Citizenship vs. Permanent Resident

[I'm Gone 60]

How soon after GC can we apply for citizenship?

If you file based on marriage to a U.S. citizen it's 3 years permanant resident status and three years marriage to the U.S. citizen. I think if you file based just permanant resident status it's 5 years.

[zyggy 9]

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

Yes, but only males between the gaes of 18 to 26 can be drafted.

[Boiler 43,593]

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

Yes, but only males between the gaes of 18 to 26 can be drafted.

Any age could be drafted.

Or gender.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

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.

The US has tax treaties with many - but not all - countries that address the issues of double taxation. You still have to file returns and it can get complicated as some expenses do count for deductions and others don't. Generally, you get credit for taxes paid, but not necessarily for the deductions allowed in other countries. Tax treaties are being rewritten regularly and also address issues such as how much retirement benefits you can claim as taxable and non-taxable, which will eventually be of concern to any US resident/citizen who has income earned and benefits accrued in a foreign country. You might want to check and see what tax treaties currently exist between the US and your own country of origin.

[Keigwyn 1]

Looking further into the future. I know I can claim a UK Pension in the US as a PR, I am not sure if this is still the case if I became a USC

[pax 0]

Any age could be drafted.

Or gender.

Theoretically yes, but the likelihood of ANY draft at all is so small because it would be politically disastrous. And even if it did come to that, males older than 26 or any women would be very far down the list.

And for purposes of our discussion, only male LPR applicants between the ages of 18 and 26 are required to register for selective service.

[Nikita2Charles 31]

One of the best advantages of being a US citizen you can TRAVEL to most places in the WORLD without the need for a visa, a few places you still need to check their embassy or consulate website regarding their visa requirement but for most places you are home free.

[zyggy 9]

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

Yes, but only males between the gaes of 18 to 26 can be drafted.

Any age could be drafted.

Or gender.

Ummm not at this time... If Congress changes the law, that's another issue.

[Boiler 43,593]

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

Yes, but only males between the gaes of 18 to 26 can be drafted.

Any age could be drafted.

Or gender.

Ummm not at this time... If Congress changes the law, that's another issue.

There is no draft in palce for any gender or age, you will hear all about it if one is enacted.

There is limited registration, which means not a lot in reality.

[internetkafe 0]

How soon after GC can we apply for citizenship?

If you file based on marriage to a U.S. citizen it's 3 years permanant resident status and three years marriage to the U.S. citizen. I think if you file based just permanant resident status it's 5 years.

From what I understand by reading sponsorship documents it seems to me that if you have been married to a US Citizen for 3 years you can apply for naturalization regardless of the length of your permanent resident status. Even if you are a CONDITIONAL PR you can still apply for naturalization 3 years after your marriage.

[meauxna 15]

How soon after GC can we apply for citizenship?

If you file based on marriage to a U.S. citizen it's 3 years permanant resident status and three years marriage to the U.S. citizen. I think if you file based just permanant resident status it's 5 years.

From what I understand by reading sponsorship documents it seems to me that if you have been married to a US Citizen for 3 years you can apply for naturalization regardless of the length of your permanent resident status. Even if you are a CONDITIONAL PR you can still apply for naturalization 3 years after your marriage.

That is not totally correct, please read the following:

http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/Special.htm

Spouses of U.S. Citizens

Generally, certain lawful permanent residents married to a U.S. citizen may file for naturalization after residing continuously in the United States for three years if immediately preceding the filing of the application:

-the applicant has been married to and living in a valid marital union with the same U.S. citizen spouse for all three years;

-the U.S. spouse has been a citizen for all three years and meets all physical presence and residence requirements; and

-the applicant meets all other naturalization requirements.

http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/faq.htm#q5

When does my time as a Permanent Resident begin?

Your time as a Permanent Resident begins on the date you were granted permanent resident status. This date is on your Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as Alien Registration Card). Click here to view a sample card..

[internetkafe 0]

How soon after GC can we apply for citizenship?

If you file based on marriage to a U.S. citizen it's 3 years permanant resident status and three years marriage to the U.S. citizen. I think if you file based just permanant resident status it's 5 years.

From what I understand by reading sponsorship documents it seems to me that if you have been married to a US Citizen for 3 years you can apply for naturalization regardless of the length of your permanent resident status. Even if you are a CONDITIONAL PR you can still apply for naturalization 3 years after your marriage.

That is not totally correct, please read the following:

http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/Special.htm

Spouses of U.S. Citizens

Generally, certain lawful permanent residents married to a U.S. citizen may file for naturalization after residing continuously in the United States for three years if immediately preceding the filing of the application:

-the applicant has been married to and living in a valid marital union with the same U.S. citizen spouse for all three years;

-the U.S. spouse has been a citizen for all three years and meets all physical presence and residence requirements; and

-the applicant meets all other naturalization requirements.

http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/faq.htm#q5

When does my time as a Permanent Resident begin?

Your time as a Permanent Resident begins on the date you were granted permanent resident status. This date is on your Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as Alien Registration Card). Click here to view a sample card..

I read the link and your post.

However I found and read the I130 instructions where it reads (in article 13)

'A conditional permanent Resident is not limited to the right to apply for Naturalization, file petitions on behalf of qualifying relatives or reside permanently in the United States as an immigrant in accordance with our nation's immigration laws.'

What do you understand from this sentence? What I understand from reading this is that a CPR can apply for Naturalization. Is that a correct reading?

On the other hand CPR status can be had for 2 years maximum. Am I right?

[Boiler 43,593]

You are a CPR until your PR status is granted, with processing times that could well still be pending when you apply for Naturalisation, 90 days befor the 3 year anniversary of the GC issuance.

[meauxna 15]

What do you understand from this sentence? What I understand from reading this is that a CPR can apply for Naturalization. Is that a correct reading?

That is how I read it.

On the other hand CPR status can be had for 2 years maximum. Am I right?

Not so. As Boiler points out, a correctly filed I-751 extends your CR-1 status until it is approved (and you become IR-1) or denied (you are removed).

I just answered a similar question here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...&st=0&p=40946

[warlord 72]

You mean no one listed this CON as being a US Citizen? What about Jury Duty? Ha ha. I've actually gotten two summons since being in the US and let off since I wasn't a citizen. When I apply to Citizenship in Oct this year, I'll have to forsee me being summoned and actually having to show up for it.

Kind of silly and little, but being a PR, give you a kind of sence of freedom not being tied down anywhere.

Now a simple PRO is that you don't have to keep remembering to renew your GC every 10 years. Saves the money (in the long term) and as you get older and more senial, the less you have to remember...