Do I need an ESTA for returning from a trip to the US, if I have US-Italy Dual Citizenship?











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I'll be going back to the US in February for 10 days or so and up until this year, I've always traveled with my US passport and my Italian ID card to prove my EU citizenship since I live in the EU. This year I decided to get an Italian passport as well since Dutch customs were being problematic about my Italian ID card each time upon re-entry. Id I travel to the US on my US passport and travel back to the Netherlands on my Italian one, am I required to get an ESTA on my Italian passport for the trip back or is that not necessary?










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  • 6




    Possible duplicate of I have two passports/nationalities. How do I use them when I travel?
    – Michael Hampton
    yesterday










  • European customs often get upset about Italian paper IDs, especially when they are renewed with a stamp than replaced as any ID is supposed to be on expiry
    – usr-local-ΕΨΗΕΛΩΝ
    9 hours ago















up vote
4
down vote

favorite












I'll be going back to the US in February for 10 days or so and up until this year, I've always traveled with my US passport and my Italian ID card to prove my EU citizenship since I live in the EU. This year I decided to get an Italian passport as well since Dutch customs were being problematic about my Italian ID card each time upon re-entry. Id I travel to the US on my US passport and travel back to the Netherlands on my Italian one, am I required to get an ESTA on my Italian passport for the trip back or is that not necessary?










share|improve this question









New contributor




Vinnie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 6




    Possible duplicate of I have two passports/nationalities. How do I use them when I travel?
    – Michael Hampton
    yesterday










  • European customs often get upset about Italian paper IDs, especially when they are renewed with a stamp than replaced as any ID is supposed to be on expiry
    – usr-local-ΕΨΗΕΛΩΝ
    9 hours ago













up vote
4
down vote

favorite









up vote
4
down vote

favorite











I'll be going back to the US in February for 10 days or so and up until this year, I've always traveled with my US passport and my Italian ID card to prove my EU citizenship since I live in the EU. This year I decided to get an Italian passport as well since Dutch customs were being problematic about my Italian ID card each time upon re-entry. Id I travel to the US on my US passport and travel back to the Netherlands on my Italian one, am I required to get an ESTA on my Italian passport for the trip back or is that not necessary?










share|improve this question









New contributor




Vinnie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











I'll be going back to the US in February for 10 days or so and up until this year, I've always traveled with my US passport and my Italian ID card to prove my EU citizenship since I live in the EU. This year I decided to get an Italian passport as well since Dutch customs were being problematic about my Italian ID card each time upon re-entry. Id I travel to the US on my US passport and travel back to the Netherlands on my Italian one, am I required to get an ESTA on my Italian passport for the trip back or is that not necessary?







passports us-citizens esta italian-citizens






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edited 12 hours ago









Dirty-flow

10.3k1253109




10.3k1253109






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asked yesterday









Vinnie

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212




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Vinnie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






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Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 6




    Possible duplicate of I have two passports/nationalities. How do I use them when I travel?
    – Michael Hampton
    yesterday










  • European customs often get upset about Italian paper IDs, especially when they are renewed with a stamp than replaced as any ID is supposed to be on expiry
    – usr-local-ΕΨΗΕΛΩΝ
    9 hours ago














  • 6




    Possible duplicate of I have two passports/nationalities. How do I use them when I travel?
    – Michael Hampton
    yesterday










  • European customs often get upset about Italian paper IDs, especially when they are renewed with a stamp than replaced as any ID is supposed to be on expiry
    – usr-local-ΕΨΗΕΛΩΝ
    9 hours ago








6




6




Possible duplicate of I have two passports/nationalities. How do I use them when I travel?
– Michael Hampton
yesterday




Possible duplicate of I have two passports/nationalities. How do I use them when I travel?
– Michael Hampton
yesterday












European customs often get upset about Italian paper IDs, especially when they are renewed with a stamp than replaced as any ID is supposed to be on expiry
– usr-local-ΕΨΗΕΛΩΝ
9 hours ago




European customs often get upset about Italian paper IDs, especially when they are renewed with a stamp than replaced as any ID is supposed to be on expiry
– usr-local-ΕΨΗΕΛΩΝ
9 hours ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
11
down vote













No. ESTA is only for entry into the US. You do not need ESTA to leave the US.



Source: I am also an EU/US dual citizen, and I routinely use my EU passport to leave the US. I have never applied for ESTA.






share|improve this answer






























    up vote
    8
    down vote













    US citizens must declare their citizenship when entering the US; and they are never eligible for ESTA (nor would they ever need one).



    So you must always use your US passport when you enter the US - and can use whichever one you want when leaving.



    Source: see https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/application.html?execution=e1s1# :




    [...] If you are a citizen of the U.S., and also of a VWP country, you
    should not be applying for ESTA. One of the requirements of being a
    naturalized U.S. citizen is that you apply for, and use, a U.S.
    passport for your travels. [...]







    share|improve this answer



















    • 2




      There are actually a few reports on this site of dual citizens obtaining ESTA despite disclosing their US citizenship on the ESTA application. So the US (unlike Canada with its eTA) apparently does not take the position that its citizens are ineligible. On the other hand, there is also a report here of someone who was stopped at preclearance when she tried to fly to the US with a foreign passport and ESTA, so it seems that if one wants to do this one should avoid pre-cleared flights.
      – phoog
      yesterday












    • With regard to your edit, it is certainly correct that US law requires US citizens to have a valid US passport, but I note that the wording of the quote you've added is not inconsistent with the earlier comment. Where the US says "should not be applying for ESTA," Canada says that its citizens "cannot" apply for eTA (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/…). (The CBP page also errs in assuming that a dual citizen is a naturalized US citizen; passport requirements for US citizens are the same regardless of whether they are naturalized.)
      – phoog
      yesterday








    • 2




      I am not sure why you think it is important to point out to the OP how he might be able to get away with not following the policy. I focused on how he is supposed to do it.
      – Aganju
      yesterday






    • 3




      I agree with the focus on how things are supposed to be done, but the statement that "US citizens are never eligible for ESTA" appears to be incorrect.
      – phoog
      yesterday


















    up vote
    6
    down vote













    Simple rule for dual nationals:



    Present the passport of each nationality to immigration officials of that same nationality - whether entering or leaving the country. For example, when you’re in the USA, show your USA passport to border officers; and when you’re in Italy, show your Italian passport.



    This establishes to them that you’re one of their own citizens, therefore there are no restrictions on your immigration status.



    When dealing with airline staff, present the passport of the country you’re travelling to.



    This confirms to the airline that you have permission to enter your destination country.



    Edit:
    And to nail down the point to answer the question: no. You’re a USA citizen. You don’t require an ESTA, because you’re one of their own citizens... as demonstrated by your USA passport, which you will present to USA border officers on entry.



    For exit, it’s a moot point anyway.






    share|improve this answer























    • The only part of your answer that actually deals with the question is the last sentence, and you don't explain the one thing the asker needs to know. They want to get an ESTA for leaving the US: nobody needs an ESTA to do that.
      – David Richerby
      3 hours ago












    • I said: “For exit, it’s a moot point anyway.”
      – Chris Melville
      2 hours ago










    • And I very much doubt that will make any sense whatsoever to somebody under the mistaken belief that you need an ESTA to exit the USA. That was the whole point of my comment!
      – David Richerby
      2 hours ago












    • Don’t you understand what a moot point is? Having read the main answer about holding USA citizenship, and therefore not being subject to immigration restrictions, it’s plainly obvious. ESTAs don’t come into it for USA nationals, either way.
      – Chris Melville
      2 hours ago










    • Yes, I understand what a moot point is but please bear in mind that many users of this site are not native speakers of English. Your answer would be improved by directly answering the asker's question, rather than making a long series of statements from which they can deduce the answer, assuming they understand everything. I really don't understand why you're so resistant to just explicitly answering the question.
      – David Richerby
      2 hours ago











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    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes








    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

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    up vote
    11
    down vote













    No. ESTA is only for entry into the US. You do not need ESTA to leave the US.



    Source: I am also an EU/US dual citizen, and I routinely use my EU passport to leave the US. I have never applied for ESTA.






    share|improve this answer



























      up vote
      11
      down vote













      No. ESTA is only for entry into the US. You do not need ESTA to leave the US.



      Source: I am also an EU/US dual citizen, and I routinely use my EU passport to leave the US. I have never applied for ESTA.






      share|improve this answer

























        up vote
        11
        down vote










        up vote
        11
        down vote









        No. ESTA is only for entry into the US. You do not need ESTA to leave the US.



        Source: I am also an EU/US dual citizen, and I routinely use my EU passport to leave the US. I have never applied for ESTA.






        share|improve this answer














        No. ESTA is only for entry into the US. You do not need ESTA to leave the US.



        Source: I am also an EU/US dual citizen, and I routinely use my EU passport to leave the US. I have never applied for ESTA.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited yesterday

























        answered yesterday









        phoog

        65.5k9143208




        65.5k9143208
























            up vote
            8
            down vote













            US citizens must declare their citizenship when entering the US; and they are never eligible for ESTA (nor would they ever need one).



            So you must always use your US passport when you enter the US - and can use whichever one you want when leaving.



            Source: see https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/application.html?execution=e1s1# :




            [...] If you are a citizen of the U.S., and also of a VWP country, you
            should not be applying for ESTA. One of the requirements of being a
            naturalized U.S. citizen is that you apply for, and use, a U.S.
            passport for your travels. [...]







            share|improve this answer



















            • 2




              There are actually a few reports on this site of dual citizens obtaining ESTA despite disclosing their US citizenship on the ESTA application. So the US (unlike Canada with its eTA) apparently does not take the position that its citizens are ineligible. On the other hand, there is also a report here of someone who was stopped at preclearance when she tried to fly to the US with a foreign passport and ESTA, so it seems that if one wants to do this one should avoid pre-cleared flights.
              – phoog
              yesterday












            • With regard to your edit, it is certainly correct that US law requires US citizens to have a valid US passport, but I note that the wording of the quote you've added is not inconsistent with the earlier comment. Where the US says "should not be applying for ESTA," Canada says that its citizens "cannot" apply for eTA (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/…). (The CBP page also errs in assuming that a dual citizen is a naturalized US citizen; passport requirements for US citizens are the same regardless of whether they are naturalized.)
              – phoog
              yesterday








            • 2




              I am not sure why you think it is important to point out to the OP how he might be able to get away with not following the policy. I focused on how he is supposed to do it.
              – Aganju
              yesterday






            • 3




              I agree with the focus on how things are supposed to be done, but the statement that "US citizens are never eligible for ESTA" appears to be incorrect.
              – phoog
              yesterday















            up vote
            8
            down vote













            US citizens must declare their citizenship when entering the US; and they are never eligible for ESTA (nor would they ever need one).



            So you must always use your US passport when you enter the US - and can use whichever one you want when leaving.



            Source: see https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/application.html?execution=e1s1# :




            [...] If you are a citizen of the U.S., and also of a VWP country, you
            should not be applying for ESTA. One of the requirements of being a
            naturalized U.S. citizen is that you apply for, and use, a U.S.
            passport for your travels. [...]







            share|improve this answer



















            • 2




              There are actually a few reports on this site of dual citizens obtaining ESTA despite disclosing their US citizenship on the ESTA application. So the US (unlike Canada with its eTA) apparently does not take the position that its citizens are ineligible. On the other hand, there is also a report here of someone who was stopped at preclearance when she tried to fly to the US with a foreign passport and ESTA, so it seems that if one wants to do this one should avoid pre-cleared flights.
              – phoog
              yesterday












            • With regard to your edit, it is certainly correct that US law requires US citizens to have a valid US passport, but I note that the wording of the quote you've added is not inconsistent with the earlier comment. Where the US says "should not be applying for ESTA," Canada says that its citizens "cannot" apply for eTA (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/…). (The CBP page also errs in assuming that a dual citizen is a naturalized US citizen; passport requirements for US citizens are the same regardless of whether they are naturalized.)
              – phoog
              yesterday








            • 2




              I am not sure why you think it is important to point out to the OP how he might be able to get away with not following the policy. I focused on how he is supposed to do it.
              – Aganju
              yesterday






            • 3




              I agree with the focus on how things are supposed to be done, but the statement that "US citizens are never eligible for ESTA" appears to be incorrect.
              – phoog
              yesterday













            up vote
            8
            down vote










            up vote
            8
            down vote









            US citizens must declare their citizenship when entering the US; and they are never eligible for ESTA (nor would they ever need one).



            So you must always use your US passport when you enter the US - and can use whichever one you want when leaving.



            Source: see https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/application.html?execution=e1s1# :




            [...] If you are a citizen of the U.S., and also of a VWP country, you
            should not be applying for ESTA. One of the requirements of being a
            naturalized U.S. citizen is that you apply for, and use, a U.S.
            passport for your travels. [...]







            share|improve this answer














            US citizens must declare their citizenship when entering the US; and they are never eligible for ESTA (nor would they ever need one).



            So you must always use your US passport when you enter the US - and can use whichever one you want when leaving.



            Source: see https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/application.html?execution=e1s1# :




            [...] If you are a citizen of the U.S., and also of a VWP country, you
            should not be applying for ESTA. One of the requirements of being a
            naturalized U.S. citizen is that you apply for, and use, a U.S.
            passport for your travels. [...]








            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited yesterday

























            answered yesterday









            Aganju

            18.1k53972




            18.1k53972








            • 2




              There are actually a few reports on this site of dual citizens obtaining ESTA despite disclosing their US citizenship on the ESTA application. So the US (unlike Canada with its eTA) apparently does not take the position that its citizens are ineligible. On the other hand, there is also a report here of someone who was stopped at preclearance when she tried to fly to the US with a foreign passport and ESTA, so it seems that if one wants to do this one should avoid pre-cleared flights.
              – phoog
              yesterday












            • With regard to your edit, it is certainly correct that US law requires US citizens to have a valid US passport, but I note that the wording of the quote you've added is not inconsistent with the earlier comment. Where the US says "should not be applying for ESTA," Canada says that its citizens "cannot" apply for eTA (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/…). (The CBP page also errs in assuming that a dual citizen is a naturalized US citizen; passport requirements for US citizens are the same regardless of whether they are naturalized.)
              – phoog
              yesterday








            • 2




              I am not sure why you think it is important to point out to the OP how he might be able to get away with not following the policy. I focused on how he is supposed to do it.
              – Aganju
              yesterday






            • 3




              I agree with the focus on how things are supposed to be done, but the statement that "US citizens are never eligible for ESTA" appears to be incorrect.
              – phoog
              yesterday














            • 2




              There are actually a few reports on this site of dual citizens obtaining ESTA despite disclosing their US citizenship on the ESTA application. So the US (unlike Canada with its eTA) apparently does not take the position that its citizens are ineligible. On the other hand, there is also a report here of someone who was stopped at preclearance when she tried to fly to the US with a foreign passport and ESTA, so it seems that if one wants to do this one should avoid pre-cleared flights.
              – phoog
              yesterday












            • With regard to your edit, it is certainly correct that US law requires US citizens to have a valid US passport, but I note that the wording of the quote you've added is not inconsistent with the earlier comment. Where the US says "should not be applying for ESTA," Canada says that its citizens "cannot" apply for eTA (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/…). (The CBP page also errs in assuming that a dual citizen is a naturalized US citizen; passport requirements for US citizens are the same regardless of whether they are naturalized.)
              – phoog
              yesterday








            • 2




              I am not sure why you think it is important to point out to the OP how he might be able to get away with not following the policy. I focused on how he is supposed to do it.
              – Aganju
              yesterday






            • 3




              I agree with the focus on how things are supposed to be done, but the statement that "US citizens are never eligible for ESTA" appears to be incorrect.
              – phoog
              yesterday








            2




            2




            There are actually a few reports on this site of dual citizens obtaining ESTA despite disclosing their US citizenship on the ESTA application. So the US (unlike Canada with its eTA) apparently does not take the position that its citizens are ineligible. On the other hand, there is also a report here of someone who was stopped at preclearance when she tried to fly to the US with a foreign passport and ESTA, so it seems that if one wants to do this one should avoid pre-cleared flights.
            – phoog
            yesterday






            There are actually a few reports on this site of dual citizens obtaining ESTA despite disclosing their US citizenship on the ESTA application. So the US (unlike Canada with its eTA) apparently does not take the position that its citizens are ineligible. On the other hand, there is also a report here of someone who was stopped at preclearance when she tried to fly to the US with a foreign passport and ESTA, so it seems that if one wants to do this one should avoid pre-cleared flights.
            – phoog
            yesterday














            With regard to your edit, it is certainly correct that US law requires US citizens to have a valid US passport, but I note that the wording of the quote you've added is not inconsistent with the earlier comment. Where the US says "should not be applying for ESTA," Canada says that its citizens "cannot" apply for eTA (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/…). (The CBP page also errs in assuming that a dual citizen is a naturalized US citizen; passport requirements for US citizens are the same regardless of whether they are naturalized.)
            – phoog
            yesterday






            With regard to your edit, it is certainly correct that US law requires US citizens to have a valid US passport, but I note that the wording of the quote you've added is not inconsistent with the earlier comment. Where the US says "should not be applying for ESTA," Canada says that its citizens "cannot" apply for eTA (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/…). (The CBP page also errs in assuming that a dual citizen is a naturalized US citizen; passport requirements for US citizens are the same regardless of whether they are naturalized.)
            – phoog
            yesterday






            2




            2




            I am not sure why you think it is important to point out to the OP how he might be able to get away with not following the policy. I focused on how he is supposed to do it.
            – Aganju
            yesterday




            I am not sure why you think it is important to point out to the OP how he might be able to get away with not following the policy. I focused on how he is supposed to do it.
            – Aganju
            yesterday




            3




            3




            I agree with the focus on how things are supposed to be done, but the statement that "US citizens are never eligible for ESTA" appears to be incorrect.
            – phoog
            yesterday




            I agree with the focus on how things are supposed to be done, but the statement that "US citizens are never eligible for ESTA" appears to be incorrect.
            – phoog
            yesterday










            up vote
            6
            down vote













            Simple rule for dual nationals:



            Present the passport of each nationality to immigration officials of that same nationality - whether entering or leaving the country. For example, when you’re in the USA, show your USA passport to border officers; and when you’re in Italy, show your Italian passport.



            This establishes to them that you’re one of their own citizens, therefore there are no restrictions on your immigration status.



            When dealing with airline staff, present the passport of the country you’re travelling to.



            This confirms to the airline that you have permission to enter your destination country.



            Edit:
            And to nail down the point to answer the question: no. You’re a USA citizen. You don’t require an ESTA, because you’re one of their own citizens... as demonstrated by your USA passport, which you will present to USA border officers on entry.



            For exit, it’s a moot point anyway.






            share|improve this answer























            • The only part of your answer that actually deals with the question is the last sentence, and you don't explain the one thing the asker needs to know. They want to get an ESTA for leaving the US: nobody needs an ESTA to do that.
              – David Richerby
              3 hours ago












            • I said: “For exit, it’s a moot point anyway.”
              – Chris Melville
              2 hours ago










            • And I very much doubt that will make any sense whatsoever to somebody under the mistaken belief that you need an ESTA to exit the USA. That was the whole point of my comment!
              – David Richerby
              2 hours ago












            • Don’t you understand what a moot point is? Having read the main answer about holding USA citizenship, and therefore not being subject to immigration restrictions, it’s plainly obvious. ESTAs don’t come into it for USA nationals, either way.
              – Chris Melville
              2 hours ago










            • Yes, I understand what a moot point is but please bear in mind that many users of this site are not native speakers of English. Your answer would be improved by directly answering the asker's question, rather than making a long series of statements from which they can deduce the answer, assuming they understand everything. I really don't understand why you're so resistant to just explicitly answering the question.
              – David Richerby
              2 hours ago















            up vote
            6
            down vote













            Simple rule for dual nationals:



            Present the passport of each nationality to immigration officials of that same nationality - whether entering or leaving the country. For example, when you’re in the USA, show your USA passport to border officers; and when you’re in Italy, show your Italian passport.



            This establishes to them that you’re one of their own citizens, therefore there are no restrictions on your immigration status.



            When dealing with airline staff, present the passport of the country you’re travelling to.



            This confirms to the airline that you have permission to enter your destination country.



            Edit:
            And to nail down the point to answer the question: no. You’re a USA citizen. You don’t require an ESTA, because you’re one of their own citizens... as demonstrated by your USA passport, which you will present to USA border officers on entry.



            For exit, it’s a moot point anyway.






            share|improve this answer























            • The only part of your answer that actually deals with the question is the last sentence, and you don't explain the one thing the asker needs to know. They want to get an ESTA for leaving the US: nobody needs an ESTA to do that.
              – David Richerby
              3 hours ago












            • I said: “For exit, it’s a moot point anyway.”
              – Chris Melville
              2 hours ago










            • And I very much doubt that will make any sense whatsoever to somebody under the mistaken belief that you need an ESTA to exit the USA. That was the whole point of my comment!
              – David Richerby
              2 hours ago












            • Don’t you understand what a moot point is? Having read the main answer about holding USA citizenship, and therefore not being subject to immigration restrictions, it’s plainly obvious. ESTAs don’t come into it for USA nationals, either way.
              – Chris Melville
              2 hours ago










            • Yes, I understand what a moot point is but please bear in mind that many users of this site are not native speakers of English. Your answer would be improved by directly answering the asker's question, rather than making a long series of statements from which they can deduce the answer, assuming they understand everything. I really don't understand why you're so resistant to just explicitly answering the question.
              – David Richerby
              2 hours ago













            up vote
            6
            down vote










            up vote
            6
            down vote









            Simple rule for dual nationals:



            Present the passport of each nationality to immigration officials of that same nationality - whether entering or leaving the country. For example, when you’re in the USA, show your USA passport to border officers; and when you’re in Italy, show your Italian passport.



            This establishes to them that you’re one of their own citizens, therefore there are no restrictions on your immigration status.



            When dealing with airline staff, present the passport of the country you’re travelling to.



            This confirms to the airline that you have permission to enter your destination country.



            Edit:
            And to nail down the point to answer the question: no. You’re a USA citizen. You don’t require an ESTA, because you’re one of their own citizens... as demonstrated by your USA passport, which you will present to USA border officers on entry.



            For exit, it’s a moot point anyway.






            share|improve this answer














            Simple rule for dual nationals:



            Present the passport of each nationality to immigration officials of that same nationality - whether entering or leaving the country. For example, when you’re in the USA, show your USA passport to border officers; and when you’re in Italy, show your Italian passport.



            This establishes to them that you’re one of their own citizens, therefore there are no restrictions on your immigration status.



            When dealing with airline staff, present the passport of the country you’re travelling to.



            This confirms to the airline that you have permission to enter your destination country.



            Edit:
            And to nail down the point to answer the question: no. You’re a USA citizen. You don’t require an ESTA, because you’re one of their own citizens... as demonstrated by your USA passport, which you will present to USA border officers on entry.



            For exit, it’s a moot point anyway.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 21 hours ago

























            answered 21 hours ago









            Chris Melville

            1,199236




            1,199236












            • The only part of your answer that actually deals with the question is the last sentence, and you don't explain the one thing the asker needs to know. They want to get an ESTA for leaving the US: nobody needs an ESTA to do that.
              – David Richerby
              3 hours ago












            • I said: “For exit, it’s a moot point anyway.”
              – Chris Melville
              2 hours ago










            • And I very much doubt that will make any sense whatsoever to somebody under the mistaken belief that you need an ESTA to exit the USA. That was the whole point of my comment!
              – David Richerby
              2 hours ago












            • Don’t you understand what a moot point is? Having read the main answer about holding USA citizenship, and therefore not being subject to immigration restrictions, it’s plainly obvious. ESTAs don’t come into it for USA nationals, either way.
              – Chris Melville
              2 hours ago










            • Yes, I understand what a moot point is but please bear in mind that many users of this site are not native speakers of English. Your answer would be improved by directly answering the asker's question, rather than making a long series of statements from which they can deduce the answer, assuming they understand everything. I really don't understand why you're so resistant to just explicitly answering the question.
              – David Richerby
              2 hours ago


















            • The only part of your answer that actually deals with the question is the last sentence, and you don't explain the one thing the asker needs to know. They want to get an ESTA for leaving the US: nobody needs an ESTA to do that.
              – David Richerby
              3 hours ago












            • I said: “For exit, it’s a moot point anyway.”
              – Chris Melville
              2 hours ago










            • And I very much doubt that will make any sense whatsoever to somebody under the mistaken belief that you need an ESTA to exit the USA. That was the whole point of my comment!
              – David Richerby
              2 hours ago












            • Don’t you understand what a moot point is? Having read the main answer about holding USA citizenship, and therefore not being subject to immigration restrictions, it’s plainly obvious. ESTAs don’t come into it for USA nationals, either way.
              – Chris Melville
              2 hours ago










            • Yes, I understand what a moot point is but please bear in mind that many users of this site are not native speakers of English. Your answer would be improved by directly answering the asker's question, rather than making a long series of statements from which they can deduce the answer, assuming they understand everything. I really don't understand why you're so resistant to just explicitly answering the question.
              – David Richerby
              2 hours ago
















            The only part of your answer that actually deals with the question is the last sentence, and you don't explain the one thing the asker needs to know. They want to get an ESTA for leaving the US: nobody needs an ESTA to do that.
            – David Richerby
            3 hours ago






            The only part of your answer that actually deals with the question is the last sentence, and you don't explain the one thing the asker needs to know. They want to get an ESTA for leaving the US: nobody needs an ESTA to do that.
            – David Richerby
            3 hours ago














            I said: “For exit, it’s a moot point anyway.”
            – Chris Melville
            2 hours ago




            I said: “For exit, it’s a moot point anyway.”
            – Chris Melville
            2 hours ago












            And I very much doubt that will make any sense whatsoever to somebody under the mistaken belief that you need an ESTA to exit the USA. That was the whole point of my comment!
            – David Richerby
            2 hours ago






            And I very much doubt that will make any sense whatsoever to somebody under the mistaken belief that you need an ESTA to exit the USA. That was the whole point of my comment!
            – David Richerby
            2 hours ago














            Don’t you understand what a moot point is? Having read the main answer about holding USA citizenship, and therefore not being subject to immigration restrictions, it’s plainly obvious. ESTAs don’t come into it for USA nationals, either way.
            – Chris Melville
            2 hours ago




            Don’t you understand what a moot point is? Having read the main answer about holding USA citizenship, and therefore not being subject to immigration restrictions, it’s plainly obvious. ESTAs don’t come into it for USA nationals, either way.
            – Chris Melville
            2 hours ago












            Yes, I understand what a moot point is but please bear in mind that many users of this site are not native speakers of English. Your answer would be improved by directly answering the asker's question, rather than making a long series of statements from which they can deduce the answer, assuming they understand everything. I really don't understand why you're so resistant to just explicitly answering the question.
            – David Richerby
            2 hours ago




            Yes, I understand what a moot point is but please bear in mind that many users of this site are not native speakers of English. Your answer would be improved by directly answering the asker's question, rather than making a long series of statements from which they can deduce the answer, assuming they understand everything. I really don't understand why you're so resistant to just explicitly answering the question.
            – David Richerby
            2 hours ago










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