Dual Citizens: Your Passport Questions Answered

Dual citizens are people who hold the citizenship for two countries at once. If you have dual citizenship in the US and another country, that means you can hold two valid passports at once! Today, we’ll explore the special passport issues for dual nationals who have passports from two different countries, and answer your most important questions.

How Do You Become a Dual Citizen?

US law doesn’t prohibit you being both a US citizen and a citizen of another country. There are several ways you can acquire dual citizenship:

Naturalization as a US citizen. If you become a US citizen through naturalization, most countries allow you to maintain your original citizenship as well.

Marriage. Are you a US citizen engaged to someone from a foreign country? Some countries will automatically grant you citizenship if you marry a citizen.

Birth. Some dual citizens are born that way! There are a number of ways you can get dual citizenship by birth. For instance, you could be born in the United States to parents from another country. Or you could be born to US citizens in another country that also grants citizenship to anyone born on its soil. If one of your parents is not a US citizen, you may get a secondary citizenship by right of descent.

Becoming a citizen of another country. Just as the US doesn’t make foreign-born citizens give up their first citizenship, you can become a citizen of another nation without relinquishing your US citizenship. Marriage, as we mentioned, is one possible way to get a second citizenship. You might also be able to gain citizenship by residing in another country for many years, or by right of descent if your parents or grandparents were born overseas.

No one is exactly sure how many Americans are dual citizens, because no government agency tracks that information. But if you are one of them, you may have some questions about how to manage your two passports!

Traveling With Two Passports

Can I fly carrying both passports?

Yes, you are allowed to carry both passports when you travel. If you are returning to the US, you will definitely need to carry your US passport, whether or not you are also bringing your non-US passport.

Can I choose which passport I use to enter a foreign country?

In most cases, yes. If you are traveling to your other country of citizenship, you will be expected to use that country’s passport to enter. If you are traveling to a third country (not the US or your other country of citizenship), you can choose which passport you want to use. When deciding which passport to use, you should consider whether a visa is required for your trip. Most of the world’s nations allow you to enter on a US passport without a visa. However, there are a few countries that do require visas for US citizens that allow certain other nationals to enter visa-free. For instance, if you are a dual US-UK citizen, you can travel to Brazil on your British passport with no visa required.

My US passport is expired. Can I travel just using my non-US passport?

No, not unless you don’t want to come home to the States! You are required to have a valid US passport for your return to the US.

Which passport should I use to book my flight?

If you need to provide passport details to book an international flight, you should use the same passport that you will use to enter your destination country. It’s OK for you to check in for your return flight using your non-US passport, and then pull out your US passport to clear US immigration and customs.

I only have US citizenship. Is there a way for me to get a second passport for travel?

Yes, there is! You can get a second valid US passport, and G3 can help.

Passport Questions for Dual Citizens

Do I have to turn in my non-US passport to get a US passport?

Have you just been naturalized as a US citizen? Congratulations! You’re now eligible to get your first US passport. You are not required to turn in or give up your non-US passport. While your US passport is processing, you can hold on to your other passport and keep using it as an ID. You should not travel outside the US until you have your new US passport, though.

Can I use my non-US passport to prove my identity to get a US passport?

Yes, your non-US passport can be used as a form of secondary identification when you apply for your US passport. You can even use an expired non-US passport to help establish your identity.

I am renewing my US passport, and the application asks about my most recently issued passport. Do I put in the details of my foreign passport?

No, you don’t need to make any mention of your non-US passport on your US passport application. When you renew your US passport, you will fill in the details of your most recent US passport only.

How can I renew my non-US passport?

If you need to renew your non-US passport while you are living in the USA, you can request passport renewal service through the Embassy or Consulate of your other country of citizenship. Be prepared for it to take weeks or even months for your passport to be renewed. Not all embassies produce passports on site. They may need to send your passport back to the home country to be renewed.

Source: https://www.g3passports.com/dual-citizens-passport-questions/

Will You Need a Travel Visa for Your Next Trip?

You’ve got your valid passport in your hand, and you’ve booked your flight to an exotic destination. The next step is to pack your bag, right? Not quite. You’ve got one more important task to do — check and see if you will need a travel visa for your trip!

What is a Travel Visa?

For the majority of the world’s countries, the only travel document you’ll need for a short visit is your valid US passport. (For many countries, you’ll need to have at least six months of validity left on your passport.) However, some countries require you to have an additional travel document known as a visa.

A visa is a document issued by the government of the destination country to the traveler. The visa serves as a pre-approval for you to enter the country. If you are going to visit a country that requires that US citizens get visas in advance, you won’t be allowed to board your flight unless you have your visa!

Some countries require all US citizens to have visas in order to enter, no matter why you are visiting or how briefly you may stay. However, there are a lot of countries that allow US citizens to visit without a visa if you’re just making a short trip, but you would need a visa if you plan to stay for a long time and study, work, or take up residence.

Types of Visas for Different Types of Travel

There are many different types of visas that are issued to travelers. Some countries only have a few types of visas, and others have dozens of specific categories of visas! In general, though, the type of visa you will be issued will depend on the reason for your travel.

Tourist Visas

Tourist visas are short-term travel visas that are issued for — you guessed it! — tourism. They are used for leisure travel, like sightseeing, attending sporting events, or visiting friends.

Business Visas

Going on a business trip? You may need a business visa for your destination country. Business visas are used for short-term visits where you’ll be acting on behalf of your employer. Visiting business colleagues, meeting with other companies, conducting site visits, or attending trade shows are among the activities you can do on a business visa.

Work Visas

You’ll need a work visa if you are planning to take a job in a foreign country. It doesn’t matter what country it is, or whether it requires visas for US citizens to visit as tourists. If you’re going to take a job outside of your home country, you need a visa!

Sometimes travelers are confused about the difference between a business visa and a work visa. The key question to ask yourself is “who is paying me for the work I’ll do?” If you are just making a short trip (typically 90 days or less) and you’ll be paid by your US company, you will likely need a business visa. If you are going to be paid by a company in your destination country, you are almost certain to need a work visa.

Student Visas

Heading overseas to study? You may need to get a student visa. Student visas allow you to enroll in an accredited school or university in your destination country. Whether or not you will need a student visa will depend on what country you are going to, how long you will stay, and what type, of course, you will take.

If you plan to take a short, non-accredited class — like taking language classes, a photography course, or cooking lessons — your visit will likely count as a tourist visit and not require a special student visa.

Learn Whether You Need a Visa for Your Next Trip

Looking for an easy way to find out if you need a travel visa for your next international trip? Just visit our sister site, www.g3visas.com. There, you’ll find an easy to use “visa widget.” Select your destination country, your state of residence, and indicate whether you are traveling for business or tourism. The site will then let you know if you need a visa for your trip! If a visa is required, the site will also provide complete visa instructions and requirements.

How Are Travel Visas Issued?

You’ve determined that you need a travel visa for your next trip, but do you know how it will be issued? There are several different ways that countries issue visas. Some countries even offer more than one way for you to get the visa you need!

Consular Visas – Visas in Your Passport

When you think about a visa, you probably imagine a consular visa. These are the visas that are stamped into your passport at an Embassy or Consulate. A few countries still use rubber stamps to issue these visas, but most now have computer systems that print out your visa as a sticker. China, Russia, and Brazil are examples of countries that issue visas to US citizens only as consular visas.

eVisas – Electronic Visas

Electronic visas, often called eVisas, are a modern twist on the visa process. Instead of sending your actual passport book to a Consulate or Embassy, you apply for an eVisa through a government website. You will need to fill out an application online, and pay via credit card. You may also need to upload documents like a scan of your passport and a digital photo. Your visa is then issued to you as an email that you will print out and carry with you on your trip. Australia and Turkey are among the countries that issue eVisas to US citizens.

Visas on Arrival – Visas at the Airport

Some travel visas are not issued in advance of travel. Instead, you will get your visa when you arrive in your destination country. When you land at the airport, you will go through a special immigration line to get your visa on arrival. You will need to pay for your visa (most countries accept cash payment in US dollars). You may also need to fill out an application or supply passport-style photos. Examples of countries that offer visas on arrival to US citizens include Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates.

Need Help with Your Travel Visa?

Visa processes can be complicated and time-consuming, but G3 is here to help! G3 offers complete visa services for US citizens, as well as for non-US citizens who live in the United States. Whether you need a consular visa or an eVisa, a business visa or a tourist visa, G3 makes it fast and easy.

Source: https://www.g3passports.com/travel-visa-needed-international-trips/

Beat the Summertime Passport Rush!

Summertime is travel time. With families across the US heading off on their summer vacations, the summer is when we always see a passport rush. The US State Department has been experiencing a high volume of passport applications all year. With summer upon us, the number of passport applications is only increasing!

If you need a passport urgently for your summer travel, G3 can help you beat the passport rush.

Why is the State Department Experiencing a Passport Rush?

The summertime is always a popular time for travelers to apply for passports. If you are a business traveler, the summer is an ideal time to renew your passport, when you have a break between business trips. If you are a leisure traveler, you’ve probably got a summer trip planned. It’s a great time for you to travel, since the kids are out of school. Even if you aren’t traveling with children, you might want to take a relaxing summer vacation while things are quiet at work. And as you get ready for your trip, you may discover that someone in the family has an expired passport (especially kids, as their passports are only valid for 5 years), or a passport that’s out of blank pages, or simply can’t find their passport at all! All of these factors add up to lots of people trying to get rush passport services at the same time.

This year, there are way more passport applications than normal because 2017 is the 10 year anniversary of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The WHTI is the law that requires you to have a passport for all trips in and out of the United States, even to destinations like Mexico or the Caribbean. When the law went into effect in January 2007, there was a massive surge of people who applied for passports so they could travel to Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, and other destinations. Now, all of those passports issued in 2007 are expiring! Added to the normal summer passport rush, the result is record numbers of passport applications. Unfortunately, many people who apply for their passports by mail are reporting delays in the issuance of their passports.

Top Tips to Beat the Summer Passport Rush

Use G3

Since you’re here at G3Passports.com, you’ve already found the best way to beat the summer travel passport rush! As registered passport expeditors, we can get your passport for you very quickly. We can even have your passport completed within 2-3 days! You’ll have the support of the G3 team every step of the way, to make sure there are no delays. Best of all, unlike applying through the Post Office, our processing times are reliable.

Apply Early

Don’t wait until the day before your trip to look for your passport. When you start planning your trip, check your passport right away. You’ll want to make sure you can answer yes to all of these questions:

• Do I know where my passport is stored?
• Does my passport have at least six months validity after the end of my trip?
• Is my passport in my current legal name?
• Does my passport have blank pages marked “visas” for my entry stamps?
• Is my passport in good condition, with no tears, damaged pages, or unauthorized markings?

If any of those questions are a “no,” G3 can help you quickly renew or replace your passport.

Find the Best Passport Acceptance Facility

If you need to get your first passport, get a passport for your child, or replace a lost or damaged passport, you will need to visit a Passport Acceptance Facility before you send your application to G3. During the current passport rush, you may find that some Passport Acceptance Facilities do not have any appointments available, or ones that do not require appointments may have long lines.

During this busy season for passports, it’s great if you can schedule an appointment with a Passport Acceptance Agent. With an appointment scheduled in advance, you know exactly when you’ll be seen, and you won’t have to waste time standing in line. We encourage you to call around to other Passport Acceptance Facilities if you can’t get a convenient appointment with the first one you check. Consider locations near your home, your office, or maybe even one further afield that is close to a shop or restaurant you like but don’t get to visit often.

Prefer to go to a “first come, first served” facility that doesn’t take appointments? You’d be wise to try to get there early in the morning, just in case there are lines. At some Passport Acceptance Facilities, they will even shut down the lines if they know they already have more people than they can serve before the end of the day!

We look forward to helping you get your passport in time for your summer travel!

Source: https://www.g3passports.com/beat-the-summertime-passport-rush/

STEP Up and Register Your Trip With the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

Did you know that the US State Department has a special program to keep international travelers safe in case of emergency? They do – it’s called STEP, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Even better, it’s easy to join, and completely free!

To enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, all you have to do is visit the STEP website. There, you will enter basic information about yourself, your trip, and your emergency contact people.  You’ll have the choice of registering just one trip, or creating an account so you can easily register future trips.

Who is eligible for STEP?

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is open to all US citizens. It can be used whether you are just making a short international trip or living overseas.

What are the benefits of the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program?

Once upon a time, if you wanted to register your trip with the State Department, you had two options. You could go in person to the nearest US Embassy or US Consulate General when you arrived at your destination, or you could send your information to the Embassy by mail in advance of your trip. Neither choice was particularly quick or convenient. The modern version of STEP allows you to register online in minutes. You can even register from your smartphone while you wait to board your flight!

Once you’ve enrolled, you’ll get the following benefits:

Travel Warnings and Alerts

The US State Department is constantly monitoring conditions around the world. If there are any events that could put travelers in danger, they will publish an official Travel Warning or Travel Alert. Travel Alerts are typically issued for short-term events, like strikes or disease outbreaks, while Travel Warnings are for more serious, long-term situations like civil war or extremely high crime rates.

When you enroll in STEP, the State Department will email you any active Travel Alerts or Travel Warnings for your destination. They’ll also let you know if a Travel Alert or Warning has been lifted.

Emergency Services from the US Embassy

You’ve made careful plans so that your trip will be perfect… but unforeseen events can still happen. Do you know what you would do if an earthquake shakes up your wine tour of Italy, or a hurricane crashes your beach vacation in Mexico?

One of the most important roles of US Embassies and Consulates is to provide assistance to US citizens. That means that if your trip is interrupted by a natural disaster or political turmoil, they can help with emergency accommodations or evacuation. But they won’t know to help you if they don’t know you’re there! If you have enrolled in STEP, the Embassy will have you on the list of citizens that they need to make sure are safe.

Your enrollment in STEP will also make it easier for your family back home to check on your safety with the State Department if they can’t contact you directly.

STEP can also help if you have a personal emergency, like a medical crisis or an arrest. You will already have the contact information for the nearest US Consulate so you can quickly get assistance.

Help in Case of an Emergency Back Home

Imagine you’re on a business trip in Beijing, and back home, your wife is in a car accident and is hospitalized. Your mother-in-law is trying to get in touch with you, but your cell phone doesn’t work in China, and she doesn’t know what hotel you are in. If you are enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, your family will be able to get the Embassy’s help to contact you.

Got a group? Get STEP.

STEP is great for individual travelers, but the State Department has also made it easy for you to register groups of travelers. You can register yourself as the point of contact for a group, and add as many travelers as you like. This is very useful if you are in charge of a school group or other tour. It can also be used to manage STEP enrollments for the travelers from your corporation. You could even use it to register all of the members of your family before your next big family vacation!

Source: https://www.g3passports.com/smart-traveler-enrollment-program/

What Happens If You Make a Passport Application Mistake?

Nobody’s perfect, and we all make mistakes. But what if you make a passport application mistake? If you have made an error on your passport application, you’ll have a very different experience if you have applied through the post office instead of through G3!

Common Passport Application Mistakes

Passport applications can be complicated. That’s why we have a team of passport specialists available to answer all of your questions. Mistakes can still happen, though! Here are some of the more common mistakes we see on passport applications.

• Typos and misspellings. It’s easy enough for your fingers to slip on the keyboard, resulting in misspellings. A misspelled name can be a real problem on a passport application.
• Transposed numbers and dates. If you’re filling out your application in a hurry, you might not even notice that you listed your birthday as 12 June instead of 21 June.
• Incorrect information. Did you put your son’s Social Security Number on your daughter’s passport application? Or did you list your dad’s place of birth as Cleveland instead of Cincinnati? These are the kinds of incorrect info that we sometimes see on passport applications.
• Signature errors. There are a lot of ways you can inadvertently mess up the signature part of your passport application! If you are applying for a new adult passport, a minor passport, or a replacement for a lost or stolen passport, you will need to sign the application at the Passport Acceptance Facility. If you signed your application at home, your application won’t be accepted, and you’ll need to fill out a new one. Passport applications for renewals or second valid passports can be signed at your home or office, but you will still have a problem if you use a purple pen or sign your nickname!

Passport Application Mistakes – A Headache If You Apply Through the Post Office!

It’s estimated that 25-30% of passport applications submitted through the post office have mistakes or missing documentation.

If you send in your passport application through the post office, and there’s a mistake, the Passport Agency will put your application in “suspense.” This means that it is on hold until the error can be corrected. The Passport Agency will send you a letter via First-Class Mail explaining the problem. It can take 2-3 weeks for them to contact you, and you’ll then have to send in a new application or whatever item they were missing.

A passport application mistake can cost you weeks of delay if you submit your application on your own through the post office.

G3 Makes It Easy to Correct Passport Application Errors

When you need your passport in a rush, you don’t have time for a passport application mistake. That’s why our passport specialists take the time to talk to you about the application and all the requirements. We also do a review of the application packet when we receive it. We can catch passport application mistakes before they are submitted to the Passport Agency!

If there is a problem after your application is submitted to the Passport Agency, they tell us about it right away. Most issues can be resolved within two days, so your passport application won’t be slowed down. We don’t want a simple error on your passport application to keep you from your travels!

Source: https://www.g3passports.com/passport-application-mistake/