Dual Citizensip Ukraine

[Michael and Ganna 104]

Obligations to Your Other Country of Citizenship

Dual nationality has no effect on your rights or your responsibilities as a U.S. citizen, or on your obligations to the United States (i.e., payment of U.S. taxes if required to do so; registration with Selective Service). The dual national may also have obligations to his or her other country of citizenship. Failure to fulfill any such obligations may have little adverse effect on the dual national as long as he or she is in the United States. However, if the dual national travels to his or her other country of citizenship, he or she may be forced to comply with those obligations. In addition, if the dual national encounters difficulties in his or her other country of citizenship, the ability of the U.S. Embassy to assist the person may be very limited since the other country may not recognize the dual national's claim to U.S. citizenship.

Dual Nationality in Ukraine

Ukraine does not recognize dual nationality. Local authorities will treat dual nationals entering the country on Ukrainian passports as citizens of Ukraine. This may include fulfilling requirements for mandatory military service. In addition, individuals who do not relinquish their Ukrainian citizenship upon acquiring U.S. citizenship face potential fines.

Okay to help out on the SS check, I have set up a electronic deposit in a US bank with a debit card attached to the account. Some expats use the ATM method, but for many reasons I don't. We no longer go to the Embassy to collect our government mail.

Your wife will lose LPR status. The green card is for people who want to live in the US and is the path to citizenship. You must spend more time in the US than abroad. I do have have friends that have gone this way....The Ukrainian spouse got US citizenship, went to Ukraine to retire and both have Ukrainian PR

[Lena and Igor 5]

Just wish to know from those who have experience with a wife who is a naturalized Citizen of Ukraine and looking towards acquiring Citizenship from the US. Ramifications? Travel to Ukraine, which passport to use? Customs issues? Thanks. (Gary & Alla would know).

[Lena and Igor 5]

Obligations to Your Other Country of Citizenship

Dual nationality has no effect on your rights or your responsibilities as a U.S. citizen, or on your obligations to the United States (i.e., payment of U.S. taxes if required to do so; registration with Selective Service). The dual national may also have obligations to his or her other country of citizenship. Failure to fulfill any such obligations may have little adverse effect on the dual national as long as he or she is in the United States. However, if the dual national travels to his or her other country of citizenship, he or she may be forced to comply with those obligations. In addition, if the dual national encounters difficulties in his or her other country of citizenship, the ability of the U.S. Embassy to assist the person may be very limited since the other country may not recognize the dual national's claim to U.S. citizenship.

Dual Nationality in Ukraine

Ukraine does not recognize dual nationality. Local authorities will treat dual nationals entering the country on Ukrainian passports as citizens of Ukraine. This may include fulfilling requirements for mandatory military service. In addition, individuals who do not relinquish their Ukrainian citizenship upon acquiring U.S. citizenship face potential fines.

Okay to help out on the SS check, I have set up a electronic deposit in a US bank with a debit card attached to the account. Some expats use the ATM method, but for many reasons I don't. We no longer go to the Embassy to collect our government mail.

Your wife will lose LPR status. The green card is for people who want to live in the US and is the path to citizenship. You must spend more time in the US than abroad. I do have have friends that have gone this way....The Ukrainian spouse got US citizenship, went to Ukraine to retire and both have Ukrainian PR

[Lena and Igor 5]

Michael:

Thank you! So did Ganna lose her LPR status when you emigrated to Ukraine? So I have a PNC Bank acct. If I emigrate to Kharkov with Lena, I will no longer have a US address. Will this cause problems with online banking? You said you no longer trek to Kiev to pick-up your SS check. What was the process to change to direct deposit to your bank account. How do I withdraw funds using my check card and when card expires, will bank send new card to me in Ukraine? Or should I use my sister's address as mailing address to obtain new card? Hope this all makes sense?

[TBoneTX 45,285]

(Gary & Alla would know).

The sad word is that Gary and Alla are no longer together, and Gary hasn't logged on to VJ in probably 3 or 4 years. He is missed.

[sofyab 2]

Just wish to know from those who have experience with a wife who is a naturalized Citizen of Ukraine and looking towards acquiring Citizenship from the US. Ramifications? Travel to Ukraine, which passport to use? Customs issues? Thanks. (Gary & Alla would know).

I'm not a US citizen, but I do have double citizenship (Kazakhstan and Russia) and just moved to Kazakhstan from the US to fulfill my two year home residency requirement.

1. There should be no issues with online banking. I use Skype to call tall-free number if I have any questions. If my card is blocked for suspicious activity (which happens quite often when you are not in the US) i get an e-mail and I'm able to unblock the card at this very second. Also, my card is debit so I pay a 3% fee for each transaction (which could have been avoided if I knew that I would be staying here for so long).

2. Regarding the passport, I would suggest to use Ukrainian passport in order to avoid questions at the border. Pass border control as you normally would, that's it.

As far as I know, you have to announce your other citizenships to the government of Russia. I don't know about Ukraine, but there is no such law in Kazakhstan.

[Lena and Igor 5]

The sad word is that Gary and Alla are no longer together, and Gary hasn't logged on to VJ in probably 3 or 4 years. He is missed.

He's missed

[Michael and Ganna 104]

I hope I can help on the issue here.

My wife and I are now in USA, we will stay here until April 2017....Then fly back to our home in Kyiv...spend 5 months and fly back to USA.

To keep green card status you must spend the majority of your time in the US.

To get your checks, set up electronic deposit for SSA checks....go to your US bank, they will set it up for you.

We always maintain a US address so I don't know how you will get new cards....It is illegal to send bank cards in the mail to Ukraine (and other things).....and customs are getting better in their jobs.

See my post on dual citizenship.....but if you are going to use this path, here is the method used now

Enter and exit the US on the US passport.....Enter and exit Ukraine on Ukrainian passport.......Just remember, sometime you will be questioned on where you are coming from and why you don't have an exit stamp.....food for thought

[Lena and Igor 5]

Thanks again. Unlike your situation, we are in the very early planning stage of relocating permanently. Seems that she should become a US citizen first then take our chances of her holding both, US and Ukrainian passports. At least (she) we would have an out if things get worse in E Ukraine. I realize that I would then only be able to obtain SSA checks by monthly pick-up in Kyiv. Where did you cash SSA checks when you previously received them from the Embassy? Bank account in Kyiv?

Igor

[Michael and Ganna 104]

Thanks again. Unlike your situation, we are in the very early planning stage of relocating permanently. Seems that she should become a US citizen first then take our chances of her holding both, US and Ukrainian passports. At least (she) we would have an out if things get worse in E Ukraine. I realize that I would then only be able to obtain SSA checks by monthly pick-up in Kyiv. Where did you cash SSA checks when you previously received them from the Embassy? Bank account in Kyiv?

Igor

I married a high level banker

[jeffandira 0]

I'm not a lawyer, nor do I attempt to act as one, but I have researched this topic before. It seems to me that Ukraine does allow for dual-citizenship by virtue of marriage because the Ukrainian citizenship can't be taken away if foreign citizenship is obtained through marriage. Of course I would recommend further research and verification from a legal authority. Read the following excerpt. I've omitted in-between sections that are irrelevant to this specific topic.

LAW ON UKRAINIAN CITIZENSHIP

Pursuant to the Constitution of Ukraine (254k/96-VR), this Law determines the legal contents of Ukrainian citizenship, reasons for and procedures of granting and stripping of citizenship, jurisdiction of bodies of state authority dealing with various aspects of Ukrainian citizenship, procedures of legally contesting decisions relating to citizenship, actions or non-feasance on the part of bodies of state authority and their officials.

CHAPTER III. TERMINATION OF UKRAINIAN CITIZENSHIP AND ANNULMENT OF DECISIONS GRANTING UKRAINIAN CITIZENSHIP

Article 19. Loss of Ukrainian Citizenship

Ukrainian citizenship shall be lost:

(1) if a citizen of Ukraine, after coming of age, voluntarily acquires foreign citizenship.

Voluntary acquisition of citizenship shall be understood as all cases when a citizen of Ukraine voluntarily declares his intention and is granted foreign citizenship, or if he voluntarily obtains a document attesting to his foreign citizenship, except when:

(a) children simultaneously become citizens of Ukraine and of another country at birth;

(b) children being citizens of Ukraine and adopted by a foreigner acquire the adoptive parent's citizenship;

© a citizen of Ukraine automatically acquires foreign citizenship after marrying a foreigner;

(d) foreign citizenship is granted a Ukrainian citizen automatically under the laws of a given country, without that citizen's declaration of intention, and that citizen does not voluntarily obtain a document attesting to foreign citizenship;

Edited December 9, 2016 by jeffandira

[Leo7777 243]

With regard to collecting USA Social Security payments while living in Ukraine.

The law states that it is illegal to obtain Social Security payments while living in Ukraine.

The law does not mean that it it illegal to be sent SS payments to Ukraine . . . it means illegal to receive the payments at all.

That is to say, it is illegal to have the SS payments deposited into a USA bank while you are living in Ukraine to be withdrawn by any means in Ukraine.

The exception to this is if you go to the US Embassy in Kyiv to retrieve your SS payment.

Now some will say "you are full of B.S." because . . . I myself have my SS check deposited in USA bank account and then withdraw it in Ukraine

or know a guy who does this.

This is the same argument as saying it is possible to claim your dog as a dependent on your tax return because you know someone who has done it for several years.

The consequences are similar: Large fines for tax fraud; reimbursement of SS payments while living in Ukraine.

Edited December 9, 2016 by Leo7777

[Michael and Ganna 104]

From the government website:

Social Security restrictions Social Security restrictions prohibit sending payments to individuals in Cambodia, Vietnam or areas that were in the former Soviet Union (other than Armenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia). Generally, you cannot receive payments while you are in one of these countries, and we cannot send your payments to anyone for you. However, exceptions can be made for certain eligible beneficiaries in countries with Social Security restrictions in place.
To qualify for an exception, you must agree to the conditions of payment. One of the conditions is that you must appear in person at the U.S. Embassy each month to receive your benefits. Contact your nearest U.S. Social Security office, U.S. Embassy or consulate for additional information about these conditions and whether you might qualify for an exception.
If you do not qualify for payment under this procedure, you can receive all of the payments for which you were eligible (but which were withheld because of Social Security restrictions) once you leave that country and go to another country where we can send payments

[RobertM54 36]

With regard to collecting USA Social Security payments while living in Ukraine.

The law states that it is illegal to obtain Social Security payments while living in Ukraine.

I'm with Michael. I do not see this anywhere.

[Leo7777 243]

I'm with Michael. I do not see this anywhere.

Really ??

Here is what Michael posted:

Social Security restrictions Social Security restrictions prohibit sending payments

to individuals in Cambodia, Vietnam or areas that were in the former Soviet Union

(other than Armenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia).

Generally, you cannot receive payments while you are in one of these countries,

and we cannot send your payments to anyone for you.