Dual citizenship - USA / UK

[SXGuy]

Re: Dual citizenship - USA / UK

I agree, had to visit US Embassy a few years ago, very daunting when entering, but once inside everyone is very nice.

[alland]

Re: Dual citizenship - USA / UK

As your Son was born in the UK and you are British he can travel anywhere his UK passport is recognised and has Julian stated, can re-enter the UK at will

If he goes to the US and enters using his UK passport and his visit is just for a holiday then he will enter under the ESTA treaty that exists between UK & US, you register for the ESTA on line for a few ££, he will be given a maximum allowed stay of 90 days and then will need to leave. If he wants to go to the US for any other reason than a holiday (studying for example, or extended stay with relatives) you will have to go to the US Embassy and jump through some hoops to get the correct type of entry Visa, I had to do that myself for the right Visa I needed, it can be a bit intimidating, due to the enhanced security these days, but not the worst of experiences if you get a decent minded inspector.

[patchouli]

Re: Dual citizenship - USA / UK

I am British, hubby is American, boys born in the UK, we live in the UK.

I asked someone else and they said pretty much what you said... if he travels to any country all he needs is a UK passport but if he goes to America he MUST have an American passport in order to leave as they are considered American when there... What a crock of bull.. they aren't cheap!!

[diddlydee]

Re: Dual citizenship - USA / UK

Just a quick note to add I would also double check with the school, Patchouli, as my daughter's school always include the children on a group passport to avoid the need to obtain individual ones.

[julian]

Re: Dual citizenship - USA / UK

Who told you that?

It is unclear whether you children have their own passports or they are in yours/your spouse's. It is also unclear where they were born. If born in UK with a UK parent they are entitled to a UK passport in their own right from babies. Is is also unclear whether you are in your spouse's passport, or you have also a US passport with permission to reside in US perhaps, assuming dual US/UK citizenship?

Passport Office will clarify, but my understanding from a similar status and working with Home Office and Immigration is

You do not have dual citizenship in the UK. If another country allows you to have dual nationality, like France, then you can do what you like there, but in the UK you are either British or not British.

Passports are required to prove right to enter a country. A UK passport when used to exit the country is mainly for the travel company, although in other countries there are other reasons and restrictions.

When you enter a foreign country with a UK passport you have a right to the services of the consulate in case of mishap. If you enter the foreign country with a non-UK passport you are on your own, you may also need different visas.

Different countries have different views on nationality and citizenship. Some countries allow you to choose which nationality to use, and others claim you as a citizen if your grandparents were nationals, which can see you conscripted into the local army, or force other restrictions, or benefits on you. However, in the UK with UK citizenship you are a UK citizen. I say UK because people from some of the Commonwealth and former colonies have British passports but not UK passports and there are restrictions and no right to reside.


If your child is entitled to a UK passport, that is all they need to go to and from France with a school party. They will need their own passport, and for a trip to France they will need a UK passport to avoid the need for visas and disruption, by needing to join the non-EU queue when coming back, which they would need with a US passport.

Your confusion may have arisen because the Immigration people are generally on the look out for children travelling with a parent with a different nationality as they may have been kidnapped by feuding parents.

[patchouli]

Can someone tell me please, if anyone knows... Do my boys HAVE to have both US and UK passports. (Mother UK - Father US with perm' leave to stay)

We were told back when I arranged their PP that they HAD to have both, they could leave the UK on a UK PP but to return they would need both.

Now this peed me off as it isn't cheap and it isn't a joy to get the US PP either... it was a horridy Londony trip!!!!

Now one of our children (12) has the opportunity to go to France next year but I don't have any PP valid.... do I need to do both again?