Can my dual citizen child go to the U.S. using his/her foreign passport? Which passport should my dual-citizen child use to enter/exit the United States?

  • By law, U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and exit the United States. U.S. citizens are not eligible for a U.S. visa. U.S./Canada dual citizens are advised to carry both valid passports (U.S. and Canada) when traveling to/from the United States. The dual citizen will be required to present their U.S. passport at U.S. immigration and might be requested to present their Canadian passport when going through Canadian immigration.

  • 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.