Is is better to get the citizenship quickly or can I just wait?

[caroledfb 0]

Hello All,

I am now eligible to file for citizenship request. I am wondering if I should apply now, or if I can wait a few months/years. Will it make any difference regarding my rights, such as social security rights (not that I need it anytime soon!) Just wondering ....

Thanks!

Carole

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I am now eligible to file for citizenship request. I am wondering if I should apply now, or if I can wait a few months/years. Will it make any difference regarding my rights, such as social security rights (not that I need it anytime soon!) Just wondering ....

You can file whenever you want, as long as your 3 or 5 year wait is up.

The only differences between now and later are:

1. As a USC you no longer have to deal with USCIS

2. As a USC you would not need to register your changes of address anymore with USCIS

3. You can come and go as you please, no limits to how long outside the US or whatever

4. You can petition your family members

5. The fee might (and probably will) go up again

Any reason why you want to wait? Money? Anyway the answer is the same, you are eligible from 3 years (minus 90 days) if you're still married to your USC, or 5 years (minus 90 days) if no longer married to your USC and from that time period onwards you continue to be eligible. You can file in 20 years, 50 years, next year.. whenever, as long as it's past that "now eligible" date.

[Used to be broken 147]

Hello All,

I am now eligible to file for citizenship request. I am wondering if I should apply now, or if I can wait a few months/years. Will it make any difference regarding my rights, such as social security rights (not that I need it anytime soon!) Just wondering ....

Thanks!

Carole

I would apply and file as soon as eligible. Why? Why not? It cannot hurt and it might help, for all the reasons mentioned in the other post and one no law abiding citizen might think of. Certain crimes can cause you to be deported. While you many not be planning on any, some could be inadvertant in our ever evolving and complex society. Hopefully you will not be ensnared in any . But as a citizen you would never have to worry about that either. :hehe:

[caroledfb 0]

Thanks for the fast answer. At this point, it is money, the fee is 680 USD and I/we need to save a little bit. I think that I remember vaguely that my spouse signed some kind of affidavit, in case I need social security, he would have to help me financially, I would not be eligible as a permanent resident - did I dream this?

Anyway, I love the USA and really feel at home, so yes, I would love to apply soon!

Take care!

Carole

Edited November 23, 2010 by caroledfb

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Thanks for the fast answer. At this point, it is money, the fee is 680 USD and I/we need to save a little bit. I think that I remember vaguely that my spouse signed some kind of affidavit, in case I need social security, he would have to help me financially, I would not be eligible as a permanent resident - did I dream this?

Anyway, I love the USA and really feel at home, so yes, I would love to apply soon!

He signed the I-864. Here is the doc in case you wanna read over it again: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=b70f8875d714d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

Once you become a USC the I-864 is cancelled. You get all your rights as a regular citizen. You are eligible for food stamps and whatever other "means tested benefits" that as an LPR you aren't eligible for...

Whenever you get the money to do it it's fine Remember the fees go up Nov 23 2010, but NOT for naturalisation, but the biometrics increase would affect the price (just an extra $5). Here's the price schedule: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=5be73dc5cb93b210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=8a2f6d26d17df110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

You are not eligible for 'means tested benefits' until you have been a LPR for 5 years. Not surprisingly, this is exactly the time when one 'normally' can become a US citizen. I do understand the money thing, but it really makes a lot of sense to tackle the naturalization issue as soon as you have saved up for it.

[NickD 203]

You are not eligible for 'means tested benefits' until you have been a LPR for 5 years. Not surprisingly, this is exactly the time when one 'normally' can become a US citizen. I do understand the money thing, but it really makes a lot of sense to tackle the naturalization issue as soon as you have saved up for it.

Filled out most of my stepdaughters' N-400 well before the 90 day grace period, said I have the $675.00 for her. All she had to do was to fill out the organization and employment sections, but she dragged her feet on this until she got the opportunity to study in Liverpool. Finally got the application off, but could have been completely done by now.

My motivation? A means to cancel that I-864 contract the USCIS twisted my arm until it almost broke off, to sign.

[v333k 59]

You can wait - there is no need to rush to apply immediately once you become eligible. However, some key points have been mentioned here and you should keep them in mind.

One other item that was not clearly mentioned is while being a LPR, you need to always maintain your continuous residence and physical presence rules or else the clock will reset for you and have to wait more to become eligible again.

[Captain Oates 911]

There are big tax advantages and social security advantages if your partner dies.

The transfer tax on assets is huge if you are still an alien

Penal !

I have to keep living to next Thursday in order to avoid a huge bill from the IRS.

Woke up feeling mawky this morning so it's going to be a challenge

ps mawk is 'maggot' in old Norse which is still used in Yorkshire - hence Mawky is ready for the grave and then to be eaten by maggots

Edited November 25, 2010 by Alan the Red

[Dakine 26]

There are big tax advantages and social security advantages if your partner dies.

The transfer tax on assets is huge if you are still an alien

Penal !

I have to keep living to next Thursday in order to avoid a huge bill from the IRS.

Woke up feeling mawky this morning so it's going to be a challenge

ps mawk is 'maggot' in old Norse which is still used in Yorkshire - hence Mawky is ready for the grave and then to be eaten by maggots

"I have to keep living to next Thursday in order to avoid a huge bill from the IRS."

Are you serious?

[Captain Oates 911]

"I have to keep living to next Thursday in order to avoid a huge bill from the IRS."

Are you serious?

Yes quite serious

The treatment of transferring assets to aliens is special and the tax rate is punitive..

It is rarely mentioned as an advantage of citizenship but I think it is more important than being available to serve on a jury or to vote in Central Washington where Republicans are re-elected 'un-opposed'

I believe there may be SS implications too when it comes to coat tailing on some obscure spouses entitlements but I am not as sure of that without a refresher

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Yes quite serious

The treatment of transferring assets to aliens is special and the tax rate is punitive..

It is rarely mentioned as an advantage of citizenship but I think it is more important than being available to serve on a jury or to vote in Central Washington where Republicans are re-elected 'un-opposed'

I believe there may be SS implications too when it comes to coat tailing on some obscure spouses entitlements but I am not as sure of that without a refresher

This was one of my main considerations in becoming a US citizen. If the US spouse dies, the usual 'right of occupation/inheritance' that is granted tax free to the other 'US' spouse does not exist for non-US spouses. The whole estate becomes taxable at that time and the remaining US spouse needs to pay the whole bill due on the whole estate - they inherit it but the tax payment is not deferred until their death. If my husband had died before I received citizenship I would basically have lost everything I have here in the US to pay the tax bill on the estate and would have been forced to sell the house and probably move back to Canada. It is a very compelling motivation.

Edited November 26, 2010 by Kathryn41

[Captain Oates 911]

This was one of my main considerations in becoming a US citizen. If the US spouse dies, the usual 'right of occupation/inheritance' that is granted tax free to the other 'US' spouse does not exist for non-US spouses. The whole estate becomes taxable at that time and the remaining US spouse needs to pay the whole bill due on the whole estate - they inherit it but the tax payment is not deferred until their death. If my husband had died before I received citizenship I would basically have lost everything I have here in the US to pay the tax bill on the estate and would have been forced to sell the house and probably move back to Canada. It is a very compelling motivation.

Right on !

An overwhelming percentage of any population doesn't have much in the way of financial net worth and so this aspect doesn't come up in discussion, or if it does, is of no concern to the majority of immigrants and so doesn't attract much attention

To those who have managed to amass a wad, it's very important.

If I die before I naturalize next Thursday, I will be very angry.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Right on !

An overwhelming percentage of any population doesn't have much in the way of financial net worth and so this aspect doesn't come up in discussion, or if it does, is of no concern to the majority of immigrants and so doesn't attract much attention

To those who have managed to amass a wad, it's very important.

If I die before I naturalize next Thursday, I will be very angry.

This should be of major concern to any older immigrant couples as well. The US spouse may believe he/she is leaving their non US spouse well provided for if they die but even for a modest estate, taxes may be beyond the ability of the non-US spouse to pay without liquidating everything the US spouse had in order to pay the bill. Having to try and cope with the loss of a loved spouse, dealing with the logistics of death in a foreign and still alien culture, as well as having to continue day to day life is bad enough. Add onto it the IRS implications and becoming a US citizen takes on a whole new impetus. No one expects death to come soon, but as we who are older know it is a growing reality.

[Captain Oates 911]

When I told my legs to swing out of bed this morning, they insolently failed to comply and were surly until they were topped up with nescafe classico

The younger ones should plan accordingly and assume they might get better off later