Dual Citizenship
 

Hi

Can anyone tell me if you are granted Immigrant status (temporary residence until applying for permanent residence) in Barbados does that mean you have to give up your British Citzenship for this period or do you have dual citizenship

Thanks

Serendipidy

Re: Dual Citizenship
 

I'm not claiming to know anything about Barbados' immigration law, but I can tell you that it is extremely difficult to get rid of your British citizenship, even if you take the citizenship of another country.
Permanent Residence is not the same as citizenship, so you would not have dual citizenship from what you describe.

Re: Dual Citizenship
 

ahhh ok I understand - good news lol

Thanks for your help Meau

Serendipidy

Re: Dual Citizenship
 

The amount of people in Barbados that hold at least 2 passports (one Barbadian one somewhere else) is staggering.. so I seriously doubt Barbados cares..

Re: Dual Citizenship
 

Thanks IslandMom. very interesting reading.. I've always been told that the US does not, except in rare cases (Israel is one of them), allow for dual citizenship. And funny enough a 2nd cousin of mine (my mothers first cousin) has lived in Switzerland for many many years. a number of years ago he was forced (so he told us) to decide between the US and Switzerland, and he gave up his US Citizenship. so basically, according to this, he didn't need to.

Notice the part under Barbados were it says
REGISTRATION: Foreign woman, who has married a citizen of Barbados, may apply for citizenship through registration. (sorry guys)...

I also like the part under the US that talks about those who hold dual citizenship who are underage and that they are not required to decide one way or the other when to "come of age". I'll have to book mark this and print and keep in a safe place.. my 3 children will be happy..

Re: Dual Citizenship
 

The United States does allow dual citizenship. http://www.richw.org/dualcit/

Re: Dual Citizenship
 

I think what has been said in the past (I've silently dealt with this issue for almost 16years) is that the US doesn't recognise or want do know that a US Citizen has a 2nd country of citizenship, basically almost like a "don't ask, don't tell" kind of policy. and since I'm not a lawyer, I just haven't bothered to try to get to the bottom of the issue. So it's good that there is something out there and written.

Re: Dual Citizenship
 

Thanks the link Sunnie will read through it

Serendipdy

Re: Dual Citizenship
 

You are correct. In the plainest sense, dual citizenship implies that you are not only a citizens of two countries, but also that you can travel on documents from either country.

Viewing the second condition, one can clearly see why dual citizenship does not really exist in the US. if you hold a passport from a country that requires a visa or green card status in order to enter the US, you cannot travel on a basic non-US passport. You WILL be denied entry unless you produce your US passport or correct non-citizen travel documents. You will also be reminded not to do that again.

However, in Barbados, one can travel on a Bajan or US passport.

Re: Dual Citizenship
 

The fact you have to enter and leave a country on that country's passport does not stop you being a dual citizen.

International law allows countries to ignore any other citizenship their citizens may hold.



All dual US/other citizens must enter and leave the United States on an American passport.

But maybe problems if trying to enter as a resident on a US passport?

Re: Dual Citizenship
 

I travel into Barbados on my US Passport, but have barbados citizenship papers that I travel with as well.

my 3 children travel in and out on a US Passport, but it shows they were born in Barbados so there is no problem arriving into Barbados.

Re: Dual Citizenship
 

Sunnie, you go in the Citizen/Caricom/Diplomat line then?

Re: Dual Citizenship
 

I mean when arriving at the airport...

Re: Dual Citizenship
 

Zanne, it all depends on the shortest line.. you don't have to go into the citizen line, even if you are one. Althought having said that they have the "snake" or did last summer, assuming they still do, so it all depends on how many people are in either line.

but yes, we go through the citizen/caricom line, if we want to.

Re: Dual Citizenship
 

I understand that fully. However, the US does NOT ignore that, and that was the primary gist of my post. Regardless of how many passports one might hold, the US does not want an explanation-- they fully expect you to enter the US with your US passport or you will be treated as a non-citizen.