I have a very simple question...I have checked the posts, but I can't seem to find a straight answer:
How easy would it be for my SO to be a dual citizen of the UK and USA?
Thanks!!
Full Version: Dual Citizenship Question
I would think it would be fine. Yet, you're better off checking if the UK allows double citizenship.
QUOTE(greeneyedgirlfl @ Feb 24 2008, 04:07 PM) 
I have a very simple question...I have checked the posts, but I can't seem to find a straight answer:
How easy would it be for my SO to be a dual citizen of the UK and USA?
Thanks!!
How easy would it be for my SO to be a dual citizen of the UK and USA?
Thanks!!
Very easy. Basically Britain doesn't recognize the US citizenship, and the US doesn't recognize the UK one. Neither country will force you to relinquish citizenship so basically your SO can have both. As a Brit, I will be applying for US citizenship in the next few years, and that will be my third. I have UK and Ireland at present.
This is not a problem, UK citizenship is not abandoned when applying for and becoming a US citizenship. US and UK recognize dual citizenship.
QUOTE
Dual Citizenship and the Loss of Citizenship
Many countries permit or even encourage the acquisition of another country’s citizenship, while others allow dual (or multiple) citizenship only if the other citizenship is not acquired voluntarily. Still other countries do not permit dual citizenship and have provisions in their laws concerning the loss of citizenship when another nationality is acquired. In the United States, dual citizenship is not explicitly prohibited; the United States has no laws or policies addressing this issue. (Dual citizenship is discussed in more detail in Section VI.)
U.S. Policy
The current citizenship and immigration laws of the United States do not specifically address dual nationality. According to the State Department, “the U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause.” The State Department notes that problems may arise from
International Comparisons
In contrast to the U.S. law, Canadian law specifically addresses dual citizenship. Amendments to Canada’s citizenship law, effective February 15, 1977, permit Canadian citizens to retain their Canadian citizenship if they acquire a foreign nationality. Several other countries also generally permit dual citizenship, including Australia, France, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments...enship_2004.pdf
Many countries permit or even encourage the acquisition of another country’s citizenship, while others allow dual (or multiple) citizenship only if the other citizenship is not acquired voluntarily. Still other countries do not permit dual citizenship and have provisions in their laws concerning the loss of citizenship when another nationality is acquired. In the United States, dual citizenship is not explicitly prohibited; the United States has no laws or policies addressing this issue. (Dual citizenship is discussed in more detail in Section VI.)
U.S. Policy
The current citizenship and immigration laws of the United States do not specifically address dual nationality. According to the State Department, “the U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause.” The State Department notes that problems may arise from
- claims of other countries on dual national U.S. citizens that may conflict with U.S. law;
- conflicts that arise from a dual national’s allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country;
- dual nationals are required to obey the laws of both countries, which may be in conflict; and
- each country having the right to enforce its laws, particularly when the dual national is in that country.
International Comparisons
In contrast to the U.S. law, Canadian law specifically addresses dual citizenship. Amendments to Canada’s citizenship law, effective February 15, 1977, permit Canadian citizens to retain their Canadian citizenship if they acquire a foreign nationality. Several other countries also generally permit dual citizenship, including Australia, France, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Guess you can thought it was not an option thanks for the heads up
Cheers
Cheers
QUOTE(SusieK @ Feb 24 2008, 02:28 PM)
Guess you can thought it was not an option thanks for the heads up
Cheers
Cheers
UK does recognise dual citizenship.
US does not.
So can an American get Duel If he's with a Britt who becomes a US citizen?
QUOTE(Hannah+Vito @ Feb 24 2008, 08:23 PM)
So can an American get Duel If he's with a Britt who becomes a US citizen?
The process is similar, there is talk about "earning" ctiizenship in the UK, which could speed up the process for some.
Should the situation arise my wife is likely to go for it, having auto acess to EU is seen as a big plus.
QUOTE(Boiler @ Feb 25 2008, 03:27 AM)
QUOTE(Hannah+Vito @ Feb 24 2008, 08:23 PM)
So can an American get Duel If he's with a Britt who becomes a US citizen?
The process is similar, there is talk about "earning" ctiizenship in the UK, which could speed up the process for some.
Should the situation arise my wife is likely to go for it, having auto acess to EU is seen as a big plus.
Thanks I have hope now.
There is no need for the Brit to have US Citizenhip btw.
Cool, 
I simply care about bringing my Britt over here to be with for ever. If she wants to become a citizen, all the better. Me getting UK citizenship will be a bonus not an expectation.
I simply care about bringing my Britt over here to be with for ever. If she wants to become a citizen, all the better. Me getting UK citizenship will be a bonus not an expectation.
Thanks for all the responses!!!
QUOTE(Boiler @ Feb 24 2008, 10:42 PM)
There is no need for the Brit to have US Citizenhip btw.
A few reasons to become a US Citizen.
QUOTE
One Strike, You're Out
The government's gotten tough on immigrants and not just illegal immigrants.
Many people here legally with green cards are being deported because the government claims they've committed "aggravated felonies"¯ which you would think would be serious crimes like murder and drug trafficking.
http://cbs5.com/30minutes/local_story_266005518.htmlThe government's gotten tough on immigrants and not just illegal immigrants.
Many people here legally with green cards are being deported because the government claims they've committed "aggravated felonies"¯ which you would think would be serious crimes like murder and drug trafficking.
Here is a list I found:
QUOTE
- A Citizen Can Vote
A citizen has the right to vote for elected officials at the federal, state and local levels who shape the policy of the government. - Dual Citizenship
Certain countries, including Ireland and the United Kingdom, recognize "dual citizenship" permitting naturalized U.S. citizens to maintain their citizenship of birth and original passport. - Citizens Can Bring More Relatives From Abroad, More Quickly
Citizens can petition for a wider variety of family members to come to the US as permanent residents. They also have much shorter waiting times for green cards, and no limits. - Citizens Cannot be Deported
Most of us never expect to commit a crime, but if we are the victims of circumstance, in the wrong place at the wrong time, as citizens, we cannot be deported. We also don't need to worry about a lost green card or too-long stay outside the US preventing us from re-entering. - Citizens Can Retire Abroad With Full Social Security Benefits
Citizens who retire abroad get all their Social Security benefits. Green card holders only get half of the benefits they earned. - Citizens are Entitled to More Public Benefits
Citizens are eligible for more public benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Food Stamps, as well as certain academic scholarships and financial aid. - A US Citizen Can Hold Office and Have More Job Opportunities
Only a citizen has the right to hold an elected position in most city, state or federal offices. Many federal, state and city jobs also require citizenship. - Adopted or Natural Children Under 18 May be Naturalized Automatically
Depending on the circumstances, children born abroad, who are under 18 years of age and unmarried may be able to naturalize automatically when a parent does so. - Citizens Have More Financial and Tax Benefits
Citizens often receive approval on loans and mortgages more easily, and/or they get better rates, because the lender knows there is less chance they will defect. Citizens are often subject to fewer restrictions on estate taxes as well. - Citizens Don't Have to Worry About Renewing a Green Card Every 10 Years
We have enough to worry about with passports and other paperwork. As citizens, we don't have to worry about renewing a green cards every ten years.
My list:
Never having to deal with USCIS anymore.
Being able to come and go without the concern of maintaining residency
Certain tax advantages.
Never having to deal with USCIS anymore.
Being able to come and go without the concern of maintaining residency
Certain tax advantages.
1. Never having to go to an immigration office again and stand in lines at 5:30 AM
2. Not having to worry about coming and going.
3. Plus some countries require visas if you arent American citizen. For example we went to Playa Del Carmen over Thanksgiving(my wife is us citizen). But her friend has green card. She had to go to the Mexican Consulate to get a stamp in her passport since she is Brazilian. Also we are going to Israel this year for a wedding. My wifes sister is joining us. They are going on to Turkey for a few days. She has to get a visa in advance. My wife can get one at the airport.
Its just a lot less hassles going down the road. A friend of my wifes husband applied for his new green card. It took months. Had to defer travel plans to the UK waiting for the green card.
2. Not having to worry about coming and going.
3. Plus some countries require visas if you arent American citizen. For example we went to Playa Del Carmen over Thanksgiving(my wife is us citizen). But her friend has green card. She had to go to the Mexican Consulate to get a stamp in her passport since she is Brazilian. Also we are going to Israel this year for a wedding. My wifes sister is joining us. They are going on to Turkey for a few days. She has to get a visa in advance. My wife can get one at the airport.
Its just a lot less hassles going down the road. A friend of my wifes husband applied for his new green card. It took months. Had to defer travel plans to the UK waiting for the green card.
I've just filed my N-400 with the intention of taking dual citizenship -- had this not been possible then I wouldn't have applied. My main reasons for doing this are:
- NEVER having to deal with the USCIS again
- finally being able to vote after having lived here for nearly 9 years (although with the current imbeciles running the USCIS, I'll be pretty amazed if my application is processed in time for the November election)
The UK allows dual citizenship and, whilst the US doesn't recognize dual citizenship, they turn a blind eye to it. At least, they do at the moment. If it ever changes, then I will revert back to only being a UK citizen -- the opportunity to live and work in both the US and the EU is too important to give up.
If we ever decide to move to the UK, then my hubby has said that he'd do the reciprocal thing and apply for UK citizenship (which, incidentally, also has the same residency requirements as the US in that he'd need to be a resident of the UK for 3 years before applying)
- NEVER having to deal with the USCIS again
- finally being able to vote after having lived here for nearly 9 years (although with the current imbeciles running the USCIS, I'll be pretty amazed if my application is processed in time for the November election)
The UK allows dual citizenship and, whilst the US doesn't recognize dual citizenship, they turn a blind eye to it. At least, they do at the moment. If it ever changes, then I will revert back to only being a UK citizen -- the opportunity to live and work in both the US and the EU is too important to give up.
If we ever decide to move to the UK, then my hubby has said that he'd do the reciprocal thing and apply for UK citizenship (which, incidentally, also has the same residency requirements as the US in that he'd need to be a resident of the UK for 3 years before applying)
Is there a list anywhere of countries that recognize dual citizenship? That would be interesting to look at.
QUOTE(doodle @ Mar 4 2008, 08:02 AM)
Is there a list anywhere of countries that recognize dual citizenship? That would be interesting to look at.
http://www.richw.org/dualcit/
I've read that when one has dual citizenship and, in the case of a UK/US citizenship, travels to the UK they should show their UK passport when entering the UK and show their US passport when returning to the US. If this is true, is it a requirement to maintain two passports? Or, what if the UK passport can't be located or is expired? Can the dual UK/US citizen enter the UK and the US on the US passport?
PJ
PJ
QUOTE(pj1959us @ Mar 4 2008, 01:57 PM)
I've read that when one has dual citizenship and, in the case of a UK/US citizenship, travels to the UK they should show their UK passport when entering the UK and show their US passport when returning to the US. If this is true, is it a requirement to maintain two passports? Or, what if the UK passport can't be located or is expired? Can the dual UK/US citizen enter the UK and the US on the US passport?
PJ
PJ
Yup, you need to maintain both passports and bring both with you when you travel to/from the UK (showing the British one when entering the UK and the US one when leaving the UK -- i.e. checking in at the airport -- as well as when going through US immigration). I think you'd be able to enter the UK on a US passport, but you'd then have to stand in the non-EU queue (which, in the case of Heathrow especially, is horrific) and you'd get a visitor's stamp in your passport.
Btw, you can renew your passport in the US if it's expired -- details here http://www.britainusa.com/sections/index_n...i=10080&d=1 (it's a bit more expensive than renewing in the UK, but was much quicker!) Not sure what you'd do if you can't find your passport, so I'd suggest contacting either your local consulate or the British Embassy.
QUOTE(pj1959us @ Mar 4 2008, 10:57 AM)
I've read that when one has dual citizenship and, in the case of a UK/US citizenship, travels to the UK they should show their UK passport when entering the UK and show their US passport when returning to the US. If this is true, is it a requirement to maintain two passports? Or, what if the UK passport can't be located or is expired? Can the dual UK/US citizen enter the UK and the US on the US passport?
I'm not sure about UK laws. But I'll just point out that the reverse scheme wouldn't legally work. US law says that when a US citizen presents himself to US authorities at a US POE, he's got to present a US passport. That's true even if the US citizen also legally holds other citizenships and passports. Someone who holds US citizenship can't legally use a foreign passport to enter the US.
Some other countries have similar laws. Others will let you choose to use any validly issued passport you may hold.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.