Dual Citizenship

[CdnBelle 3]

hi everyone,... my fiance lives in Texas and I live in Canada... we've been looking at all this K-1 visa stuff... will I have to surrender my dual citizenship with Germany/Canada?

Edited October 4, 2010 by CdnBelle

[raymaga 25]

I can't comment on Germany, but you don't have to give up your Canadian citizenship to become American.

[HeatDeath 430]

This is a question you won't have to even ask for several years at a minimum. You can get a fiance or spousal visa, move to the US, and get your US permanent residence without affecting either your Canadian or German citizenship in the slightest. 3 years later, you become eligible to apply for US citizenship.

Acquiring US citizenship will not affect your Canadian citizenship at all. Canada does not consider your renunciation of foreign allegiances made at a US citizenship oath binding unless you fill out separate, additional paperwork with the Canadian government, formally renouncing your Canadian citizenship. The US government does not force you to do this, and very few Canadians who acquire US naturalization do this.

Germany, on the other hand, does consider your renunciation binding and will revoke your German citizenship unless you first do a paperwork process with them to receive official permission from the German government to apply for a foreign naturalization. It is my understanding that this process is a world-class pain in the rear.

Ultimately, it's all optional. No one is ever forced to become a US citizen, and many many people live the entire rest of their lives in the US as permanent residents. You will never have to surrender either citizenship.

Edited October 4, 2010 by HeatDeath

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

+1 to Heat Death.

Post here again when you have your 10-year Green Card, and I'll tell you how to have 3 citizenships and 3 passports legally.