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If I have dual citizenship, which passport do I use for the L-1?

With dual citizenship, choose one passport and use it consistently throughout the L-1 process. What matters is keeping your documents valid and free of contradictions with one another.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on July 11, 2026
2 min read
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If you hold dual citizenship, the practical recommendation is to pick one passport and use it consistently throughout the entire L-1 process. The most important factor is not which nationality you prefer, but rather keeping all your documents aligned and free of contradictions.

U.S. immigration places a high value on clarity and consistency across records. Using the same passport on the petition form, at the consular interview, and at the port of entry makes verification straightforward and avoids discrepancies that could delay the process. The chosen passport must be valid and its information must match the details on file with your sponsoring employer.

When making your decision, several factors may come into play: the validity period of each document, the ease of demonstrating your ties to the employer, and any differences in consular procedures depending on the nationality used. Even so, once you have made your choice, stick with that passport throughout.

  • Use the same passport from the start to the end of the process.
  • Make sure it is valid for entry into the United States.
  • Verify that your personal data matches your employer’s documents.

Because every situation has its own specifics, it is worth confirming current guidance with the official source (USCIS) and the relevant consulate, or with a qualified specialist, before filing.

Learn more about L-1

Type
Intracompany transfer
Duration
1-3 years
Extension
Up to 5-7 years
Processing
2-5 months
All about L-1

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

If I have dual citizenship, which passport do I use for the L-1?

With dual citizenship, choose one passport and use it consistently throughout the L-1 process. What matters is keeping your documents valid and free of contradictions with one another.

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