Possible to apply for a first-time U.S. passport abroad?

[Ayumi_Hamasaki 4]

This is a hypothetical scenario. Let's say I become a naturalized U.S. citizen. Get my certificate of naturalization, then go to Japan using my Japanese passport (no problem entering or 'coming back to' Japan here). Is it possible to apply for a U.S. passport for the first time abroad? Has anyone done this?

[TBoneTX 45,309]

Thread is moved from main US Citizenship forum to the Passports, Etc. subforum.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

What are you showing when you leave ? You have to leave as a USC.

[Ayumi_Hamasaki 4]

What are you showing when you leave ? You have to leave as a USC.

I was thinking of showing my Japanese passport when I leave the U.S. I know that U.S. citizens must enter the country with U.S. passport.

[newacct 688]

What are you showing when you leave ? You have to leave as a USC.

The US has no exit checks. There is no "showing" anything for the purpose of leaving. The airline checks your documents for the purpose of making sure you can enter the destination country.

This is a hypothetical scenario. Let's say I become a naturalized U.S. citizen. Get my certificate of naturalization, then go to Japan using my Japanese passport (no problem entering or 'coming back to' Japan here). Is it possible to apply for a U.S. passport for the first time abroad? Has anyone done this?

It is possible. However, it is more convenient to apply for a US passport in the US than abroad.

Edited February 15, 2016 by newacct

[JimmyHou 611]

State department regulations require you to enter and leave the U.S. on a U.S. Passport of you are an American citizen.

While it is true that the U.S. had no exit checks, it's not true that the airlines only check your ability to enter the country of destination. I've been asked to show my visa and green card several times on exit. There are also several reports, including here on visa journey, of airline officials calling over an ICE agent when such a document can't be presented. This has also happened to Visa-waiver overstayers. This doesn't happen to everyone, but it does happen in some cases. If I were a U.S. Citizen traveling on an Egyptian passport, I wouldn't be able to produce a green card or valid visa if asked. As a citizen of a visa waiver country, you may not be asked, but I've seen British and French citizens asked the same thing.

Having said that, I've never come across anyone who got into trouble for leaving on a non US passport. Then again, I've never come across a one who tried. Also, there's no specified penalty under law for not complying with this regulation;

I'd advise you to get your passport before you leave, you can go to a passport agency and get same day service if need be.

Edited February 17, 2016 by JimmyHou

[WayDownSouth 0]

Japan doesn't allow dual citizenship. You lose Japanese citizenship by becoming a naturalized citizen of another country unless it happens involuntarily.

http://www.moj.go.jp/ENGLISH/information/tnl-01.html

See article 11.

Even if you fit certain criteria, Japan will require you to choose one nationality or the other within two years of getting citizenship somewhere else.

More here:

http://www.moj.go.jp/ENGLISH/information/tcon-01.html

And here:

http://www.moj.go.jp/ONLINE/NATIONALITY/6-3-1.html

Japan and American both require you to use their respective passports for entry and exit if you possess them. An immigration official at the airport can figure out you have dual citizenship by using the entry/exit stamps, length of your absence, and lack of a visa stamp (or card). America permits dual citizenship but Japan doesn't. Outside Japan for over 90 days? Where's your visa??

I think there are two things to consider:

1. Is there any chance you will ever move back to Japan or stay there for an extended period? (take care of family, retire, whatever)

2. Does the possibility of losing Japanese citizenship bother you more than the hassle of reapplying for the green card after an extended stay in Japan?

I would get US citizenship and assume I will lose the Japanese one by the time my current passport expires. If you are thinking about the long term or a worst-case scenario, Japan is not a forgiving place for starting over. Especially for women.

[Ayumi_Hamasaki 4]

Japan doesn't allow dual citizenship. You lose Japanese citizenship by becoming a naturalized citizen of another country unless it happens involuntarily.

http://www.moj.go.jp/ENGLISH/information/tnl-01.html

See article 11.

Even if you fit certain criteria, Japan will require you to choose one nationality or the other within two years of getting citizenship somewhere else.

More here:

http://www.moj.go.jp/ENGLISH/information/tcon-01.html

And here:

http://www.moj.go.jp/ONLINE/NATIONALITY/6-3-1.html

Japan and American both require you to use their respective passports for entry and exit if you possess them. An immigration official at the airport can figure out you have dual citizenship by using the entry/exit stamps, length of your absence, and lack of a visa stamp (or card). America permits dual citizenship but Japan doesn't. Outside Japan for over 90 days? Where's your visa??

I think there are two things to consider:

1. Is there any chance you will ever move back to Japan or stay there for an extended period? (take care of family, retire, whatever)

2. Does the possibility of losing Japanese citizenship bother you more than the hassle of reapplying for the green card after an extended stay in Japan?

I would get US citizenship and assume I will lose the Japanese one by the time my current passport expires. If you are thinking about the long term or a worst-case scenario, Japan is not a forgiving place for starting over. Especially for women.

I do not consider losing my Japanese citizenship a big deal at all. I live in the States and this my home. If I ever move back to Japan, it's super easy as a 'former' Japanese national to get an appropriate visa through my parents.

Anyway, I was curious to know if anyone left the U.S. immediately after naturalization and applied for a U.S. passport. Several days after I posted this, I went to the Consulate General of the U.S. in Tokyo, and it states that a certificate of naturalization is all it takes to get a first U.S. passport. So...the upshot is... it is possible to apply for a first U.S. passport abroad. I answered my own question!

[silvermug 16]

State department regulations require you to enter and leave the U.S. on a U.S. Passport of you are an American citizen.

While it is true that the U.S. had no exit checks, it's not true that the airlines only check your ability to enter the country of destination. I've been asked to show my visa and green card several times on exit. There are also several reports, including here on visa journey, of airline officials calling over an ICE agent when such a document can't be presented. This has also happened to Visa-waiver overstayers. This doesn't happen to everyone, but it does happen in some cases. If I were a U.S. Citizen traveling on an Egyptian passport, I wouldn't be able to produce a green card or valid visa if asked. As a citizen of a visa waiver country, you may not be asked, but I've seen British and French citizens asked the same thing.

Having said that, I've never come across anyone who got into trouble for leaving on a non US passport. Then again, I've never come across a one who tried. Also, there's no specified penalty under law for not complying with this regulation;

I'd advise you to get your passport before you leave, you can go to a passport agency and get same day service if need be.

There is a same-day service?!?!? Oh good, I really have to read more. Haha.

[JimmyHou 611]

There is a same-day service?!?!? Oh good, I really have to read more. Haha.

You can get same day service in some cases if you go to a Passport Agency (not a passport application receiving facility like a post office or a library) in person. You'll need an appointment at all agencies and almost all require proof of travel within 2 weeks proof of needing a visa within 4 weeks. You'll also have to pay expediting fees and (if not picking up in person, overnight mail fees).

When you are there, they will determine when you'll get your passport back. If your flight is 2 weeks away, they'll probably mail it to you. If it's within 3 or 4 days, they may ask you to come back the next day to pick it up. If it's the next day, they'll have you return later the same day to pick it up.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/information/where-to-apply/agencies.html

These are the cities with Passport Agencies:

• Hot Springs, AR
• Atlanta, GA
• Boston, MA
• Buffalo, NY
• Chicago, IL
• Aurora, CO
• Stamford, CT
• Dallas, TX
• Detroit, MI
• El Paso, TX
• Honolulu, HI
• Houston, TX
• Los Angeles, CA
• Miami, FL
• Minneapolis, MN
• Portsmouth, NH
• New Orleans, LA
• New York, NY
• Philadelphia, PA
• San Diego, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Seattle, WA
• St. Albans, VT
• Tucson, AZ
• Washington, DC

Edited March 21, 2016 by JimmyHou

[Tony and Daisy 22]

When you take the oath of citizenship the USCIS will take and not return your foreign passport because as a condition of becoming naturalized you have renounced all other loyalties to other countries which means you have also renounced your citizenship and the USCIS will return your old passport to the country of issue (the way I understand how it works). If you want to leave the US soon after naturalizing, then you need to get an expedited passport.

[Ayumi_Hamasaki 4]

When you take the oath of citizenship the USCIS will take and not return your foreign passport because as a condition of becoming naturalized you have renounced all other loyalties to other countries which means you have also renounced your citizenship and the USCIS will return your old passport to the country of issue (the way I understand how it works). If you want to leave the US soon after naturalizing, then you need to get an expedited passport.

I highly doubt the U.S. government has the authority to confiscate foreign passports...

[newacct 688]

When you take the oath of citizenship the USCIS will take and not return your foreign passport because as a condition of becoming naturalized you have renounced all other loyalties to other countries which means you have also renounced your citizenship and the USCIS will return your old passport to the country of issue (the way I understand how it works). If you want to leave the US soon after naturalizing, then you need to get an expedited passport.

This is absolutely false.

1) You do not renounce or do anything with your other nationalities when you take the oath. Whether you have a foreign nationality is for that country to decide and the US does not require or expect you to take any action. The US also does not care about the existence of other nationalities at all.

2) USCIS does not take your passport.

Edited April 21, 2016 by newacct

[Transborderwife 4,666]

When you take the oath of citizenship the USCIS will take and not return your foreign passport because as a condition of becoming naturalized you have renounced all other loyalties to other countries which means you have also renounced your citizenship and the USCIS will return your old passport to the country of issue (the way I understand how it works). If you want to leave the US soon after naturalizing, then you need to get an expedited passport.

Wrong

[charmander 692]

This is absolutely false.

1) You do not renounce or do anything with your other nationalities when you take the oath. Whether you have a foreign nationality is for that country to decide and the US does not require or expect you to take any action. The US also does not care about the existence of other nationalities at all.

2) USCIS does not take your passport.

Well the only scenario I could think of US would be interested if the naturalized citizen gave up his ties to his old country is if the naturalized citizen applies to a security clearance later on in his life. I can't imagine they would award top level secret clearance to a dual citizen.