Citizen with Canadian Passport

[khaugust 3]

I have passed my US Citizenship test and I am waiting to be sworn in. Currently hold a valid Canadian Passport. Does anyone know if I can use my Canadian passport to still travel to and from Canada or now that I'm a citizen I must hold an American Passport?

[Ontarkie 14,236]

You will need a US passport to enter the US

[kzielu 1,149]

I have passed my US Citizenship test and I am waiting to be sworn in. Currently hold a valid Canadian Passport. Does anyone know if I can use my Canadian passport to still travel to and from Canada or now that I'm a citizen I must hold an American Passport?

You're not a citizen yet so you can us Canadian passport, when after oath you have to use US passport to leave / enter US.

[Ontarkie 14,236]

You're not a citizen yet so you can us Canadian passport, when after oath you have to use US passport to leave / enter US.

Good catch, yes for now Canadian passport, after oath US passport.

[JimmyHou 611]

I have passed my US Citizenship test and I am waiting to be sworn in. Currently hold a valid Canadian Passport. Does anyone know if I can use my Canadian passport to still travel to and from Canada or now that I'm a citizen I must hold an American Passport?

As others have said, you're not a US citizen yet, so you can use your Canadian passport to travel in and out of the US.

Once you become a US citizen, you must use your US passport to leave and enter the US.

[msbau764 245]

You're not a citizen yet so you can us Canadian passport, when after oath you have to use US passport to leave / enter US.

I have a friend that was born in the US but through his mother has French citizenship (or at the very least he has a French passport, so I am assuming having French passport means you must be a citizen). When he travels to France he uses his French passport and goes into the EU line; when coming back to the US he uses his American passport. Never had any problems.

[kzielu 1,149]

I have a friend that was born in the US but through his mother has French citizenship (or at the very least he has a French passport, so I am assuming having French passport means you must be a citizen). When he travels to France he uses his French passport and goes into the EU line; when coming back to the US he uses his American passport. Never had any problems.

Of course - lots of people do that. I never said US passport has to be used entering foreign country. I am going to Brazil in 3 weeks and my fellow Mexican-American is using his Mexican passport to enter to not deal with visa requirement into Brazil for US citizens. There are countries out there where US passport is not quite an advantage...

[khaugust 3]

I planned on keeping my Canadian passport. But, wasn't sure if I "had" to have an American one too. Guess I do . I worked hard to get citizenship. Least I could do

[Udella&Wiz 325]

When travelling by land - I show my Cdn passport on the way into Canada and when I return home to the US I show my US passport

When flying I use my US passport since my ticket needs to be associated with my passport and I need to be able to re-enter the US on my US passport

I planned on keeping my Canadian passport. But, wasn't sure if I "had" to have an American one too. Guess I do . I worked hard to get citizenship. Least I could do

[warlord 73]

The main thins is the American passport once you get sworn in. After that you can decide if you want to bother with renewing the Canadian passport as well when it expires.

Many keep both, I personally never used my Canadian one until a few years back because my US one was getting filled up with my travels and I didn't want to add multiple Canadian ones into it, so I decided I could use the Canadian one to fill up with the Canadian stamps...

[dioxide45 25]

As others have said, you're not a US citizen yet, so you can use your Canadian passport to travel in and out of the US.

Once you become a US citizen, you must use your US passport to leave and enter the US.

Actually, one would need their Canadian Passport and Green Card to enter the US if a permanent resident. Just the passport would cause issues when you say you are going home on the way across the boarder in to the US.

[JimmyHou 611]

Actually, one would need their Canadian Passport and Green Card to enter the US if a permanent resident. Just the passport would cause issues when you say you are going home on the way across the boarder in to the US.

Yes, absolutely. We were just discussing US vs. Canadian passports, so I didn't mention the green card, but you're right.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Yes, you will want to keep a valid Canadian passport as well. That is your proof of citizenship into Canada. The US does not have exit controls so you do not need to use a US passport to leave the US. Use the passport that is relevant for your entry to the country where you are travelling. If you are travelling to a country other than Canada you can use either citizenship to enter the other country - whatever is most expeditious for you - but you must always use your US passport and declare your American citizenship to return to the US. You are an American citizen seeking re-entry to your country of citizenship and your passport is your guarantee of admission. While the US recognizes that their citizens may hold other citizenships, when you are in the US your first and primary citizenship is American - and that is how you must conduct your border entry.

Generally, when I visit Canada I declare to the Canadian authorities that I am a dual Canadian-American citizen, but when I return to the US, I only declare my American citizenship.

Edited October 7, 2014 by Kathryn41

[jxn 86]

The main thins is the American passport once you get sworn in. After that you can decide if you want to bother with renewing the Canadian passport as well when it expires.

Many keep both, I personally never used my Canadian one until a few years back because my US one was getting filled up with my travels and I didn't want to add multiple Canadian ones into it, so I decided I could use the Canadian one to fill up with the Canadian stamps...

Most countries require their citizens who hold dual nationality to enter the country on that passport. So a Canadian-American dual national would need to enter Canada on a Canadian passport and the U.S. on an American passport.

[warlord 73]

Most countries require their citizens who hold dual nationality to enter the country on that passport. So a Canadian-American dual national would need to enter Canada on a Canadian passport and the U.S. on an American passport.

However unlike most countries, Canada does not enforce that at all and never has. Many Dual US/Canadian Citizens continue to hold only their US passport and travel to and from Canada, even if the place of birth is stated as Canada.

One of the other bonus's though of having both passports internationally, is that some countries getting a visa is cheaper if you are American or Canadian. China for example (or used to be) was cheaper to obtain a visa being a Canadian than being an American. In the 90's or so, Americans did not need a visa to visit Romania, but Canadians did. So having both options if you plan to travel can help in some cases and save you money...