What are you doing with your "old" citizenship?

[Chocolot 0]

Is Canada ok with that? I understood that as a citizen of a country you were required to use THAT countries passport to enter, maybe Canada has different rules, just interested....

I have "dual" citizenship (U.S. and Canada) and it would be very difficult to renounce my Canadian citizenship, even if I ever wanted to, which I definitely do not.

I have both a Canadian and a U.S. passport and will use my U.S. passport all of the time when I travel abroad, even when entering Canada.

The reason is that if you ever need help from an Embassy when you travel abroad, you have to go to the Embassy of the country where you "reside".

[Chocolot 0]

The reason you have NOT renounced your former citizenship is that your previous country doesnt recognise the oath you have taken in a foreign country. In countries where you are allowed dual (or more) citizenship it is very difficult to renounce your former citizenship, and you have to make a proper legal decision and renounce it to the right official. You cant renounce it "by accident".

While you are in the US as a United States citizen, yes you have to abide by the laws and rules of the USA, however when you travel you are entitled to use either passport. And on returning to your home country will probably be required to enter it, on the passport belonging to that country.

cheers a dual British and Australian Citizen.

United States Oath of Allegiance goes:

I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

So, IMHO, when one takes the US citizenship by naturalization one has renounced any other citizenship. That is, as far as your duties and responsibilities towards the US government, it does not matter whether one renounces officially or not to ones citizenship to another country. You must abide by that oath of allegiance as spelled out above.

Naturally such rules do not necessarily apply to those who are US citizens by birth, as they do not make the above oath. Thus, outside of the US they can take another citizenship as long as it is recognized by the US and as long as the foreign nation accepts dual citizenship with the US.

[warlord 73]

Is Canada ok with that? I understood that as a citizen of a country you were required to use THAT countries passport to enter, maybe Canada has different rules, just interested....

You can use whatever passport you want. Canadian officals if they found out might question why you didn't use the Canadian passport, but it's not illegal as you just have to show nationality. Showing a US passport is showing them your status.

Many Canadians do use their Canadian passport to enter. I don't and neither do others that I know of. I do not want to carry around 2 passports with me every time, I also hate having to explain to Canadian officials that I was not living in Canada and was only visiting the US etc. Showing my US passport just makes things a lot simplier in my experience...

[scandal 951]

Is Canada ok with that? I understood that as a citizen of a country you were required to use THAT countries passport to enter, maybe Canada has different rules, just interested....

You can use whatever passport you want. Canadian officals if they found out might question why you didn't use the Canadian passport, but it's not illegal as you just have to show nationality. Showing a US passport is showing them your status.

Many Canadians do use their Canadian passport to enter. I don't and neither do others that I know of. I do not want to carry around 2 passports with me every time, I also hate having to explain to Canadian officials that I was not living in Canada and was only visiting the US etc. Showing my US passport just makes things a lot simplier in my experience...

Umm, I disagree. My understanding is that you DO need to enter Canada with a Canadian passport, if you are a Canadian citizen. However - it does NOT need to be a current unexpired passport. Since you are using it to show proof of citizenship, an expired passport is acceptable.

I am a triple-citizen. I was a US/Canadian dual citizen from birth. I was born in NY state (acquiring US citizenship) to Canadian parents who immediately registered me as a Canadian born abroad. Later as an adult, I acquired Israeli citizenship. So I carry 3 passports.

My US passport is currently valid (expires in 2011) and I use it to enter the US and when convenient, abroad. My Canadian passport expired in 2004 and I have no plans to renew it. I have used it many times in the past 4 years to enter Canada at airports (Pearson, Ottawa, Dorval) and land crossings (Sarnia, Windsor). I'm always asked where I reside, how long I will be in Canada, declare my dutiable items - particularly alcohol & tobacco - and then sent on my way. It never takes more than a few minutes. On a recent visit when I crossed the Ambassador Bridge Detroit/Windsor, the Canadian Immigration officer demanded to see my US passport in addition to my Canadian one. I didn't want to challenge her so I presented both. But that did upset me, since I don't believe she had any right to ask for it. She needed to see my right to enter Canada as a visitor, I gave her that. She had no right to demand my US credentials. That's the business of US Immigration when I came back on the bridge the other way.

B y the way, my children are actually citizens of FOUR countries: US, Canada, Israel, Brazil. They have passports for all 4 nations, and whenever they enter any of the 4 countries they use that nation's passport to enter. They are not naturalized in any of the four. They hold Canadian, Brazilian and Israeli citizenship from birth. They were not born US citizens since I (USC parent) did not meet the US residency requirements, but they automatically acquired US citizenship when the Child Citizenship Act became law in Feb 2001 (hence they are not naturalized US citizens and never took the citizenship oath).

As to whether it's valuable or not, well, I think it's good to have options in this global world. The ability to travel, live and work in many countries can't be a bad thing, so I've encouraged my kids to keep their status. (My daughter will need to make some choices regarding her Canadian citizenship by the time she turns 28, since she was not born in Canada. My sons were both born in Canada so they won't face that choice). I have lived, worked, and studied in all 3 countries, deal with the tax system, healthcare system, educational systems, childcare systems, etc. in all three countries. I have RRSP, 401(K), and Keren Hishtalmut plans in 3 countries (roughly equivalent retirement savings plans).I've dealt with Revenue Canada, the IRS, and Mas Hachnasa. I've had OHIP healthcare, Kupat Holim healthcare, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield HMO healthcare. I've voted in Canadian federal, Ontario provincial, US national and California state, and Israeli national and municipal elections. I have my views on the pros/cons of all these systems. I think all this has added to my breadth of experience in the world. I hope it will do the same for my kids.

I recently used my Israeli passport when I traveled to Brazil. Why? The Canadian was expired, so I don't use it for international travel, only to enter Canada. And Brazil charges $100 for an entry visa to US citizens. There are no visa requirements for Israelis traveling to Brazil for a short visit (I think either 30 or 60 days).

A few years ago, when traveling to Australia on business, I used the US passport. Why? Israelis require an Australian visa be obtained from the consulate - an expensive and time consuming task (~$100 and several weeks). US citizens can get an Australian visa online at a website it's instantaneous and costs about $20AUD.

I used to travel to London a great deal on business which does not require visas from either Israelis or Americans, so I would randomly pull a passport out for Heathrow immigration officials, and have an assortment of UK stamps in both passports.

[NickD 203]

It's unusual for me to comprehend even requiring a passport to enter Canada, after freely traveling for years to our northern neighbor.

From all indications, the requirement for a passport was issued by an executive order, and as such, can be reversed just a quickly as it was enacted. Wonder why at times we even bother having a congress. Also interested in how Canada views these changes in the law.

But Canada is just recent, others countries that we have very strict visiting and immigration requirements with.

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

In answer to the poll questions:

1) After I take the US Citizenship Oath (Hopefully sometime in early 2010) I will...

-Keep my current citizenship (Canadian), and become a "dual" citizen (I want to keep it anyways, as I have spent most of my life there, and am happy about being a citizen there. As well, I can't give it up, so I guess that 'once a Canadian, always a Canadian') (I wish though, that I can give up my 'other birth country'. Technically, I don't have citizenship to that country, as it doesn't accept dual/triple citizenship at all. However, I can't give it up either, despite trying to do such legally and not being able to accomplish such. Lol...so I'm stuck with 2 + 1/2 + 1/2 citizenships later on...Gee what confusion that would be! Oh well...)

2) I will apply for a US Passport

-Yes (After all, how else will I be able to prove my US Citizenship, which I'm happy about being a citizen about here too? Lol..I'm not carrying around a $700 naturalization certificate around with me everywhere I go! So I would have to do this instead. I would probably get the US Passport Card instead ($20, good for 10 years), as it's inexpensive, small and convenient to use. As well, I can use it for land border crossings between the USA and Canada, as I do most of travelling that way, since I'm so close to the border.)

3) As a dual citizen, I will only travel with my US Passport

-No (If I'm going into Canada, as a Canadian citizen, wouldn't it make more sense to use my Canadian passport instead, which I just renewed and is valid? Or then again I can just show them my US passport instead, as a US citizen, which I will get and will be valid? Or better yet, when I can just claim to be "dual" and show them both the Canadian passports and the US passports, and let them figure it out...lol....)

Good luck everyone, on the rest of your immigration journeys too.

Ant (Still waiting for immigration, Still waiting for Baby....)

Edited February 27, 2009 by AntandD

[ChinaBabe 1]

Here is the questions. say you entry Canada with canadian passport. When you come back to the US, what passport are you going to show to them. if with Canada passport, you don't have a US visa, if with US passport, you don't have a record that you entry to Canada with that US passport.

I think this 2 passports thing is only going to work with 2 country don't require visa to each other.

Hi Everyone,

In answer to the poll questions:

1) After I take the US Citizenship Oath (Hopefully sometime in early 2010) I will...

-Keep my current citizenship (Canadian), and become a "dual" citizen (I want to keep it anyways, as I have spent most of my life there, and am happy about being a citizen there. As well, I can't give it up, so I guess that 'once a Canadian, always a Canadian') (I wish though, that I can give up my 'other birth country'. Technically, I don't have citizenship to that country, as it doesn't accept dual/triple citizenship at all. However, I can't give it up either, despite trying to do such legally and not being able to accomplish such. Lol...so I'm stuck with 2 + 1/2 + 1/2 citizenships later on...Gee what confusion that would be! Oh well...)

2) I will apply for a US Passport

-Yes (After all, how else will I be able to prove my US Citizenship, which I'm happy about being a citizen about here too? Lol..I'm not carrying around a $700 naturalization certificate around with me everywhere I go! So I would have to do this instead. I would probably get the US Passport Card instead ($20, good for 10 years), as it's inexpensive, small and convenient to use. As well, I can use it for land border crossings between the USA and Canada, as I do most of travelling that way, since I'm so close to the border.)

3) As a dual citizen, I will only travel with my US Passport

-No (If I'm going into Canada, as a Canadian citizen, wouldn't it make more sense to use my Canadian passport instead, which I just renewed and is valid? Or then again I can just show them my US passport instead, as a US citizen, which I will get and will be valid? Or better yet, when I can just claim to be "dual" and show them both the Canadian passports and the US passports, and let them figure it out...lol....)

Good luck everyone, on the rest of your immigration journeys too.

Ant (Still waiting for immigration, Still waiting for Baby....)

[antda 13]

Hi ChinaBabe and Everyone,

In answer to your questions:

I will enter Canada with a Canadian passport, as I am a Canadian. I will enter the USA with a US passport, when I'm an American. And yes, I understand that I will get "no passport stamps" from entering or exiting either country, as I am/will be a ciitzen of each, and will show proof of such. I will also later on have to show them 2 passports, as to explain this "dual citizenship dilemma" and "missing passport stamps".

A lot of other "dual Canadians/Americans" have the same "no stamps" problem too, and thus sometimes makes it harder to "prove" such trips for immigration purposes. However, whatever travel documentation that one presents to them, they will run it through their computer systems (for example, on the Canadian and American sides of the border they have scanned both my Canadian passport and US Green Card at the same time, with no problems).

As well, I find that it is always a good idea to keep a personal record of such "non-stamped" trips, in case anyone asks and checks too...(such as for US Citizenship application purposes...oh boy...I think I better get cracking on writing that "non-stamped trip record" now....gee how the heck do I prove so many frequent "no stamps" trips over the border?)

Hope this helps. Good luck with the rest of your immigration journey too...

Ant (Still waiting for immigration, Still waiting for Baby...)

Here is the questions. say you entry Canada with canadian passport. When you come back to the US, what passport are you going to show to them. if with Canada passport, you don't have a US visa, if with US passport, you don't have a record that you entry to Canada with that US passport.

I think this 2 passports thing is only going to work with 2 country don't require visa to each other.

Edited February 27, 2009 by AntandD

[scandal 951]

Here is the questions. say you entry Canada with canadian passport. When you come back to the US, what passport are you going to show to them. if with Canada passport, you don't have a US visa, if with US passport, you don't have a record that you entry to Canada with that US passport.

I think this 2 passports thing is only going to work with 2 country don't require visa to each other.

US/Canadian dual citizens are required to enter Canada with a Canadian passport, and to enter the US with a US passport. I've been doing this my entire life. While it's true that the need to show a passport at land borders between the countries is relatively recent, it has always been required for air travel from overseas countries, and this policy regarding dual citizens has always applied.

"you don't have a record that you entry to Canada with that US passport. " ??? What does this mean? You don't need any such thing. Neither country has any "exit" requirements when you leave its territory, and does not stamp passports on egress. Typically on entry there is also no passport-stamping etc. involved. My Canadian passport has 24 blank pages despite multiple entries into Canada over the years. When you enter either country (US or Canada) you need to establish the legal basis for that entry, nothing more. If you are a citizen of that country, you have the legal right to enter. That is why an expired passport is sufficient as well.

[antda 13]

Hi Usacandual and Everyone,

Lol...I have the same thing too...an expired Canadian passport..with 21 blank pages, despite numerous trips over the border ever since I got it many years ago....

As for the 3 pages....it only has the following:

-A B2 US Visitor's Visa stamp...I still have no idea as to why they gave that to me during my POE, despite Canada being a "visa exempt" country with the USA. Heck, even during my AOS interview, the immigration officer even asked "Why did you get one of those stamps?", to which I said..."I don't know..you tell me"...

-A "I-551 temporary stamp" which they gave me after the AOS interview

-A "married surname" paper notation (which they don't do anymore, by the way)

And any "future Canadian passports" that I get with have "24 blank pages of no stamps" in them too.....

By the way, my old Canadian passport is expired, and I just renewed it last week, to use for identification and travel purposes... I have travelled recently back to Canada with the expired passport too (lol...ummm...so that I could go to Canada to apply for a new passport), with no problems. You can read about this experience here, as I have crossed the border with all expired Canadian and expired American documents: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry2671574

Now it would be easier if I just have a Canadian birth certificate, so I don't have to bother renewing my Canadian passport...but I don't...so I have to renew my passport (lol..either that, or show them a very outdated Canadian Citizenship card, that looks like my "daughter's card"...lol...)

Besides, it makes travelling "a lot more interesting" by travelling and showing two different passports....

Now here's the American spin to things: My US Citizen husband does not have an American passport. He's travelled to Canada so many times before by land, with no passport (just a US birth certificate and driver's license) and he's had no problems before. However, the new land-crossing passport rules come into effect soon...and yeah, I will have to bug him to get a passport (or an EDL) for "no-stamp" travels to Canada too....

Ant (Travelling with "no-stamps", Still waiting for immigration, still waiting for Baby"...)

"you don't have a record that you entry to Canada with that US passport. " ??? What does this mean? You don't need any such thing. Neither country has any "exit" requirements when you leave its territory, and does not stamp passports on egress. Typically on entry there is also no passport-stamping etc. involved. My Canadian passport has 24 blank pages despite multiple entries into Canada over the years. When you enter either country (US or Canada) you need to establish the legal basis for that entry, nothing more. If you are a citizen of that country, you have the legal right to enter. That is why an expired passport is sufficient as well.

Edited February 27, 2009 by AntandD