Topics

Dual Citizenship

Can a U.S. citizen have dual citizenship?

Dual nationality is permissible under U.S. law. Further information is provided through the Department of State’s website at http://travel.state.gov .

For detailed information visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/Relinquishing-US-Nationality/Dual-Nationality.html

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./Peru dual citizens are advised to carry both valid passports (U.S. and Peru) 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 Peruvian passport when going through Peruvian 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.

I am a U.S. citizen, but also have a foreign passport. Can I travel to the United States on a foreign passport?
By law U.S. citizens must enter and depart the United States using U.S. passports, even if they hold a passport from another country.
I was born in the U.S. and am a dual citizen. My U.S. passport expired a long time ago. Can I use my Peruvian passport to travel to the U.S.? Is there a risk of traveling to the U.S. using my Peruvian passport only?
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./Peru dual citizens are advised to carry both valid passports (U.S. and Peru) 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 Peruvian passport when going through Peruvian immigration.
Should I choose one nationality over the other?
For information on U.S. policy regarding dual nationality, please read the website section on Dual Nationality at https://travel.state.gov . U.S. law does not contain any provisions requiring U.S. Citizens who are born with dual nationality to choose one nationality or the other when they become adults.
What if I am a U.S. citizen dual national and I would like to apply for a U.S. visa in my non-U.S. passport?

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.