American/Canadian Dual Citizenship

[DeadPoolX 9]

Okay, both my fiancee (Canadian citizen) and I (USC) are possibly looking into become dual citizens of the U.S. and Canada...but we have a few questions.

1. I've read that the United States makes you take an oath renouncing ties (and allegiance) to your former country. Is this true?

2. Canada doesn't recognize the above renouncement taken in the U.S. naturalization process, correct?

3. Do you lose U.S. citizenship if you willingly take on another country's citizenship (Canada), or does the U.S. let you keep your American citizenship status?

4. What are the major benefits to becoming a naturalized citizen in both the United States and Canada?

Thanks ahead of time.

[zyggy 9]

Okay, both my fiancee (Canadian citizen) and I (USC) are possibly looking into become dual citizens of the U.S. and Canada...but we have a few questions.

1. I've read that the United States makes you take an oath renouncing ties (and allegiance) to your former country. Is this true?

Yes.. but it doesn't matter.. What that means is that the US will only recognize you as a US Citizen for everything when dealing with them. They will not recognize you as anyone else's citizen, meaning that you can't hide behind your Canadian Citizenship and get consular assistance should anything happen in the US. The US Government (or another other government for that matter) has absolutely no control on how another sovereign state recognizes their own citizens.

2. Canada doesn't recognize the above renouncement taken in the U.S. naturalization process, correct?

Correct... In order to lose your Canadian Citizenship, you have to renounce it before a Canadian consular officer.

3. Do you lose U.S. citizenship if you willingly take on another country's citizenship (Canada), or does the U.S. let you keep your American citizenship status?

No... The US allows dual citizenship.. read above.. ( I have dual Canada/US Citizen BTW and was born in the US) In order to lose US Citizenship, you must renounce it before a US consular officer with the added caveat that you aren't doing it to evade any responsibility required of a US Citizen by law (taxation of worldwide income, or if it ever occurs, a draft)

4. What are the major benefits to becoming a naturalized citizen in both the United States and Canada?

There really are no drawbacks... You can live in either country at will without the threat of losing your PR status, you cannot be deported from the US for any reason... PR's can be deported if they are convicted of a crime of moral turpitude. US Citizens are permitted a $1 Million exclusion on any estate taxes that are due, PR's get nothing. US Citizens are the only individuals who are permitted the unequivocal right of entry to the US. You can vote in US Elections and take a full part of society.. You never have to deal with USCIS ever again...You never have to report where you are living.. you are eligible to collect Social Security outside of the US as a US CItizen, PR's cannot...

Etc...

Thanks ahead of time.

[DeadPoolX 9]

Wow. Those were some very thorough answers. Thanks again, Zyggy!

Now I just need to tell my fiancee!

[meauxna 15]

Okay, both my fiancee (Canadian citizen) and I (USC) are possibly looking into become dual citizens of the U.S. and Canada...but we have a few questions.

1. I've read that the United States makes you take an oath renouncing ties (and allegiance) to your former country. Is this true?

2. Canada doesn't recognize the above renouncement taken in the U.S. naturalization process, correct?

3. Do you lose U.S. citizenship if you willingly take on another country's citizenship (Canada), or does the U.S. let you keep your American citizenship status?

4. What are the major benefits to becoming a naturalized citizen in both the United States and Canada?

Thanks ahead of time.

The pinned post at the top of this forum addresses your questions:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=311

A MUST read:

Dual Citizenship FAQ

Dual Nationality and

United States Law

by Rich Wales

http://www.richw.org/dualcit/

Read here before you swear:

Oath of Allegiance for Naturalized Citizens

Edited February 17, 2007 by meauxna