Using a non-US passport to travel domestically for a US citizen, as my US passport has expired

4/19/2018 2:27:45 PM

You should only need to have a government-issue photo ID to get through TSA for domestic travel (ie. driver’s license, passport (any country), etc). But only for domestic travel. If you attempt to use a non-US passport (either for exit or entry to the US), then you run the risk that you are entering or exiting the USA under a false pretense. This could result in inability to travel on that trip that you are doing it, or on future travel.

It’s best to have your US passport available and up to date at all times. Most processing centers have expedited service (for a fee) that should help. There are a lot of third-party agents offering to do this, but from personal experience, I would avoid them. I’ve had situations where an expired passport was only discovered the day of travel with my family and I had to send them ahead and drive to a processing center (Tucson) and get it done. But I did manage to get it same day, pleading my case, and although it cost me dearly with airline re-ticketing, I was able to board my international flight about a week later and meet my family at the international destination.

From personal experience, an expired US passport should be avoided where possible. It’s not that big a deal to renew and you should do this at least 6 months before any international departure. Note that some airlines or airport exit points will not let you board a flight either to the US or from the US if you have less than 6 months expiration on your passport, so do this within 12 months of its expiration to avoid any issues.

4/18/2018 1:49:58 PM

I have often gone through TSA showing only my UK passport. It does not have a visa, because I am a US permanent resident. Moreover, TSA does not look for visas. I hand them the passport open at the page that has my name, photo etc., and that is all they look at.

4/19/2018 8:04:18 PM

I can report from personal experience: I do this all the time with my non-US passport, which has no US visas or even entry stamps because I am, like you, a dual citizen. Nobody has ever paid the slightest attention to my immigration status.

If someone does ask you about your immigration status (for example, if you encounter US Border Patrol in McAllen or Brownsville, Texas) you should of course tell them that you are (also) a US citizen. They may detain you for further investigation, but you can’t get in trouble with them for having only your foreign passport.

Peter Green’s suggestion of carrying a copy of your passport is a good one, especially if you are going somewhere with significant Border Patrol activity. A photocopy of a passport is not a secure document, of course, but it could well tip the balance for a Border Patrol officer who is deciding between believing your claim of US citizenship and taking you to down the station to investigate more thoroughly.

4/18/2018 9:14:18 AM

Note: this is based on what I have read online, I don’t have personal experiance.

AIUI

A foreign passport is on the official list of acceptable ID for the TSA.

TSA is not immigration. They would not normally have a reason to be interested in immigration status and because of the way US visa’s work not having a current visa does not imply a forigner doesn’t have a valid immigration status.

However ICE can do random checks of people near international borders (including airports) even if they were not crossing the border.

So I would suggest that you make a copy of the ID page of your US passport before sending it in for renewal and carry it with you.

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About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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