Entering U.S. w/ dual citizenship from VWP and non-VWP countries

[r060106 109]

Hi all,

My wife's sister is from Poland, but she has been living and working in the UK for 8 years and recently received her UK citizenship. So now she has dual citizenship in both Poland and the UK. And because she has UK citizenship we were thinking she'd be able to come visit my wife and I (when my wife is here, currently going through CR1 process) without a visa. Is this possible for her? Or because her original citizenship is from Poland and she was born in Poland, will she be required to show her Polish passport upon entering the U.S. after the notice her accent and then will be denied entry because Poland is not a part of the VWP? I couldn't really find any information on this subject. Any and all input is appreciated.

Thank you very much,

Ricky

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Yes she has access to the VWP thanks to her UK passport. She will need to apply for it online though like everyone else.

Just because she has access does not guarantee entry. She will need to enter on her UK passport.

Her accent won't matter. Consider other USC's though and their accents.

Edited September 14, 2013 by VanessaTony

[r060106 109]

Yes she has access to the VWP thanks to her UK passport. She will need to apply for it online though like everyone else.

Just because she has access does not guarantee entry. She will need to enter on her UK passport.

Her accent won't matter. Consider other USC's though and their accents.

I realize that and she knows. Anything can happen and we're fully aware of this. Just wanted to make sure that the fact she has a Polish passport won't deny her entry in any way shape or form. I'm sure you know how IOs can be. I'm a U.S. citizen and they've even harassed me sometimes. I wanted to be sure for my sister-in-law's sake so she doesn't have any additional hassling or heartache at the POE and isn't turned back. I never expect anything normal with these people and don't trust them at all. Thank you for the reply.

[britishdakota 18]

I have dual citizenship. UK and Canadian so I always preset my Canadian so I don't need to travel under VWP/ESTA.

The US really doesn't care if you're a dual citizen just what you present. I got told off once for showing both.

By the way if you are really concerned about being turned around I think Dublin has pre-clearance so go through customs & immigration before transatlantic flight. At least it is a shorter flight back to the UK and I have heard denial at pre-clearance doesn't mean much.

[ryna 132]

As long as she doesn't try to enter on the VWP under the Polish passport she will be assessed just like any other U.K. citizen.

And, I can understand how you feel that ICE agents sometimes even harass U.S. citizens. I've been greeted more than once upon arrival from Colombia by dogs lining the jetway just to get off the plane, followed by 1000 questions routine: Why were you there? What is your job? How long were you there? Who did you visit? You've been there a lot this year. Why? Etc., etc., etc... It's in their DNA...

[r060106 109]

I have dual citizenship. UK and Canadian so I always preset my Canadian so I don't need to travel under VWP/ESTA.

The US really doesn't care if you're a dual citizen just what you present. I got told off once for showing both.

By the way if you are really concerned about being turned around I think Dublin has pre-clearance so go through customs & immigration before transatlantic flight. At least it is a shorter flight back to the UK and I have heard denial at pre-clearance doesn't mean much.

Alright, makes sense. I guess I'm a little confused about what you're saying regarding Dublin and pre-clearance. She'd be flying out of London. Are you saying if she has a layover in Dublin or something? Please explain.

As long as she doesn't try to enter on the VWP under the Polish passport she will be assessed just like any other U.K. citizen.

And, I can understand how you feel that ICE agents sometimes even harass U.S. citizens. I've been greeted more than once upon arrival from Colombia by dogs lining the jetway just to get off the plane, followed by 1000 questions routine: Why were you there? What is your job? How long were you there? Who did you visit? You've been there a lot this year. Why? Etc., etc., etc... It's in their DNA...

Ok, great. Makes total sense. Thanks a lot for the response.

Yeah, people at immigration and customs have little to no respect from me. They treat humans like dogs and dogs like humans. It's like oppositeville. They're like the gods of their own little spheres of influence and they wield their almost limitless power with extreme callousness and coldness. You almost sometimes wonder if they're even human. It's a power trip and they feed off of it. At least that's my opinion.

[KaeR 1]

Alright, makes sense. I guess I'm a little confused about what you're saying regarding Dublin and pre-clearance. She'd be flying out of London. Are you saying if she has a layover in Dublin or something? Please explain.

It means that instead of flying to the US and be denied of entry, you can be denied in Dublin and save yourself the hassle of flying. But it only works if you board the US flight in Dublin.

[r060106 109]

It means that instead of flying to the US and be denied of entry, you can be denied in Dublin and save yourself the hassle of flying. But it only works if you board the US flight in Dublin.

Alright. Thanks.

[Boiler 45,525]

As long as she doesn't try to enter on the VWP under the Polish passport she will be assessed just like any other U.K. citizen.

And, I can understand how you feel that ICE agents sometimes even harass U.S. citizens. I've been greeted more than once upon arrival from Colombia by dogs lining the jetway just to get off the plane, followed by 1000 questions routine: Why were you there? What is your job? How long were you there? Who did you visit? You've been there a lot this year. Why? Etc., etc., etc... It's in their DNA...

What is Columbia famous for?