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My wife (Polish passport) is planning to travel to the USA (and some European countries) with our son who has dual Polish-British nationality. Would it cause any issues if the young one is travelling on a British passport? It seems especially convenient this way, because Polish citizens still need a visa to get to the USA, which is both expensive and humiliating to obtain. Are they going to experience any issues with American officials?

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    What's so humiliating about getting a visa? Dec 4, 2011 at 3:01
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    @Ankujr: Because of the absurd American visa theatre that's been introduced in the wake of 9/11. Dec 4, 2011 at 10:54
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    The absurd theatre of having to apply for visas has always existed for travellers of many nationalities. Man up! Dec 5, 2011 at 9:50
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    @AnkurBanerjee Does that make it any less humiliating?
    – Relaxed
    Sep 11, 2013 at 10:15
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    @AnkurBanerjee: Have you seen how people are treated at the US embassies? I have seen parents with babies having to leave strollers and bags outside with strangers, since it was completely unthinkable even to park the stroller OUTSIDE the actual embassy (but near the queue)... May 30, 2018 at 12:48

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Technically there's no issue at all with doing this.

However where she could have a problem is in convincing the immigration officials that she is the child's true parent, and has authority to take him across country lines. I'd suggest taking a copy of your son's birth certificate showing that she is the child's mother, as well as a letter from you giving permission for her to travel with him. If her name on the passport is different to that on the birth certificate, such as if it changed at marriage, you'll also want proof of that - such as a marriage certificate.

Here's some additional information on children traveling with only one parent.

Don't forget that you will be required to obtain an ESTA for your son to enter the US under the visa waiver program.

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