Dual Citizenship

[william_wallace 8]

My fiance will be applying for the K1 after xmas. I still want to keep some form of ties to the UK as my children will be staying with there mother. Once i become a US citizen, what is the best option for me. Can i have a dual citizenship? Does anyone know what the pros and cons are, if theres any. I know i am along way of here, talking years here but i just want some sort of feedback on whats best for the future.

Thanks

[Lansbury 19]

You can have dual citizenship.

The biggest pro is that if you have both you can come and go in either the US or UK as you please at anytime without the having to worry about losing status in the US if you leave for any length of time.

As to cons I not sure that there are any worth worrying about.

Edited November 9, 2007 by Lansbury

[izzysmum 0]

Absolutey what Lansbury said! I am in the process of applying for Brit Citizenship. I know we are repatriating to the US in a year or so, but this keeps our options open. Who knows, we may one day decide to move back to the UK, and then I wouldn't have to worry about a visa or anything because I would be a British citizen. It would work the opposite way, as well...US to UK and back to the US. That is just our reasoning for all of us to have dual citizenship.

[william_wallace 8]

Ye, seems its the best thing to do all round. Thanks for that. Cheers

[MargotDarko 0]

Yep, I can't think of any cons either. I mean, you need to carry both passports and make sure always enter and exit the countries on the right passport, but that's not too much hassle for all the advantages. Don't worry when you take the oath for US citizenship - there's a bit where you have to denounce loyalty or something to all other countries, but the UK doesn't recognise your denouncing them unless you do it directly to a UK official. You can say whatever you want to a US official and not endanger your UK citizenship.

One thing to keep in mind is that the US at least won't recognise you as a dual citizen. They will simply look at you as a US citizen. I think the UK might do the same thing, but I am not quite sure. It shouldn't have any actual ramifications, just something to keep in mind when you're talking to official-type people.

[Boiler 45,956]

It has been covered many times, there is a long list of pluses, and very few minuses.

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

One of the responsibilities associated with citizenship is that if there's a military draft you might be called up. However I think that's probably unlikely to be an issue.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

The biggest issue would probably be that if you became a US citizen and moved back to the UK (or anywhere else) you still have to fill out a tax return and may be liable for US taxes. Uncle Sam follows you wherever you may go!

[Lansbury 19]

but the UK doesn't recognise your denouncing them unless you do it directly to a UK official. You can say whatever you want to a US official and not endanger your UK citizenship.

When the Zimbabwe government decided not to allow Brits who had lived there for years to remain unless they took Zimbabwe citizenship and denounce their UK one the following happened on a large scale.

The Brits went to the High Commission in Harare filled out the form and denounced their citizenship. Took said form to the Zimbabwe authorities and claimed their Zimbabwe citizenship. They then went back to the British High Commission filled out another form and got their UK citizenship back. Literally all it took was to fill out the form.

[FutureAmerican 2]

The only other real con, is if you ever plan to work in US jobs which require a security clearance, then you may be required to denounce your UK Citizenship. However, if you do this, then you are always allowed to claim it back once. Equally so, you don't have to denounce it right now in order to get the clearance years down the line, they'd discuss it with you during the background investigation and you can figure it out then

[Gman 0]

The biggest issue would probably be that if you became a US citizen and moved back to the UK (or anywhere else) you still have to fill out a tax return and may be liable for US taxes. Uncle Sam follows you wherever you may go!

Unfortunately, AFAIK, a resident alien is obliged to pay the same taxes as a US citizen when abroad. From IRS web site:

<<This publication discusses special tax rules for U.S. citizens and resident aliens who work abroad or who have income earned in foreign countries. As a U.S. citizen or resident alien, your worldwide income generally is subject to U.S. income tax, regardless of where you are living. Also, you are subject to the same income tax filing requirements that apply to U.S. citizens or resident aliens living in the United States.>>

[Jeraly 4]

So if I were to move to the US and go through all that malarky, how would my OH apply for UK citizenship? Or could he only do that if we went through a spousal visa for him to come and live in the UK?

Not really anything for us to worry about just yet but would be interesting to know

[Fandango 1,440]

So if I were to move to the US and go through all that malarky, how would my OH apply for UK citizenship? Or could he only do that if we went through a spousal visa for him to come and live in the UK?

Not really anything for us to worry about just yet but would be interesting to know

He'd have to be there and go thru the process...

[Jeraly 4]

Eww - well - we'll cross that bridge when/if we get to it Nice to know though so thanks