sciencenerd

January 14, 2013

I only just received my green card, but my husband and I are already thinking about naturalisation. The green card process took so much out on us financially that this time, we want to be FULLY prepared.

What 'hidden' fees are there in applying for naturalisation?

By hidden, I mean this: it costs $340 to file the I-129F (just using that form as an example, I know it's not relevant to naturalisation) but add another $200 or so onto that for the required medical examination; then add any fees for obtaining certified copies of documents; then, later, add another fee for a travel permit if necessary... That's what I mean.

The instructions for the N-400 form make it seem as though $680 is the ONLY cost/fee involved, is this the case? And, can someone remind me, does the $85 biometric fee cover having your fingerprints taken and having your interview?

Can I have dual UK and US citizenship? On the N-400 form, it says:

The oath includes several promises you make when you become a U.S. citizen, including promises to:

• Give up all prior allegiance to any other nation or sovereignty;

But travel.state.gov says:

a person naturalized as a U.S. citizen may not lose the citizenship of the country of birth.U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one citizenship or another.

And multiple other sources I've found seem to think dual US/UK Citizenship is possible.

I'm a UK Citizen who will be naturalised in the US, not the other way around, if that makes a difference.

Thanks.

The only real "hidden" fee is that you have to send passport-style photos, so that's another $10 or so. The $680 does include biometrics. You might also want to plan for getting a US Passport right after naturalization, so that's another $120 or so (not sure of current fees). I guess you could also count travel if the nearest USCIS office is far or a day or two off work for the interview and oath.

You would retain your UK citizenship and would be a dual citizen. The oath includes language that renounces other citizenships, but the US can't make policy about how other nations handle citizenship. The UK doesn't recognize the US oath as renouncing citizenship (as is true with most, but not all, countries), so you end up with both.

January 7, 2013

Awesome! I wish you both good luck and patience as you start this journey. I will keep my fingers crossed for a positive decision by the Supreme Court so more families like yours can be united.

December 8, 2012

Yay! I'm looking forward to the day that same-sex couples are afforded the same rights to spousal immigration and join us here on VJ. I'm not sure what's going to happen in the Prop 8 case, but I am feeling pretty positive that Section 3 of DOMA will be stricken. We have 9 states and DC issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples with several more states moving towards marriage equality in the very near future - that's a large part of the country for the federal government to refuse to recognize their civil marriages. The Supreme Court doesn't have to be very bold to say that the federal government should recognize the civil marriages provided by states (as they do for all other marriages). I hope that I'm right.

October 10, 2012

My wife hasn't yet applied, so I can't speak from her experience. I did want to mention, though, that our county's library has free citizenship classes - it's a weekly class for about 6 weeks to help people learn all the questions. If that would be a good way for you to learn, it might be worth checking out your library.

VeeNDee · September 29, 2012

I was just looking at the US Consulate site and saw this in the frequently asked questions:

I am a dual U.S. and Canadian citizen and I don't have time to get a U.S. passport. May I enter the U.S. with my travel document showing my Canadian (or other) citizenship?

No, U.S. law requires U.S. citizens to enter and depart the U.S. documented as U.S. citizens. Improperly documented U.S. citizens may be barred or delayed considerably at a port of entry.

I've been traveling to the States no problem for years and have never been asked about having US citizenship as I was born in Canada. If I have an American Citizen Born Abroad certificate do I fall under this category? I've had it since 1993. I would only be applying for my first American passport on October 3 and there's no guarantee it will come before October 17th when I'm set to leave.

It does apply to you and you've not done yourself any favors, but I don't think there will be any real consequences. When coming to the US, you need to stop thinking of yourself as a Canadian citizen. It's irrelevant that you're a Canadian citizen and none of the rules that apply to Canadians apply to you because the US does not see you as Canadian. You are technically breaking the law entering the US on a Canadian passport and it would be ideal for you to postpone your trip until you have an American passport (you might be able to pay for the expedited processing and get it in time for your upcoming trip). You definitely need to disclose your American citizenship when they ask for your citizenship. You can't exactly claim that you didn't know you were an American citizen if you've had the certificate since 1993. You can try to bring your Canadian passport, your American Citizen Born Abroad certificate, and proof you've applied for an American passport and just be honest with the border folks - they may or may not let you through since you don't really have the required documentation. While this may seem like a hassle now, you should try to look at the bright side and realize you're never going to have to worry about any of the immigration issues most the people on this site will. You'll never have to be separated from your boyfriend just because of immigration issues. It's a bit confusing because it seems like you really just see yourself as a Canadian who happens to have American citizenship that you've never done anything with. There's nothing wrong with that, but it is not the way the US sees you - the US sees you as an American who happens to live in Canada and they really don't care about your status in Canada. When entering the US, you should present yourself the way the US sees you - as an American citizen living in Canada. Good luck - you'll be totally set once you have your US passport.

September 27, 2012

It's a good idea to follow the advice listed here until you have proof of your American citizenship. After that, though, you really don't have to worry about it. You don't have to prove you'll return to Canada because you have every right to enter and live in the US. You'll still have to answer questions and satisfy whatever hoops they want you to jump through, but you are just as much a US Citizen as someone who was born and raised here. While you may see yourself as Canadian or a dual citizen, the US government just sees you as American. I think as an American citizen, you really are supposed to only enter the US on a US passport, so be sure to use it as soon as you get it. And yes, never ever lie to the border folks. You don't have to worry about future immigration consequences since you are an American citizen, but lying to immigration is still against the law.

September 7, 2012

You're being a tad bit dramatic. Disapproval is very uncommon and nobody is forcing you to put your life. If you choose to do that, fine, but take some responsibility and stop trying to blame someone else for your foolishness. Immigration was a mess under Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush, and Obama and I'm sure further back than that. And, truth be told, ROC is probably not the highest priority and for good reason - your wife is already a permanent resident, your family is together, and as annoying as it is, it's not really going to affect you if you have to wait a few more months. She has the right to live here, work here, travel, and every other benefit permanent residents have, so it's really not a big deal if it takes a long time. It's certainly frustrating to spend a ton of money and time on something that they're going to look at for 10 minutes and take several months if not longer to do it, but at least at this stage, you're together. If you want to move to the UK because Vermont is slow, it's probably a good idea - if waiting a few more months for a new card and no actual change of status or rights is beyond what you can handle, you're in trouble here.

August 13, 2012

Seriously???????? Thats changes EVERYTHING! I received my Conditional green card end of 2009, so I may be able to get citizenship in 2014???

Yep - that's why I thought you only had a year or so left. Take the date you got your conditional residence (or the "resident since" date on your current green card) and add 5 years to know your eligibility (assuming, of course, that you meet the other requirements). You can apply 90 days prior to that.

Seriously???????? Thats changes EVERYTHING! I received my Conditional green card end of 2009, so I may be able to get citizenship in 2014???

Just looked at your timeline and it looks like your approval date was 12/31/2009. You will be eligible for citizenship 12/31/2014 and can submit your application 90 days prior to that. So, you have probably about 2 1/2 years before everything goes through if you go this route. Good luck.

August 13, 2012

Hi All,

Long story short, I was married to US Citizen. Arrived on Fiance visa, got CGC but then divorced. I applied and received my Permanent Green Card last summer.

My question is, because of this divorce I understand that I have to wait 5 years now to apply for my citizenship. However, my father passed away recently and I want to move back for a while to be closer to my mum. However because this is such a big move, I dont know if I want to be restrianed to the 2 year leniency that the US give for leaving the country. Is there anyway I can speed up my process under particular circumstances to waiver this 5 years? Anyone heard of anyone doing that? I would just move back to UK for good but I have a fiance (who will also move back to UK with me) and I need to be sensible and considerate to him and get citizenship so we are able to move freely in the future and not be restrained to one country for rest of our lives ( i know I can reapply again for green card but its such a long process and seems silly if im pretty close to getting US citizenship.

Thanks

First of all, I'm sorry for your loss. This can't be an easy situation for you, but there's no way that you will be able to get the 5 year requirement waived unless perhaps you've done military service. It's a firm requirement and US citizenship isn't given so that you can leave the door to the US open while you move out of the country so even if there was some waiver available, your circumstances wouldn't be very compelling. You're going to have to decide what is more important to you at this point in your life. It sounds like you just have a year or so left before you hit 5 years? Maybe you can visit your mom frequently, but maintain residence here and then move over there after you are naturalized. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

August 10, 2012

I believe that the husband will have to become a USC prior to your sister being able to adjust status. She will have to apply for AOS from within the US and then her overstay will not be an issue, but that is only true for spouses of US Citizens. LPRs can petition for spouses, but they have to go the spousal visa route (someone please correct me if I am mistaken). Your sister's status should not impact her husband's naturalization. It is very important that she not leave the US at all until she has a green card in hand. Good luck to her.

August 4, 2012

New green card arrived in the mail today! So awesome to see an expiration date of 2022. My wife is eligible to apply for citizenship 2/4/13 and our plan is to move forward with that then, so I'm sure we'll see some of you back here then. Good luck to all the CSC filers who have yet to be approved and to all the VSC filers who still have a bit of a wait ahead of them.

August 1, 2012

oh yeah I totally am! how could you? no Im just kidding! BUT I haven't received my card yet ... I don't know who did that day but Ill delete it after my name, ok?
and CONGRATS!!!

Thank you!

oops! that was me - I must have accidentally put it under the wrong person (it was supposed to be christianamour). thanks for catching that!

California Service Center (31 applicants, 17 approved 55%)

VJName............Date of I-751......NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

CAPSLOCK88..........01/30/12.........02/06/12.......02/27/12........07/24/12....(Card Received 7/30)

JUST FOR U..........01/31/12.........02/03/12.......03/09/12........07/13/12....

SCABBAGE29..........02/03/12.........02/06/12.......04/11/12........--/--/--....(RFE received 07/27)

SCIENCENERD.........02/04/12.........02/06/12.......03/20/12........07/31/12....

MARITONI............02/05/12.........02/08/12.......02/24/12........--/--/--....

CRISTIANAMOUR.......02/??/12.........02/08/12.......03/19/12........07/25/12....(Card Received 7/30)

S*A*B...............02/06/12.........--/--/12.......02/24/12........07/26/12....(No NOA/I551@ bio)(RFE 7/16,reply 7/17)

MSG.................02/06/12.........02/??/12.......03/08/12........--/--/--....

STEVIEG2123.........02/07/12.........02/09/12.......03/08/12........07/16/12....(Card Received 07/20)

MIRANDA&JOHN........02/09/12.........02/13/12.......03/08/12........07/20/10....

JAJO08..............02/10/12.........02/13/12.......03/14/12........--/--/--....

ANN MARIE AND LEO...02/10/12.........02/15/12.......03/09/12........07/18/12....(Card Received 07/23)

AKOCHI..............02/11/12.........02/13/12.......03/20/12........07/18/12....(Card received 07/23)

MAE232..............02/11/12.........02/13/12.......03/08/12........07/18/12....(Card received 07/23)

JEWEL-8.............02/12/12.........02/15/12.......03/19/12........07/13/12....(Card received 07/19)

DON_900.............02/12/12.........02/14/12.......03/09/12........--/--/--....

MRS.BALE............02/13/12.........02/16/12.......03/26/12........--/--/--....

NIGERIAORBUST.......02/13/12.........02/16/12.......03/02/12........07/24/12....(Card received 07/28)

GARY_UK.............02/13/12.........02/15/12.......03/14/12........07/20/12....(Card received 07/23)

RYAN_AND_PRISCY.....02/14/12.........02/16/12.......03/29/12........07/12/12....(Card Received 07/16)

TOKUFU..............02/14/12.........02/16/12.......03/26/12........--/--/--....

ZAHRASALEM..........02/15/12.........02/16/12.......03/19/12........07/17/12....(Card received 07/21)

OLLIE...............02/18/12.........02/23/12.......03/19/12........07/11/12....(EB 03/12 @ infopass appt)(Card received 07/17)

BINGO2000...........02/20/12.........02/21/12.......03/23/12........--/--/--....

KASUN7DISSANAYAKA...02/21/12.........02/27/12.......03/16/12........--/--/--....

USMOMO..............02/23/12.........--/--/12.......04/06/12........--/--/--....(Never recieved NOA)

CHADS_26............02/24/12.........02/28/12.......03/26/12........07/24/12....

USJANY..............02/24/12.........03/13/12.......04/27/12........--/--/--....

DANU................02/27/12.........02/28/12.......03/30/12........--/--/--....

W&S.................02/27/12.........02/29/12.......04/04/12........--/--/--....(RFE received 7/20, responded 7/30)

DANIG...............02/28/12.........03/01/12.......04/12/12........--/--/--....

Vermont Service Center (26 applicants, 1 approved 4%)

VJName............Date of I-751......NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

CJBLACK.............01/30/12.........02/02/12.......03/09/12........--/--/--....

DONEWAITING.........01/31/12.........02/02/12.......03/09/12........--/--/--....

MIMAYU..............--/--/--.........--/--/--.......03/02/12........--/--/--/... (needs to be moved when we have I-751 date)

MINAADI.............02/01/12.........02/06/12.......02/24/12........--/--/--....

PLATANOKING.........02/01/12.........02/03/12.......03/30/12........--/--/--....

THINK~PINK..........02/02/12.........02/06/12.......02/27/12........--/--/--....

JACK25..............02/06/12.........02/09/12.......03/08/12........--/--/--....

JOSHUE..............02/10/12.........02/14/12.......03/16/12........--/--/--....(EB 03/07)

MFORD019............02/11/12.........02/15/12.......03/12/12........05/30/12....(Interview 05/16)(expedite: deployment)Card received 6/4

MSSHEKA.............02/11/12.........02/??/12.......03/13/12........--/--/--....

BERN................02/13/12.........02/17/12.......03/23/12........--/--/--....

DIRTYWEEBESOM.......02/13/12.........02/15/12.......03/26/12........--/--/--....(EB 03/07)

ROYALET.............02/13/12.........02/16/12.......03/22/12........--/--/--....

DSMIAMI.............02/14/12.........02/21/12.......03/23/12........--/--/--....

LADY-ALONE..........02/15/12.........02/17/12.......04/04/12........--/--/--....(Divorce Waiver)

AND_SAM.............02/16/12.........02/22/12.......04/18/12........--/--/--....

BILL & LIZA.........02/16/12.........02/21/12.......04/19/12........--/--/--....

ELGHAZI2008.........02/17/12.........02/22/12.......03/19/12........--/--/--....

IIOGHERKIN..........02/18/12.........02/22/12.......04/02/12........--/--/--....(EB 03/15) Interview 6/11 (Same day as 319(b) N400 int.)

ELCORRES............02/18/12.........02/22/12.......04/11/12........--/--/--....

MAV_1975............02/20/12.........02/24/12.......03/23/12........--/--/--....

ME&HER..............02/21/12.........02/24/12.......04/11/12........--/--/--....

MOON1982............02/22/12.........02/27/12.......03/29/12........--/--/--....

LAURA_AND_KYLE......02/25/12.........02/28/12.......05/01/12........--/--/--....

MIKE B..............02/27/12.........02/29/12.......04/25/12........--/--/--....

MRAHMAN.............02/27/12.........02/29/12.......04/25/12........--/--/--....

IMPORTANT!

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Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application

NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter

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July 31, 2012

Some people are still split into separate lines and it was too late for me to edit. Sorry - it makes it really hard for me to read the dates when they are split up like that. If others disagree, you can edit based on the previous one.

California Service Center (31 applicants, 17 approved 55%)

VJName............Date of I-751......NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

CAPSLOCK88..........01/30/12.........02/06/12.......02/27/12........07/24/12....(Card Received 7/30)

JUST FOR U..........01/31/12.........02/03/12.......03/09/12........07/13/12....

SCABBAGE29..........02/03/12.........02/06/12.......04/11/12........--/--/--....(RFE received 07/27)

SCIENCENERD.........02/04/12.........02/06/12.......03/20/12........07/31/12....

MARITONI............02/05/12.........02/08/12.......02/24/12........--/--/--....

CRISTIANAMOUR.......02/??/12.........02/08/12.......03/19/12........07/25/12....

S*A*B...............02/06/12.........--/--/12.......02/24/12........07/26/12....(No NOA/I551@ bio)(RFE 7/16,reply 7/17) Card Received 7/30