10 months to citizenship. I am going to do it.

[bradcanuck 1]

After many years of long and hard thought, pros and cons weighing - I have decided that on October 11th I WILL apply to become a citizen of the US.

What are your reasons for becoming one, or deciding not to and how has that impacted your life?

[Malrothien 6]

My husband (the Canadian) is going to get US citizenship. I just opens up doors and allows an easier flow of travel between Canada and the US.

[lgg 2]

That's my plan too, Brad...

I don't see too many cons, to be honest with you... you get to retain your Canadian passport -- in fact, you'd be considered dual... .

You can work in security level jobs if you so desire... .

I don't see too many downsides to that...

[Krikit 1,163]

My husband (the Canadian) is going to get US citizenship. I just opens up doors and allows an easier flow of travel between Canada and the US.

Ditto.

I'm applying in June. My reasons:

• I won't have to go through the visa process again if we decide to move out of the country for a bit.
  
• It allows me to apply for some government jobs which require citizenship.
  
• I can vote!
  

There were other reasons that I can't remember at the moment. lol

[antda 13]

Hi Bradcanuck,

That's great that you decided that you are going to apply for US Citizenship!

Lol...And yes, start saving up the $675 application fee and gathering the paperwork now, and when your turn comes, you'll be ready to file for such!

By the way, according to the USCIS, one has to meet all of the following conditions in order to become a US Citizen (based on marriage):

-Been a permanent resident for 3 years

-Been married to the same USC for 3 years

-Your spouse/you must have been a USC for at least 3 years (which if born in the USA, since their birth)

-Been residing physically in the USA for 3 years

So when you've met ALL those requirments/conditions, you are good and ready to file...

The earliest you (and anyone else applying based on marriage) can file for US Citizenship is 3 years minus 90 days from the "residence since" date on your 2yr/10yr green card.

As for my reasons on becoming a US Citizen...(which I also included in my N-400 application cover letter, though optional):

On a personal note, I (Ant) would like to become a US Citizen through Naturalization for the following reasons:

• I love living here in America, and feel like I belong more here when I become a US Citizen, for example, in being able to vote

• (another positive personal reason...)

• (another positive personal reason...)

• Immigration fees are high and frequently increase, which will be more hardship if I apply later

• I want to end on a good experience with the USCIS, despite having unreasonable delays before

Lol..I guess those reasons, both the positive and the negative ones were good enough...

As my citizenship application was approved.....and I became a US Citizen as of November 2009!

And now I'm a dual American/Canadian Citizen!

As for how becoming a US Citizen has impacted my life...

Well, yes, it has made a difference...

Lol..besides the obvious fact of "getting rid of the USCIS" for the rest of my life...

Being a US Citizen has made me feel like I "belong" more in the country and a part of a place where I will spend the rest of my life in....

No worries about deporation, leaving, or anything else like that!

I can stay forever, and be with my family here!....

(then of course, there are other reasons too..but that's another story..would rather not discuss that here on vj..lol...)

I'm sure you'll think of reasons too as to why you want to apply for US Citizenship, and may this be a positive experience for you and your family too...

By the way, feel free to post and read on the VJ US Citizenship General Discussion Forums here too...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=114

As well, you can read the VJ Guides here about that too...

US Naturalization (N-400) Step-by-Step Guide

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...alization_guide

And if you want to read about my experiences, feel free to look up my past VJ posts about the citizenshop process...

Hope this helps too. Good luck with your citizenship application in October too.

Ant

After many years of long and hard thought, pros and cons weighing - I have decided that on October 11th I WILL apply to become a citizen of the US.

What are your reasons for becoming one, or deciding not to and how has that impacted your life?

Edited January 11, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[The_Dude 1,142]

For me personally, I could not take citizenship, any citizenship if I had no plans to uphold the oath of citizenship you take. Becoming a citizen for convenience I find a bit crass, but that's just my opinion.

[Flames9_RN 358]

As i said before, a few of us have no choice and I will leave it at that. So if I don't live up to the "pledge" not my fault, but I'm an honest tax paying citizen and have no prob bearing arms to defend the USA, but, yes, as i have stated before, i consider myself 100% Cdn. Biggest benefit, no more USCIS. No more worries about being denied entry to the USA. Now able to work some of the Gov't job only open to USA citizens. Gaining citizenships is a fairly easy process, best of luck. I type this in my Ruinning Room shirt that has "CANADA" stitched on the back,lol

[Malrothien 6]

For me personally, I could not take citizenship, any citizenship if I had no plans to uphold the oath of citizenship you take. Becoming a citizen for convenience I find a bit crass, but that's just my opinion.

I don't think any of us are doing it just for convenience, Rob. None of us go through this stupid, painful, stressful, heart breaking process for the final goal of citizenship for convenience.

I find you posting that, and your opinion, to be a bit crass.

[SapphireDreams 71]

I plan to become a citizen.

Partly for convenience, partly because I do like living here a lot and partly because I would like to rid myself of USCIS forever.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

I think there's a good chance that I will want to too. Hard to say at this juncture, since I'm not even a Permanent Resident yet...but right now I'm about 70% swayed by it, with the 30% NOT swayed being because of verbally renouncing other citizenship. I don't know if I'll be comfortable doing that.

[Sprailenes 47]

I have decided to start collecting passports.. that's my main reason to wanting to become a dual.

[Krikit 1,163]

For me personally, I could not take citizenship, any citizenship if I had no plans to uphold the oath of citizenship you take. Becoming a citizen for convenience I find a bit crass, but that's just my opinion.

I don't see anyone saying that.

[TimandJoyce 1]

I too will most likely become a citizen when the time is near. For one of the main reasons stated by Ant.... the cost. I'm in the final stages of receiving my two year GC.. *still giggling like crazy about that*..and when I move to the ROC part of my journey....I wonder...how much will it be?? The cost of the K-1 increased by the time Tim and I applied, and it's a strong possibility of the visa ITSELF increasing drastically! We'll have to pay whatever the cost is in two years anyway, but I really don't want to pay again in 10 years after that. (besides, I'll be about 58!!) Not that there's anything wrong with being 58..but I really don't want to be dealing with USCIS by then...

[Flames9_RN 358]

For me personally, I could not take citizenship, any citizenship if I had no plans to uphold the oath of citizenship you take. Becoming a citizen for convenience I find a bit crass, but that's just my opinion.

I highly respect that!!

[antda 13]

As i said before, a few of us have no choice and I will leave it at that. So if I don't live up to the "pledge" not my fault, but I'm an honest tax paying citizen and have no prob bearing arms to defend the USA, but, yes, as i have stated before, i consider myself 100% Cdn. Biggest benefit, no more USCIS. No more worries about being denied entry to the USA. Now able to work some of the Gov't job only open to USA citizens. Gaining citizenships is a fairly easy process, best of luck. I type this in my Ruinning Room shirt that has "CANADA" stitched on the back,lol

Fla-You wearing the Canada socks too???.......

I don't think any of us are doing it just for convenience, Rob. None of us go through this stupid, painful, stressful, heart breaking process for the final goal of citizenship for convenience.

Mal-...Lol..and $675 is extra debt for citizenship is not "convenient", nor is dealing with the USCIS an extra 2-6 months "convenient" either!

I plan to become a citizen.

Partly for convenience, partly because I do like living here a lot and partly because I would like to rid myself of USCIS forever.

Sap-...Same reasoning for me too..See above post...

Remember to all- Citizenship is an OPTIONAL stage...you can choose to be a US citizen or not be a UScitizen...Lol..either way, you'll still be Canadian regardless, as you legally don't have to give up that citzenship when you become American ...Lol...Who says we can't be loyal to both countries..

Good luck to all in your immagrtion journeys and citizenship endevors too!

Ant