FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Dual Citizen Traveling from/to the US, which Passport to show/use, where?
Old Sep 1, 2023, 8:37 pm
  #542  
seawolf
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,694
Additional evidence that 22 CFR 53.2 (unlawful for US citizen to enter/exit US without a valid US passport) is effecitvely neutered.

Note the "soft" word "expectation" being used instead of stronger language such as unlawful or must. And they only "expect" you to use US passport returnnig to US.

ESTA FAQ
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/faq?lang=en...application%3F

What if I have dual citizenship and/or have a passport from more than one country?

Each Visa Waiver Program traveler must have an approved travel authorization for the passport they plan to use before they travel to the United States. If a traveler obtains a new passport, they must submit a new travel authorization application in ESTA using the new passport. A processing fee will be charged for each new application submitted.

If you have dual citizenship and have registered with ESTA, you should use your VWP-eligible passport to board the plane when you leave your country of departure and when you arrive in the U.S. If both your countries of citizenship are VWP-eligible, then we strongly recommend you choose which one you want to claim for purposes of travel to the U.S., and use that country's passport each time you travel. One person with two different ESTA authorizations creates confusion that will only delay your travel.

If you are a citizen of the U.S., and also of a VWP country, you should not be applying for ESTA. One of the requirements of being a naturalized U.S. citizen is that you apply for, and use, a U.S. passport for your travels. While we are aware that in some cases, naturalized U.S. citizens use their alternate country's passport to travel, our expectation is that you will use the U.S. passport to travel from another country to the U.S. at both points of travel, departing the foreign country, and arriving into the U.S.
A number of reddit post indicating ESTA still gets approved despite listing US passport as additional citizenship.
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