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I have both passports with the same name and both of them are valid.

However, to enter the US as a Mexican citizen I require a visa, I have traveled to the US before with my Spanish passport and my ESTA, with no issues, by booking my flights with the Spanish passport, and entering and leaving the us with my Spanish passport.

However recently there's this new enforcement that Mexicans should present themselves as Mexican citizens when leaving the country.

So my question is:

Can I book my flights with my Mexican passport, checking in with it, and presenting my Spanish passport and ESTA as additional documents when checking in (as to explain to the airline, that I am allowed to enter the US under my ESTA).

And THEN at US immigration present my Spanish passport and ESTA (Im assuming that their system would let them know I flew in with another passport, can this be an issue?).

Leave the US with my Spanish passport as per usual.

Would that be problematic? Does anyone have experience, leaving a country with one passport and entering the US with a different one?

Crazydre
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TacomenX
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2 Answers2

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I'm dual German & US. When travelling from Germany to the US I present my German passport when I leave Germany and my US passport when I enter the US. I use the US passport at check in (since the airline needs to check your ability to enter the destination country).

So the exact order for your trip is:

  1. Flight booking: either passport
  2. Checking in: Spanish passport
  3. Mexican exit immigration: Mexican passport
  4. US entry immigration: Spanish passport

So unless there is something specifically different about Mexican rules, this should work for you just fine.

Hilmar
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When checking in online for the flight, provide your Spanish passport details. Same when submitting APIS. If having heavy luggage and needing to go to bag drop, present your Spanish passport there, and if they ask for an FMM, also present your Mexican passport. At the gate, present your Spanish passport. If you don't go to bag drop you may be asked for an FMM at the gate; again present your Mexican passport in that case.

Crazydre
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