The downside of Dual Citizenship

[n2kaja]

Yes it's great to be able to vote in two countries, and it's pretty cool to know that I can live hassle free in two countries. BUT 
when it comes to traveling back and forth. IT"S just plan SILLY!
I needed a US passport to travel to the states, Ian needs a passport to travel to the states. 75.00 USD for mine 150 USD for Ians because it's his 1st adult passport. (we also needed 3 express post bags @ 12.95 a bag) Ian needs to apply in person in Sydney, so that's a day off work for me and a missed day of school for him.
Ian and I both need an Australian passport to return to Australia and Paul needs a new one because he can't use his Government passport for Private travel. These are a whooping 208.00 each.
International drivers license (lucky for the motor club I get it 50% off) 25.00

Now with all that and missed work it cost more then one of our return air tickets.

CRAZY!
What's left will have to pay for the rental car and any motel stays. Looks like I'll be on a diet while in the states.
Upside is at least the US passports are good for 10 years, I'm not sure yet about the Aussie ones.

Comments

[clariefarie.livejournal.com]

They'll be good for 10 years, too. Which is stupid because most countries won't let you in unless it's valid for a couple of years after you're due to leave - so it's really only 8 years or so.

[angel80.livejournal.com]

Also 10 years. And once you have one, renewal is much less of a hassle than the first one.

[laruth.livejournal.com]

Yes it's 10 years.

@angel80 - I thought that renewal is much easier than applying for the first passport, but with recent changes end of last year, it's become quite a challenge if you're born overseas (as I experienced some time in October last year).

[thelamington.livejournal.com]

hey what's the deal with international licenses? I am still using my US one because I got sick of traveling back and forth and every time I'd change my licence over they'd chop up the other one. I just got this new car, too, and in order to switch over the rego I need an Australian license .. or can I just get an international one and be ok? and if I do that will they still chop up my Washington one?

[n2kaja.livejournal.com]

If they say you need an Australian one my bet is they won't let you use an International one. The international one would have to be from Washington and it doesn't effect your washingtion license. But I'll so some more research for you and find out. Could you put the rego in your Grandma's name?

[thelamington.livejournal.com]

For now the rego is in her name but I would like to get everything transferred to me because she gets very stressy about the car.