Dual Citizenship Question

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

I have a very simple question...I have checked the posts, but I can't seem to find a straight answer:

How easy would it be for my SO to be a dual citizen of the UK and USA?

Thanks!!

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I would think it would be fine. Yet, you're better off checking if the UK allows double citizenship.

[britty 1]

I have a very simple question...I have checked the posts, but I can't seem to find a straight answer:

How easy would it be for my SO to be a dual citizen of the UK and USA?

Thanks!!

Very easy. Basically Britain doesn't recognize the US citizenship, and the US doesn't recognize the UK one. Neither country will force you to relinquish citizenship so basically your SO can have both. As a Brit, I will be applying for US citizenship in the next few years, and that will be my third. I have UK and Ireland at present.

[YuAndDan 153]

This is not a problem, UK citizenship is not abandoned when applying for and becoming a US citizenship. US and UK recognize dual citizenship.

Dual Citizenship and the Loss of Citizenship

Many countries permit or even encourage the acquisition of another country’s citizenship, while others allow dual (or multiple) citizenship only if the other citizenship is not acquired voluntarily. Still other countries do not permit dual citizenship and have provisions in their laws concerning the loss of citizenship when another nationality is acquired. In the United States, dual citizenship is not explicitly prohibited; the United States has no laws or policies addressing this issue. (Dual citizenship is discussed in more detail in Section VI.)

U.S. Policy

The current citizenship and immigration laws of the United States do not specifically address dual nationality. According to the State Department, “the U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause.” The State Department notes that problems may arise from

• claims of other countries on dual national U.S. citizens that may conflict with U.S. law;
• conflicts that arise from a dual national’s allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country;
• dual nationals are required to obey the laws of both countries, which may be in conflict; and
• each country having the right to enforce its laws, particularly when the dual national is in that country.

Further, U.S. Government efforts to assist its dual citizens abroad may be limited. In particular, the country where a dual national is located generally has a stronger claim to that person's allegiance.

International Comparisons

In contrast to the U.S. law, Canadian law specifically addresses dual citizenship. Amendments to Canada’s citizenship law, effective February 15, 1977, permit Canadian citizens to retain their Canadian citizenship if they acquire a foreign nationality. Several other countries also generally permit dual citizenship, including Australia, France, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments...enship_2004.pdf

[SusieK 3]

Guess you can thought it was not an option thanks for the heads up

Cheers

Edited February 24, 2008 by SusieK

[Boiler 43,433]

Guess you can thought it was not an option thanks for the heads up

Cheers

UK does recognise dual citizenship.

US does not.

[Hannah+Vito 0]

So can an American get Duel If he's with a Britt who becomes a US citizen?

[Boiler 43,433]

So can an American get Duel If he's with a Britt who becomes a US citizen?

The process is similar, there is talk about "earning" ctiizenship in the UK, which could speed up the process for some.

Should the situation arise my wife is likely to go for it, having auto acess to EU is seen as a big plus.

[Hannah+Vito 0]

So can an American get Duel If he's with a Britt who becomes a US citizen?

The process is similar, there is talk about "earning" ctiizenship in the UK, which could speed up the process for some.

Should the situation arise my wife is likely to go for it, having auto acess to EU is seen as a big plus.

Thanks I have hope now.

[Boiler 43,433]

There is no need for the Brit to have US Citizenhip btw.

[Hannah+Vito 0]

Cool, I simply care about bringing my Britt over here to be with for ever. If she wants to become a citizen, all the better. Me getting UK citizenship will be a bonus not an expectation.

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

Thanks for all the responses!!!

[YuAndDan 153]

There is no need for the Brit to have US Citizenhip btw.

A few reasons to become a US Citizen.

One Strike, You're Out

The government's gotten tough on immigrants and not just illegal immigrants.

Many people here legally with green cards are being deported because the government claims they've committed "aggravated felonies" which you would think would be serious crimes like murder and drug trafficking.

http://cbs5.com/30minutes/local_story_266005518.html

Here is a list I found:

1. A Citizen Can Vote

   A citizen has the right to vote for elected officials at the federal, state and local levels who shape the policy of the government.

2. Dual Citizenship

   Certain countries, including Ireland and the United Kingdom, recognize "dual citizenship" permitting naturalized U.S. citizens to maintain their citizenship of birth and original passport.

3. Citizens Can Bring More Relatives From Abroad, More Quickly

   Citizens can petition for a wider variety of family members to come to the US as permanent residents. They also have much shorter waiting times for green cards, and no limits.

4. Citizens Cannot be Deported

   Most of us never expect to commit a crime, but if we are the victims of circumstance, in the wrong place at the wrong time, as citizens, we cannot be deported. We also don't need to worry about a lost green card or too-long stay outside the US preventing us from re-entering.

5. Citizens Can Retire Abroad With Full Social Security Benefits

   Citizens who retire abroad get all their Social Security benefits. Green card holders only get half of the benefits they earned.

6. Citizens are Entitled to More Public Benefits

   Citizens are eligible for more public benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Food Stamps, as well as certain academic scholarships and financial aid.

7. A US Citizen Can Hold Office and Have More Job Opportunities

   Only a citizen has the right to hold an elected position in most city, state or federal offices. Many federal, state and city jobs also require citizenship.

8. Adopted or Natural Children Under 18 May be Naturalized Automatically

   Depending on the circumstances, children born abroad, who are under 18 years of age and unmarried may be able to naturalize automatically when a parent does so.

9. Citizens Have More Financial and Tax Benefits

   Citizens often receive approval on loans and mortgages more easily, and/or they get better rates, because the lender knows there is less chance they will defect. Citizens are often subject to fewer restrictions on estate taxes as well.

10. Citizens Don't Have to Worry About Renewing a Green Card Every 10 Years

    We have enough to worry about with passports and other paperwork. As citizens, we don't have to worry about renewing a green cards every ten years.

http://immigration.about.com/od/whybecomea...0CitizenBen.htm Edited February 25, 2008 by YuAndDan

[Boiler 43,433]

My list:

Never having to deal with USCIS anymore.

Being able to come and go without the concern of maintaining residency

Certain tax advantages.

[LEISEROM 32]

1. Never having to go to an immigration office again and stand in lines at 5:30 AM

2. Not having to worry about coming and going.

3. Plus some countries require visas if you arent American citizen. For example we went to Playa Del Carmen over Thanksgiving(my wife is us citizen). But her friend has green card. She had to go to the Mexican Consulate to get a stamp in her passport since she is Brazilian. Also we are going to Israel this year for a wedding. My wifes sister is joining us. They are going on to Turkey for a few days. She has to get a visa in advance. My wife can get one at the airport.

Its just a lot less hassles going down the road. A friend of my wifes husband applied for his new green card. It took months. Had to defer travel plans to the UK waiting for the green card.