Dual UK/Canadian Citizens travelling to USA and Canada [duplicate]

We are dual UK/Canadian citizens with both UK and Canadian passports. We reside in the UK. We will be travelling to the USA and Canada on holiday. Can we: - leave UK on our UK passport and enter USA on Canadian pasport, then - fly out of USA to Canada using our Canada passport - fly back from Canada to UK with "in transit" stop in USA airport, using Canada passport to leave Canada and to get us through the "in transit" bit, and then re-enter UK on UK passport?

Alternative would be to get ESTA forms and to use our UK passports while travelling in USA and "in transit" in the USA

passports dual-nationality

Best Answer

Your first approach is exactly right, with one slight change.

Your Canadian passport will get you into the US with minimal hassle, and significant advantages at US immigration. Often US immigration will treat Canadian passport holders as equivalent to US passport holders in terms of putting them in fast lanes etc. Using a UK passport will mean you getting a visa waiver and being fingerprinted. Don't even go there.

Your UK passport will get you back into the UK with minimal hassle. You should use it on return. However, on exit from the UK your purpose is to demonstrate to the airline that you are legally allowed to enter the US and Canada. Show the airline your Canadian passport. (You shouldn't be stopped by UK customs on exit, but if you do, show them your British passport). Put your British passport away until you get back to the UK. If your other nationality was one that needed a visa to get into the UK you should show the airline your UK passport on the return flight, but because Canadians can freely enter the UK that isn't an issue - and with an 'in transit' stop in the US the Canadian passport is best for that too.

Here is an interesting article.

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Can I cross the Canadian border if I have dual citizenship?

Dual Canadian citizens need a valid Canadian passport to board a flight to or transit through Canada by air. If your other country of citizenship needs you to enter and exit that country using a passport issued by its government, you will still need a valid Canadian passport to board your flight to Canada.

Should dual citizens travel with both passports?

U.S. nationals, 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.

Can dual citizens carry two passports?

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 a Canadian citizen hold two passports?

Dual (or multiple) citizenship occurs when a person is a citizen of two or more countries. A citizen of Canada will retain Canadian citizenship upon acquiring a second citizenship in another country.

A Passport from back when Canadians were BRITISH

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