Should I even become a citizen?

[Mike-G 0]

Hi everyone,

 

My wife (USC/UKC) and I (UKC) have been together 8 years and lived together in England for 6 of those years and now in America for the past 2.

 

We are aware that we are able to apply for me to become a USC in about a year, but are not sure if we will go through with it for a few reasons and are looking for stories, advice, regrets or anything else regarding this topic that may be of use. My wife has fallen in love with England after being there for many years and we are not sure if we would live here in America again permanently after this current period of time. With the US citizenship coming with a number of burdens we are leaning towards not going through with it but obviously having it would make things easier in the future if we did however, decide to return. We are both in our 30's if that is of use.......

 

Thanks

[JFH 12,191]

If you have or are planning to have children then I would strongly recommend you apply for citizenship so that you will always have the opportunity to live in the same country as your children. Also being able to move freely back and forth is an advantage. Who knows where the future will take you? 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

I have no regrets that I became an American citizen. What burdens are you anticipating? 

[millefleur 5,047]

Are you thinking of the tax burden? Because I can't really think of any other burdens with that come with having US citizenship. 

[A'n'L 735]

If Norway allowed dual citizenship, I wouldn't hesitate to go that path. Personal freedom would be re-instated in terms of travelling/moving freely between countries, increased number of countries you can easily visit, more job opportunities in the US. Your spouse will have the US tax requirements anyway, so having to file for both of you won't be that much of an added burden.

[BigDaddy28 228]

12 hours ago, Mike-G said:

Hi everyone,

 

My wife (USC/UKC) and I (UKC) have been together 8 years and lived together in England for 6 of those years and now in America for the past 2.

 

We are aware that we are able to apply for me to become a USC in about a year, but are not sure if we will go through with it for a few reasons and are looking for stories, advice, regrets or anything else regarding this topic that may be of use. My wife has fallen in love with England after being there for many years and we are not sure if we would live here in America again permanently after this current period of time. With the US citizenship coming with a number of burdens we are leaning towards not going through with it but obviously having it would make things easier in the future if we did however, decide to return. We are both in our 30's if that is of use.......

 

Thanks

To be honest with you, great britain does not require you to give up your citizenship when you gain another. Thats a positive. You might see that citizenship is unnecessary but think about it this way: you moved to England, stuff didn't go the way you want (like finding a job) and you are basically stuck jobless there. Since you would be a US citizen, you can come whenever you want. On the other hand when you have a green card, you can jepordise it by staying out of the country for a long time and you have to reapply again. More time to be seperate from your wife and more $$$ to spend again on the same process. 

You can come to the US and leave as you please, nobody can tell you how long you can stay in or out. 

nobody can deny you entry because US citizens can't be denied entry to their country. 

If you have kids overseas, you can get them US citizenship without 5 year residency requirement since your wife is a US citizen as well.

No more dealing with USCIS and no more worrying about "Oh God I have to wait for my green card" lol

I don't know if there different countries that allow visa free to US passport while the UK passport is not allowed

 

The only negative I see is tax. Which you are paying it anyways since your wife is a US citizen. 

 

My advice, go for it. Get your citizenship close the immigration process once and for all. You never know what the future can hold, and one day you will be like "Man I'm glad I followed silkafi88's advice and got the citizenship" lol. 

 

Good luck.