What are the major differences between PR and citizen?

[jack999 0]

I'm new to this forum. Just wondered what the major differences are between a PR and US citizen in terms of benefits and obligations...Are there anyone here planning to live and work abroad permanently after joining the citizenship?

[Nina~ 431]

Benefits:

1) Citizens can vote, PRs can't.

2) Easier to travel with a US Passport.

3) GC can be revoked if the PR spends too much time outside the US. Citizenship wont be revoked in such cases.

Cons:

1) Taxes. Citizens will have to pay taxes in the US regardless of where you live & work.

2) Some countries do not allow dual citizenship.

These are the basic pros & cons of citizenship. I am sure there are plenty of others too.

[nwctzn 55]

Cons:

1) Taxes. Citizens will have to pay taxes in the US regardless of where you live & work.

2) Some countries do not allow dual citizenship.

In fact, if you are on PR status and have foreign income, you also have to pay taxes to the IRS. So the tax requirements are identical for US citizens and PRs.

[nwctzn 55]

I'm new to this forum. Just wondered what the major differences are between a PR and US citizen in terms of benefits and obligations...Are there anyone here planning to live and work abroad permanently after joining the citizenship?

If you become a US citizen and then decide to work abroad:

- If you are travelling frequently to Europe, you can travel very easily under the visa-waiver program.

- You always have the option to relocate to the US if things do not work out overseas.

- They are no travel restrictions that you would have otherwise with the greencard; i.e., to maintain your greencard, you need to make sure that you do not abandon your status by staying abroad for a long time. So there is always a probability that they take your greencard away.

[NickD 202]

Wife and I sure wanted a divorce, not from each other, but between us and the USCIS, for nearly five years, were dictating our lives. Getting her US citizenship is the only way to do that. No more concerns about losing that almost impossible to get lost green card and a note on the refrigerator door to file for an AR-11.

They say voting is the most important part of becoming a US citizen, what voting for the least of two evils or a candidate running unopposed? They have to be kidding. Wisconsin is having a recall election this Tuesday, if what the two candidates are saying about each other is true, both should be locked up in jail.

Do get a US passport, but if this country has an agreement with your home country, quickly learn instead of only one passport to maintain, now have two. These agreements are not made by representation, got that first hand from my senator. This only leaves a couple of drunken ambassadors at an expensive party we are paying for to make that decision that vastly affects our lives.

Makes no difference if you personally chose to become a US citizen, only thing as far as they are concerned is where you were born. A factor none of us had any control over, so can blame your parents.

Suppose to be some disability benefits with SS for being a US citizen, but try and get those even if you are a natural born citizen. Most people I know of in this situation had to hire an attorney, and they get a piece of the action for the duration of that little bit of aid. Then they are constantly hassled by SS as to whether that disability still exists.

You don't have to staple your certificate to your forehead like you do with your green card, and can even get up at night to use the restroom, don't have to carry your green card anymore, suppose to carry that with you wherever you go. After you get your certificate, can bury it someplace.

One would think to get a job with the USCIS, they would at least test you on learning all of their instructions and regulations. From what we encountered, people that don't know anything about anything.

In our experience, getting that certificate is the only way to end that very long dictating your life by essentially a bunch of idiots. In this respect alone, well worth the effort.