Citizenship / UK Passport Question
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 20
Citizenship / UK Passport Question
Hi all, new poster here:
I've been living in the US for 15 years now with a Green card for the last 7. I am married to another Brit and we have 2 children both born here in the US.
I am considering becoming a US Citizen, but I don't really know why.
Questions:
* What are the primary practical advantages of becoming a citizen
* What is the situation regarding my UK passport. Can I keep it and travel around Europe on it, in and out of the UK on it etc ?
Thanks for the help.
Tony
<<snip>>
I've been living in the US for 15 years now with a Green card for the last 7. I am married to another Brit and we have 2 children both born here in the US.
I am considering becoming a US Citizen, but I don't really know why.
Questions:
* What are the primary practical advantages of becoming a citizen
* What is the situation regarding my UK passport. Can I keep it and travel around Europe on it, in and out of the UK on it etc ?
Thanks for the help.
Tony
<<snip>>
Last edited by Bob; Apr 30th 2007 at 9:47 pm.
#2
Re: Citizenship / UK Passport Question
Welcome to BE though.
#3
Re: Citizenship / UK Passport Question
In addition to the good wiki faq, have a look at the answers I got when I asked a similar question - lots of varying answers.
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=433703
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=433703
#4
Re: Citizenship / UK Passport Question
For me mainly, was that my kids were reaching the 18 years of age and I wanted them to have the freedom to travel between Europe and USA to work for the rest of their lives - EASILY. For them now, and their own future families, they are Dual citizens.
The next main positive for me was that I did not want to jeopardize ever having to give up citizenship opportunity if we were forced to move back to the UK for 2+ or more years, which typically triggers loss of green card. I want the freedom of choice to flip whereever - whenever - now I have that. Same as kids.
The risk for them is Selective Service (i.e. they could be called up) - if you see that as a risk or necessity!
Of course, NEVER having to deal with USA BCIS ever again was a big PLUS
The next main positive for me was that I did not want to jeopardize ever having to give up citizenship opportunity if we were forced to move back to the UK for 2+ or more years, which typically triggers loss of green card. I want the freedom of choice to flip whereever - whenever - now I have that. Same as kids.
The risk for them is Selective Service (i.e. they could be called up) - if you see that as a risk or necessity!
Of course, NEVER having to deal with USA BCIS ever again was a big PLUS
#5
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,174
Re: Citizenship / UK Passport Question
All males 18-26 who are not here on non-immigrant visas have to register for SS. Not doing so could delay naturalization, and also represents a bar to getting financial aid for college.
#6
Re: Citizenship / UK Passport Question
Sorry, I was indicating what happens once you get citizenship - you can be called up (18-26).. but good to clarify., Thanks.
#10
Re: Citizenship / UK Passport Question
Hi all, new poster here:
I've been living in the US for 15 years now with a Green card for the last 7. I am married to another Brit and we have 2 children both born here in the US.
I am considering becoming a US Citizen, but I don't really know why.
Questions:
* What are the primary practical advantages of becoming a citizen
* What is the situation regarding my UK passport. Can I keep it and travel around Europe on it, in and out of the UK on it etc ?
Thanks for the help.
Tony
<<snip>>
I've been living in the US for 15 years now with a Green card for the last 7. I am married to another Brit and we have 2 children both born here in the US.
I am considering becoming a US Citizen, but I don't really know why.
Questions:
* What are the primary practical advantages of becoming a citizen
* What is the situation regarding my UK passport. Can I keep it and travel around Europe on it, in and out of the UK on it etc ?
Thanks for the help.
Tony
<<snip>>
probably the foremost reason, is that you are free to come and go as you please without abandoning your status as a PR. Judging from this discussion board, a lot of expats don't stay in the US for the rest of their lives, so this is a really important reason to become a citizen (and for the sake of your children).