Citizenship

[tehans 52]

The only thing about US citizenship I detest is the never ending taxes a citizen has to pay till they die lol (even taxes on social security smh). Other countries compared to the US pay just about 20% of the taxes the US pay...but then, comparing it to the benefits to be derived from it, I believe it is all worth it too.

Other countries pay 20% of the taxes the US pay? This is not true. Citizens of most other countries pay quite a bit more

[aaron2020 11,651]

Estate tax is only levied on amounts exceeding $5,340,000. The OP might not have that inconvenience of being a multi-millionaire..

And if you aren't living in the US and earning from a US employer, then you wouldn't have any income to be taxed. Your taxes would be paid to Canada, not both places on the same income.

Excellent on the estate tax.

If he was not a US citizen or LPR, then he has no obligation to file US tax returns on his Canadian income.

As a USC or LPR, he would need to report his Canadian income on US tax returns even if no taxes are due.

[Mela17 36]

I wouldn't take it so personally. I plan to become a British citizen in future after my husband becomes an American citizen because our child(ren) will be a dual citizen and I think it's important for both parents to also be dual as well. I will not consider myself British though. Just as I'm sure my husband does not consider himself American. It just makes it easier. For instance if in future my child on the way wants to go to Britain to visit grandparents or explore his/her heritage then I"m all for it. I want to have the option of us moving as a family instead of mommy only being able to visit for 90 days.

[merc0230 28]

I think something that is being left out is the possibility of bring family over. I know my wife will apply to bring her mother over as soon as she is eligible. So, there is one other benefit. (and like others here, I'm going to obtain Costa Rican Citizenship as soon as I can for options if no other reason).

[JoBri 545]

Security for my wife's future, whether I am alive or not. Certain education benefits. No more hassles for her with USCIS in the future. And she is also in the US military, and required to have her citizenship after her first 6 years. Also in the military it opens the door for jobs requiring a secret clearance. Ease of travel is another issue.

Edited February 11, 2014 by Brijo

[queng 5]

_{ZebraGuy Im applying my cititzenship I understand that u love where you came from but for us who came from third world country its really hard to get here..}

_{I love my country Philppnes but I need to be a citizen so I can bring my mom here... even though I have a permanent visa it doesnt mean that i can bring my family here.}

_{The only thing I can bring my mom here is to be a citizen.}

_{Hope you understand that everybody has its own reason why they choose to be citizen..}

[lasko12 9]

This might seem like a strange question to some and I'm not knocking your decision, but I have noticed that most people on VJ see gaining US citizenship as something of a certainty

My question is why?

I know as a citizen you can vote, but the system is broken so that doesn't really appeal to me

You can commit a felony without being deported, but again as I'm not a criminal that isn't important

So the only other benefit I can see is you remove the need to deal with the USCIS every ten years

I'm not American, I never will be and I am proud of where I come from

But why is it that most people seem to consider it as an inevitable part of the migration process

for some of the jobs (like my bro's which is dealing with sensitive data), they require US citizenship.

[ZedbraGuy 6]

I suppose the whole area is something I need to do some reading into. I was under the impression that to gain US Citizenship you had to lose you foreign citizenship.

Maybe if my wife could apply to become a British Citizen also that might lessen the blow, because then we'd be doing it together, and being together is what brought me here in the first place.

[Calicolom 265]

Used to be U.S. Citizens had more rights. Like working for the Government, owning Guns, Traveling without preparing taxes. Those where the Days, now to be an LPR you have more rights than a U.S. Citizen, so just stay a non Citizen, and I will stay U.S. Citizen.

[Big Baby 11]

Somebody already mentioned job as reason #1. Besides security clearance, most government/military/civil service/ & many contract jobs require U.S. citizenship. As a retired military member, my wife w/ GC cannot even get a job at the base commissary without US citizenship.

However, this does not mean that she will get US citizenship. She also is proud of her heritage. Every country has its own laws/rules. My understanding is that the Chinese gov't does not recognize dual citizenship.

One of her friends just got her US citizenship. I am happy for her friend. But it also means that her friend has to apply for a US passport and US visa stamp to return to her home birthplace - at cost! Whereas, if she remained a GC holder, she would have to pay for permanent residency every 10 years, but would not have to pay for US visa. So, choose your fees!

Re: taxes. Again, it just depends on where you are from. Assuming YOU are not a Corporation but a person, most European countries & Canada charge far MORE in individual taxes than does the USA. This is how they pay for their socialized medicine, housing, unemployment, etc. (Obamacare Max).

So, I agree with everybody that it is a personal decision. Both of us are planning on retiring to her country anyway, but I am planning on retaining my citizenship, and she hers. Either way, it is not easy, but love never is!

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

I suppose the whole area is something I need to do some reading into. I was under the impression that to gain US Citizenship you had to lose you foreign citizenship.

Maybe if my wife could apply to become a British Citizen also that might lessen the blow, because then we'd be doing it together, and being together is what brought me here in the first place.

To stop being a British citizen, you actually have to file a form and pay a fee to the UK government to renounce your citizenship.

For your wife to become a British citizen, you will have to move there, prove a British income over £18,600 before she can join you (no joint sponsor), or £22,400 for spouse and one child. And it's a five year path to "settlement" then 3 years residency beyond settlement (I think) to apply for citizenship.

[No name 88 48]

If your from England that maybe difficult to understand. My wife was a refugee during the third Indochina war when she was a child and seen real hardship. When our relationship became serious there was never a doubt that she didn't want citizenship in the US.

Also we want to travel together as I'm a foreign worker. Try traveling on a Vietnam passport and see how far you get.

If you have a Western passport travel problems with immigration or police rarely occurs.

[VickyP 34]

From my understanding the poster never talked down to anybody that wants to become an US Citizen. He just stated his point of view and that he doesn't see himself applying for it!

At the end it is everybody's own decision!

I totally respect every ones decision but doesn't mean that I have to think the same way or am I wrong?

Edited February 12, 2014 by VickyP

[girimurthy 5]

This might seem like a strange question to some and I'm not knocking your decision, but I have noticed that most people on VJ see gaining US citizenship as something of a certainty

My question is why?

I know as a citizen you can vote, but the system is broken so that doesn't really appeal to me

You can commit a felony without being deported, but again as I'm not a criminal that isn't important

So the only other benefit I can see is you remove the need to deal with the USCIS every ten years

I'm not American, I never will be and I am proud of where I come from

But why is it that most people seem to consider it as an inevitable part of the migration process

I do not know why once in a while this same question is asked and there are thousands of reply for and against. There are lots reasons for each person to apply. There is no right or wrong answer. It is all upto the individual. There are thousands of questions like this and all ends up with the same answer it is upto each individual

Other questions like

1) Why do you have to get married

2) Why do you want to have kids

etc.... your question also falls in the same category.