Can my wife fly out of the USA on her old passport right after oath ceremony and apply for U.S. passport at an embassy abroad?

[jaysaldi 213]

3 minutes ago, PGA said:

OMG...10 days? At an embassy abroad? Please let me know how this plan works out....

I've gotten replacement passports or valid second passports at the embassy in Cambodia about four times, most recently in 2023. It generally takes 8-10 days.

[jaysaldi 213]

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

Unless it's a life and death situation, why do you want to complicate life? As many data points suggest, if she applies for expedited passport, she should get it within few weeks here in the US.

We may want to leave the USA within a few days after her oath ceremony.  Not for an emergency reason. I have a solo vacation planned for mid-April and she doesn't want to stay in the US alone while I'm gone, she'd rather go back to Cambodia for a few weeks.

 

Initially we planned that she would stay with my sister in New England but that has fallen through.

 

 

[PGA 240]

18 minutes ago, jaysaldi said:

I've gotten replacement passports or valid second passports at the embassy in Cambodia about four times, most recently in 2023. It generally takes 8-10 days.

That is fantastically fast....my daughter just renewed her passport here in the US and I think it took a few more days than that....so good luck! 

[OldUser 6,625]

1 hour ago, jaysaldi said:

We may want to leave the USA within a few days after her oath ceremony.  Not for an emergency reason. I have a solo vacation planned for mid-April and she doesn't want to stay in the US alone while I'm gone, she'd rather go back to Cambodia for a few weeks.

 

Initially we planned that she would stay with my sister in New England but that has fallen through.

 

 

Let us know how it goes. I'm sure people would value an update once you guys manage to get her a US passport overseas. I know I wouldn't risk it for a vacation personally.

[Dashinka 24,487]

12 hours ago, jaysaldi said:

Thanks. We're thinking she may want to travel to Cambodia within 3 -14 days of her oath ceremony.  Hence I thought it would be easiest if I booked the flight in her maiden name which is what her Cambodian passport is under. And then she flies to Cambodia, gets a US passport at the embassy, and flies back to the USA on a ticket in her married name with her US passport.

 

Do new passports issued at embassies take longer than renewal passports?

If you have relatively urgent travel, why not book an appointment at the Passport Agency after the oath ceremony.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/passport-agencies.html

[Dashinka 24,487]

8 hours ago, PGA said:

That is fantastically fast....my daughter just renewed her passport here in the US and I think it took a few more days than that....so good luck! 

I just did my passport renewal with no expedite and it took less than four weeks.

[Timona 4,207]

12 hours ago, Stein said:

Not directed specifically at the OP, but why is it we see people always seem to need to urgently travel right after citizenship oath?  Seems like there is a thread like this every week.

 

11 hours ago, PGA said:

Well, I'm guessing in a lot of cases (not particularly this one), it's to tell the rest of the family, in person, to start packing because they're submitting the I-130s....😄 

 

Mostly happens when they've just AOSed, or US PP..I don't see it with 10 year GC unless the 10 year GC was your first. 

 

[GEOntificator 281]

On 2/23/2024 at 8:51 AM, jaysaldi said:

In my experience, it's faster and easier to get a US replacement passport at an embassy abroad. Takes about ten days.

My wife has her N400 interview coming up in a few days. If she passes and gets sworn in as a citizen next month and has a naturalization certificate, can she fly out of the USA on her foreign passport and then apply for a US passport at a US Embassy abroad, rather than trying to get  the US passport here in the USA?

 

Is there any downside to doing this?

 

Thanks

 

 

Use the expedited service. After exactly one week from the delivery of her documents reach out to your senator and fill out the constituent form. I have done a lot of research on this and works like a charm. I had my passport and the naturalization certificate delivered to me via UPS on day 9. You must pay for fastest service and delivery possible.

 

I was in a bind after I naturalized to get the passport and read a lot on this. Many others reported luck with senator's help.

 

I would avoid going the route which you described. 

[Crazy Cat 41,834]

U.S. Citizens - Documents needed to enter the United States and/or to travel Internationally. (cbp.gov)

 

Air Travel: U.S. citizens (including infants and children) departing from or entering the United States by air are required to present a valid U.S. passport to board an international flight. U.S. citizens departing from a designated Canadian airport can use their NEXUS Card for entry when utilizing a NEXUS kiosk. U.S. citizens traveling on official government business can use their official-issue U.S. passport, or official U.S. military orders (PCS) presented with a valid military ID card, or U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential presented with official travel letter. Immediate family accompanying military personnel who are traveling under official orders must present a valid U.S. passport or either a valid I-551 (Green Card) or valid foreign passport with appropriate visa.

 

22 CFR § 53.1 - Passport requirement; definitions. | Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute (cornell.edu)

 

"§ 53.1 Passport requirement; definitions.

(a) It is unlawful for a citizen of the United States, unless excepted under 22 CFR 53.2, to enter or depart, or attempt to enter or depart, the United States, without a valid U.S. passport.

(b) For purposes of this part “United States” means “United States” as defined in section 215(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, as amended (8 U.S.C. 1185(c))."

Edited February 24 by Crazy Cat

[Boiler 45,466]

Reminds me of one of the ESPN Football commentators (Scottish) who had naturalised and was going to Liverpool to cover a game, last minute he realise his US Passport had expired so he travelled on his British one.

 

Much studio discussion about how he was going to come back.

 

So he turns up at the Airport presumably Manchester and they would not board him, no US Passport and no ESTA for his British Passport.

 

He applied for ESTA and was approved, so flys out on the next flight and gets to US and explains that yes he is a US Citizen etc etc and they let him in without issue.

 

I thought it was interesting as it showed how little the ESTA system knows.

 

IF the guy at the PoE recognised him I do not know.

 

[Crazy Cat 41,834]

***Comments bordering on advice inconsistent with US law removed***

Visa Journey members may not:

Condone or instruct, either directly or indirectly, others on how to commit fraudulent or illegal immigration activities in any way, shape, manner or method

Edited February 24 by Crazy Cat

[harry.st 62]

@Crazy Cat

 

...you need to add this link to the previous ones https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative

 

 

Edited February 24 by harry.st

[mam521 2,060]

If it's ACTUALLY urgent that she travel, she can get an urgent passport in 2 days.  She will have to be prepared to attend any passport office in the US and waste 2 days sitting there, but it can be done.  She will require proof of travel and will have to call the Department of State to get said appointment.  I had to do this when I naturalized early last year, but that was when passports were still taking 4 months and I had work travel booked before I even applied for my naturalization.  

 

I would imagine it would be significantly more painful to sit at the Embassy and attempt to get a passport.  The passport may very well end up flagged for becoming a citizen and instantaneously breaking the law by not leaving on the US passport.  Could make future travel a headache and potentially make your wife ineligible for Global Entry or TSA Pre, since those are programs for low risk, law abiding travellers.  

 

Irrespective of your personal beliefs on enforcement of leaving/returning on a US passport, it is the law and CBP can decide to enforce it if they like.  A great way to make sure they always enforce it is to do something non-compliant so they flag it and always check for compliance from that moment onwards.  

[Amunah 62]

Every situation mentioned here that involves embassy and passport is for renewal of the passport previously issued.  Double check for the first time issuance. Also, considering the times we are living in, with  embassy personnel being understaffed, workload backed up through the roof, do you really believe they will be very accommodating in your situation where you just cannot wait with resources readily available here  including expedites and expecting a concierge level of service once at their turf? I would ask myself that question.   

Edited February 26 by Amunah

[harry.st 62]

12 hours ago, Amunah said:

Every situation mentioned here that involves embassy and passport is for renewal of the passport previously issued.  Double check for the first time issuance. Also, considering the times we are living in, with  embassy personnel being understaffed, workload backed up through the roof, do you really believe they will be very accommodating in your situation where you just cannot wait with resources readily available here  including expedites and expecting a concierge level of service once at their turf? I would ask myself that question.   

 

Here (and this happened at a time when it was still taking months from within the US):

 

 

 

You can also double-check on Reddit: embassies are, for some weird reason, known for quick turnaround times (essentially, they treat every passport issuance request, as an urgent one).

Edited February 27 by harry.st