entering the US w/expired US passport - Swedish/US dual citizen
Apr 8, 2010, 1:48 pm
#1
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entering the US w/expired US passport - Swedish/US dual citizen
I'm a dual US /Swedish citizen. I'm scheduled to leave Sweden (where I live) for the US in a few hours, just realized my US passport has expired. I have a valid Swedish passport I can use to board and to leave the US with, but I understand entering the US with a Swedish passport if I am also a US citizen is a bad idea.
Should I show up with my expired passport and beg forgiveness? Should I bring anything else with me, birth certificates etc?
Any advice?
Thanks!
Should I show up with my expired passport and beg forgiveness? Should I bring anything else with me, birth certificates etc?
Any advice?
Thanks!
Apr 8, 2010, 1:52 pm
#2
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I would change the date and get an emergency replacement of the US passport. US citizens are required to enter and leave on valid US documents.
Apr 8, 2010, 2:30 pm
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As others have said, entering shouldn't be your problem. After entering, just go to a local federal office building that does passports and get your new one. They will do it on the spot as long as you show them your outbound ticket.
Apr 8, 2010, 4:16 pm
#8
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Also, if you didn't take this option and used your Swedish passport instead, wouldn't you have to have completed ESTA 2 days ago? Or do you have a US visa in it?
Apr 8, 2010, 4:38 pm
#9
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ESTA applications may be approved in way less than 48 hours/2 days before travel. If the ESTA application were to be denied then getting a visa is a pain for those who may be granted a visa -- that's why the general US recommendation is to apply for an ESTA 3 days or more prior to travel.
Last edited by GUWonder; Apr 8, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Apr 9, 2010, 9:34 am
#10
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Requirements to be seen in person are here
http://travel.state.gov/passport/fri...edule_852.html
Locations are here
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_4312.html
Apr 9, 2010, 10:19 am
#11
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Furthermore, it is unlawful for a US Citizen to enter on another passport, so this would be a stupid and bad idea.
Apr 20, 2010, 2:52 am
#12
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Reporting Back - Success!
So, I entered and exited the US, legally and without too much hassle. This is what I did:
- Completed ETSA online using Swedish passport details. Was instantly approved (I mean instantly, not even a 30 second delay)
- Boarded using my Swedish passport
- Showed my expired US passport to immigration agent at LAX with a heartfelt apology for showing up with an expired passport. He looked me up in his system and asked me if I had a Swedish passport as well (assume he could see the ETSA data using my name and DOB to search). I said yes, he asked to see the passport and asked if I had any others, for example Afghanistan or Pakistan (seriously). He sent me off for secondary screening.
- Secondary screening took my passorts and checked them for authenticity and sent me on my way, took about 15 mins
- Went directly to the Federal Building in LA to get a new passport since my return flight was in 3 days. They asked to see my tickets and let me through directly. However, since it was 15 mins to closing time on a Friday, I was asked to come back for an appointment at 7 am on monday.
- I couldn't make the 7am apt because of meetings, so went to LAX for my flight directly.
- Checked in using my Swedish passport. The check-in agent asked if I had a green card, I said that I am a dual US/Swedish citizen. She asked for my US passport, saw that it was expired and went away for a few minutes. She returned and entered my details from the Swedish passport. I assume this could have been hit or miss, the rulebook probably says she should not have let me on, or is at best fuzzy here. Ideally I would have sorted out a new US passport while in LA.
Apr 20, 2010, 4:00 am
#14
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This is C
MPLETELY wrong. If you are a US citizen you are REQUIRED to use your US passport to enter and leave the country. The same is true of most countries -- if you are a citizen you are required to use that passport at the country's border. The US does not recognize dual citizenship, but it does not forbid it either. If you are a US citizen on US soil your other citizenship will not matter to US authorities.
MPLETELY wrong. If you are a US citizen you are REQUIRED to use your US passport to enter and leave the country. The same is true of most countries -- if you are a citizen you are required to use that passport at the country's border. The US does not recognize dual citizenship, but it does not forbid it either. If you are a US citizen on US soil your other citizenship will not matter to US authorities.
Apr 20, 2010, 4:29 am
#15
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So, I entered and exited the US, legally and without too much hassle. This is what I did:
- Completed ETSA online using Swedish passport details. Was instantly approved (I mean instantly, not even a 30 second delay)
- Boarded using my Swedish passport
- Showed my expired US passport to immigration agent at LAX with a heartfelt apology for showing up with an expired passport. He looked me up in his system and asked me if I had a Swedish passport as well (assume he could see the ETSA data using my name and DOB to search). I said yes, he asked to see the passport and asked if I had any others, for example Afghanistan or Pakistan (seriously). He sent me off for secondary screening.
- Secondary screening took my passorts and checked them for authenticity and sent me on my way, took about 15 mins
- Went directly to the Federal Building in LA to get a new passport since my return flight was in 3 days. They asked to see my tickets and let me through directly. However, since it was 15 mins to closing time on a Friday, I was asked to come back for an appointment at 7 am on monday.
- I couldn't make the 7am apt because of meetings, so went to LAX for my flight directly.
- Checked in using my Swedish passport. The check-in agent asked if I had a green card, I said that I am a dual US/Swedish citizen. She asked for my US passport, saw that it was expired and went away for a few minutes. She returned and entered my details from the Swedish passport. I assume this could have been hit or miss, the rulebook probably says she should not have let me on, or is at best fuzzy here. Ideally I would have sorted out a new US passport while in LA.
What caused the OP to be sent to secondary by CBP was most probably the use of an expired US passport.
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Apr 21, 2010 at 4:49 pm Reason: merge consecutive posts