Austrian passport and US entry
 

Hey chaps,

In the past I had always used my South African passport to enter the US but that requires obtaining a visa etc.

I do however have an Austrian passport. I was born in South Africa and my Austrian passport was issued here. It is MRP and was issued in 2002 and my photo has been glued AND NOT printed in. The photo and data is covered with a bit of hard, clear, sticky plastic.

It DOES NOT have a microchip. I have failed to get an answer I want out of the Americans and the Austrian consulate here assured me it is fine. I have no ties to Austria apart from some very distant relatives.

Is this passport legible to enter the US or should I just apply to the Americans for a new visa on my South African passport?

Microchip won't be an issue, the photo thing might.

I would contact the U.S. Embassy and see what they say.

Does it have a machine readable zone?

http://singapore.usembassy.gov/faq3.html

When you contact the US embassy all they do is email you links to their website.

Yes it does have a machine readable section.

That's all you need for the VWP. The glued photo is OK as far as CBP is concerned. (Also required is passport expiration at least 6 months beyond the end of your intended stay).

Is it not thou the highest rate of rejection is the inability to prove ties to the country the passport is being issued from?

I have been to Austria only 3 times in my life.

Meh. A simple explanation of your dual citizenship should suffice if the issue comes up-- and I sincerely doubt it will

You were born in SA but have dual citizenship??? How did that happen? Normally you have to give up one to get the other in Europe.

I know that it is possible since I have it too but it only applied to kids who were born abroad and had foreign passports. End of the 80's they were required to take up SA citizenship at age 12 if they were in the country prior to 1974. This was done to prevent the boys getting foreign passports to skip the draft back then. Did you by chance already have your foreign passport before and have to re take the SA citizenship?

I was born in the US and have a dual citizenship with a European country. I've never had to give up my citizenships, nor have I ever been given anything resembling a hard time when renewing my Euro passport.

Who told you that? I've never heard this... and I am someone whose passport and country of residence don't match either. Never had a problem entering the USA... never even got asked about it.

Austria doesn't forbid dual citizenship to those who acquired it by birth (i.e., having been born in a foreign country).

All of my stuff is legal, South Africa once tried to force everybody with dual citizenship to give it up. The embassies said to their respective nationals we won't tell if you don't. You had to get state permission and then the SA gov said OK you can have dual citizenship.

I know someone who has a . . .

• German Passport
• South-African Passport
• USA Passport

. . . and has no problems traveling.

Hi,

Here's a link to the Department of Homeland Security's list of requirements for the Visa Waiver Program:

http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs...mage_0021.shtm

Cheers,

GenevaFlyer