If You Become a USC, can you keep your Canadian Citizenship?

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

I'm just looking ahead.

I'd like to eventually bring my mom over to the US from Canada. I see that in order to do this, I must be a USC, so I do plan on applying for citizenship when I qualify.

If me and my son become citizen's, can we also keep our Canadian citizenship, or do we have to give it up? I would like to continue use of both passports if possible?

Also, is there an age requirement for citizenship? or would my son (apprx 8 years old at that time) qualify to apply for citizenship?

Thanks

[wowswift 3]

no age requirement and yes, you guys can be dual. and you would use your canadian passport to get into canada, and return using your US passport

[July09Bride 1]

I'm just looking ahead.

I'd like to eventually bring my mom over to the US from Canada. I see that in order to do this, I must be a USC, so I do plan on applying for citizenship when I qualify.

If me and my son become citizen's, can we also keep our Canadian citizenship, or do we have to give it up? I would like to continue use of both passports if possible?

Also, is there an age requirement for citizenship? or would my son (apprx 8 years old at that time) qualify to apply for citizenship?

Thanks

Neither country recognizes dual citizens. BUT, what they do, is if you get US Citizenship, while in the USA, the US Government will ONLY recognize your USC status. When you go to Canada, the Canadian gov't. will ONLY recognize your Canadian citizenship status.

D calls it "the best of both worlds". Also... did you know that b/c you're over here on a K1 and getting married, if after 3 years, you all are still married, and can prove it is a "bonafide" marriage, you can apply for citizenship after 3 years, instead of waiting for the normal 5 years??

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Actually, Canada does recognize dual citizenship and allows you to retain or obtain citizenship in other countries. While you are in Canada you would be considered a Canadian, and while you are in the US you would be considered American. However, you can use your American passport to get into Canada - but you can't use your Canadian passport to get into the US - you need to use your American passport.

[JillA 2]

I'm just looking ahead.

I'd like to eventually bring my mom over to the US from Canada. I see that in order to do this, I must be a USC, so I do plan on applying for citizenship when I qualify.

If me and my son become citizen's, can we also keep our Canadian citizenship, or do we have to give it up? I would like to continue use of both passports if possible?

Also, is there an age requirement for citizenship? or would my son (apprx 8 years old at that time) qualify to apply for citizenship?

Thanks

Neither country recognizes dual citizens. BUT, what they do, is if you get US Citizenship, while in the USA, the US Government will ONLY recognize your USC status. When you go to Canada, the Canadian gov't. will ONLY recognize your Canadian citizenship status.

D calls it "the best of both worlds". Also... did you know that b/c you're over here on a K1 and getting married, if after 3 years, you all are still married, and can prove it is a "bonafide" marriage, you can apply for citizenship after 3 years, instead of waiting for the normal 5 years??

That's not so re: Canada. Canada DOES recognize dual citizens. The US, does not.

[SapphireDreams 71]

I wonder how long it would take to petition a mother? Anyone know?

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

I knew about the 3 year thing...which I intend to do.

I wonder the same thing. I know a K1 took us about 9 months.... how long does it take to petition a parent?

Funny how Saphire asked the question 'how long it takes to petition a mother?' lol! I hope the same as a 'father' lol imagine an MIL...like;y 10 years Haha! No I know it has to be 'actual parent'

I should look into it more... I wonder if their pension gets affected? or reduced? if they live abroad?

I would like to eventually get her over here... we have a small family and she has always lived with me after my dad died.....I'm the nly one she really has left....and my son has been raised by her (through living with me)...being a single parent these past few years, it was really me and my mom with my son... it'll be a tough transition for all of us.

Also, do you guys know how the 6 month thing works? if she visits every other month for a few weeks, do we tally up all her weeks until she reaches 180 days? and then how does their 'fiscal' year work? would she have to wait until 2010 to re-enter after we have used up 180 days?

it's confusing

[MissStacey 1]

Is it legal to travel with 2 passports? I've always wondered that.

[Sprailenes 47]

I challenge you to a dual!

Yea yea, I know its 'duel' but when I go for my oath ceremony I am so saying that!

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

I challenge you to a dual!

Yea yea, I know its 'duel' but when I go for my oath ceremony I am so saying that!

Do you think it would cause a stir if you showed up to the swearing in with a T-Shirt that read 'Canadians Rock!' lol!

[trailmix 77]

I knew about the 3 year thing...which I intend to do.

I wonder the same thing. I know a K1 took us about 9 months.... how long does it take to petition a parent?

Funny how Saphire asked the question 'how long it takes to petition a mother?' lol! I hope the same as a 'father' lol imagine an MIL...like;y 10 years Haha! No I know it has to be 'actual parent'

I should look into it more... I wonder if their pension gets affected? or reduced? if they live abroad?

I would like to eventually get her over here... we have a small family and she has always lived with me after my dad died.....I'm the nly one she really has left....and my son has been raised by her (through living with me)...being a single parent these past few years, it was really me and my mom with my son... it'll be a tough transition for all of us.

Also, do you guys know how the 6 month thing works? if she visits every other month for a few weeks, do we tally up all her weeks until she reaches 180 days? and then how does their 'fiscal' year work? would she have to wait until 2010 to re-enter after we have used up 180 days?

it's confusing

The IR5 takes about the same time as an IR1 - around a year, sometimes less. The six month thing is not calendar year or anything - it's 'six months at a time'. What that means, in theory is that she could stay for 6 months, go to Canada for and hour and turn around and come back. In practice that probably wouldn't work because they would probably think she is living there - rather than visiting.

She can collect her pension in the U.S. - however it might be reduced depending on where she lives, not her OAS - but if she has a provincial supplement it might be (but I am not absolutely sure about that)

[thetreble 19]

It only takes a year to petition a parent? Wow! That's a lot better than I thought. I thought parents and siblings take years in the waiting lines.

[trailmix 77]

It only takes a year to petition a parent? Wow! That's a lot better than I thought. I thought parents and siblings take years in the waiting lines.

Siblings yes - and your children over 21 years of age - but not parent's - it's another one of those weird immigration things.

I just looked and IR5formumsie - his parent's timeline for interview looks to be about 3 years (looks like they filed in 2005), however Chris Parker also did an IR5 and it only took 10 months - so it varies I suppose, but really no different than for an IR1.

[RYCK 0]

My parents can find their own way over here ... hahaha .. no seriously living in Florida everyone in my family keeps talking about visiting .. in the winter my father wants to come he says for thanksgiving and it started out as a few days then he said he wanted to be here for me for xmas .. then it was new years .. and then i have my mother ( parents divorced so would be here at different times) and then my sis and brother .. not to mention all the friends .. and you can sense when they talk they are thinking " woohooo no need to pay for a hotel" but hey thats a lil off topic ... back to topic

Yes can keep both and i am glad i plan on going for naturalization as soon as i am eligible .. i planned on getting married for life and as long as we are together i will be here it only makes sense to get it and not have to deal with immigration stuff anymore and what better way to show my total commitment to my wife .... plus the ease of traveling back and forth is a bonus

[warlord 73]

Is it legal to travel with 2 passports? I've always wondered that.

You can travel with 3 if you want. You just have to use the right one at the right entry that's all. Some people will bring their US passport and their Canadian one when visiting Canada. Using the Canadian one to enter there and the US passport to come back to the US.

I just use my US passport as I don't like the idea of having to carry two. If there is any issues, it states on the US passport the country of birth. If that person was born in Canada, it will state so, this way the Canadian officials can verify you are Canadian if there was ever an issue at the border. If you were born elsewhere, then ignore that last statement...