Sorry for all these posts, just adding to say that I think someone who's been married to a USC for nearly 33 years (clearly not a marriage of convenience!) is in a better position than a Brit who was given a green card just because of working in the US--I think even if I were one day deemed to have abandoned my residency status, I should be able to get it back again if we ever wanted to return to the US to live.

Tina

Yes, these are the issues I was trying to raise (in vain) about whether or how you can be a GC holder if you are essentially resident in the West Indies. Thanks for the responses from those with knowledge and experience of the matter. It was my understanding that GC holders have always had to file taxes, though this often did not result in a tax liability if for example you were paying tax in a country that has a dual taxation treaty with the US.

Exactly Tina, they know we aren't really going to, so as I said they are only words!!!!
I think you have been thinking all this time that in the ceremony each person would have to say the oath separately in front of the Judge or someone, but in most cases this is not so, as I said its normally hundreds of people standing up in a big court room repeating words that are read out by someone in the front, so its a mass taking of the oath,
On the day of my ceremony there were three sessions of people that had there ceremony the same day, 1,200 people in all, I was in the first group of 400 people 9am till 11am then when we were done another 400 came in for there ceremony from 11am till 1pm, then the last group of the day another 400 from 1pm 3pm, so its quite big business really, think about it, my application fee was $685 so 1200 x 685 is $822,000, not bad for a days work for just one court house in just one city in a huge country (:

But I have heard on here that some are asked to take there oath right after they pass there civic test --- same day, and in there case they only had a small gathering of people, so I guess it all depends on where in the country you live, and if you live in a large city or a small town,
I can only really talk about my own experiences in Las Vegas where they seem to make thousands of green card holders U.S.C. every year, there are over 2 million people living in Vegas now and the Immigrant population is huge, something like 33% plus on top of that around 14% of illegal immigrants too,

Tina, all manner of things can happen in the future that we never envision. Hypothetically, what if all your children stay in the US, and grandchildren start to come along? Not being morbid, but what if your spouse died? Would it still be easy to get another green card if yours had expired.

What if you fell and broke your hip, and couldn't make these twice yearly visits to the US? Besides which, as you said. when your spouses's ex-pat posting is up, they will be looking at the dates of your travel on the computer, and how much time you actually spend in the US.

Your spouse is USC, so he is obligated to file a tax form to the IRS anyway, and you yourself will receive a social security check at 62, and Medicare part A (free) at 65.

I think it would be a risk not to get citizenship in your particular situation. It's different when both husband and wife are British, and don't have ties to the US. Just food for thought...

Our experience was the crowded room ceremony with a few hundred others.
After the ceremony the judge gathered us round for an informal comment; something along the lines of "we know you all still got your non-US passports and we know you going to use them when you visit your country of origin, just be sure to use your US passport when you come and go from the US"

If the US tax bill comes to greater than the UK bill (credits) then it is possible to have to pay to both. Not likely in the case of UK with it's generally higher tax rates but is possible.
Then take the Foreign earned income exclusion: a USC overseas is allowed to exclude all or part of foreign earned income from US tax, at $95,100 max exclusion. But the total income still has to be reported even if excluded and can result in entering a higher tax band.

between two worlds...I am so happy for you being able to finally go home. I wish you all the best. As for becoming a US Citizen like Rodney I did it because I thought it would be best. I have children and grandchildren and you never know what the future holds. At my ceremony the room was crowded with maybe 100 or more people. When it came to saying the oath I just said what was relevant to me and then when it asked to give up your allegiance to your former country I just mouthed it and didnt say it. When parts came up that I found not to my liking I sang "God Save the Queen" in my head. That might seem strange to some UK citizens who dont seem to care about heritage anymore to me it was important. When you don't have it you appreciate it and all that goes with it.

Update on Going Home...

I made a big decision this week. You all know about my illness and now my husbands further illnesses. I had to think really hard about it, if it was just me I would be home in a flash but I cannot do that to my OH he does well when he is in a familiar setting but taking him back to the UK I know would not be good for him. So we went ahead and bought a house. This time I picked and its one that could be easily sold if we needed to. I cannot say I was over the moon in fact I was really sad but I have to keep that to myself. My daughter would be most upset if she thought I was just settling for less than I wanted. But I know I have done the right thing. If in the future I want to go back home I could always rent it out and return home and then when I felt I could no longer live a good life in the UK I would return to the house. Its not far from my daughter so she would be happy with that.

I have promised myself that I will try and become more involved in the community around me and start driving again. Being ill last year made me realized a great many things. Going home would not mean relying on relatives back home because they seem so involved in their own lives they are really not concerned about others. Sad to say but its the truth. So in the end I will have to be able to take care of myself. You know you carry this idilic idea of what its going to be like but it doesnt always turn out that way.

A word on those who are still thinking of moving to the US I think its really important to know who you are and how you would fit in. A good measure is and I know this is silly but when you go on holiday are you pleased to return back to England and all it holds good and bad. I know even when I was in my twenties I enjoyed taking trips but was always pleased to get back home. I never realized how much I loved the place.

Make sure when you are making the choice to move to another country that you are not doing it for the wrong reasons ie..because someone else wants you to go and you dont want to upset them. That sounds silly but it can happen and if prior to getting on that plane you have second thoughts go with them dont keep your mouth shut otherwise you have a lifetime of regrets. I knew even before I left that I didnt want to go but we had sold our house and sent our goods ahead of us I just felt I could not back out.

Make sure your health is not the problem I had just had 3 children and a hysterectomy and later when I asked my doctor in the US about this he told me I should have been told not to make any serious decision for two years after the operation. Wish my doctor in the UK had told me that.

The first year in the US I suffered with awful depression and was put on pills for it. Never mind the pills find out what's causing the trouble and deal with it. Even if it means returning home without OH. Do whats best for you.

I shall continue with updates and am just happy to see those who have waited so long to go home finally getting the chance just make the most of it.

Hey Trottytrue, You have to do what is best for you and your husband. I just wish you all the best..

Trotty glad you have made a decision. What can you tell us about the new house?

I'm a little stressed in making plans for going to the UK this summer. Just the booking for 4 cottages is a strain. My DW is doing all the choices and I'm taking care of the booking.

I think you are doing the right thing for you. Taking care of your health is number one.

Cheers

Another example of why people are moving to the UK.

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/372139/372139

On the news tonight it was saying that England is about to start an advertising campaign telling people they will not like it. They are worried about an influx of people being able to enter the UK at the end of this year. The advert talks about the weather and unfortunately I missed what else it said. Anybody else see it.

I read about it yesterday...saw some of the posters. One was grey clouds.

I think thats so funny. Normally its bright sunshine and appealing beaches and a big welcome, I wonder what else they are going to come up with. Maybe some British folk looking really angry with smoke coming out of their ears

In today's paper it said the second language in England is Polish, so you had better bone up!

Here is an article about it.

Funny, I'm looking out of my office window at the exact same scene as they are showing in the picture.