passport? Which is not expiring?
– Fattie
Jan 21 at 19:13
1
@Dragonel yes, US embassies and consulates issue US passports. It's quite possible that that her current US passport was issued in Germany.
– phoog
Jan 22 at 2:00
1
@Fattie with regard to JJJ's comments on your now-deleted answer: I've flown to the EU without showing my US passport on numerous occasions. The late lamented Gayot Fow reported being asked to show his US passport when trying to leave the US on a non-US passport. I think it depends on the airline (I usually fly on European airlines, but I suspect that (some) US airlines cooperate more closely with CBP) and it may depend on whether the traveler is visiting the US (for example, on a ticket from Europe to the US and back) or lives there (for example, on a ticket from the US to Europe and back).
– phoog
Jan 22 at 2:08
|
show 4 more comments
My daughter has dual citizenship: US/German.
We will be flying from Germany to the US in 6 weeks. Her US passport will expire during our stay in the US, but not on the day of our flight (4 days later).
Do you think I should get ESTA for her? Just to make sure that the airline will let her board the plane? Will there be any problems with getting back to Germany without ESTA and with an expired US passport?
usa passports esta dual-nationality
edited Jan 21 at 20:12
JonathanReez♦
49.7k41237510
asked Jan 21 at 13:48
user90945user90945
7913
My daughter has dual citizenship: US/German.
We will be flying from Germany to the US in 6 weeks. Her US passport will expire during our stay in the US, but not on the day of our flight (4 days later).
Do you think I should get ESTA for her? Just to make sure that the airline will let her board the plane? Will there be any problems with getting back to Germany without ESTA and with an expired US passport?
usa passports esta dual-nationality
usa passports esta dual-nationality
edited Jan 21 at 20:12
JonathanReez♦
49.7k41237510
asked Jan 21 at 13:48
user90945user90945
7913
edited Jan 21 at 20:12
JonathanReez♦
49.7k41237510
asked Jan 21 at 13:48
user90945user90945
7913
edited Jan 21 at 20:12
JonathanReez♦
49.7k41237510
edited Jan 21 at 20:12
JonathanReez♦
49.7k41237510
edited Jan 21 at 20:12
JonathanReez♦
49.7k41237510
49.7k41237510
asked Jan 21 at 13:48
user90945user90945
7913
asked Jan 21 at 13:48
user90945user90945
7913
asked Jan 21 at 13:48
user90945user90945
7913
7913
1
Although not a direct answer to your question, this travel.stackexchange.com/questions/52100/… might be useful reading
– Traveller
Jan 21 at 14:09
16
You should consider renewing her passport while you are in the US.
– Michael Hampton
Jan 21 at 16:36
10
Just to be clear, does she IN FACT HAVE IN HAND a valid EU passport? Which is not expiring?
– Fattie
Jan 21 at 19:13
1
@Dragonel yes, US embassies and consulates issue US passports. It's quite possible that that her current US passport was issued in Germany.
– phoog
Jan 22 at 2:00
1
@Fattie with regard to JJJ's comments on your now-deleted answer: I've flown to the EU without showing my US passport on numerous occasions. The late lamented Gayot Fow reported being asked to show his US passport when trying to leave the US on a non-US passport. I think it depends on the airline (I usually fly on European airlines, but I suspect that (some) US airlines cooperate more closely with CBP) and it may depend on whether the traveler is visiting the US (for example, on a ticket from Europe to the US and back) or lives there (for example, on a ticket from the US to Europe and back).
– phoog
Jan 22 at 2:08
|
show 4 more comments
1
Although not a direct answer to your question, this travel.stackexchange.com/questions/52100/… might be useful reading
– Traveller
Jan 21 at 14:09
16
You should consider renewing her passport while you are in the US.
– Michael Hampton
Jan 21 at 16:36
10
Just to be clear, does she IN FACT HAVE IN HAND a valid EU passport? Which is not expiring?
– Fattie
Jan 21 at 19:13
1
@Dragonel yes, US embassies and consulates issue US passports. It's quite possible that that her current US passport was issued in Germany.
– phoog
Jan 22 at 2:00
1
@Fattie with regard to JJJ's comments on your now-deleted answer: I've flown to the EU without showing my US passport on numerous occasions. The late lamented Gayot Fow reported being asked to show his US passport when trying to leave the US on a non-US passport. I think it depends on the airline (I usually fly on European airlines, but I suspect that (some) US airlines cooperate more closely with CBP) and it may depend on whether the traveler is visiting the US (for example, on a ticket from Europe to the US and back) or lives there (for example, on a ticket from the US to Europe and back).
– phoog
Jan 22 at 2:08
1
1
Although not a direct answer to your question, this travel.stackexchange.com/questions/52100/… might be useful reading
– Traveller
Jan 21 at 14:09
Although not a direct answer to your question, this travel.stackexchange.com/questions/52100/… might be useful reading
– Traveller
Jan 21 at 14:09
16
16
You should consider renewing her passport while you are in the US.
– Michael Hampton
Jan 21 at 16:36
You should consider renewing her passport while you are in the US.
– Michael Hampton
Jan 21 at 16:36
10
10
Just to be clear, does she IN FACT HAVE IN HAND a valid EU passport? Which is not expiring?
– Fattie
Jan 21 at 19:13
Just to be clear, does she IN FACT HAVE IN HAND a valid EU passport? Which is not expiring?
– Fattie
Jan 21 at 19:13
1
1
@Dragonel yes, US embassies and consulates issue US passports. It's quite possible that that her current US passport was issued in Germany.
– phoog
Jan 22 at 2:00
@Dragonel yes, US embassies and consulates issue US passports. It's quite possible that that her current US passport was issued in Germany.
– phoog
Jan 22 at 2:00
1
1
@Fattie with regard to JJJ's comments on your now-deleted answer: I've flown to the EU without showing my US passport on numerous occasions. The late lamented Gayot Fow reported being asked to show his US passport when trying to leave the US on a non-US passport. I think it depends on the airline (I usually fly on European airlines, but I suspect that (some) US airlines cooperate more closely with CBP) and it may depend on whether the traveler is visiting the US (for example, on a ticket from Europe to the US and back) or lives there (for example, on a ticket from the US to Europe and back).
– phoog
Jan 22 at 2:08
@Fattie with regard to JJJ's comments on your now-deleted answer: I've flown to the EU without showing my US passport on numerous occasions. The late lamented Gayot Fow reported being asked to show his US passport when trying to leave the US on a non-US passport. I think it depends on the airline (I usually fly on European airlines, but I suspect that (some) US airlines cooperate more closely with CBP) and it may depend on whether the traveler is visiting the US (for example, on a ticket from Europe to the US and back) or lives there (for example, on a ticket from the US to Europe and back).
– phoog
Jan 22 at 2:08
|
show 4 more comments
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
Legally, she can enter the US with her US passport (since it will not yet have expired), but she will need to renew it before leaving:
Except as otherwise provided by the President and subject to such limitations and exceptions as the President may authorize and prescribe, it shall be unlawful for any citizen of the United States to depart from or enter, or attempt to depart from or enter, the United States unless he bears a valid United States passport. (8 USC 1185 (b))
This would apply even though she is also a citizen of another country and has that country's passport.
That said, my understanding is that this law is not enforced, there are no prescribed penalties for violating it, and there are no exit checks on leaving the US. So practically speaking, if she were to not renew her US passport and depart with her German one instead, I wouldn't anticipate any legal problems arising. But it is technically against the law to do so.
(It's conceivable that the airline might raise some sort of objection. I'm afraid I don't have any specific knowledge on that point.)
answered Jan 21 at 19:28
Nate EldredgeNate Eldredge
23.3k883108
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– JonathanReez♦
Jan 23 at 6:57
add a comment |
No. She is a US citizen, so she can remain in the US indefinitely, so neither the airline nor US officials will require that her US passport is valid beyond her date of entry to the US, and she will not be denied boarding.
For the return flight, an ESTA is not required to leave the US, nor is there any passport control at the US border, so she can use her valid German passport to return to Germany. You won't have any issue in either direction.
answered Jan 21 at 13:51
MJeffryesMJeffryes
5,25121440
1
That's great! Thanks for your quick response!
– user90945
Jan 21 at 14:03
17
If she is a US citizen she must enter the US as a US citizen.
– Marianne013
Jan 21 at 16:14
1
@Keeta That's a good point, but I based my assumption on the fact that they're contemplating applying for an ESTA, which they would only do if they had a valid passport, I would have thought!
– MJeffryes
Jan 21 at 16:18
1
@MJeffryes I am just using comment to show a way to improve the answer. It may be a good idea to mention that she would use her valid, non-expired German passport to return. Your statement of "nor is there any passport control at the US border" could make a person think that they would not need a passport to return, which is not the case.
– Keeta
Jan 21 at 16:25
2
@Keeta you must show pasport to airline, not to leave the country, but to enter the other country. If you get to the other country and they refuse to land you, the airline is responsible to fly you back, and also they must pay fines for negligently allowing you on the airplane (unless the refusal was for something they could not have foreseen, like blowing the entry interview).
– Harper
Jan 21 at 17:33
|
show 7 more comments
As others pointed out, legally she must leave the US with her US passport. As an anecdote though, from my personal experience - I am a dual US/UK citizen and whenever I visit USA, I enter on my US passport. On an occasion, when leaving, I showed my UK passport during check in and had no problem. This was usually with either BA or Virgin Atlantic.
Again, this is not a suggestion to do that, but rather a confirmation that the law on leaving with the US passport may not necessarily be enforced.
answered Jan 22 at 9:52
Aleks GAleks G
10.2k23265
add a comment |
I have done this with my son, travelling to the UK when we lived in the USA. His US passport had expired but his UK passport had not, so we presented both at US immigration and he was allowed to leave and re-enter.
This would have been at least 15 years ago, so rules may have changed since then.
answered Jan 22 at 1:52
Rupert MorrishRupert Morrish
30629
2
This answer isn't relevant because 1) ESTA didn't exist 15 years ago, and 2) the question askers passport hasn't expired as at the time of entry
– Doc
Jan 22 at 2:56
2
My son's passport hadn't expired the previous time he entered the USA, either.
– Rupert Morrish
Jan 22 at 3:09
add a comment |
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4 Answers
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active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Legally, she can enter the US with her US passport (since it will not yet have expired), but she will need to renew it before leaving:
Except as otherwise provided by the President and subject to such limitations and exceptions as the President may authorize and prescribe, it shall be unlawful for any citizen of the United States to depart from or enter, or attempt to depart from or enter, the United States unless he bears a valid United States passport. (8 USC 1185 (b))
This would apply even though she is also a citizen of another country and has that country's passport.
That said, my understanding is that this law is not enforced, there are no prescribed penalties for violating it, and there are no exit checks on leaving the US. So practically speaking, if she were to not renew her US passport and depart with her German one instead, I wouldn't anticipate any legal problems arising. But it is technically against the law to do so.
(It's conceivable that the airline might raise some sort of objection. I'm afraid I don't have any specific knowledge on that point.)
answered Jan 21 at 19:28
Nate EldredgeNate Eldredge
23.3k883108
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– JonathanReez♦
Jan 23 at 6:57
add a comment |
Legally, she can enter the US with her US passport (since it will not yet have expired), but she will need to renew it before leaving:
Except as otherwise provided by the President and subject to such limitations and exceptions as the President may authorize and prescribe, it shall be unlawful for any citizen of the United States to depart from or enter, or attempt to depart from or enter, the United States unless he bears a valid United States passport. (8 USC 1185 (b))
This would apply even though she is also a citizen of another country and has that country's passport.
That said, my understanding is that this law is not enforced, there are no prescribed penalties for violating it, and there are no exit checks on leaving the US. So practically speaking, if she were to not renew her US passport and depart with her German one instead, I wouldn't anticipate any legal problems arising. But it is technically against the law to do so.
(It's conceivable that the airline might raise some sort of objection. I'm afraid I don't have any specific knowledge on that point.)
answered Jan 21 at 19:28
Nate EldredgeNate Eldredge
23.3k883108
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– JonathanReez♦
Jan 23 at 6:57
add a comment |
Legally, she can enter the US with her US passport (since it will not yet have expired), but she will need to renew it before leaving:
Except as otherwise provided by the President and subject to such limitations and exceptions as the President may authorize and prescribe, it shall be unlawful for any citizen of the United States to depart from or enter, or attempt to depart from or enter, the United States unless he bears a valid United States passport. (8 USC 1185 (b))
This would apply even though she is also a citizen of another country and has that country's passport.
That said, my understanding is that this law is not enforced, there are no prescribed penalties for violating it, and there are no exit checks on leaving the US. So practically speaking, if she were to not renew her US passport and depart with her German one instead, I wouldn't anticipate any legal problems arising. But it is technically against the law to do so.
(It's conceivable that the airline might raise some sort of objection. I'm afraid I don't have any specific knowledge on that point.)
answered Jan 21 at 19:28
Nate EldredgeNate Eldredge
23.3k883108
Legally, she can enter the US with her US passport (since it will not yet have expired), but she will need to renew it before leaving:
Except as otherwise provided by the President and subject to such limitations and exceptions as the President may authorize and prescribe, it shall be unlawful for any citizen of the United States to depart from or enter, or attempt to depart from or enter, the United States unless he bears a valid United States passport. (8 USC 1185 (b))
This would apply even though she is also a citizen of another country and has that country's passport.
That said, my understanding is that this law is not enforced, there are no prescribed penalties for violating it, and there are no exit checks on leaving the US. So practically speaking, if she were to not renew her US passport and depart with her German one instead, I wouldn't anticipate any legal problems arising. But it is technically against the law to do so.
(It's conceivable that the airline might raise some sort of objection. I'm afraid I don't have any specific knowledge on that point.)
answered Jan 21 at 19:28
Nate EldredgeNate Eldredge
23.3k883108
edited Jan 21 at 19:35
answered Jan 21 at 19:28
Nate EldredgeNate Eldredge
23.3k883108
answered Jan 21 at 19:28
Nate EldredgeNate Eldredge
23.3k883108
answered Jan 21 at 19:28
Nate EldredgeNate Eldredge
23.3k883108
23.3k883108
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– JonathanReez♦
Jan 23 at 6:57
add a comment |
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– JonathanReez♦
Jan 23 at 6:57
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– JonathanReez♦
Jan 23 at 6:57
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– JonathanReez♦
Jan 23 at 6:57
add a comment |
No. She is a US citizen, so she can remain in the US indefinitely, so neither the airline nor US officials will require that her US passport is valid beyond her date of entry to the US, and she will not be denied boarding.
For the return flight, an ESTA is not required to leave the US, nor is there any passport control at the US border, so she can use her valid German passport to return to Germany. You won't have any issue in either direction.
answered Jan 21 at 13:51
MJeffryesMJeffryes
5,25121440
1
That's great! Thanks for your quick response!
– user90945
Jan 21 at 14:03
17
If she is a US citizen she must enter the US as a US citizen.
– Marianne013
Jan 21 at 16:14
1
@Keeta That's a good point, but I based my assumption on the fact that they're contemplating applying for an ESTA, which they would only do if they had a valid passport, I would have thought!
– MJeffryes
Jan 21 at 16:18
1
@MJeffryes I am just using comment to show a way to improve the answer. It may be a good idea to mention that she would use her valid, non-expired German passport to return. Your statement of "nor is there any passport control at the US border" could make a person think that they would not need a passport to return, which is not the case.
– Keeta
Jan 21 at 16:25
2
@Keeta you must show pasport to airline, not to leave the country, but to enter the other country. If you get to the other country and they refuse to land you, the airline is responsible to fly you back, and also they must pay fines for negligently allowing you on the airplane (unless the refusal was for something they could not have foreseen, like blowing the entry interview).
– Harper
Jan 21 at 17:33
|
show 7 more comments
No. She is a US citizen, so she can remain in the US indefinitely, so neither the airline nor US officials will require that her US passport is valid beyond her date of entry to the US, and she will not be denied boarding.
For the return flight, an ESTA is not required to leave the US, nor is there any passport control at the US border, so she can use her valid German passport to return to Germany. You won't have any issue in either direction.
answered Jan 21 at 13:51
MJeffryesMJeffryes
5,25121440
1
That's great! Thanks for your quick response!
– user90945
Jan 21 at 14:03
17
If she is a US citizen she must enter the US as a US citizen.
– Marianne013
Jan 21 at 16:14
1
@Keeta That's a good point, but I based my assumption on the fact that they're contemplating applying for an ESTA, which they would only do if they had a valid passport, I would have thought!
– MJeffryes
Jan 21 at 16:18
1
@MJeffryes I am just using comment to show a way to improve the answer. It may be a good idea to mention that she would use her valid, non-expired German passport to return. Your statement of "nor is there any passport control at the US border" could make a person think that they would not need a passport to return, which is not the case.
– Keeta
Jan 21 at 16:25
2
@Keeta you must show pasport to airline, not to leave the country, but to enter the other country. If you get to the other country and they refuse to land you, the airline is responsible to fly you back, and also they must pay fines for negligently allowing you on the airplane (unless the refusal was for something they could not have foreseen, like blowing the entry interview).
– Harper
Jan 21 at 17:33
|
show 7 more comments
No. She is a US citizen, so she can remain in the US indefinitely, so neither the airline nor US officials will require that her US passport is valid beyond her date of entry to the US, and she will not be denied boarding.
For the return flight, an ESTA is not required to leave the US, nor is there any passport control at the US border, so she can use her valid German passport to return to Germany. You won't have any issue in either direction.
answered Jan 21 at 13:51
MJeffryesMJeffryes
5,25121440
No. She is a US citizen, so she can remain in the US indefinitely, so neither the airline nor US officials will require that her US passport is valid beyond her date of entry to the US, and she will not be denied boarding.
For the return flight, an ESTA is not required to leave the US, nor is there any passport control at the US border, so she can use her valid German passport to return to Germany. You won't have any issue in either direction.
answered Jan 21 at 13:51
MJeffryesMJeffryes
5,25121440
edited Jan 21 at 19:37
answered Jan 21 at 13:51
MJeffryesMJeffryes
5,25121440
answered Jan 21 at 13:51
MJeffryesMJeffryes
5,25121440
answered Jan 21 at 13:51
MJeffryesMJeffryes
5,25121440
5,25121440
1
That's great! Thanks for your quick response!
– user90945
Jan 21 at 14:03
17
If she is a US citizen she must enter the US as a US citizen.
– Marianne013
Jan 21 at 16:14
1
@Keeta That's a good point, but I based my assumption on the fact that they're contemplating applying for an ESTA, which they would only do if they had a valid passport, I would have thought!
– MJeffryes
Jan 21 at 16:18
1
@MJeffryes I am just using comment to show a way to improve the answer. It may be a good idea to mention that she would use her valid, non-expired German passport to return. Your statement of "nor is there any passport control at the US border" could make a person think that they would not need a passport to return, which is not the case.
– Keeta
Jan 21 at 16:25
2
@Keeta you must show pasport to airline, not to leave the country, but to enter the other country. If you get to the other country and they refuse to land you, the airline is responsible to fly you back, and also they must pay fines for negligently allowing you on the airplane (unless the refusal was for something they could not have foreseen, like blowing the entry interview).
– Harper
Jan 21 at 17:33
|
show 7 more comments
1
That's great! Thanks for your quick response!
– user90945
Jan 21 at 14:03
17
If she is a US citizen she must enter the US as a US citizen.
– Marianne013
Jan 21 at 16:14
1
@Keeta That's a good point, but I based my assumption on the fact that they're contemplating applying for an ESTA, which they would only do if they had a valid passport, I would have thought!
– MJeffryes
Jan 21 at 16:18
1
@MJeffryes I am just using comment to show a way to improve the answer. It may be a good idea to mention that she would use her valid, non-expired German passport to return. Your statement of "nor is there any passport control at the US border" could make a person think that they would not need a passport to return, which is not the case.
– Keeta
Jan 21 at 16:25
2
@Keeta you must show pasport to airline, not to leave the country, but to enter the other country. If you get to the other country and they refuse to land you, the airline is responsible to fly you back, and also they must pay fines for negligently allowing you on the airplane (unless the refusal was for something they could not have foreseen, like blowing the entry interview).
– Harper
Jan 21 at 17:33
1
1
That's great! Thanks for your quick response!
– user90945
Jan 21 at 14:03
That's great! Thanks for your quick response!
– user90945
Jan 21 at 14:03
17
17
If she is a US citizen she must enter the US as a US citizen.
– Marianne013
Jan 21 at 16:14
If she is a US citizen she must enter the US as a US citizen.
– Marianne013
Jan 21 at 16:14
1
1
@Keeta That's a good point, but I based my assumption on the fact that they're contemplating applying for an ESTA, which they would only do if they had a valid passport, I would have thought!
– MJeffryes
Jan 21 at 16:18
@Keeta That's a good point, but I based my assumption on the fact that they're contemplating applying for an ESTA, which they would only do if they had a valid passport, I would have thought!
– MJeffryes
Jan 21 at 16:18
1
1
@MJeffryes I am just using comment to show a way to improve the answer. It may be a good idea to mention that she would use her valid, non-expired German passport to return. Your statement of "nor is there any passport control at the US border" could make a person think that they would not need a passport to return, which is not the case.
– Keeta
Jan 21 at 16:25
@MJeffryes I am just using comment to show a way to improve the answer. It may be a good idea to mention that she would use her valid, non-expired German passport to return. Your statement of "nor is there any passport control at the US border" could make a person think that they would not need a passport to return, which is not the case.
– Keeta
Jan 21 at 16:25
2
2
@Keeta you must show pasport to airline, not to leave the country, but to enter the other country. If you get to the other country and they refuse to land you, the airline is responsible to fly you back, and also they must pay fines for negligently allowing you on the airplane (unless the refusal was for something they could not have foreseen, like blowing the entry interview).
– Harper
Jan 21 at 17:33
@Keeta you must show pasport to airline, not to leave the country, but to enter the other country. If you get to the other country and they refuse to land you, the airline is responsible to fly you back, and also they must pay fines for negligently allowing you on the airplane (unless the refusal was for something they could not have foreseen, like blowing the entry interview).
– Harper
Jan 21 at 17:33
|
show 7 more comments
As others pointed out, legally she must leave the US with her US passport. As an anecdote though, from my personal experience - I am a dual US/UK citizen and whenever I visit USA, I enter on my US passport. On an occasion, when leaving, I showed my UK passport during check in and had no problem. This was usually with either BA or Virgin Atlantic.
Again, this is not a suggestion to do that, but rather a confirmation that the law on leaving with the US passport may not necessarily be enforced.
answered Jan 22 at 9:52
Aleks GAleks G
10.2k23265
add a comment |
As others pointed out, legally she must leave the US with her US passport. As an anecdote though, from my personal experience - I am a dual US/UK citizen and whenever I visit USA, I enter on my US passport. On an occasion, when leaving, I showed my UK passport during check in and had no problem. This was usually with either BA or Virgin Atlantic.
Again, this is not a suggestion to do that, but rather a confirmation that the law on leaving with the US passport may not necessarily be enforced.
answered Jan 22 at 9:52
Aleks GAleks G
10.2k23265
add a comment |
As others pointed out, legally she must leave the US with her US passport. As an anecdote though, from my personal experience - I am a dual US/UK citizen and whenever I visit USA, I enter on my US passport. On an occasion, when leaving, I showed my UK passport during check in and had no problem. This was usually with either BA or Virgin Atlantic.
Again, this is not a suggestion to do that, but rather a confirmation that the law on leaving with the US passport may not necessarily be enforced.
answered Jan 22 at 9:52
Aleks GAleks G
10.2k23265
As others pointed out, legally she must leave the US with her US passport. As an anecdote though, from my personal experience - I am a dual US/UK citizen and whenever I visit USA, I enter on my US passport. On an occasion, when leaving, I showed my UK passport during check in and had no problem. This was usually with either BA or Virgin Atlantic.
Again, this is not a suggestion to do that, but rather a confirmation that the law on leaving with the US passport may not necessarily be enforced.
answered Jan 22 at 9:52
Aleks GAleks G
10.2k23265
answered Jan 22 at 9:52
Aleks GAleks G
10.2k23265
answered Jan 22 at 9:52
Aleks GAleks G
10.2k23265
answered Jan 22 at 9:52
Aleks GAleks G
10.2k23265
10.2k23265
add a comment |
add a comment |
I have done this with my son, travelling to the UK when we lived in the USA. His US passport had expired but his UK passport had not, so we presented both at US immigration and he was allowed to leave and re-enter.
This would have been at least 15 years ago, so rules may have changed since then.
answered Jan 22 at 1:52
Rupert MorrishRupert Morrish
30629
2
This answer isn't relevant because 1) ESTA didn't exist 15 years ago, and 2) the question askers passport hasn't expired as at the time of entry
– Doc
Jan 22 at 2:56
2
My son's passport hadn't expired the previous time he entered the USA, either.
– Rupert Morrish
Jan 22 at 3:09
add a comment |
I have done this with my son, travelling to the UK when we lived in the USA. His US passport had expired but his UK passport had not, so we presented both at US immigration and he was allowed to leave and re-enter.
This would have been at least 15 years ago, so rules may have changed since then.
answered Jan 22 at 1:52
Rupert MorrishRupert Morrish
30629
2
This answer isn't relevant because 1) ESTA didn't exist 15 years ago, and 2) the question askers passport hasn't expired as at the time of entry
– Doc
Jan 22 at 2:56
2
My son's passport hadn't expired the previous time he entered the USA, either.
– Rupert Morrish
Jan 22 at 3:09
add a comment |
I have done this with my son, travelling to the UK when we lived in the USA. His US passport had expired but his UK passport had not, so we presented both at US immigration and he was allowed to leave and re-enter.
This would have been at least 15 years ago, so rules may have changed since then.
answered Jan 22 at 1:52
Rupert MorrishRupert Morrish
30629
I have done this with my son, travelling to the UK when we lived in the USA. His US passport had expired but his UK passport had not, so we presented both at US immigration and he was allowed to leave and re-enter.
This would have been at least 15 years ago, so rules may have changed since then.
answered Jan 22 at 1:52
Rupert MorrishRupert Morrish
30629
answered Jan 22 at 1:52
Rupert MorrishRupert Morrish
30629
answered Jan 22 at 1:52
Rupert MorrishRupert Morrish
30629
answered Jan 22 at 1:52
Rupert MorrishRupert Morrish
30629
30629
2
This answer isn't relevant because 1) ESTA didn't exist 15 years ago, and 2) the question askers passport hasn't expired as at the time of entry
– Doc
Jan 22 at 2:56
2
My son's passport hadn't expired the previous time he entered the USA, either.
– Rupert Morrish
Jan 22 at 3:09
add a comment |
2
This answer isn't relevant because 1) ESTA didn't exist 15 years ago, and 2) the question askers passport hasn't expired as at the time of entry
– Doc
Jan 22 at 2:56
2
My son's passport hadn't expired the previous time he entered the USA, either.
– Rupert Morrish
Jan 22 at 3:09
2
2
This answer isn't relevant because 1) ESTA didn't exist 15 years ago, and 2) the question askers passport hasn't expired as at the time of entry
– Doc
Jan 22 at 2:56
This answer isn't relevant because 1) ESTA didn't exist 15 years ago, and 2) the question askers passport hasn't expired as at the time of entry
– Doc
Jan 22 at 2:56
2
2
My son's passport hadn't expired the previous time he entered the USA, either.
– Rupert Morrish
Jan 22 at 3:09
My son's passport hadn't expired the previous time he entered the USA, either.
– Rupert Morrish
Jan 22 at 3:09
add a comment |
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Although not a direct answer to your question, this travel.stackexchange.com/questions/52100/… might be useful reading
– Traveller
Jan 21 at 14:09
16
You should consider renewing her passport while you are in the US.
– Michael Hampton
Jan 21 at 16:36
10
Just to be clear, does she IN FACT HAVE IN HAND a valid EU passport? Which is not expiring?
– Fattie
Jan 21 at 19:13
1
@Dragonel yes, US embassies and consulates issue US passports. It's quite possible that that her current US passport was issued in Germany.
– phoog
Jan 22 at 2:00
1
@Fattie with regard to JJJ's comments on your now-deleted answer: I've flown to the EU without showing my US passport on numerous occasions. The late lamented Gayot Fow reported being asked to show his US passport when trying to leave the US on a non-US passport. I think it depends on the airline (I usually fly on European airlines, but I suspect that (some) US airlines cooperate more closely with CBP) and it may depend on whether the traveler is visiting the US (for example, on a ticket from Europe to the US and back) or lives there (for example, on a ticket from the US to Europe and back).
– phoog
Jan 22 at 2:08