I'm curious about something...

[frenzyheart 2]

How does the whole dual citizenship thing work? I noticed Ant's sig said dual, but I've always been under the assumption that you couldn't get it unless you were born with it. Would Matt and I be able to obtain dual citizenship for our respective countries? (Him getting American, and myself getting Canadian) We had talked about it, but then either he or I found something and it made it seem like it wasn't a possibility at all without having to give up our original citizenships first...

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

I did some research on this awhile ago, as I was under the same impression as you.

As it turns out, in the citizenship oath you verbally renounce your citizenship to another country...but in actuality, Canada doesn't recognize that oath as being binding. In other words, saying the oath doesn't make you a non-citizen, so far as Canada is concerned. You have to go through a brief, but distinct official process to renounce your citizenship in Canada.

It just depends on how much stock YOU put in an oath. If you still consider yourself a dual citizen after verbally renouncing all but one...well, it's very difficult (legally speaking) for anyone to hold it against you.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Well, technically the US doesn't recognize dual citizenship so when you are in the US they consider you a US citizen and not the citizen of the US and another country. The thing is, they have no control over how other countries deal with their citizens so can't say you are no longer a Canadian when you become an American - only the Canadian government can take away your citizenship. Canada does recognize dual citizenship and allows it citizens to be citizens in other countries as well as Canada. So, as a dual citizen you would always have to fill out an income tax form for the US regardless of where you live and always travel into the US on your US passport. When you are outside of the US, however, you can travel on your other passport.

Regarding you getting Canadian citizenship the process is basically the same as for your spouse getting US citizenship. Your spouse would sponsor you as a permanent resident to Canada, you would move to Canada and live there as a permanent resident for at least 3 years. After 3 years you would be allowed to apply for Canadian citizenship.

If you plan on doing this, don't move to Canada until after your spouse becomes a US citizen. The US requires its permanent residents to live in the US and if you move to another country or even leave the US for more than a specified period of time without receiving advanced permission they will deem you to have abandoned your permanent residence status. Canada, however, allows you to remain a permanent resident even if you are not living in Canada all the time.

[kizza 1]

How about triple citizenship?

Anybody know?

[Amanda2020 1]

The U.S does recognize duel citizenship http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html but they dont encourage it, however with Canada the recogniztion is a bit more linent in terms of holding both as I dont think they have problems within the countries that differ much. http://www.grasmick.com/citizen.htm. I can comment on this first hand, as my fiance holds duel citizenship and numerous family memebers of mine as well. In my fiance's case he was born in U.S and moved to Canada as a child which acquired citizenship through his mom( naturalization through marriage to a Canadian born citizen) he was raised in Canada and has work ties still, he moved to states on his own in 2004 where he he now goes to school and has secondary ties with. However because he is a duel citizen he has the freedom within both countries, he travels with both passports and uses his Canadian for entering within Canada and US and or international, because his ties are mostly linked with Canada and his permanant residence and home is considered Canada his Canadian passport is more stronger than his US citizenship.

[Rustbelt 0]

How about triple citizenship?

Anybody know?

Not a problem. It works just like dual citizenship. You can have your three passports, but you must always declare yourself as a US citizen when entering the US (and so travel in on your US passport).

I was born British, have Canadian (because I moved there as a PR and applied after the requisite 1095 days of physical presence), and eventually I will have US also.

It can complicate certain tax matters but it really isn't a problem.

Oh yes, I agree with Kathryn41 - you WILL lose US PR status if you're out of the country for more than 6-12 months unless you can prove your absence is temporary - not as easy as it sounds . . . BTDT. You really do NOT want to repeat the US immigration process.

- Steve's wife

[Amanda2020 1]

Also as you said Kathyrn that U.S requires to live in the U.S to keep your citizenship is not true, you do not loose your citizenship unless you choose to by acquiring the other one. There are many Canadians that do not even know they hold duel citizenship through birth of one parent in the U.S. U.S recognizes that but they do not so freely encorage people to seek it is all that tells you.

[Malrothien 6]

Also as you said Kathyrn that U.S requires to live in the U.S to keep your citizenship is not true, you do not loose your citizenship unless you choose to by acquiring the other one. There are many Canadians that do not even know they hold duel citizenship through birth of one parent in the U.S. U.S recognizes that but they do not so freely encorage people to seek it is all that tells you.

She never said anything about losing US citizenship - she said US PR.

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

Lol..I guess people do read my signature after all....Glad to see that you're all paying attention and asking questions too....

Anyways, yes, as other vjers have mentioned in the above posts, one can be both a Canadian and American citizen at the same time. Basically, Canada allows dual.mulitple cititzenships, and lets you keep it, unless you formally renounce it. The US though, technically, they don't approve of dual citizenship (and even mentions such in the oath), but does not legally inforce it.

To Canada...you are both Canadian and American and whatever else

To the USA...you are American only

For travel purposes...Go to Canada with a Canadian passport (and maybe and American one too)...Come back to the USA with a US passport only...

As for triple citizenship..It depends on what your third country is, and whether or not they allow multiple citizenship.

For example, my former birth country (not Canada) does not allow multiple citizenships, so as far as I know, when I became a Canadian citizen, I "lost" that birth country citizenship (though funny as this may be, I still have certain rights of that birth country...even though I have tried to formally renounce it but could not do such legally...too complicated...go figure...)....

So now I only have dual (not triple) citizenships of Canada and the United States (which is good enough for me, with 2 passports, no need for a third!)

Though other countries allow multiple citizenships (such as the UK), so yes, a person can have two, three, etc. citizenships and passport!

Oh what fun travelling!

Hope this helps too. And good luck on your journeys.

Ant

Edited November 22, 2009 by Ant+D+A

[Amanda2020 1]

I should mention however that this applies to US born citizens other words natural born citizens in the country, they cannot by law force you too give up your citizenship against your will this also I am assuming also applies to U.S citizens born aboard in Canada to a U.S parent. But yes if you acquire citizenship through naturalization( eg k-1) and are away from the U.S within a period of time than yes you will probablly loose it.

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

As for US permanent residency and US citizenship....

If you are a US resident....Do not leave the country for more than 6 months...

Otherwise you lose your residency status here and break 'continuous residency' rules...

As well, you have to give the exact dates 'for trips more than 24 hours you have been outside of the USA', when you apply for citizenship (it is on the N-400 form)....So start keeping a record of such, if you haven't done so already...

And according to the USCIS, one has to meet all of the following conditions in order to apply to become a US Citizen in 3 years minus 90 days,

based on marriage to a US Citizen:

-Been a permanent resident for 3 years

-Been married to the same USC for 3 years

-Your spouse/you must have been a USC for at least 3 years

-Been residing physically in the USA for 3 years

Hope this helps too. Good luck on your journeys.

Ant

Edited November 22, 2009 by Ant+D+A

[Flames9_RN 358]

One can leave for longer than 6 months, but there is a form to fill out, can't recall the name of it though

[Malrothien 6]

I should mention however that this applies to US born citizens other words natural born citizens in the country, they cannot by law force you too give up your citizenship against your will this also I am assuming also applies to U.S citizens born aboard in Canada to a U.S parent. But yes if you acquire citizenship through naturalization( eg k-1) and are away from the U.S within a period of time than yes you will probablly loose it.

US citizenship is equal no matter how you gain it. Unless something drastic such as martial law comes into effect, you have nothing to worry about in regards to going overseas for a length of time.

One can leave for longer than 6 months, but there is a form to fill out, can't recall the name of it though

Reentry form.

[antda 13]

US citizenship is equal no matter how you gain it. Unless something drastic such as martial law comes into effect, you have nothing to worry about in regards to going overseas for a length of time.

Natural Born Citizen=Naturalized Citizen....

Same thing, same rights...

(lol...though natural born is easier, less costly, and less time to achieve than naturalized....)

You're a citizen forever!

And can travel freely as a citizen of that country!

No one can "kick you out" of the country you were naturally born in and/or naturalized in!

Ant

Edited November 22, 2009 by Ant+D+A

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I know that there are dual US citizens with other countries - I am one - a dual Canadian and American citizen - but the US does not recognize my Canadian citizenship. As far as the US is concerned I am no longer a Canadian and only an American citizen - officially, the other doesn't count anymore. I am not allowed to use my Canadian passport to enter the US although I am allowed to use my US passport to enter Canada. Canada recognizes both my citizenships; the US only recognizes my American citizenship. The US basically turns a blind eye to dual citizenship not because they accept it but because legally there is nothing they can do about it. They know there are Americans who have citizenship with other countries but as far as the US is concerned their citizenship is American. The US doesn't recognize them officially as citizens of the other country although they realize that the individual does have divided loyalties and allegiance - they just basically pretend it isn't there by not addressing the issue.

Edited November 22, 2009 by Kathryn41