Dual Citizenship- Your Opinion

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I don't think either of us were aware he will not lose one if he takes the other. I must do more research.

I think it would be in his best interest to make sure he keeps his citizenship. I was like...What if I died? He said "I'll be sad".

He DEFINITELY won't lose his UK passport/citizenship. Here's some links:

- http://www.800citizen.com/dualCitizenship.htm

- http://www.newcitizen.us/dual.html

I myself have UK, Aus and after time I hope to get US too. I know that i will keep all three, "just in case".

The only con I see with keeping the passports is the cost! I've got to renew my UK soon and it's $200. i need to also renew my Aussie with my married name (and am doing so because it's free, otherwise i wouldn't bother 'cause it's still got time).

So I have to make sure I keep track of when they expire (if you don't travel often this is easy to forget) and when I have all three that's $600 for a "what if". But that means forever I will never have to worry about a visa for Australia, the EU and the US. Very cool (oh also, my kids will get these passports so it's good for them too).

Edited February 18, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Lucky are those who enjoy her Majesty's protection.

In regard to dual citizenship, as you guys have it as easy as few others on the planet. Many countries either don't allow dual citizenship, or make applicants go though hell to attain it.

Frankly, I believe that the US, or any country, should require naturalized citizens to give up their previous citizenship, as in my opinion loyalty can go only so far. If you watch American Idol, you can have two favorites, of course. That works out fine until both of them are in the final round. Then, you'll have to decide who you're with.

Same with countries. If USA and England are in war with each other, which side are you going to fight for?

However, since the USA is against dual citizenship but does what the three wise monkeys do, anybody who has the chance to become a dual citizen would be crazy not to take advantage of that. What price can you put on citizenship?

If the USA goes to hell, for one war too many, or one stupid President too many, health-care becomes total unaffordable, you can still hop on a plane to Merry Ol' England and get the medical help urgently needed without having to commit suicide afterward. What's the price tag on that one? If you have children, they can choose where to live without jumping though hoops. What's the price tag on that one?

I can't think of a single reason for a Brit not to become a dual citizen. Not one.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

serving in another country's armed services is actually one issue that could jeopardize dual citizenship as far as the US is concerned which could make it an issue for someone who holds a citizenship in a country requiring national service.

I don't know how strictly that is enforced considering the number of dual US-Israeli citizens that exist - I believe Debra Winger, for example, served in the Israeli Army. Don't believe her US citizenship was revoked!

Edited February 18, 2010 by Trompe le Monde

[Justine+David 218]

The whole tax thing isn't as big a deal as others make it out to be either...

Everything up to a certain amount (last I saw was about $80k) is not included on taxes (thought you still have to file it even if you don't owe anything), and then everything after that, the US gives you credit for what you paid in taxes to the other country, i.e.

If you were normally filing in the U.S. and you owed $5000 in taxes...and you paid the equivalent of $5k in taxes to the UK, you're fine, but if you paid less in taxes to the UK, you just pay the difference to the U.S. That's the general idea.

Considering that the UK tax rates are 20/40 with a possible 50% coming, I think it's unlikely that you'll pay much more in taxes...

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

earned income is probably not a problem for the reasons you state - it's things like capital gains that could be an issue (where the tax rate is often lower in the UK). There may be other issues - estate tax, ISAs (tax free in the UK), etc.

It might not be a problem overall, but something to consider if you have investments.

Also - who knows what could happen to the earned income exclusion? It was recently proposed to be eliminated under Bush, though it would probably never happen.

[Justine+David 218]

Interesting and a good point.

Hubby-to-be and I may live in the UK for a little while so that grandparents can see their future (hopefully) grandkids for a little bit and know their heritage, but the U.S. will be our home for the majority of our lives for the forseeable future.

I'm still stuck on whether or not I should get British citizenship...it seems a little bit like fraud, I dunno. I don't feel inherently British, lol. I suppose immigrants to the U.S. don't necessarily feel like Americans either...but I have this picture in my mind of having my maroon colored passport, taking it to the UK border guard and having him laugh at me

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Interesting and a good point.

Hubby-to-be and I may live in the UK for a little while so that grandparents can see their future (hopefully) grandkids for a little bit and know their heritage, but the U.S. will be our home for the majority of our lives for the forseeable future.

I'm still stuck on whether or not I should get British citizenship...it seems a little bit like fraud, I dunno. I don't feel inherently British, lol. I suppose immigrants to the U.S. don't necessarily feel like Americans either...but I have this picture in my mind of having my maroon colored passport, taking it to the UK border guard and having him laugh at me

Under changes proposed to occur in mid-2011, if an alien moves to the UK and desires to live there, UK citizenship will be mandatory.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/managing...w-will-it-work/

There will be three routes to citizenship:

* Work - for highly skilled and skilled workers who are in the United Kingdom under Tiers 1 and 2 of the points-based system);

* Family - for the family members of existing British citizens and permanent residents; and

* Protection - for refugees and migrants who have been given humanitarian protection.

For all of these routes, there will be three clear stages which a migrant must complete.

The three stages of the citizenship process

Stage 1: Temporary residence

All migrants will be at this stage when they first come to the United Kingdom.

etc.

[Justine+David 218]

Oh wow, also good to know! I thought I had read something like that over on UK/Yankee...

Well, I can always do the process and apply and then even if I do get it I can renounce it when we move back to the states if I don't feel like being a British citizen...although that might make it more complicated if we move for a second time there.

[Robyn-n-Kris 72]

I can understand everyones point on getting both but I can say with utmost certainty that my husband will never come back to the states to live once we move back. It's driving him insane to have to wait as long as we have to to even move over there. Unfortunately the states isn't for everyone. It happens and such is life.

I'm hoping to take the test in the UK on one of our visits so I have that done. Past that I'm waiting to see what changes are made for the visas. But I will definately get my UK citizenship done once we move over. I will not give up my US status though.

[*julez* 124]

I can understand everyones point on getting both but I can say with utmost certainty that my husband will never come back to the states to live once we move back. It's driving him insane to have to wait as long as we have to to even move over there. Unfortunately the states isn't for everyone. It happens and such is life.

I'm hoping to take the test in the UK on one of our visits so I have that done. Past that I'm waiting to see what changes are made for the visas. But I will definately get my UK citizenship done once we move over. I will not give up my US status though.

I would be really hurt if my husband refused to visit the US with me if we lived in the UK. I can understand not liking the US, but you have family here, which is important to you and should be important to him too. Refusing to visit my family in the US would be a deal-breaker for me (and Liz Lemon!).

[Rob and Jill 82]

I would be really hurt if my husband refused to visit the US with me if we lived in the UK. I can understand not liking the US, but you have family here, which is important to you and should be important to him too. Refusing to visit my family in the US would be a deal-breaker for me (and Liz Lemon!).

She said he would never come back to "live". She didn't say he wouldn't visit!

I have things I loved and disliked about the UK, but I think you find that anywhere. I am a homebody though and even on vacations, I get a bit homesick. However, I do want to make sure we keep ALL of our options open. I mean what if Lloyd's decides I am an insurance genius and they are goign to pay me hundreds of thousands of pounds a year to sit at a desk all day .

Thank you all so much for your opinions, knowledge, and links. I think it will do him some good to point out those things to him, and make him really really think it all through.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I'm hoping to take the test in the UK on one of our visits so I have that done.

Just so you know, you need to be resident in the UK for three years before you are eligible for citizenship.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Under changes proposed to occur in mid-2011, if an alien moves to the UK and desires to live there, UK citizenship will be mandatory.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/managing...w-will-it-work/

There will be three routes to citizenship:

* Work - for highly skilled and skilled workers who are in the United Kingdom under Tiers 1 and 2 of the points-based system);

* Family - for the family members of existing British citizens and permanent residents; and

* Protection - for refugees and migrants who have been given humanitarian protection.

For all of these routes, there will be three clear stages which a migrant must complete.

The three stages of the citizenship process

Stage 1: Temporary residence

All migrants will be at this stage when they first come to the United Kingdom.

etc.

Interesting - I'd read abut these changes but wasn't sure what they meant. Thanks for your post!

[Robyn-n-Kris 72]

I know about that but you can take the test whenever and the results are good indefinately (been lurking on the UKYankee boards)

Yes, Kris will come back to visit that's not an issue. Just won't live here again.

Oh don't mention Lloyds.. I have to deal with them on a daily basis with my job. Their binders give me headaches!

[*julez* 124]

We considered this but Kris isn't going to go for his US citizenship. Once we move back he will never return to the states. I'll keep mine and get UK citizenship though.

Jill - this is where she said he'd never return to the states.