How Many Passports Can You Have? This is What to Know

Spy thrillers have usually included characters with a number of passports to evoke drama and suspense. The fact of getting a couple of passport is much tamer, however may help vacationers navigate troublesome visa conditions and supply extra flexibility for journeys overseas. Even having a reproduction of a passport could be useful in case your major passport is broken, misplaced, or stolen.

Right here’s all the things vacationers have to learn about holding a number of passports, together with what number of you’ll be able to have, the way to get hold of a second passport, and the details behind the “golden passport” delusion.

What are the advantages of getting a number of passports?

A number of passports can unlock visa-free entry to further nations, present peace of thoughts within the occasion a major passport is misplaced or broken whereas in transit, and include relocation perks.

Earlier than acquiring a number of passports, vacationers ought to consider the potential visa-free entry choices of every passport. For instance, a German passport holder eligible for a Brazilian passport ought to rethink getting the second passport since German passports can entry extra nations visa-free than a Brazilian passport. (The most dear passport on the planet is Singapore’s, which comes with 192 visa-free nation entry alternatives, in line with the Henley Passport Index.)

“Having a number of passports offers choices for candidates; having different passports offers different paperwork to journey with within the occasion one passport is restricted, akin to what occurred throughout COVID, the place there have been important journey restrictions,” Basil Mohr-Elzeki, Henley & Companions’ managing accomplice, informed Journey + Leisure. The extra passport can be useful to different members of the family and future generations searching for one, Mohr-Elzeki added. 

Then there’s the relocation ingredient. These with a European Union passport can reside and work within the 27 nations which might be a part of the EU, and people with a Caribbean passport can do the identical inside choose nations within the Organisation of Japanese Caribbean States (OECS). Lastly, world traders can profit from tax and monetary implications by holding a number of passports.

What number of passports can you have got?

The variety of passports an individual can have varies based mostly on the place their authentic citizenship is held. For residents of america, there is no such thing as a restrict to what number of overseas passports one can maintain. Which means that a citizen with twin citizenship can maintain each a United States passport and a passport from a second nation. That stated, many nations (like China, India, Japan, and South Korea) do not permit twin citizenship, and, in flip, these residents can solely maintain one passport.

Can you have got a number of U.S. passports?

The US authorities permits residents with a legitimate passport to acquire a second passport. The one distinction to notice is that the second passport could be legitimate for 4 years as an alternative of the same old 10 years.

The U.S. Division of State offers a number of causes that a person would want a number of United States passports, together with the necessity for a number of visas as a result of visiting a number of nations, or somebody needing a passport for pressing journey whereas their current passport is getting used to course of a visa. Different causes embody overseas nations probably prohibiting entry entry, as a result of one other nation stamping the passport, or to supply validation for journey to a restricted nation.

In response to the State Division, it solely offers second United States passport books, and never passport playing cards.

How do I get a second U.S. passport?

The method to get hold of a second passport is easy and just like the method of renewing an current passport. The present processing occasions to obtain a second passport ebook are 4 to 6 weeks for routine service and two to a few weeks for expedited service. 

Vacationers should submit a Type DS-82 (you probably have your legitimate U.S. passport and plan to mail it with the applying) or Type DS-11 (for those who’re planning to use in individual and never submit your utility by way of mail), together with a signed assertion offering the explanation for needing the second ebook, a brand new passport picture, and a charge.

Which nations permit twin citizenship?

Over 140 nations permit twin citizenship, together with Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Fiji, France, Germany, Peru, and america. Nevertheless, a number of massive nations, akin to China and India, don’t allow it. Beneath are some circumstances that will assist you to get hold of twin citizenship.

Birthright Citizenship or Citizenship by Descent

Many nations provide citizenship based mostly on homeland (often known as jus soli) or having blood relations (generally known as jus sanguinis or jure sanguinis). Mostly, the relative could be a mom or father, however some nations provide citizenship to these with different blood ties to the nation, akin to grandparents. These embody Italy, Eire, the UK, Poland, Portugal, and Spain.

Lately, vacationers have documented delving into their roots to establish their lineage and as a approach to acquire twin citizenship. In 2023, T+L contributing author Jamie Ditaranto shared her journey of searching for Italian citizenship by exploring her household tree. 

Citizenship by Naturalization

You’ll be able to turn out to be a citizen of a rustic by assembly the necessities of its naturalization processes, which may fluctuate. Some require only a quick residency, whereas others require language proficiency checks and data of the historical past and legal guidelines.

Citizenship by Marriage

In lots of nations, a second passport will likely be granted by citizenship by marriage. For instance, overseas spouses of Italian residents can apply for Italian citizenship after three years of marriage. The method (which fits by an Italian consulate for those who’re dwelling outdoors the nation) requires finishing documentation and verifying proficiency within the Italian language.

Funding and Financial Citizenship

Vacationers also can buy a second passport by donations, contributions, or investments in a foreign country. For instance, Grenada has a program that begins at $235,000, and Turkey has a program that begins at $400,000. 

Vacationers might have encountered the phrase “golden passport,” however specialists share that that is technically deceptive. Whereas it could look like it applies to citizenship, it’s extra aligned with visas, which give residency. 

“The time period ‘golden visa’ is one other phrase for a residence allow that may be obtained by investing, usually in actual property, donating, or beginning a enterprise,” Mohr-Elzeki informed T+L. “Relying on the nation, the golden visa will permit the flexibility to reside, work, and research throughout the nation providing it.”

Portugal and Greece have golden visa packages (Spain ended its model in 2025), in addition to digital nomad visas, an analogous program to entice distant staff to go to and work from the nation.