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I am a Canadian living in the UK (with permanent residence as a EU citizen).

I'm about to leave Canada to return to the UK, where I live. I will be transiting via Newark, which I have not done in a long time.

My plan is to check in at the airport in Canada with my Canadian passport to avoid the ESTA, showing my EU passport too should any questions be asked regarding my right to stay in the UK.

At CBP in the US, I would also do as above, until I reach the UK where I will use my EU passport to enter the UK.

I am travelling with my children who are are holders of dual Canadian/British passports.

Does this sound straightforward? I'm worried the CBP expects me to travel on my EU passport as it is the passport I will use to re-enter the UK, and therefore expect the associated ESTA.

Should I apply for our ESTAs for 'peace of mind' (but would prefer avoiding the fees x 3).

I'm aware variations of this question have been asked previously, but none that represents my circumstances.

Thanking you in advance for your replies.

jcaron
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Isabelle
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1 Answers1

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It's normal for dual nationals to use one country's passport to enter and exit one country, and another country's passport to enter and exit the next country. (For example, see this question.)

So there should be nothing to worry about with entering the US without a visa or ESTA using your Canadian passport, and then entering the UK with your European passport. The only potential issue is whether the airline will let you enter two passports for the second leg from the US to the UK (the Canadian passport for exiting the US, so that it will match the entry, and the European passport for entering the UK). It's not uncommon for airlines dual nationals traveling on multiple passports, so they should have a way of handling it.

user102008
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