Does Immigration automatically result in dual citizenship?

[ledingham 68]

Hello! I am set to immigrate to the USA from Canada on the K-1 visa. Although I still have many years before I am even eligible for US citizenship I am curious as to what happens to my Canadian citizenship once I obtain US citizenship. I have heard from many of my family members that Canadian-US dual citizenship is no longer something that is obtainable but non of them have every had to deal with immigration at all. I am hoping that dual citizenship is still available. What has been your experience with this?

[aaron2020 11,651]

Immigration does not automatically result in dual citizenship.   US citizenship is a choice.  After meeting the 3 years or 5 years residency requirement, a green card holder can choose to apply for US citizenship.

 

The US does not care about dual citizenship.  There's no law allowing it, and there's no law prohibiting it.  Therefore, it's okay to have multiple citizenship from the US Government's point of view.  The US will only care that you a US citizen and ignore your other citizenships.  

 

Some countries like Germany, South Korea, etc. do not allow adults to have multiple citizenships.  This is why people from those countries will choose not to become US citizens as their home citizenships would be lost.

 

Canada allows for dual citizenship.  Nothing will happen to your Canadian citizenship when you choose to become a US citizen.

Edited October 29, 2019 by aaron2020

[geowrian 22,336]

Should not be an issue for a Canadian. Generally they can hold dual citizenship fine.

Some countries do not permit dual citizenship or have restrictions or extra steps to do so.

The US itself does not care - it doesn't care about other citizenships....just that somebody is a US citizen or not.

 

US citizenship is a choice - nobody is required to apply for it.

[patrick33 19]

I am originally from Canada and became a naturalized US citizen this year. I hold both passports, and entered Canada using my Canadian passport afterwards, no issues at all.

[designguy 1,179]

44 minutes ago, aaron2020 said:

Some countries like Germany, South Korea, etc. do not allow adults to have multiple citizenships.  This is why people from those countries will choose not to become US citizens as their home citizenships would be lost.

This has actually changed now. My mother and sister are dual German and Canadian. On the german side you have to make a case for why should be allowed to have both and then they approve or deny the request

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,079]

3 hours ago, geowrian said:

US citizenship is a choice - nobody is required to apply for it.

Though unless there's a really good reason not to (like your country of current citizenship not allowing dual citizenship or making things difficult for dual citizens), if you intend to reside in the US indefinitely and are eligible for US citizenship it usually makes sense to apply for it.

[ledingham 68]

Just now, DaveAndAnastasia said:

Though unless there's a really good reason not to (like your country of current citizenship not allowing dual citizenship or making things difficult for dual citizens), if you intend to reside in the US indefinitely and are eligible for US citizenship it usually makes sense to apply for it.

US citizenship is the plan I am just curious as to whether or not my Canadian citizenship is going to just vanish into thin air.

[NikLR 13,220]

4 hours ago, DaveAndAnastasia said:

Though unless there's a really good reason not to (like your country of current citizenship not allowing dual citizenship or making things difficult for dual citizens), if you intend to reside in the US indefinitely and are eligible for US citizenship it usually makes sense to apply for it.

meh, personal opinion.  

4 hours ago, dledingham said:

US citizenship is the plan I am just curious as to whether or not my Canadian citizenship is going to just vanish into thin air.

You have to voluntarily give up Canadian citizenship in writing and it's a big deal.  You're fine. 

[geowrian 22,336]

5 hours ago, DaveAndAnastasia said:

Though unless there's a really good reason not to (like your country of current citizenship not allowing dual citizenship or making things difficult for dual citizens), if you intend to reside in the US indefinitely and are eligible for US citizenship it usually makes sense to apply for it.

Or taxes if you don't plan to live in the US forever.

[Going through 5,668]

18 hours ago, dledingham said:

I have heard from many of my family members that Canadian-US dual citizenship is no longer something that is obtainable but non of them have every had to deal with immigration at all.

Don't you just love getting immigration advice/factual statements from people who've never gone through the system themselves?  

 

Canadian/US dual citizenship is still a "thing", no worries.  You are able to retain both citizenships and both passports.