Reading the "moving back to Canada" thread got me thinking

[Karly-n-Bruce 0]

Before I ask my question, this is the thread I'm referring to in my title.

When I was reading through it, I noticed there are quite a few of you who are seeking US citizenship in order to acquire dual citizenship and to avoid issues with abandoning your status is the US if you choose to move back to Canada with your spouse in the future. I thought that if you became a citizen of the US (after becoming a PR), you were basically renouncing your Canadian citizenship. Obviously I'm wrong, but I was wondering how you keep your Canadian citizenship. Are there steps one needs to take after becoming a US citizen (such as applying for a Canadian citizenship card)? Or, is someone who is born in Canada always a citizen no matter what? Sorry for all the questions, I just need some clarification as it may change my plans for the future. I never thought I would apply for citizenship in the US, but it may turn out to be a good decision especially if we ever decide to move back to Canada.

Thanks!

Karly

[Team J and B 2]

As per another VJ member, it is extremely difficult to renounce your Canadian citizenship. Once a Canadian, always a Canadian unless you go out of your way to file forms and write to the government why you want to renounce. Sounds like it's as difficult a process as GETTING US citizenship!

Canada recognizes my current dual citizenship. Heck, it will recognize my third citizenship once I get my US citizenship.

You just need to be loyal to whichever country requires you to be at the required moment. I hear the US frowns upon multiple citizenships, but they don't disallow it.

Get your US citizenship. Nowadays, it is less and less about having to fight in a war when called upon. Realistically, the more citizenships you hold, the easier to travel. Some countries frown upon my USA passport? Pas de probleme, whip out my Canadian passport. The world loves Canada.

Edited June 28, 2008 by Team J and B

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Canada recognizes dual citizenship. Taking out citizenship in another country does not negate your Canadian citizenship. Your 'new' country may not recognize you as a Canadian citizen, however Canada does. No other country can remove that citizenship. To lose Canadian citizenship if you are born in Canada you have to file a specific form with the Government that renounces your Citizenship. The Canadian government can remove citizenship from a naturalized Canadian under certain extreme circumstances, but not from a native born Canadian except at their specific request. When you enter a country in which you hold citizenship, you use that country's passport to enter (ie. entering Canada use your Canadian passport; entering the US, use your US passport). You can use whatever passport you wish that legitimately belongs to you to enter countries other than the ones in which you hold citizenship.

Because of the residency restrictions placed on permanent residents in the US, many of us will choose to take out US citizenship in addition to our Canadian citizenship so we have a greater freedom about crossing back and forth between the two countries to live. You do have to fulfill the citizenship requirements of every country in which you have citizenship, however, such as always filing a US tax return when you are a US citizen, regardless of where you live in the world.

Edited June 28, 2008 by Kathryn41

[Texanadian 10]

You have to file a US tax return no matter where you live when you're a permanent resident too.

[Reba 2]

Not if you give up your residency you don't. And once you pick up and leave the US and take up permanent residency in another country, the US cosiders you no longer a PR of the US, so, no more IRS. There's forms of course probably, but if you are not keeping your US PR then you don't need to keep filing taxes. Unless you're still married to your US citizen spouse, whose pretty much stuck filing taxes anyway unless they renounce their US citizenship.

If you can choke down the US pledge of allegiance and oath of citizenship, then there's really no reason why you can't have both Canadian and US citizenship. Unless the US starts to actually enforce their non-multiple citizenships rule, then you'd have to choose.

[SpiritAlight 1]

You have to file a US tax return no matter where you live when you're a permanent resident too.

[CBR 0]

Aren't you only paying taxes in whatever country you actually made an income above a certain amount? Why would you pay US taxes if you didn't make money here???

Why would you pay taxes in any country you didn't earn an income from? And why would it be different in any country? I'm confused

[Flames9_RN 358]

canada/USA have atax treaty, so most likely one wouldn't be "double" taxed

[CBR 0]

I'm googling like crazy and it's so hard to find good info on this. So far, I've concluded that you're correct flames9 that we wouldn't be double taxed and as for the US taxing you no matter where you live in the world, that's conditional. If you make over 85,700 a year you will be taxed...if you make less you are exempt. Also in the us if you make less than 8500 (single) you don't have to file and something like 17k for a married couple (yea i know, who could live on that?).

Edited June 28, 2008 by CBR

[Reba 2]

No one said you'd be paying taxes in both countries. We've only said that if you are US citizen, you'd have to file taxes in the US no matter where in the world you're living.

Only if you're making over $85,700 US will the IRS want money from you. So make sure you have a ####### job that pays ####### and you won't have to worry about it.

Edited June 29, 2008 by Reba

[zyggy 9]

ANd even then you'd only be paying taxes if the country you lived in taxed at rates less than the US... You can get a foreign tax credit for the rest...

So it really only costs you if you were to move to a tax haven... which is why the US has done this..

[iteachkids81 1]

B)-->

QUOTE(Team J and B @ Jun 27 2008, 05:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Get your US citizenship. Nowadays, it is less and less about having to fight in a war when called upon. Realistically, the more citizenships you hold, the easier to travel. Some countries frown upon my USA passport? Pas de probleme, whip out my Canadian passport. The world loves Canada.

So how do you renew your Canadian passport from the US? is it really complicated?

[Krikit 1,164]

So how do you renew your Canadian passport from the US? is it really complicated?

You'll find some threads and posts about this in a search. You can either do it from the US or do it while you're in Canada. Here's a link to get you started:

Passport Canada

[Kathryn41 3,205]

It is relatively easy to renew your passport from the US. The biggest hassles are a) a guarantor who meets the new criteria of being a Canadian citizen passport holder who knows you more than 2 years and b ) getting the proper size and quality of passport photographs done in the US.

For the first, you have 3 options: you can use the old form which allows you to use an American guarantor who satisfies one of the professional categories and knows you more than 2 years, or you can use the new form and use a Canadian citizen passport holder who knows you more than 2 years, or you can get a special form "In lieu of a guarantor" and have a notary public or Commissioner of Oaths sign it if you don't have anyone in the above 2 categories.

For the second you will really have to shop around. The Walmart or pharmacies quickie passport photo option won't work as Canadian passport photographs are a different size than the American ones and Passport Canada is much more stringent on having no shadows, not smiling, the head being a specific size within the photo, proper exposure, etc. A professional camera store or a professional photographer can do the job - just provide them with a copy of the passport specifications provided by Passport Canada.

Since you are sending off your original birth certificate and unexpired passport with the new passport application - you can request the return of the old one which will be canceled - send it by courier to the Passport Office in Hull, Quebec. If everything is fine, they should process it within 10 days and courier it back to you. The majority of rejected applications are because the photographs are not good enough so really do make sure it is good enough, not just 'close', as it will cost you time and money to redo them and re-submit them.

Here is the relevant link: http://www.ppt.gc.ca/cdn/form.aspx?lang=eng&region=USA

Edited July 9, 2008 by Kathryn41