Canadian husband becoming a US Citizen...need advice/info

[daisylynn 0]

I am a US Citizen, my husband a Canadian citizen. He became a permanent resident (has his PR card) of the US almost 3 years ago (3 years in June.) We thought we would just leave it like that. I had heard that in order to become a US citizen, he would have to give up his Canadian citizenship. But he has been out of work for 6 months now and we are running into issues with that. Because of his line of work, he *can* work at the shipyards, but none of them will hire him because he isn't a US citizen. They pay good and he's had lots of calls. But once they find out, they tell him they can't hire him because of that.

So, that got us to looking more into him becoming a US citizen. But we still have questions and I knew that VJ was the place to come. You all helped us out SOOOO much when we were going through the whole immigration process and I'm hoping I can find the answers we need.

1. I've read different things...If he becomes a US citizen, will he have to give up his Canadian citizenship? I read that he would have to renounce it to the US but not to Canada. If that is true, what exactly does that mean and what would have to to really do/say to the US? Does he have to get a US passport?

2. If he can still keep his Canadian citizenship, does that mean he can still come and go between the 2 countries as he would like, without hassle? Would he have to give up his Canadian passport?

3. What paperwork do we need to fill out? And how long does the process take? Do we have to wait until the 3 years or can we start the process now? Are their interviews and is the process as involved (or more) as the immigration process was? (Just trying to get an idea of what we're looking at.)

4. How much does it cost?

Thanks SO much for any and all help with this!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

You may wish to request this be moved tyo the Canadian forum for some of the answers...but here are a few, and I am a Cdn currently going through applying for citizenship

I am a US Citizen, my husband a Canadian citizen. He became a permanent resident (has his PR card) of the US almost 3 years ago (3 years in June.) We thought we would just leave it like that. I had heard that in order to become a US citizen, he would have to give up his Canadian citizenship. But he has been out of work for 6 months now and we are running into issues with that. Because of his line of work, he *can* work at the shipyards, but none of them will hire him because he isn't a US citizen. They pay good and he's had lots of calls. But once they find out, they tell him they can't hire him because of that.

So, that got us to looking more into him becoming a US citizen. But we still have questions and I knew that VJ was the place to come. You all helped us out SOOOO much when we were going through the whole immigration process and I'm hoping I can find the answers we need.

1. I've read different things...If he becomes a US citizen, will he have to give up his Canadian citizenship? I read that he would have to renounce it to the US but not to Canada. If that is true, what exactly does that mean and what would have to to really do/say to the US? Does he have to get a US passport?

He does not have to give up his Cdn citizenship - during his Oath to the US, it states that you are giving up other countries but Canada does not officially recognize this this so we're all in a grey area, but there's no need for concern - he can remain dual for the remainder of his life if he chooses without any concern....there are many of us in the Cdn forum who have already done so, it's rather common. Think of it this way - the US cannot force you to officially renounce anotehr country's citizenship - only that country can have rules about whetehr you're allowed (or not) to mainatain anotehr countries citizenship - Canada does not have a problem with it)

If he would like to renounce his Cdn...then he does that through the Cdn government - the US has nothing to do with it

2. If he can still keep his Canadian citizenship, does that mean he can still come and go between the 2 countries as he would like, without hassle? Would he have to give up his Canadian passport? Yes - and he can maintain both passports...using the Cdn on the way into Canada and then his US one on his way back into the US

3. What paperwork do we need to fill out? And how long does the process take? Do we have to wait until the 3 years or can we start the process now? Are their interviews and is the process as involved (or more) as the immigration process was? (Just trying to get an idea of what we're looking at.)

He can apply 90 days before the 3rd anniversary of his Perm Resident date. Look at the guides at the top for N-400

4. How much does it cost? Current fee as of Match 13 is $680.00 - including the biometrics fee

Thanks SO much for any and all help with this!

Edited March 14, 2011 by Udella&Wiz

[daisylynn 0]

Oops, wasn't sure which forum to put it in!

Thanks so much for the answers! That helped a lot!! And now I'm excited that he can apply!

The N-400...is that what we need to file? That has everything we need on it?

[Henykat 16]

To become a U.S. citizen doesn't require one to renounce citizenship of another country.

Edited March 14, 2011 by Henykat

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Oops, wasn't sure which forum to put it in!

Thanks so much for the answers! That helped a lot!! And now I'm excited that he can apply!

The N-400...is that what we need to file? That has everything we need on it?

Here is the Visa Journey guide link,,, http://www.visajourney.com/content/naturalization_guide

Yes the N-400 is a pretty straight forward form....I would go read the uscis.gov site as well, they have good instructions for the form.

You need to gather together a few documents, but nothing you probably don't already have since you've been through immigration before. I am finding it the easiest of all the processes. I have a GC, so I'm in no particular rush. You could look at a couple threads here for those who filed in a particular month...it will give you some average timelines. Mine looks like it will be 4-5 months from start to finish. I just applied at end of Feb and mine will go through the Dallas office and then locally here in Virginia.

[daisylynn 0]

Thanks! I will get started on reading the info and the paperwork right away!

Hey, we're in NC...looks like we're neighbors!

[mex 0]

Thanks! I will get started on reading the info and the paperwork right away!

Hey, we're in NC...looks like we're neighbors!

Exactly right Form N-400

[NickD 202]

That no job as an LPR has got to be some kind of a union thing, but in NC? But again this is a shipyard, they always have unions.

Didn't he try as an illegal? They can pocket his FICA taxes, charge extra union dues, and if he gets injured or hurt, just dump him. That's when he can pull out his LPR card.

N-400 form site now as all kinds of downloads to simplify the process, didn't have that before, but still that crazy N-400 form. Most of us can help you with that.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

No, he will not need to give up Canuck citizenship--unless he wants to apply for high-level (Secret-plus) clearance. And, to give it up, he will have to explicitly fill out form CIT-030, send it to the Embassy and pay C$100 electronically.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Of all the 195 countries on this planet, Canada and the U.K. have the most relaxed attitude toward multiple citizenships.

Becoming a US citizen is nothing but a formality, not in the slightest to be compared with the stress an immigrant has to go through when dealing with USCIS in regard to immigration. It's basically writing a check, making a few photocopies, ordering tax transcripts (free), and attending biometrics, interview, and Oath Ceremony. Piece of cake.

[daisylynn 0]

Thanks everyone! I am so glad to hear that this will be simple. I have already started filling out the paperwork and hope to have it mailed off this week.

By the way, what exactly is the biometrics? And where is the interview and the oath ceremony held?

[NickD 202]

Thanks everyone! I am so glad to hear that this will be simple. I have already started filling out the paperwork and hope to have it mailed off this week.

By the way, what exactly is the biometrics? And where is the interview and the oath ceremony held?

Just go to

https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=LO

and type in your zip code.

For some undisclosed reason, we were always sent to Milwaukee for biometrics, for citizenship, was the third set of fingerprints taken over a three year period, but now for citizenship, also taking your photo like they did for those green cards. Surely you been through this before. Last time, took them ten minutes not counting an eight hour drive. Then we are bounced to St. Paul for the interview. Sometimes I think they don't like Wisconsinites, but not our fault the Packers always beat the pants off of the Vikings.

On the day my wife had her oath ceremony, the republicans were in town for their convention. Thought for sure GWB would show up for photos and to congratulate her, but I guess as president he has the power not to have to travel to St. Paul. None of the republicans showed up, not even Sarah, she likes standing in front of a camera. Guess someone told GWB a week later that Katrina struck, so had a good excuse for not coming. But we had to be there to get that piece of paper, and I got all dressed up for nothing.

[daisylynn 0]

Just go to

https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=LO

and type in your zip code.

Found it! Thanks!

Sorry, hopefully this will be the last question. I was getting all of the paperwork together to send off and came across something that I'm not sure about.

It says we need and original or court-certified copy of the complete arrest record and disposition. On the page, it is stamped 'certified to be a true copy of the original.' Can I just make a copy of that or do I have to actually send that one in? And if I have to send that in, will I get it back?

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Found it! Thanks!

Sorry, hopefully this will be the last question. I was getting all of the paperwork together to send off and came across something that I'm not sure about.

It says we need and original or court-certified copy of the complete arrest record and disposition. On the page, it is stamped 'certified to be a true copy of the original.' Can I just make a copy of that or do I have to actually send that one in? And if I have to send that in, will I get it back?

Don't send originals of anything - he'll bring originals to his interview.

I made 2 copies of everything - keeping the originals in my file to take to the interview and another copy for back-up just in case.

[daisylynn 0]

Don't send originals of anything - he'll bring originals to his interview.

I made 2 copies of everything - keeping the originals in my file to take to the interview and another copy for back-up just in case.

Perfect! Thanks!!