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I am an American/Australian citizen. I have had two American passports as a kid and teen, but have lived in Australia most of my life, and in America as a teen for three years.

I did not have my passport in time to return to America, so entered with my Australian passport under the Visa Waiver Program.

Now I want to stay in USA. I am in process of getting USA passport, but will I be able to change immigration status? Will this automatically change as I am an American citizen with a passport or what? Just curious as to what I do next. I don’t want to have to leave then come back again.

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Becky
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1 Answers1

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There really is no status to change. The reality and fact that you are a USA citizen supersedes any lie you told (if you indeed told any lie) to enter on your foreign passport. Your status has been and will always be that of a USA citizen until you officially and formally renounce your US Citizenship. Lying to immigration (unlike for visitors and permanent residents) has no effect on your underlying citizenship.

Just go about your life normally and apply for the passport normally. They will have records confirming your citizenship. On your next trip to the USA just use your USA passport.

Augustine of Hippo
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