Are Americans allowed to apply for dual citizenship?

[karlita 0]

Hi there.

Is anyone familiar with the topic of citizenship and know whether my American fiance can apply for dual Citizenship once we get married, since I'm Canadian. If so, what's the process?

I know that Canadians are allowed dual citizenships, but if you have more info regarding what's involved in having both of us dual as well as time frame, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Karla

[SilentJester 0]

For the purpose of a dual citizenship concering the USA and Canada, in general, I think that Canada will consider you a citizen of Canada and the USA will consider you a citizen of the USA. They wont even take into account that you carry citizenship to each other, they will each just consider you thier own citizen. There are a few links out there that explain it in pretty good detail that I used to have book marked...but had to system restore and no longer have them at my fingertips.

edit: http://www.richw.org/dualcit/faq.html

Edited July 17, 2006 by SilentJester

[evilcanuck 0]

dont americans lose thier citizenship upon becoming a canadian citizen? i thought for sure i read that somewhere.

[Canuck Carrie 1]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/English/citizen/dualci_e.html

[zyggy 9]

A USC does not get Canadian Citizenship just on the basis of marrying you. Just as you do not get US Citizenship on the basis on marrying him. However, you do have the right to apply for permanent residency for your husband. Once he lives in Canada for 4 years, passes their citizenship test, etc. he can then get Canadian citizenship.

And no.. a USC does NOT lose their US Citizenship just on the basis of taking another Citizenship. This is based on the INA and several Supreme Court decisions made in the last 20 years. You actually have to do quite a bit to lose US Citizenship...

Edited July 17, 2006 by zyggy

[john_and_marlene 162]

dont americans lose thier citizenship upon becoming a canadian citizen? i thought for sure i read that somewhere.

No

[Reba 2]

before anyone can get any citizenship status, they first have to live in the country and have legal permanent resident status. For a Canadian to get US citizenship, you have to either be married to a USC and be an LPR for 3 years before you can apply, or if not married to a USC must be an LPR for 5 years.

For an American to get Canadian citizenship, they first have to have LPR status in Canada, and then as zyggy said, can apply for citizenship after 4 years.

If you both wish to have dual citizenship, it'll take several years. First you'll have to decide who's going to get which first, and then once that is obtained, you'll have to start the process to the other country. You cannot do both at the same time.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

It's actually 3 years of legal residency in Canada that is required before you can apply for citizenship of which 2 years have to be as a Landed Permanent Resident. If you are in Canada on another legal status before receiving LPR status, such as employment authorization or a student visa, you can also count one half day for each full day of residency up to 2 years to obtain credit for one year of qualified residency towards citizenship, so that someone can, if they meet this qualification, apply for Canadian citizenship after 2 years of being a landed permanent resident. All days of non-residency, however, even ones spent on holiday outside of the country, are also included in calculating the number of days that qualify for the residency requirement.

[Jersey Girl 2]

karlita, you've gotten the straight facts from zyggy, Reba, and Kathryn41. Now here's some personal experience. I'm an Amercan who lived in Canada for decades, first as a Landed Immigrant, and then as a citizen. You do not lose your U.S. citizenship by becoming a Canadian. However, at the border, it's best to show your American passport to the Americans and your Canadian passport to the Canadians. Don't flash both at once.

Also, an American living in Canada (legally) has an obligation to pay taxes in both Canada and the U.S. It's a lovely headache every year at tax time. The only consolation prize is that you can fly from Canada to Cuba and have a great time with your Canadian passport.

Edited July 17, 2006 by Jersey Girl

[kittykatwoman 0]

After being married to me for more than 2 years my husband can become a french citizen, it's a right in France.

We will leave France for America pretty soon, a little more than 2 years after he applied for residential status so we can go to the French Embassy in San Francisco and apply for his French citizenship tho i'm sick of paperwork and it can wait!

Edited July 17, 2006 by kittykatwoman

[wally 0]

karlita, you've gotten the straight facts from zyggy, Reba, and Kathryn41. Now here's some personal experience. I'm an Amercan who lived in Canada for decades, first as a Landed Immigrant, and then as a citizen. You do not lose your U.S. citizenship by becoming a Canadian. However, at the border, it's best to show your American passport to the Americans and your Canadian passport to the Canadians. Don't flash both at once.

Also, an American living in Canada (legally) has an obligation to pay taxes in both Canada and the U.S. It's a lovely headache every year at tax time. The only consolation prize is that you can fly from Canada to Cuba and have a great time with your Canadian passport.

yes, I've heard of this...a friend of mine moved back to US after living in Canada from a young child. IRS made him pay taxes for the previous 3 years of work in Canada.

[Jersey Girl 2]

wally, an American with income must file a U.S. return every year no matter where in the world they live, whether they owe tax to Uncle Sam or not. It's not easy finding a tax preparer with credentials in both Canada and the U.S., nor is it cheap. Something to think about before moving to Canada or taking out citizenship there.

[laura428 0]

wally, an American with income must file a U.S. return every year no matter where in the world they live, whether they owe tax to Uncle Sam or not. It's not easy finding a tax preparer with credentials in both Canada and the U.S., nor is it cheap. Something to think about before moving to Canada or taking out citizenship there.

Yup... I've filed every year I've been here (except for 2004 - still have no idea how I spaced that... thankfully don't owe anything, though, as I had no income). I found the easiest way to get a US/Canadian accountant is to contact H&R Block. If they don't have someone in office, they can locate someone who can help you. Cost me around $130 every year to have it done.

[alcearosa 0]

My daughter is a dual citizen of Canada and the US. Canada doesn't have a problem with dual citizens of any country i'm aware of. However, the US is .... they have a list of countries that are not allowed to be dual with the US canada isn't included in that list

[KarenCee 3]

I thought I remembered hearing something about the Family Reunification Act in Canada. Can someone enlighten me on this? Does it allow for the spouse of a Canadian citizen to become a citizen without as much paperwork and waiting time? I'm already searching for information, but thought I would ask here too. Maybe I was imagining it?