Dual

[kattNeric 0]

Hi all, I've become a permanent resident in the us via marriage at the end of July. I was wondering if anyone has any information on when you can obtain dual citizenship? I've read that after 5 years you can apply for it an you automatically get it via naturalization. Is there a way to go write the test any earlier for dual?

Thanks for the help!

K

[Abby-Ron 8]

Hi all, I've become a permanent resident in the us via marriage at the end of July. I was wondering if anyone has any information on when you can obtain dual citizenship? I've read that after 5 years you can apply for it an you automatically get it via naturalization. Is there a way to go write the test any earlier for dual?

Thanks for the help!

K

You can apply for US Citizenship after 3 years of permanent resident as you are getting citizenship through marriage. For dual, you'd have to consult whatever the requirements as through your secondary (Canadian) citizenship.

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Hi all, I've become a permanent resident in the us via marriage at the end of July. I was wondering if anyone has any information on when you can obtain dual citizenship? I've read that after 5 years you can apply for it an you automatically get it via naturalization. Is there a way to go write the test any earlier for dual?

Thanks for the help!

K

You don't "apply" to get dual citizenship. If you become a US citizen, the US recognizes that other citizenship is a fact and would not require you to renounce it. Your original country might though and upon becoming a citizen of another country you would need to surrender your original one. If I recall right, Canada does too recognize dual.

That said, many countries that recognize dual also define your original one as primary when in your original country, which basically means that if you get in trouble, the US government will not be able to help you as it would a US citizen.

[NikLR 13,231]

Unless you're required to renounce your Canadian citizenship to become a US citizen, you will always be a Canadian citizen.

From http://www.cic.gc.ca

I am still a citizen of another country. Will I lose that citizenship if I become a Canadian?

Under Canadian law, a Canadian is allowed to be a citizen of another country as well. Some countries, however, will not let you keep their citizenship if you become a Canadian citizen. The consulate or embassy of your other country of citizenship can let you know if this applies to you.

What is dual citizenship?

Every country decides who it considers to be a citizen. Dual citizenship is when you are recognized as a citizen by more than one country.

You do not apply for dual citizenship and there is no certificate.

Since February 15, 1977, Canadians have been allowed to take foreign citizenship while keeping their Canadian citizenship.

If you are a Canadian citizen who became a citizen of another country before that date, you should contact the Call Centre for more information. If you are outside Canada, contact the nearest Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate for more information.

If you are a permanent resident but not a Canadian citizen, you should check with the embassy of your country of citizenship to find out about their rules before applying for Canadian citizenship.

For more information about dual citizenship, see the brochure Dual Citizenship, available on the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website.

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/publications/dual-citizenship_double-citoyennete-eng

Edited September 13, 2012 by NikiR