How do I travel as dual citizen of the US and New Zealand? [duplicate]

I have lived in the US for many years. I renewed my New Zealand passport several years ago (born in NZ).

I have been told I must leave and enter the US on my US passport. I am going to NZ soon. What will happen if I show US Airlines my US passport but on arriving in NZ show my NZ passport?

Best Answer

You haven't said whether this is a one-way trip or a round trip.

If it is a one way trip:

Book your tickets using your US passport details.
When checking in, the airline will want to see your NZ passport (because your US passport won't have a long-term visa for New Zealand in it).
On arriving in NZ, show immigration your NZ passport.

If it is a round trip less than 3 months:

Book your tickets using your US passport details.
You don't have to do anything special when checking in, because US citizens are allowed to visit NZ without a visa. But, you can show them your NZ passport if you want to.
On arriving in NZ, show immigration your NZ passport. You could show them your US passport instead, pretending you're a short term visitor, but it's probably easiest to show NZ passport.

If it is a round trip more than 3 months:

Normally a US citizen would need a specific visa for a trip of this length, so follow the same method as for the one way trip.

On leaving New Zealand:

If you choose to use the smart gates (eGate), use the same passport you used to book the tickets. Otherwise the passport number won't match the ticket booking and you'll need to go see an officer anyway.

In general, it is easy to travel with both a NZ and US passport. Both countries accept dual citizenship, and there are many people who hold both. Neither the airlines nor immigration will be surprised by your situation.

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Can I travel if I have dual citizenship?

Yes, many countries allow their citizens to hold more than one nationality. This means travelers can potentially hold a passport for each country they are a citizen of. Some people are automatically considered dual citizens from birth.

Do dual citizens need to 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 a U.S. citizen have dual citizenship with New Zealand?

New Zealand allows dual and multiple citizenship. The Citizenship Act makes no explicit mention of the effect of having another nationality. A New Zealander may only voluntarily renounce their Citizenship if they already hold that of another country.

Does NZ allow dual passports?

New Zealand allows dual citizenship or multiple citizenship \u2014 but some other countries do not.

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

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