The basic rules
- Use the same passport for the whole journey into a country: to book your tickets, to apply for any permit, and to enter and leave. Permits like the ESTA and UK ETA are linked to one passport.
- Going home, use your home passport. Several countries require their own citizens to enter on that country's passport, even if you also hold another.
- Days don't double up. Two passports don't give you two lots of 90 days in the Schengen area or Turkey. Your days follow you, not your passport.
When your own country decides
- United Kingdom: British and Irish dual citizens can't get an ETA. Travel on a valid British or Irish passport, or get a certificate of entitlement for your other passport. You may be British automatically if you were born in the UK or have a British parent. Official guidance
- United States: Dual nationals of these countries can't use an ESTA. This applies even if you haven't been there, and the military and government exceptions don't apply. The US decides who counts as a national under its own rules. Apply for a visitor visa at a US embassy instead. Official guidance
- Australia: If you're also an Australian citizen, you must enter and leave Australia on your Australian passport.
- India: People of Pakistani nationality or origin can't get an Indian e-Visa. Apply for a regular visa through an Indian embassy, high commission or consulate instead. It takes much longer, so apply early.
When an Irish passport helps
Irish citizens are EU citizens, so they can live, work and travel in the Schengen area with no 90-day limit. Under the Common Travel Area they can also live and work in the UK, with no UK ETA needed. If you hold an Irish passport and another one, it's usually the one to use for Europe.
What each passport needs
This table shows, for each destination, whether each passport needs to do anything before travel. Pick a cell for the details.
Add both passports to the checker and it will tell you which to use for each stop.
Checked 26 October 2026 against GOV.UK, Government of Canada, SafeTravel, Smartraveller, US Customs and Border Protection, Embassy of Australia, Dublin, Government of India and US Department of State.
See the 13 official sources
- Dual citizenship (GOV.UK (UK Visas and Immigration))
- Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK (GOV.UK (UK Visas and Immigration))
- UK enforces digital permission to travel (24 February 2026) (GOV.UK (Home Office))
- Travel advice and advisories: United Kingdom (Government of Canada)
- United Kingdom travel advice (SafeTravel (New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade))
- Travelling to the UK: ETAs and dual citizenship (Smartraveller (Australian Government))
- Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act FAQ (US Customs and Border Protection)
- ESTA frequently asked questions (US Customs and Border Protection)
- Travelling to Australia (Embassy of Australia, Dublin)
- Australia entry requirements (GOV.UK)
- e-Visa (Government of India (Indian Visa Online))
- India entry requirements (GOV.UK)
- India international travel information (US Department of State)