Citizenship vs. Permanent Resident

[kirts 0]

Could anybody please tell me what the cons to getting U.S. Citizenship versus just staying a permenant resident are? Specifically, what are the disadvantages to remaining a permenant resident forever instead of getting U.S. Citizenship?

Thanks!

Matt

[raymaga 25]

One of the advantages to becoming a U.S. citizen (rather than staying a PR) that I have read about is that there are benefits in the event of your US spouses death. I think they have something to do with the inheritance, taxes, etc.

I think I read that in the USCIS website in the Citizenship section.

The other advantage for me (being Canadian) is that I can have dual citizenship which will allow me to live in either the U.S. or Canada anytime for the rest of my life, without any restrictions on how long I can be out of either country. I plan to get my U.S. citizenship as soon as it's possible, but I will keep my Canadian citizenship as well.

Edited February 2, 2006 by raymaga

[kirts 0]

One of the advantages to becoming a U.S. citizen (rather than staying a PR) that I have read about is that there are benefits in the event of your US spouses death. I think they have something to do with the inheritance, taxes, etc.

I think I read that in the USCIS website in the Citizenship section.

Yes, I've heard that too. Does anybody know what specifically those benefits are?

[pax 0]

You need to be a citizen to be able to vote, or to be able to hold certain government jobs. Many government jobs are open to LPRs, but not all.

Also, if you become a citizen, you never need to deal with USCIS ever again.

[I'm Gone 60]

Could anybody please tell me what the cons to getting U.S. Citizenship versus just staying a permenant resident are? Specifically, what are the disadvantages to remaining a permenant resident forever instead of getting U.S. Citizenship?

There are no Cons to becoming a U.S. Citizen and once you are one you never have to deal with the freaking U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services again and that's incentive enough.

I think there should be a time limit for a PR to apply for citizenship. If you have been a PR for 15 or 20 years either s**t or get off the pot.

Edited February 2, 2006 by mdyoung

[lucyrich 19]

Could anybody please tell me what the cons to getting U.S. Citizenship versus just staying a permenant resident are? Specifically, what are the disadvantages to remaining a permenant resident forever instead of getting U.S. Citizenship?

It's interesting that you asked for Cons on both sides, but here goes.

Cons to US Citizenship: you could potentially be drafted into the armed forces at some time in the future, if a draft is reinstated. You have to keep filing income tax returns to the IRS every year regardless of where in the world you live (you might not owe tax if you live and work overseas, but you still have to file returns). You have to go through the naturalization process, learn English, learn US Civics, and take an oath. The US citizenship oath, in certain very rare cases, might cause you to lose your original citizenship.

Cons to LPR status: You can't vote. Certain government jobs, as well as certain government contractor jobs, are not available to you. You have to keep filing address changes with the USCIS every time you move. You have to keep renewing your Green Card every ten years. You have to carry your Green Card on your person at all times. Your affidavit of support remains in effect until you have 40 quarters of work credited to you (this is a con to your sponsors, not to you directly). You can't leave the US for an extended period without risking being judged to have abandoned your LPR status. You can be deported for certain crimes. You can't get a US passport, so depending on your original country of citizenship, travel to certain countries may be more difficult. You have much more limited options to petition to bring family members to the US.

[I'm Gone 60]

A LPR male has to register for the draft too.

[pax 0]

Only if the male in question is less than 26 at the time of filing for LPR.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

AS I see it the biggest con for becoming a US citizenship is that if you return to your home country and earn more than $80,000, you will be taxed double for the amount you earn over that amount. Also, I think you might be liable for capital gains on all your investments regardless of where they are placed, though I could be wrong on that.

[Boiler 43,588]

AS I see it the biggest con for becoming a US citizenship is that if you return to your home country and earn more than $80,000, you will be taxed double for the amount you earn over that amount. Also, I think you might be liable for capital gains on all your investments regardless of where they are placed, though I could be wrong on that.

Not true

Inheritance tax - you can not claim the married alowance that a USC can.

It is one of those real no brainers UNLESS you have to give up your own citizenship. Not a problem for me but I can see that would make it a much harder call.

[singerfair 0]

I was an LPR for 13 years, but I immigrated as a child, so I self-identify as American as well as being from my home country. The main reason I applied for citizenship was so that I would be able to leave the US for an extended period without having to deal with USCIS (I'm 21 and about to graduate college- I want to travel, etc...and it it doesn't help that my boyfriend lives in the UK.) Secondary reasons include being able to vote, the perks of getting a US passport (no more visas for Europe!) and finally just being able to officially call myself American when in my mind I'd already been one for years.

[seikenj 0]

AS I see it the biggest con for becoming a US citizenship is that if you return to your home country and earn more than $80,000, you will be taxed double for the amount you earn over that amount.

This isn't true. The IRS gives you a tax credit for taxes paid in other countries.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

If you were to return to your home country, you still owe tax on earned income over $80k.

I'm told I will have some US tax liability on my ISAs, private pensions from the UK -- this is what my accountant told me, so if anyone wants to point in the direction that says otherwise, I'm all ears.

[KarenCee 3]

One of the advantages to becoming a U.S. citizen (rather than staying a PR) that I have read about is that there are benefits in the event of your US spouses death. I think they have something to do with the inheritance, taxes, etc.

I think I read that in the USCIS website in the Citizenship section.

The other advantage for me (being Canadian) is that I can have dual citizenship which will allow me to live in either the U.S. or Canada anytime for the rest of my life, without any restrictions on how long I can be out of either country. I plan to get my U.S. citizenship as soon as it's possible, but I will keep my Canadian citizenship as well.

This is what Joel plans on doing...becoming a dual citizen. He is Canadian as well. When the time is right, I plan on doing the same thing...becoming a dual citizen.

[daisy16 0]

I've been wondering about all this too. Thanks to the OP and those who answered.

How soon after GC can we apply for citizenship?