Can I use my 2nd passport to stay in the US longer?

Can I use my 2nd passport to stay in the US longer? - Crop unrecognizable man cleaning computer system unit

Say I have two passports.

Passport A lets me stay in US for 3 months as a tourist with ESTA.

Passport B has a B1/B2 visa on it which lets me stay in the US for up to 6 months as a tourist.

Passport A is usually more reputable than passport B.

Also as far as I remember, US doesn't check passports when you leave so what matters is the passport you use while entering US.

1- If I want to spend more than 3 months in the US, can I use my passport B?

2- Do I have to apply for ESTA just because I have the passport A even if I use my passport B?

3- Can I use my passport A to enter US but stay for more than 3 months?

4- If I need to use my passport for identification for a legal matter or for banking, do I have to provide the passport I used while entering US?

5- Do banks or government institutions require me to show the passport issued by the same country every time I interact with them, or can I use my passports interchangeably?



Best Answer

I think that @phoog's answer is excellent already, I don't want to dilute, but this doesn't easily fit into a comment:

Can I use my passport A to enter US but stay for more than 3 months?

No.

If you want to change the purpose of your visit while in the United States, you (or in some cases your employer) must file a request with USCIS on the appropriate form before your authorized stay expires. [...]

You may not apply to change your nonimmigrant status if you were admitted to the United States in the following categories:

  • Visa Waiver Program

Source: USCIS - Change My Nonimmigrant Status

If you entered the US with a VWP passport, you have to leave before your 90 days expire. No exception.

(as @phoog says, if you get a B visa on the "reputable" passport, then yes; but then, you wouldn't be using VWP to enter).

Rule of thumb: don't gamble with immigration.




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Can you enter the US with one passport and leave with another?

Most U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. Dual nationals may also be required by the foreign country to use its passport to enter and leave that country. Use of the foreign passport does not endanger U.S. citizenship.

Can a dual citizen travel with two passports?

As a dual citizen, you are allowed to carry passports from both countries. For example, if you are a U.S. citizen and also a citizen of New Zealand, you can travel more easily between these two countries.

Can I hold 2 US passports?

US citizens can legally possess two passports. Yes, you can have the normal 10-year passport plus a second, limited validity passport, normally valid for 4 years.

Can you travel with one passport and come back with another?

You can use whichever passport is more convenient for leaving country A, and whichever passport is more convenient for arriving in country B. They do not have to be the same passport. But you must enter and leave a country on the same passport.



Traveling with two passports - I almost got arrested | Jure Sanguinis Italian Dual Citizenship




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