Travel to home country, which passport?

[blank0 2]

Hi all,

My wife attained citizenship in August and now has her U.S. passport, along with her Thai passport. She is traveling home this week and wondering how this will work. I told her to use her U.S. passport in Seattle upon departure, and her Thai passport upon arrival in Bangkok. The reverse coming home. She has the departure card in her Thai passport which was inserted upon her last departure from Thailand. Any first hand experience here with advice? Thanks!

[SweetDelish 38]

Correct, however, she should carry both, one way to solve this issue is to hand the customs officers both passports, they will take the correct one, I only say this as I've had conflicting information every time I enter the US. I have 2 passports (Canadian and New Zealand) and I find this it the easiest solution to present the one I think I should and just hold the other one visibly. They usually will have them both linked on her account at immigration anyway.

[JB007 4]

This is an interesting situation. Some home countries won't grant you entry unless you present the passport from that country, or so I've heard. I wonder what happens in case you gave up on your citizenship how would they know you only have a US passport, would they deny you entry? I thought US passport holders could travel anywhere without problems (except the middle east, Korea and China)

[SweetDelish 38]

From my understanding, the rules apply as if you were a non-national, if you are no longer a citizen/current passport holder of that country. I'm traveling back to NZ on my Canadian passport after I do my K1 visa interview in Australia, as I'll probably have to leave my NZ passport at the embassy. In order to re-enter NZ on my Canadian passport, I'm allowed to, however, even though I'm born and raised in NZ, i have to comply with the rules as if I were anyone else traveling to NZ on a Canadian passport, I need a return ticket and have to pass immigration through the slow 'alien' lane. I'm sure every country is different, but I've had immigration officers advise me that this is the general rule.

[blank0 2]

Thanks for the replies. S.D. I very nearly immigrated to New Zealand 10 years ago, I'm a big fan!

I'm sure she could complete the trip using only her U.S. passport. and as she'd get 30 days stay on arrival it wouldn't be an issue. No need for as visa. I'm going to advise that she has both in hand at each encounter. Should cover it. Thanks again and good luck in Aus S.D.

[SweetDelish 38]

Thanks for the replies. S.D. I very nearly immigrated to New Zealand 10 years ago, I'm a big fan!

I'm sure she could complete the trip using only her U.S. passport. and as she'd get 30 days stay on arrival it wouldn't be an issue. No need for as visa. I'm going to advise that she has both in hand at each encounter. Should cover it. Thanks again and good luck in Aus S.D.

There are few that visit here that don't become fan. Easy pace, easy living, clean and green.

Thank you for the well wishes and best of luck to your wife on her visit too.

[Dave&Roza 748]

This is an interesting situation. Some home countries won't grant you entry unless you present the passport from that country, or so I've heard. I wonder what happens in case you gave up on your citizenship how would they know you only have a US passport, would they deny you entry? I thought US passport holders could travel anywhere without problems (except the middle east, Korea and China)

You need to add a few counties to this list. As a USC there are several countries you can visit with just your passport and most others will grant you a visa without too much trouble. Check this site out for travel requirements of a USC: here.

If my wife gives up her Kazakhstani passport, she would then need to get a visa to visit her family and their visas are only good for 30 days. We have a couple of years before she can apply for citizenship so we will see.

Dave