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Filed: Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

my fiance is a canadian citizen and we are filing the 129f

once in the US she wants to get a green card so she can work.

she is afriad that she will need to give up her canadian citizenship if she does this.

i said becoming a US citizen is different than being legally able to work in the US.

Her fear comes from a friend telling her that someone had to give up their canadian citizenship to be an american citizen.

so my question is, i assume i am right that none of this will happen just to legally work in the US right ?

that this would only happen if she wanted to become a citizen ?

thanks.

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Philippines
Timeline
Posted (edited)

If Canda recognizes "dual" nationality (and I believe there is a procedure for maintaining this) then there is no problem.... The US does not have a problem with dual citizenships.

A legal resident or greencard holder retains all existing citizenships without issue.

Edited by payxibka

YMMV

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted (edited)
my fiance is a canadian citizen and we are filing the 129f

once in the US she wants to get a green card so she can work.

she is afriad that she will need to give up her canadian citizenship if she does this.

i said becoming a US citizen is different than being legally able to work in the US.

Her fear comes from a friend telling her that someone had to give up their canadian citizenship to be an american citizen.

so my question is, i assume i am right that none of this will happen just to legally work in the US right ?

that this would only happen if she wanted to become a citizen ?

thanks.

Her friend is wrong. She can be a citizen of both Canada and the U.S - if she decides she wants to.

She can be a permanent resident and work in the U.S. and never apply for U.S. citizenship.

Also, there is no 'procedure' for maintaining her Canadian citizenship.

Edited by trailmix
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Vietnam
Timeline
Posted

payxibka pretty much said it. As long as both countries recognize dual citizenship, she should be fine.

Your fiancee will initially receive her permanent residence card (aka "green card"). Having a green card is not US citizenship. She will be a Canadian citizen living in the US that can legally work.

After the required amount of time, she can either apply for US citizenship and maintain her Canadian citizenship (dual citizen), or she could just continue being a permanent resident and keep her Canadian citizenship. Either way, she's allowed to work.

There are some jobs that may require your fiancee to only have a US citizenship, (not dual citizenship) but those are mostly in government agencies.

Posted

Once you apply for adjustment of status, then about 2-3 months later she will get her "working papers".

No need to become a citizen for that.

And as others said, you never have to give up your Canadian citizenship.

The only way that could happen is if you went to Canada and legally applied to do this.

The naturalization process in the U.S.:

at the swearing in ceremony you are asked to forgo your other citizenship. (Something along those lines.)

It is a formality and not anything that can be enforced.

Dual citizenship is what happens automatically....once you pass the U.S. citizenship test.

This naturalization can only be applied for 3 years after getting the permanent residence card (aka green card).

:star:

SpiritAlight edits due to extreme lack of typing abilities. :)

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I-485 application transferred to CSC – March 12th, 2008

Travel/Work approval notices via email – April 23rd, 2008

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Funny-looking card arrives – September 6th, 2008 :)

Mailed request to remove conditions – July 7, 2010

Landed permanent resident approved – August 23rd, 2010

Second funny looking card arrives – August 31st, 2010

Over & out, Spirit

Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted
my fiance is a canadian citizen and we are filing the 129f

once in the US she wants to get a green card so she can work.

she is afriad that she will need to give up her canadian citizenship if she does this.

i said becoming a US citizen is different than being legally able to work in the US.

Her fear comes from a friend telling her that someone had to give up their canadian citizenship to be an american citizen.

so my question is, i assume i am right that none of this will happen just to legally work in the US right ?

that this would only happen if she wanted to become a citizen ?

thanks.

It's actually somewhat difficult to give up your Canadian Citizenship. They like to keep their hooks in you. (I think it's tax related - we know Canada loves taxes!) :whistle:

If you become a US citizen, the naturalization oath renounces other citizenships, but Canada does not recognize this and you remain a Canadian Citizen unless you file the appropriate forms.

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Philippines
Timeline
Posted

Unlike the law in effect in Canada up to 1977, the current Citizenship Act allows Canadian citizens to acquire a foreign nationality without automatically losing their Canadian citizenship. Since February 15, 1977, a Canadian citizen who acquires another nationality may retain Canadian citizenship, unless he or she voluntarily applies to renounce it and the application is approved by a citizenship judge. The current act thus makes it possible to have two or more citizenships and allegiances at the same time for an indefinite period.

http://canadaonline.about.com/gi/dynamic/o...ns/dualci_e.asp

YMMV

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Bermuda
Timeline
Posted

Dual citizenship is definitely no problem as far as the Canadians are concerned. I'm a dual citizen of Canada and Bermuda. That means I actually have two citizenships and three passports (as of 2002, Bermudians can have both a Bermudian and British passport).

I have no idea what all this would mean if I eventually want to naturalize in the US. I'm not sure if any of the countries have rules on how many citizenships a person can have. Three seems excessive.

~ Catherine

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

I think at this point, she is going to forego US citizenship for the time being. Besides other details, the one big one that jumps out for naturalizing is being able to vote for President and to "say" you are a US citizen. Besides those two, I don't see a reason for her to go past getting her green card.

USA_a.gif

Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted
I think at this point, she is going to forego US citizenship for the time being. Besides other details, the one big one that jumps out for naturalizing is being able to vote for President and to "say" you are a US citizen. Besides those two, I don't see a reason for her to go past getting her green card.

There are many other reasons as well. Green Card holders can have their cards revoked for numerous reasons including being out of the US for specific durations of time or being employed overseas in non-US jobs etc. It also allows for other Social Security benefits and only citizens get. A US citizen is harder to be revoked then a Green Card holder. You also have the right to vote etc, and there are many jobs out there that require US citizenship now.

I have both Canadian and US citizenships. I have 2 valid passports (which I'll most likey not renew the Canadian one after it expires), but unless I really want to put forth the effort and revoke my Canadian citizenship (why bother, having 2 is nice) I'll always have both citizenships and I can freely move about the world without renewing my green card every 10 years, carrying it around with me at all times, having it being abandoned if I decide I want to live outside the US for a year or more etc.

Now it does take a lot of time, money and persistance and patients to get your citizenship, but hell I definatly thought it was worth it...

I'm just a wanderer in the desert winds...

Timeline

1997

Oct - Job offer in US

Nov - Received my TN-1 to be authorized to work in the US

Nov - Moved to US

1998-2001

Recieved 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th TN

2002

May - Met future wife at arts fest

Nov - Recieved 6th TN

2003

Nov - Recieved 7th TN

Jul - Our Wedding

Aug - Filed for AOS

Sep - Recieved EAD

Sep - Recieved Advanced Parole

2004

Jan - Interview, accepted for Green Card

Feb - Green Card Arrived in mail

2005

Oct - I-751 sent off

2006

Jan - 10 year Green Card accepted

Mar - 10 year Green Card arrived

Oct - Filed N-400 for Naturalization

Nov - Biometrics done

Nov - Just recieved Naturalization Interview date for Jan.

2007

Jan - Naturalization Interview Completed

Feb - Oath Letter recieved

Feb - Oath Ceremony

Feb 21 - Finally a US CITIZEN (yay)

THE END

Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

Opps double post and I can't edit the above, but neede to add this:

The Green Card is essentially a document allowing you to work and live in the US if you meet certain conditions and these must be met at all times. So say you wanted to move to Canada for a few years? Well then that breaks the conditions of the Green Card and you would abandon it. If you wanted to move back to the US, you would have to start the entire process over again etc. Citizenship is permenant and no conditions are needed to meet it (as it can only be revoked in extreme cases)...

I'm just a wanderer in the desert winds...

Timeline

1997

Oct - Job offer in US

Nov - Received my TN-1 to be authorized to work in the US

Nov - Moved to US

1998-2001

Recieved 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th TN

2002

May - Met future wife at arts fest

Nov - Recieved 6th TN

2003

Nov - Recieved 7th TN

Jul - Our Wedding

Aug - Filed for AOS

Sep - Recieved EAD

Sep - Recieved Advanced Parole

2004

Jan - Interview, accepted for Green Card

Feb - Green Card Arrived in mail

2005

Oct - I-751 sent off

2006

Jan - 10 year Green Card accepted

Mar - 10 year Green Card arrived

Oct - Filed N-400 for Naturalization

Nov - Biometrics done

Nov - Just recieved Naturalization Interview date for Jan.

2007

Jan - Naturalization Interview Completed

Feb - Oath Letter recieved

Feb - Oath Ceremony

Feb 21 - Finally a US CITIZEN (yay)

THE END

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted
I think at this point, she is going to forego US citizenship for the time being. Besides other details, the one big one that jumps out for naturalizing is being able to vote for President and to "say" you are a US citizen. Besides those two, I don't see a reason for her to go past getting her green card.

There are many other reasons as well. Green Card holders can have their cards revoked for numerous reasons including being out of the US for specific durations of time or being employed overseas in non-US jobs etc. It also allows for other Social Security benefits and only citizens get. A US citizen is harder to be revoked then a Green Card holder. You also have the right to vote etc, and there are many jobs out there that require US citizenship now.

I have both Canadian and US citizenships. I have 2 valid passports (which I'll most likey not renew the Canadian one after it expires), but unless I really want to put forth the effort and revoke my Canadian citizenship (why bother, having 2 is nice) I'll always have both citizenships and I can freely move about the world without renewing my green card every 10 years, carrying it around with me at all times, having it being abandoned if I decide I want to live outside the US for a year or more etc.

Now it does take a lot of time, money and persistance and patients to get your citizenship, but hell I definatly thought it was worth it...

Another thing worth considering, is that if they ever change the fees to something ridiculous everytime you have to renew your green card. That would suck. Or, they change how often you have to renew. My bf's Dad has a greencard with no expiry (lucky him) but they actually encourage him and give him flack everytime he crosses to get citizenship or a new green card.

I actually didn't think I would care if I became a citizen, but the closer I get the more I want it because a) I really want to vote, i want to have voting rights in the country I'm living in even though I'm not that political, I'd rather not be completely helpless b ) if my children are going to be US citizens, I would also like to be one so that when we travel all together its just easier. I'll still always be Canadian at heart, but just in the long run I think it would just be nice to never have to worry about reneweing my green card. Because who knows where I'll be in 10 years and how long it will take and if I had to travel for work or something God forbid, I couldn't get back in after living in the US for 10 years or something random.

ALso, if we ever decided to move back to Canada for a bit, and then move back again, that could get tricky too. I'm guessing I would loose some sort of status since I wouldn't be a permanent resident of the US if I moved back to Canada. But if I was a citizen of both countries, I wouldn't have to worry.

Removing Conditions

Sent package to VSC - 8/12/11

NOA1 - 8/16/11

Biometrics - 9/14/11

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted
Well let me clarify, I suppose she would eventually go for it at some point. However, at this point, we are more focused on getting TO that point :)

Who knows, if things really went bad here (United States) for some reason, I could move to Canada then.

Hehe yes, that makes sense - definitely don't have to actually think about it for a few years at least.

I'm just so bad about thinking too far in advance... drives my bf nuts!

Removing Conditions

Sent package to VSC - 8/12/11

NOA1 - 8/16/11

Biometrics - 9/14/11

Filed: Other Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted
Well let me clarify, I suppose she would eventually go for it at some point. However, at this point, we are more focused on getting TO that point :)

Who knows, if things really went bad here (United States) for some reason, I could move to Canada then.

My wife has similar concerns. She seems to think that if she becomes a U.S. citizen, the United States could prevent her from returning to Canada. Overall, I think they're unfounded (after all, if the U.S. government detains citizens, what's to stop them from doing the same to permanent residents?), but if she doesn't want to become a U.S. citizen some day in the future, then that's her choice.

The most logical reason I can see for avoiding U.S. citizenship is that once you become a citizen, you are responsible for declaring your income (and therefore get taxed on it) to the IRS, regardless of where you live. So if you two ever did move to Canada -- and she had come a U.S. citizen -- she'd be responsible for taxation coming from a country she no longer inhabits. Granted, the same situation would occur to you, but you were born a U.S. citizen, so there was no long and drawn out process to become such.

 
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