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My country is not part of the VWP, but I have dual citizenship with a VWP country. Does it work?

If you have dual citizenship and one of the countries is part of the VWP, travel with that passport and follow all requirements to access the U.S. visa waiver.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on August 11, 2025
2 min read
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The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of specific countries to enter the United States for tourism or business without the need to obtain a traditional visa, provided they meet certain requirements and obtain ESTA authorization. If you have dual citizenship and one of the nations is part of the VWP, it is possible to take advantage of the benefits of this program, but there are some important points to observe.

Firstly, to use the VWP, you must travel with the passport of the citizenship that is eligible for the program. This is because all checks, including the ESTA application, will be based on the passport presented at the time of entry into the United States. If you choose to travel with the passport of the country that is not part of the VWP, you will not meet the program”s criteria and, consequently, will have to follow the regular visa application process.

Additionally, it is essential to remember that even when using the ”VWP” passport, it is necessary to meet all other requirements established by the program. This includes correctly completing the online travel authorization request, maintaining a clean history according to immigration rules, and having a confirmed return or onward travel outside the United States. Paying attention to these details avoids future complications and reinforces the importance of strictly following current immigration laws.

I recommend that you always consult the guidance available on the official websites of U.S. immigration agencies to ensure you are using the correct citizenship and meeting all requirements. In case of doubts or specific complexities, seeking support from professionals or specialized companies can be helpful to clarify additional points – always with care to avoid scams or unfounded promises of facilitation.

Remember that compliance with immigration rules and laws is essential for any international trip, and the correct use of travel documents can greatly facilitate the process when entering the United States.

Learn more about ESTA

Type
Travel authorization (VWP)
Validity
2 years (or until passport expires)
Stay
Up to 90 days
Work
Not permitted
All about ESTA

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.

Victoria's tips

My country is not part of the VWP, but I have dual citizenship with a VWP country. Does it work?

If you have dual citizenship and one of the countries is part of the VWP, travel with that passport and follow all requirements to access the U.S. visa waiver.

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