To become a US citizen or not?
#31
Just Joined
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 6
Re: To become a US citizen or not?
Does it make a difference which passport you enter on as to which embassy you request help from, surely you remain a citizen of both countries and have the ability to choose? I would have thought that, if anything, the country in which you no longer reside as a PR would be more likely to shun offering services if you've taken up citizenship in another country and that it would be better to enter on it's passport because they wouldn't easily know you were not resident there.
#32
Re: To become a US citizen or not?
In short, yes. As a dual (or more) national, whichever passport you enter a foreign country on, the country of that passport is the country that you will need to ask for help in an emergency. I don't believe the State Department offers any documentation on this issue, but it is the global operating standard. This isn't to say that the authorities of the country of your second, or third nationalities will never help you or recognize your plight, but they will typically point you to the nation of the passport upon which you entered for initial help.
#33
Just Joined
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 6
Re: To become a US citizen or not?
Some great answers here already. Coming into the US as a dual national I did not originally intend to become a US citizen as well. In fact, I said that I would only naturalize once I'd learn to enjoy the game of American Football. That never happened, but I naturalized anyway. The reasons were many, but included having kids and for security wanting to have the same nationalities as them, especially if something was to happen to my wife; getting fed up of being treated like a criminal, particularly when CBP introduced border control finger printing for green card holders; the ability to move abroad again without the complications of potentially losing PR status and having to obtain a marriage visa to come back; the fact that the US became my home; and lastly because a very wise friend once advised I do it sooner rather than later, in case something changes and the immigration system gets clogged - getting it becomes more difficult - or something more sinister. Little did we expect the political environment to change like it did. 7 years later, I have zero regrets.
And with my English accent still as strong as the day I got here, I do not feel less English. I still get asked about my origins on a daily basis.
And with my English accent still as strong as the day I got here, I do not feel less English. I still get asked about my origins on a daily basis.
#34
Just Joined
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 6
Re: To become a US citizen or not?
travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/Advice-about-Possible-Loss-of-US-Nationality-Dual-Nationality/Dual-Nationality.html
#35
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
Re: To become a US citizen or not?
Being able to seek US consular assistance abroad rather than British is a definite “pro” to me. The FCO’s uselessness in that regard is well known, and the State Department has a fairly good reputation for at least trying to help distressed Americans abroad. We’re about to visit Tunisia and I am for sure going to enter there on my American passport, not my British.
#36
Re: To become a US citizen or not?
Does it make a difference which passport you enter on as to which embassy you request help from, surely you remain a citizen of both countries and have the ability to choose? I would have thought that, if anything, the country in which you no longer reside as a PR would be more likely to shun offering services if you've taken up citizenship in another country and that it would be better to enter on it's passport because they wouldn't easily know you were not resident there.
We're also visiting the UK, Italy, Malta and France and obviously I will use my UK passport to enter those countries whilst it still gives me access to the EU passports line.
#37
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,900
Re: To become a US citizen or not?
Probably it would make no difference, no, but if it came up with any DoS representatives that I had two passports, I feel it would be slightly advantageous to be able to say I entered as an American.
We're also visiting the UK, Italy, Malta and France and obviously I will use my UK passport to enter those countries whilst it still gives me access to the EU passports line.
We're also visiting the UK, Italy, Malta and France and obviously I will use my UK passport to enter those countries whilst it still gives me access to the EU passports line.
#38
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Ventura, CA
Posts: 16
Re: To become a US citizen or not?
I've been in the US since 1980 when I was nine. I'm an LPR with a Green Card. Never thought to become a citizen - being British why would you. At this point in my life I have no desire to become a citizen of the US. To stand and take an oath to this country, you've got to be kidding me. Not missing out on much - voting? What's the point. Nothing changes anyway. The politicians do what they want regardless. I'm only here because I work - if they kicked me out tomorrow I wouldn't cry. Sure it would be a bit of a hardship for a while but this isn't my country, England is. My parents went to Europe ten years ago for retirement. They couldn't have survived living here and having to pay rent. I wouldn't expect to retire here myself.
Last edited by GSH; May 31st 2018 at 3:47 pm.
#39
Re: To become a US citizen or not?
I've been in the US since 1980 when I was nine. I'm an LPR with a Green Card. Never thought to become a citizen - being British why would you. At this point in my life I have no desire to become a citizen of the US. To stand and take an oath to this country, you've got to be kidding me. Not missing out on much - voting? What's the point. Nothing changes anyway. The politicians do what they want regardless. I'm only here because I work - if they kicked me out tomorrow I wouldn't cry. Sure it would be a bit of a hardship for a while but this isn't my country, England is. My parents went to Europe ten years ago for retirement. They couldn't have survived living here and having to pay rent. I wouldn't expect to retire here myself.
#40
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
Re: To become a US citizen or not?
Being at retirement age and still paying rent would be considered by many to be poor retirement planning.
#43
Re: To become a US citizen or not?
And why do you think that counts for so much when you have minimal experience of the country? Sounds like the folks who visit Disney and as a result want to move to FL.
#44
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
#45
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 227
Re: To become a US citizen or not?
I've been in the US since 1980 when I was nine. I'm an LPR with a Green Card. Never thought to become a citizen - being British why would you. At this point in my life I have no desire to become a citizen of the US. To stand and take an oath to this country, you've got to be kidding me. Not missing out on much - voting? What's the point. Nothing changes anyway. The politicians do what they want regardless. I'm only here because I work - if they kicked me out tomorrow I wouldn't cry. Sure it would be a bit of a hardship for a while but this isn't my country, England is. My parents went to Europe ten years ago for retirement. They couldn't have survived living here and having to pay rent. I wouldn't expect to retire here myself.