Dual Citizenship

[jonandmary 0]

According to what I know Mary can still retain her Canadian Citizenship. My friends family are all Duals (from what they told me)... and our ex-attorney told us the same thing.

Now I know there has to be some difficulties and she doesn't think it will be so easy.

How does it really work? What privileges does she loose?

[misa 2]

She cannot lose Canadian citizenship unless she renounces it to the Canadian government.

[trailmix 77]

According to what I know Mary can still retain her Canadian Citizenship. My friends family are all Duals (from what they told me)... and our ex-attorney told us the same thing.

Now I know there has to be some difficulties and she doesn't think it will be so easy.

How does it really work? What privileges does she loose?

It really is that easy, no privileges are lost

[misa 2]

More info: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/retain.asp

[warlord 72]

Plain and simple. When I took the oath and became a USC last winter, I became "dual". In Canada's eyes I'm a Canadian citizen, to the US I'm an American citizen. That's all.

I still get 2 passports from each country (though I will probably stop applying every 5 years for the Canadian one). You don't lose any privilage that you don't already have living in the US already. If you move back to Canada you then upon I think a short time will get your health care back and everything as if you never have left.

Some countries have problems with it like India and Peru where you can't be both, but Canada doesn't care. The only thing to decide is if you want to bring both passports with you on your visit to Canada (showing the Canadian one to customs there and then the US one to US customs on the way home) or just bringing in your US passport. That's the only delima there is. Myself I'll just take my US one and leave the Canadian one in the safty box in the US...

[jonandmary 0]

The only thing to decide is if you want to bring both passports with you on your visit to Canada (showing the Canadian one to customs there and then the US one to US customs on the way home) or just bringing in your US passport. That's the only delima there is.

Is that legal?

[Flames9_RN 358]

Oh yes!!! I would prefer to travel on a Cdn passport!!

[misa 2]

Jon, is there anything in particular that makes you think there would be difficulties with Mary retaining Canadian citizenship?

[jonandmary 0]

I was thinking more or less health care stuff (in case we need health care in Canada). And really she just had worries, I was just double checking

[misa 2]

That's a residency issue (not linked to citizenship as PRs get provincial healthcare). She's unable to receive provincial healthcare if she is not resident in that province. However, if/when she comes back to live in Canada, she's eligible for that.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Like Misa Said,lol! Just because ur a Cdn Citizen doesn't mean ur entitled to Cdn health care! Once ur a non-resident of Canada, no more Cdn health care.

[jonandmary 0]

Like Misa Said,lol! Just because ur a Cdn Citizen doesn't mean ur entitled to Cdn health care! Once ur a non-resident of Canada, no more Cdn health care.

I know its based on residency - but she lives with her parents now. So I was thinking we might have a little time where shes still a "resident"

Which brings me to another question. US Passport says her married name (or it will), but the CA Passport would have her maiden name. Do we have to update her CA Passport right away? The different names is what I thought would raise eyebrows with traveling.

[Marilyn. 340]

just bring along the marriage certificate when traveling....

and I am not sure how living with the parents would make any difference with residency.... if you are no longer living in Canada you no longer can access Canadian benefits...

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Which brings me to another question. US Passport says her married name (or it will), but the CA Passport would have her maiden name. Do we have to update her CA Passport right away? The different names is what I thought would raise eyebrows with traveling.

Just a reminder when it comes to timelines: for her to attain a US passport she will have to have US citizenship. According to your timeline, you are applying for a K-1 fiancee visa. From approval, then it's Adjustment of Status after you marry, which will result in a conditional immigrant visa CR-1, valid for 2 years. After that you will apply for Removal of Conditions (give or take 1 year process they tell me); and after that (in spouses cases is 3 years me thinksss) she can apply for Naturalization/Citizenship. Just take that into account; the citizenship issue is still a loooong way ahead.

Good luck with your application!!!!

[jonandmary 0]

just bring along the marriage certificate when traveling....

Good note about the marriage cert. I suppose it would be best if we updated her CA Passport to match her GreenCard.

Just a reminder when it comes to timelines: for her to attain a US passport she will have to have US citizenship.

Yep - I forgot how long that takes, I got a little ahead of myself. Becoming a citizen is very important to her. She wants to be able to vote and participate in the country that is her new home.