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What passport to use traveling to USA with two citizenships? (lemmy.world)

submitted 8 months ago by Grogon@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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Can I use my german passport to travel to USA or do I use my US passport?

And if I lived and worked in germany my whole life and never in the USA and never filed taxes can I enter USA without problems?

I just found out I am us citizen a few years ago don't ask why but I'm 34 and recently traveled to US with my german passport and they were all like "wtf where is your passport" and I'm like: "Here.." and they "Yeah your american passport?!" and I'm "I'm german" and he is like: "Dude you are born on american ground you are american!"

Well they let me travel in to the states without american passport but told me to go to the embassy as soon as I arrive back in germany or else I won't be able to enter USA again.

That being said, I done that. Now I have my american passport. But do I show both passports or only US passport? And after doing my research I found out americans file taxes every year. I haven't done it the last 18 years of working. Should I just not file? I will never work in the USA and I will never live in the USA. Or will I get problems at the airport? Can they see I don't file?

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[–] TerraNova@lemmy.ca 9 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

One other point, assuming you are male, you were supposed to register for the US Selective Service at the age of 18. There are potential serious consequences for not doing so.

You can contact them and explain your case. Or maybe you don’t need to now as you are past age 25. They are easy to contact and speak with.

Source - same situation with family member

[–] Grogon@lemmy.world 4 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

I pay taxes in Germany, I earn about 40.000 € a year. So I don’t know.

I tried the IRS homepage but my english isn’t good enough to file taxes. I don’t understand much.

I am 35 years old and the lady that gave me my american passport tried to explain to me that I don’t have to sign up for selective service anymore, I am too old lol. I didn’t understand much of what she explained but she said: “it’s fine don’t sign up for it it’s for young people” and sent me out of the embassy in munich.

I work since I am 17 years old in germany and got the information that I am american citizen when I was about 32 (first time in america) I tried to enter with my german passport. The people at the airport told me I am american and need a passport. I didn't know until then.

[–] TerraNova@lemmy.ca 3 points 8 months ago

If someone at a US consulate/embassy told you not to worry about the selective service because of your age, it’s probably fine.

Good luck sorting out your tax situation. My kids are dual US and Canada and haven’t had to pay any US taxes yet as there is a tax treaty between the two countries. It has been expensive for me to pay someone to file the US taxes though.