Marmalade

Just a question about American Citizenship. I have been in the US for 20 years and am a permanent resident. Are there any pluses to me getting American Citizenship before I move back to the UK next year.(I'm a British Citizen). I am divorced, no kids, so have no family of my own as such in America. All of my family lives in the UK. Just wondered, as I have never wanted to get US Citizenship, but JAJ (I think) often advises this when people are moving back to the UK. Any thoughts? I do have close friends, and people that are like family here (godson etc), but no blood relatives. Is it easier to visit when one has moved back to the UK if I have American Citizenship? Just me pondering this before I make my move back home. Anyone that has any thoughts on this please feel free to comment, thanks.

Jerseygirl

One advantage is if you can't settle in the UK and want to return to the US you can do so easily. You may not think this applies to you but several people who post on here have returned to the UK without becoming USCs and regretted it.

It seems in many states the USC process is taking approx. 6mths from start to finish.

Marmalade

Thanks Jerseygirl. So, just say I didn't get my US citizenship and I was happy living in the UK. Would it still be easy to travel to the US seeing I would eventually have given up my permanent residency? Would I just need to get a visa to visit the country just like anyone else visiting?

Jerseygirl

You would be able to travel using the VWP just like anyone else...max 90 days.

FWIW I would get US citizenship...you're gonna have to file US tax returns for years anyway...so why not keep all your options open?

JAJ will be able to advise you better than I. If he doesn't show up in the next 24 hrs drop him a PM. I don't know whether you're familiar with Dunroving's posts...if not use the search option at the top of the page to search for his posts in MBTTUK forum. It may give you something to think about...he returned to the UK last year from the US. Give me a shout if you want any help locating his posts or PM him...I'm sure he will be more than willing to help you out.

Marmalade

Thanks Jerseygirl.

Jerseygirl

Don't know whether you've noticed but I've added on to my post.

JAJ

Perhaps also consider the possibility that you might at some point decide you would prefer to live in the U.S. again. If you abandon your green card, then have a think about how easy it would be to get it back. (chances are you would have no chance at all, unless you have an American spouse).


If you established a home in the U.K. you could visit the U.S. as a nonimmigrant and British citizens are eligible for the visa waiver scheme for visits less than 90 days. But don't forget that visa rules can change in the future, just like a change in your own circumstances could make you ineligible to even visit the U.S. as a tourist.

Abandoning your green card is a serious step. Think hard before doing it.

Jerseygirl

Ah there you are...you must have radar.

fatbrit

Some ideas in BE's very own wiki:
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pro%27...US_Citizenship

SarahInTX

FWIW, I went ahead and got my USC even though I'm hoping to return to the UK in the (relatively near?) future. Like JG says, it'll make coming back to the US a whole lot easier if it doesn't work out in the UK--or even if I want to come back for a vacation. And it took about 6 months for me to get mine in Texas.

Sarah

Marmalade

Thank you so much everyone for your helpful advice. I am familiar with Dunrovings postings, and read what he has to say with a lot of interest. Thank you all for taking the time to answer my post. I have a lot to think about now

simongb

I think having citizenship helps when getting your social security(retirement) payments overseas. Does anyone know if this is true? It may be to your financial benefit to get citizenship. After all, you paid into the system for many years.

JAJ

If you are a U.S. citizen your right to Social Security payments when overseas is pretty much unconditional.

If not a U.S. citizen then there are conditions:
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10137.html

Bear in mind that Social Security payments to non-U.S. citizens could be an easy target for any future cutbacks.

Serenity

Do it!

I mean after 20 years in the US when you get back home you will realise the US was home too and giving up your right to live somewhere you call home may come back to haunt you.

Ginger3710

Just out of interest, what's the reason you never took out citizenship, especially considering you've lived there for so long?