Which Passport is it better to use?

Shamrogue

Hi All,

Q. My wife and I are travelling to NY in April , We both have an Ireland passport, however she also has a U.S. passport. Any opinions on which one she should use? It's just a 8 day visit.

Regards,,,,, Sham

BuffyBot

She can used either really. If you have to clear immigration on the american side, you'll probably have to split up into different queues.

Melion

US would be easier if you're clearing C&BP in Ireland, they wont ask her as many questions

Ronin247

Your wife would be better to use U.S. to enter U.S. as they frown upon citizens using other passports.

Depending on her status here she would probably be better using Irish to re-enter Ireland as if she uses U.S. here she would be asked to register with the Garda every so many weeks.

A lot would depend on nationality and residency,Dual citizenship or single citizenship etc.

pigeon1916

As Ronin247 said Your wife would be better to use U.S. to enter U.S.
I was in the same boat a few years ago.
I used the US passport to enter the states. But on the way back into Ireland the customs stamped the passport with a 3 month visa.
I called the dept of foreign affairs and asked what I should do and they told me the next time I am travelling to the states take the 2 passports the US one for going out and the Irish one coming back in.

Linoge

Easier, frowned upon etc?? There is no big deal using an Irish passport going to America. Its a holiday is it not? I would use the passport of the country that you are domiciled/live. You will not have a problem using either passport, but get your US passport stamped when you re-enter here to live? Asking for problems there.

I would not recommend travelling on 2 passports. As I said there is no need for it so you are just bringing twice as much to get lost, and also sounds suspect using 2 for no reason. You could end up bringing trouble on yourself if something unforunate was to happen.

watna

I have American/irish dual nationality. I was told I HAD to enter the US on my American passport by the embassy. I started to use it on the way home too but the check -in guy started asking me loads of questions about where i was staying in irealnd etc so i told him i had an Irish passport, he said use that, it's easier. So what I've been told is use your American passport to enter American and your Irish passport in Irealnd/going home.

i found it easier to enter the states on my American passport too as I was through emigration quickly but if only one of you have an american passport it doesn't really make a difference.

When i landed in LAX the security man said "welcome home maam". I thought that was hilarious because I was born in American but could never remember being there. It was like being welcomed home to a foreign countrt!

Benedict XVI

Under US law you cannot be a US citizen and a citizen of another country at the same time.
I believe that Irish law allows you to be an Irish citizen and a citizen of another country at the same time.

As a result you should always use the US passport while entering the US and it is quiet alright to use the Irish one returning to Ireland.

watna

Benedict XVI wrote: »

Under US law you cannot be a US citizen and a citizen of another country at the same time.
I believe that Irish law allows you to be an Irish citizen and a citizen of another country at the same time.

As a result you should always use the US passport while entering the US and it is quiet alright to use the Irish one returning to Ireland.

Yes, this is pretty much what I was told too.

inisboffin

This is not completely true (about the US not recognising dual, and Ireland doing so). It seems the closest thing to an official line at the moment is that it is 'recognised' but 'not encouraged'.
Even though the swearing in ceremony in the US has one 'renounce' all foreign allegiance, to 'properly' do that, apparently one would have to go to the consulate of said country and renounce there.
I have had to do a ton of research on this as for family illness there were travel issues for me as a new US citizen with no passport yet.

Generally speaking, leaving the US AND entering, use the US passport.
Irish one is fine for travelling within Europe. It gets sticky when you land with a different passport than the one you left with, because sometimes flight manifests are sent ahead. Also if you return to the US minus any stamp, they may hassle you for 'being nowhere'
Would love to hear more experiences on this, as research is one thing, stories another.