Catch-22

I became a US citizen recently (I'm a dual UK/US national now).

I had to come back to the US from a work trip in London for the oath ceremony, and I needed to head back to London ASAP after the ceremony.

One small problem: in order to get my US naturalization certificate, I had to give up my US Green Card. And once a US citizen, no other documentation (i.e. my UK passport), other than a US passport, is accepted by US immigration.

Actually, technically I can leave the US, but then I wouldn't be able to get back in without a lot of hassle (and VS would not let me board in London without any valid US documentation).

I'd heard that the US Passport Agency (USPA) might issue a passport on the same day, but only upon proof of immediate travel. This was hearsay, however; USPA doesn't give official details of a guaranteed turnaround time.

I phoned up VS to explain this bizarre situation (that I need to show a same-day ticket, but I didn't have any guarantee from USPA of being able to board the flight), and they said best thing would be a miles ticket for the same day as the ceremony, which they'd be happy to move without penalty, depending on what USPA said (very nice of VS to waive the under-24hr penalty in this instance).

Well it all went very smoothly in the end: the oath ceremony finished around 11 a.m., I was at USPA in NYC at midday, and was told to come back at 4 to pick up my new US passport. I was at JFK at 6, in the Clubhouse by 6.30 and on the VS10 that night (after far too much champagne in the CH)!

Phew - what a relief! Glad it all went smoothly.

Awesome news NYLON, glad it went off without a hitch.

Don't really see the catch-22 though, considering you could easily attach an emergency entry visa or even a simple ESTA to your UK passport if they allow you to keep dual citizenship without issue.

One small problem: in order to get my US naturalization certificate, I had to give up my US Green Card. And once a US citizen, no other documentation (i.e. my UK passport), other than a US passport, is accepted by US immigration.

You are a dual citizen, US immigration will take your UK passport to check for eligibility if you present it to them. US immigration would then only ask a question or two before the system alerted to US resident documents pending. US can't cancel UK passports fella, thank god. VS will certainly fly you given there would be no reason for refusal of entry.

Glad it all worked out though, did it feel weird taking the oath? Abandoning allegiance to your country of birth in favour of another... It would have to feel a tad odd.

Awesome news NYLON, glad it went off without a hitch.

Thanks!

Don't really see the catch-22 though, considering you could easily attach an emergency entry visa or even a simple ESTA to your UK passport if they allow you to keep dual citizenship without issue.

I can't do either, I think. As a US Permanent Resident or citizen I must use a US document to enter the country. For example, I've never shown a UK passport to enter the US as a Permanent Resident, just my Green Card.

You are a dual citizen, US immigration will take your UK passport to check for eligibility if you present it to them. US immigration would then only ask a question or two before the system alerted to US resident documents pending. US can't cancel UK passports fella, thank god. VS will certainly fly you given there would be no reason for refusal of entry.

It would take an extremely long time (an overnight stay with CBP at JFK for example), but US immigration would eventually have to accept me with my US naturalization certificate and my UK passport. However, that isn't the issue because VS isn't qualified to verify the validity of a US naturalization certificate, and - considering VS would have to pay for the return flight if I were denied entry - they would stick firmly by the very clear CBP rules on the issue: U.S. Citizens (with dual citizenship in a Visa Waiver Program country, e.g. the UK) are required to use their U.S. passport to travel to the U.S. That's been my experience, anyway: I did once forget my Green Card at home, and despite having a UK passport, I was denied boarding at LHR (by BA, btw)!

Glad it all worked out though, did it feel weird taking the oath? Abandoning allegiance to your country of birth in favour of another... It would have to feel a tad odd.

What felt odd was having to declare that I am not, nor have I ever been, an "habitual drunkard"

Don't really see the catch-22 though, considering you could easily attach an emergency entry visa or even a simple ESTA to your UK passport if they allow you to keep dual citizenship without issue.

I can't do either, I think. As a US Permanent Resident or citizen I must use a US document to enter the country. For example, I've never shown a UK passport to enter the US as a Permanent Resident, just my Green Card.

US embassy in London can place a special circumstances provision/emergency entry visa on your passport to allow this. The trick will be getting an appointment into the US embassy in London within the year of travel! Play the stranded US citizen card at the gates and you might be able to sneak through actually...

The link you posted didn't cover the eventuality of lost or non issued documents though - consultation with the outgoing embassy is of course advised if you wish to avoid a night in secondary screening - fun place... been there, done that, got the T-Shirt... don't want to go back

Glad it all worked out though, did it feel weird taking the oath? Abandoning allegiance to your country of birth in favour of another... It would have to feel a tad odd.

What felt odd was having to declare that I am not, nor have I ever been, an "habitual drunkard"

Ahh so you lied? Good man

What felt odd was having to declare that I am not, nor have I ever been, an "habitual drunkard"

Ahh so you lied? Good man

Ha! Well... I also had to declare that I have "never been a polygamist"