Traveling With Dual Citizenship: Navigating Passport Laws

Travelling with two passports is generally considered safe and legal, though it can be a little confusing. The correct passport to use depends on the laws of the countries involved, and the circumstances of the traveller.

If a person has dual citizenship, they will usually have two passports. Dual citizenship is allowed in the US, Canada, the UK, France, Australia, and Switzerland, among others. However, some countries do not allow dual citizenship, and a person may need to renounce their original citizenship to become a citizen of that country.

When travelling, it is recommended to show the airline the passport of the country to which the person is travelling. This is so the airline knows the person will be allowed to enter their destination. At immigration, the person should show the passport for the country they are leaving.

If a person has dual citizenship but different names on their passports, they should book their flight with the name on the passport of the country they are leaving. They should then show the airline both passports when checking in, so that the airline knows they are allowed to enter their destination.

If a person has dual citizenship and one of the countries does not allow dual citizenship, they may need to travel via a third country. This is so that the country they are leaving does not know they are travelling to the other country of which they are a citizen.

When to use each passport

Travelling with two passports can be tricky, and it is important to know how to navigate travelling with multiple passports. Here is a step-by-step guide on which passport to use at each stage of travelling:

Booking your flight

When booking your flight, airlines will request you enter your passport information as part of the booking process. For countries where you are required to pass through immigration before departing, you should typically enter the details of the passport which you are using in the country of departure. For example, if you are an Australian citizen, you will always use your Australian passport when booking a flight out of Australia. Apart from travelling from Australia, it generally does not matter which passport you use to book your flight, particularly if you do not pass through immigration when exiting the country. For example, in the United Kingdom or the USA, there is no immigration when exiting the country, and airlines don't seem to be concerned with your visa status in the departure country. In countries that don't recognise dual citizenship, it would be advisable to book your flight on the passport which you are legally using in the country.

Checking in at the airport

Whichever passport you have used to book your flight is the same one that you should show when you check in at the airport. It is, however, worth making sure that you add both passports to your packing list as an airline might request to see proof of onward travel. For example, if you book a one-way flight to Europe, the airline might request to see a return flight as if you're not a dual citizen, they want to make sure you're not planning on illegally overstaying your visa. By showing your European passport, it gives the airline evidence that you can stay in Europe without any additional visas.

Immigration at your departure airport

The passport that you have used to enter the country is the same one you should be showing immigration when leaving the country.

Immigration at your arrival airport

Whichever passport allows you the most hassle-free stay is the one you should show when arriving at your destination. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using one passport to exit a country and then entering on another passport. It's worth remembering that most countries require you to use the passport of that country if you are a citizen. So, if you're entering Australia, you should enter on your Australian passport rather than obtaining a visa on your European passport.

Example scenarios when travelling with multiple passports

Example 1 – Australian and UK dual citizen travelling from Sydney to London:

• Booking your flight – Australian passport
• Checking in at the airport – Australian passport
• Immigration at your departure airport – Australian passport
• Immigration at your arrival airport – British passport

Example 2 – US and EU citizen travelling from Paris to Istanbul:

• Booking your flight – EU passport
• Checking in at the airport – EU passport
• Immigration at your departure airport – EU passport
• Immigration at your arrival airport – as Americans require an eVisa to enter Turkey but EU citizens can enter visa-free, you should use your EU passport.

Booking a flight

Booking your flight

When booking your flight, airlines will request you enter your passport information as part of the booking process. For countries where you are required to pass through immigration before departing, you should typically enter the details of the passport which you are using in the country of departure.

For example, if you are an Australian citizen, you will always use your Australian passport when booking a flight out of Australia.

Apart from travelling from Australia, it generally doesn't matter which passport you use to book your flight, particularly if you don't pass through immigration when exiting the country.

For example, in the United Kingdom or the USA, there is no immigration when exiting the country, and airlines don't seem to be concerned with your visa status in the departure country.

In countries that don't recognise dual citizenship, it would be advisable to book your flight on the passport which you are legally using in the country.

Checking in at the airport

Whichever passport you used to book your flight is the same one that you should show when you check in at the airport. It is, however, worth making sure that you add both passports to your packing list as an airline might request to see proof of onward travel.

For example, if you book a one-way flight to Europe, the airline might request to see a return flight as they want to make sure you're not planning on illegally overstaying your visa. By showing your European passport, you can prove that you can stay in Europe without any additional visas.

Immigration at your departure airport

The passport that you used to enter the country is the same one that you should show to immigration when leaving the country.

Immigration at your arrival airport

Whichever passport allows you the most hassle-free stay is the one you should show when arriving at your destination. There is nothing wrong with using one passport to exit a country and then entering another country with a different passport.

It's worth remembering that most countries require you to use the passport of that country if you are a citizen. So, for example, if you're entering Australia, you should enter on your Australian passport rather than obtaining a visa on your European passport.

When planning a trip, a great website to use is the Compare feature on PassportIndex.Org, which allows you to line up different passports next to each other and see how the visa requirements vary for every country around the world. This can help you save money and time and ensure that you don't pay any unnecessary visa fees!

Checking in at the airport

Therefore, when checking in at the airport, you should show the airline the same passport that you used to book your ticket. It is also worth making sure that you add both passports to your packing list as an airline might request to see proof of onward travel. For example, if you book a one-way flight to Europe, the airline might request to see a return flight as if you’re not a dual citizen, they will want to make sure you’re not planning on illegally overstaying your visa.

Immigration at your departure airport

When it comes to immigration at your departure airport, the general rule is to show the passport for the country you are leaving. This means that if you are a dual citizen, you should show immigration the passport for the country you are currently in.

For example, if you are a dual citizen of the US and Australia, and you are leaving the US, you should show US immigration your US passport.

If you are travelling to a third country, C, via your second country of citizenship, B, you should show the airline your B passport. This is so the airline knows you will be allowed to enter your destination.

Immigration at your arrival airport

When you arrive at your destination, you should show immigration the passport for the country you are entering. This is the case even if you used your other passport to book the flight and check in.

For example, if you are a dual citizen of the US and the UK, and you are travelling from the US to the UK, you should show your US passport at check-in and your UK passport to immigration upon arrival.

If you have different names on your two passports, you should book your flight with the name on the passport for the country you are leaving. At check-in, show your passport that matches the name on the ticket, as well as your other passport, which proves you are allowed to enter your destination.

If you are a citizen of two countries that do not accept dual citizenship, you should book a flight from country A to country B via a third country, C, where you do not need a visa. On check-in, show your passport for country A. At exit immigration, show your passport for country A. Connect to your flight to country B. At arrival immigration, show your passport for country B.

Frequently asked questions