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How to Travel with Dual Passports: Complete Guide for Dual Citizens
Dual citizenship offers exclusive benefits to individuals seeking a diverse lifestyle. Holding two passports opens doors to limitless opportunities in several ways. However, knowing the appropriate use of each passport can be a complex process.
It is essential to be informed on how to navigate customs and understand the legal obligations of both countries. This is because documents must be presented multiple times during your travel such as in your home country, at the airport, upon arrival, etc. This guide will walk you through the benefits of dual citizenship and the process of traveling with two passports with examples to help you avoid common mistakes and ensure seamless travel across borders.
Benefits of Dual Passports
By having dual passports, individuals can significantly increase their travel, business, and living freedom. It offers individuals the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of two countries, expanding personal and professional opportunities. Here are five key advantages of having dual citizenship-
- Increased Global Mobility: Individuals who possess dual passports can interchangeably use either passport for their travel needs. While some countries require a visa for entry, having dual citizenship may allow for easier access to certain destinations without visa requirements. For instance, holding a Maltese passport enables travel throughout the European Union without the need to apply for a visa in advance.
- Access to Premium Services: Holders of two passports can access healthcare, education, and social services in both nations. This means they can seek medical treatment in either country without facing restrictions that non-citizens might encounter. Additionally, they can enroll in educational institutions by paying local tuition fees instead of the higher fees charged to international students. This access to services provides greater flexibility and security.
- Financial Flexibility: Holding dual citizenship can open up financial opportunities across both nations. For instance, individuals may benefit from different tax systems, allowing for efficient tax planning. Dual citizens can also open bank accounts, invest, and engage in business activities in both countries. This dual access can expand financial portfolios and offer more diversification of assets.
- Employment Opportunities: Dual citizens have the advantage of being able to work in both countries without the need for any work visas or permits, significantly broadening their job prospects. Due to their passport status, they may be able to access more job markets beyond just the two countries. This flexibility enables career growth, greater networking potential, and a more diverse range of professional opportunities.
- Security and Stability: In times of political instability or uncertainties in one country, dual citizens have the option to relocate and seek protection in the alternative country. This ensures a greater sense of security and peace of mind for your family at all times.
The Process of Traveling with Dual Passports
When traveling with two passports, it can be challenging and confusing to determine which passport to use in various situations. It is important for dual passport holders to know exactly which passport is more beneficial in certain cases than the other.
We will guide you through the process using three examples.
Let’s take the example of a Vanuatuan citizen (X) who recently acquired second citizenship in Malta.
Situation 1- X is traveling to Portugal for a trip
When booking travel, it does not matter which passport is used as long as the airline can cross-check that the personal information is accurate. In this situation, X must use his Maltese passport for direct entry access to Portugal. Although a Vanuatu passport may be used, it will require X to apply for a Schengen visa before traveling. Thus, in this case, he must proceed with his Maltese passport.
At the Departure Airport
When you are at the departure airport, it is important to carry the right passport for smoother travel. If X chooses to travel with his Vanuatuan passport, he is required to present a valid visa to enter Portugal. However, when using the Maltese passport, X can enter Portugal without a visa. In this case, it would be better to travel with a Maltese passport to easily travel without visa requirements. He only needs to carry his Maltese passport throughout the trip.
At the Boarding Gate
At check-in and boarding gate, X must show the passport he used to book the ticket and will use to enter the next country. It is not a requirement to show any other passport you possess.
At the Arrival Airport
When X reaches the Portugal airport, he only needs to present the passport he used to book the ticket with. In this case, it is the Maltese passport.
At passport control, X must present the passport that matches his ticket to be entered into the system under the same identification.
While Returning to Home country
Planning your return journey with dual passports involves the same process. The same steps must be followed by simply switching the departure and arrival airports.
Let’s take the example of a Turkish citizen (Y) who recently acquired second citizenship in the Commonwealth of Dominica.
Situation 2- Y is traveling to China for a trip
When Booking Travel, Y can choose either passport for booking the ticket, as long as the personal details are consistent across all requirements. If Y uses his Turkish passport, a Chinese visa must be obtained in advance, as Turkey does not allow visa-free access to China. However, if Y decides to travel with his Dominican passport, he can travel without a visa to China, making the travel easy and fast.
At the Departure Airport
When arriving at the departure airport, Y must present the passport that matches the one used for booking the flight. For smoother travel, Y should ensure that the passport used for booking matches the one required for entry into China. Since Y decided to use his Dominican passport, he only needs to bring it along.
At the Boarding Gate
At the boarding gate, Y needs to show his Dominican passport, which was used to book the flight and holds the required visa for entry into China. The second passport does not need to be shown.
At the Arrival Airport
Upon reaching China, Y will present the passport that allows direct access to China, which is the Dominican passport.
While Returning to Home Country
When Y plans the return trip, the process is essentially the same in reverse with changes in the departure and arrival airport. In this case, he can use the Turkish passport when he returns to his home country to avoid long check-in lines.
Let’s take the example of a St. Kitts and Nevis citizen (Z) who recently acquired second citizenship in Malta.
Situation 3 – Z is traveling to the UK for a trip
When Booking Travel
When booking travel in this situation, both passports have visa-free access to the UK. This means Z can use either passport for traveling without the need to apply for a visa beforehand. However, it is more advantageous for Z to use the Maltese passport as it is part of the EU, making the process smoother.
At the Departure Airport
At the departure airport, Z needs to present the passport that was used to book the flight. Since Z has decided to use the Maltese passport for easier entry into the UK, it is important to carry it throughout the journey.
At the Boarding Gate
At the boarding gate, Z needs to show the Maltese passport used for booking the ticket. The St. Kitts and Nevis passport doesn’t need to be shown unless requested for any additional reason.
At the Arrival Airport
Upon reaching the UK, Z will present the Maltese passport to enter the country. Since Maltese citizens have visa-free access to the UK, Z will not need to go through the visa entry process. The Maltese passport will be enough for clearance at passport control.
While Returning to Home Country
When Z plans the return trip, the process is reversed. At the UK airport, Z will present the Maltese passport for check-in and departure. Upon arriving in St. Kitts and Nevis, Z may switch to using the St. Kitts and Nevis passport for smoother re-entry into the home country.
Through these three examples, it is easier to understand which passport can be used under which circumstance. It is important to note that some cases may be exceptions.
Countries Offering Second Passport by Investment
Individuals and families seeking a secured future can invest in a second passport to gain a prosperous and better future. Some countries where you can get a second passport by investment are-
- Caribbean- Caribbean countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts and Nevis offer citizenship programs starting from US $200,000. These programs are known for their fast-processing time, no residency requirements, and visa-free access to 100+ countries, along with other benefits.
- Turkey- Turkey allows individuals the opportunity to invest US $400,000 in real estate and gain citizenship in return with a potential return on investment.
- Vanuatu- Vanuatu’s citizenship program offers one of the most affordable and fastest routes to citizenship. The entire process can be completed in 90 days with investments starting from US $130,000.
- Malta- Malta offers the most secure pathway to European citizenship within 12-36 months and investments starting from €680,000.
Get in Touch
Considering embarking on the journey towards a second citizenship through investment? We’re here to guide you every step of the way. Our team of experts is just a call or an email away, ready to provide you with bespoke advice tailored to your unique needs. Reach out to us on +971 4 393 0 393 or drop us an email at info@uno-capital.com.
