After Natuarlization, Is foreign Travel Possible Without A US Passport ?

[luv2teach77 41]

Hello,

 

Hypothetically speaking, if my N-400 was approved and I attended an oath ceremony to finish the naturalization process, would I be allowed to travel out of the US on my British passport or am I expected to secure a US passport before making any international trips ?  My wife and I are talking of making a trip to mexico later this year but with my N-400 application stalled with no update since Biometrics in January, I'm becoming increasingly concerned that I may not have time to get a US passport if something were to happen shortly before any planned trip.  Would the safest bet be to hold off booking anything at this time ?  I know there are options to expediate the passport application process but I'd rather not have to resort to that if I can avoid it.

 

Thanks,

 

Mark

[Coco8 1,042]

You need the US passport because your green card will not be useful anymore. 

 

You might want to check if there is a special way to go to Mexico maybe by simply showing your ID or naturalization paper. I doubt it but since it is a contiguous country it might be a possibility. 

[cyclone27 710]

Sure you can use your British passport with or without a US passport.

[luv2teach77 41]

10 minutes ago, cyclone27 said:

Sure you can use your British passport with or without a US passport.

I understand I don't need a US passport to use a British passport but what is becoming clear is that once my citizenship is approved, I am not supposed to use my British passport to re-enter the US.  That makes planning an overseas trip a little tricky when I don't know when my N-400 may be approved !!

[Going through 5,671]

Legally, once becoming a USC, you are required to produce a US passport for exit and entry into the United States.  You cannot use a naturalization certificate at the border.

 

 Your main issue at customs will be when re-entering into America after your trip.

 

You should check into same-day passport processing centers in your area, and see if you can qualify for that based on your proof of travel plans.

[luv2teach77 41]

2 minutes ago, Going through said:

Legally, once becoming a USC, you are required to produce a US passport for exit and entry into the United States.  You cannot use a naturalization certificate at the border.

 

 Your main issue at customs will be when re-entering into America after your trip.

 

You should check into same-day passport processing centers in your area, and see if you can qualify for that based on your proof of travel plans.

I could make a day trip to Chicago and get a passport in a day, if required.  I'm just not sure how far into the booking process I could get without the passport I intend to travel on.  It seems that most international flights I've booked recently require passport numbers when booking the flights.

[Going through 5,671]

1 minute ago, luv2teach77 said:

I could make a day trip to Chicago and get a passport in a day, if required.  I'm just not sure how far into the booking process I could get without the passport I intend to travel on.  It seems that most international flights I've booked recently require passport numbers when booking the flights.

In that case, see if you can book your travel with a live agent instead of online.  I know live agents can "hold" a booking for a little bit until they get a passport number from you.  This way the price and seats are reserved (for a limited amount of time).

[charmander 692]

Here are couple scenarios:

1) N400 interview&oath happens after your Mexico trip, most trivial scenario, no issue whatsoever. Travel with your UK passport+GC.

2) N400 interview happens before your Mexico trip, at the end of interview inform the officer about your upcoming travel plan so that they schedule your oath at a date after you come back.

3) Despite your request, if they still schedule your oath before your Mexico trip, you will need to get a US passport asap once you become a US citizen. If it is up to 2 weeks before your trip, you could do expedited processing at your local passport agency, usually same day or 1-2 day passport service is provided. If there is really no time before your trip, request rescheduling your oath ceremony with a formal letter or by doing an infopass, whichever is more convenient. 

 

I think I've seen all these scenarios happened on VJ before. One way or the other, you'll find a solution don't worry. I believe it is possible to upload APIS data (passport data) to airline tickets anytime before the flight. You should be able to buy your plane ticket without entering any passport info and depending on what happens either upload the UK or US passport data later on.

 

[luv2teach77 41]

6 minutes ago, charmander said:

Here are couple scenarios:

1) N400 interview&oath happens after your Mexico trip, most trivial scenario, no issue whatsoever. Travel with your UK passport+GC.

2) N400 interview happens before your Mexico trip, at the end of interview inform the officer about your upcoming travel plan so that they schedule your oath at a date after you come back.

3) Despite your request, if they still schedule your oath before your Mexico trip, you will need to get a US passport asap once you become a US citizen. If it is up to 2 weeks before your trip, you could do expedited processing at your local passport agency, usually same day or 1-2 day passport service is provided. If there is really no time before your trip, request rescheduling your oath ceremony with a formal letter or by doing an infopass, whichever is more convenient. 

 

I think I've seen all these scenarios happened on VJ before. One way or the other, you'll find a solution don't worry. I believe it is possible to upload APIS data (passport data) to airline tickets anytime before the flight. You should be able to buy your plane ticket without entering any passport info and depending on what happens either upload the UK or US passport data later on.

 

Charmander,

 

RE: scenario #2, I wasn't aware that you could request a delay to the oath ceremony.  Do I take it then that the naturalization process is not deemed complete until that is completed ?  I was unsure if I was considered naturalized as soon as my interview was successfully completed ?

 

Thanks,

 

Mark

[Texaco5 32]

11 minutes ago, luv2teach77 said:

RE: scenario #2, I wasn't aware that you could request a delay to the oath ceremony.  Do I take it then that the naturalization process is not deemed complete until that is completed ?  I was unsure if I was considered naturalized as soon as my interview was successfully completed ?

Anytime before your oath ceremony, you can enter and exit the US with your UK passport and green card. Even if you pass the interview you're not technically a US citizen until you have completed the oath ceremony at which point you hand in your green card in exchange for the naturalization certificate.

 

In the case of a UK citizen, you'll end up with dual citizenship since the UK doesn't recognize the citizenship oath as a formal renunciation of UK citizenship. So even after you become a US citizen, your UK passport will be valid for entering other countries and returning to the UK. It only becomes an issue if you try to gain entry to the US, since your GC is nullified and I'm not sure that you could get the visa waiver given that you're technically a US citizen at the point at which you'd be applying for the ESTA visa.

 

Once you become a US citizen, you can apply for a passport and there is an expedited service which costs and extra $60 with which your new US passport is sent around a week after you apply. In most cases, applicants have their passport photos and the passport application ready to go as soon as they become a citizen (I applied on the 20th April after I took the oath on the 18th April). The passport application forms can be downloaded from the US Dept of State website which also explains where you can apply for a passport locally (post office etc.).

 

So if you have taken the oath before the trip to Mexico, you will need a US passport. You can use an expedited service for this or the regular turnaround is about 3-4 weeks (mine took 3 weeks back in May this year using the non expedited approach). You may be able to use the flight tickets you have booked for the trip to Mexico as evidence of why you need an expedited application as I think they do ask for proof of imminent travel. I think one of the questions on the passport app is 'when do you plan to travel?'.

 

The other option is to delay the oath until after the trip and travel in and out on your UK passport and GC. You can request a delay to the oath ceremony during the interview, and even if they ignore that request, once you get the oath ceremony appointment letter, you can schedule an Infopass appointment at the local field office where you did the interview, take the oath letter along and ask them to reschedule.

 

[luv2teach77 41]

15 minutes ago, Texaco5 said:

The other option is to delay the oath until after the trip and travel in and out on your UK passport and GC. You can request a delay to the oath ceremony during the interview, and even if they ignore that request, once you get the oath ceremony appointment letter, you can schedule an Infopass appointment at the local field office where you did the interview, take the oath letter along and ask them to reschedule.

 

This is VERY good news. I have no idea if they will get to my application in the next month or so but it's great to know that if they do, it doesn't have to put any possible vacation plans in jeopardy.

[EV11 18]

58 minutes ago, luv2teach77 said:

Charmander,

 

RE: scenario #2, I wasn't aware that you could request a delay to the oath ceremony.  Do I take it then that the naturalization process is not deemed complete until that is completed ?  I was unsure if I was considered naturalized as soon as my interview was successfully completed ?

 

Thanks,

 

Mark

Hey there @luv2teach77!

 

You are not a US Citizen until your have been sworn in at your Oath ceremony.

 

I actually have my citizenship interview tomorrow and I will be asking for a delay in the oath ceremony. I have plans to travel back to England at the end of August. So I'm requesting that an oath ceremony be scheduled for when I get back (a week later). It's my hope that I'll do the interview tomorrow, go back to England using my British passport + GC and then I'll come back and do my oath ceremony. Then moving forward, I will be legally required to leave and enter the US using a US Passport.

 

I'll let you know how scenario #2 goes tomorrow!

[luv2teach77 41]

1 minute ago, EV11 said:

Hey there @luv2teach77!

 

You are not a US Citizen until your have been sworn in at your Oath ceremony.

 

I actually have my citizenship interview tomorrow and I will be asking for a delay in the oath ceremony. I have plans to travel back to England at the end of August. So I'm requesting that an oath ceremony be scheduled for when I get back (a week later). It's my hope that I'll do the interview tomorrow, go back to England using my British passport + GC and then I'll come back and do my oath ceremony. Then moving forward, I will be legally required to leave and enter the US using a US Passport.

 

I'll let you know how scenario #2 goes tomorrow!

EV11,

 

I'll be very interested to know how that works out for you.  Good luck with your interview !!

[charmander 692]

1 hour ago, luv2teach77 said:

RE: scenario #2, I wasn't aware that you could request a delay to the oath ceremony.  Do I take it then that the naturalization process is not deemed complete until that is completed ?  I was unsure if I was considered naturalized as soon as my interview was successfully completed ?

You are not a US citizen until you take oath of allegiance. Some field offices let applicants take the oath after the interview on same day. This is district by district basis. For instance, New Jersey field offices allow same-day oath ceremonies. Most places organize formal oath ceremonies at a later date. For instance, in my case there was approximately 1 month between my interview and oath ceremony. I am not sure what is the practice at your field office. You could check the field office website for more info. Do you know where you are going to have your interview?

 

Edit: Just noticed on your profile, you are at St louis, MO jurisdiction. https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/field-offices/missouri-st-louis-field-office#Naturalization Ceremonies

They do not conduct same day oaths. Depending on when your interview takes place, just update them on your travel plans.

Edited July 18, 2017 by charmander

[luv2teach77 41]

Yes... I'm filing through the St. Louis field office. It certainly sounds like delaying my oath ceremony would be the easiest option if my application proceeds to the interview stage over the next couple of months.

 

Their "official" processing dates show they are still a couple months from getting to my application but I'm aware of cases through the same office which have gone from submission to interview scheduling in just a few short months so it's hard to gauge when I may hear something. 

 

Its good to know now that there doesn't need to be a mad scramble if travel plans and interviews end up being close together. 

 

Thanks

 

Mark