US Citizenship: pros and cons?
#31
Re: US Citizenship: pros and cons?
What a lot of people don't seem to think too much about is the situation that they put their young or future children into, with respect to having to register with the Selective Service, and many years later it seems to cause some parents, and presumably some of their sons, and soon daughters too, a certain amount of angst.
That said, I can't imagine any circumstance where the US would send conscripts into battle again. War is increasingly mechanized and automated, with US "soldiers" often fighting from behind a computer screen hundreds if not thousands of miles away. IMO the chances of the Selective Service being asked to call anyone into the military services is vanishingly small.
That said, I can't imagine any circumstance where the US would send conscripts into battle again. War is increasingly mechanized and automated, with US "soldiers" often fighting from behind a computer screen hundreds if not thousands of miles away. IMO the chances of the Selective Service being asked to call anyone into the military services is vanishingly small.
#32
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Re: US Citizenship: pros and cons?
Thanks but I still do not see the huge difference, apart from the taxes, Jury duty, returning to entering the country avoiding the long queue, anything else?
Having been a citizen since 2009, I don't think there really are any significant reasons not to.
You have to file a US tax return but personally I was paying tax in the UK, and by becoming a citizen that tax was then paid in the US. If I have to pay tax I prefer to pay it where I live, not where I don't get any benefit. Ian mentioned jury duty - got called twice while a LPR and had to decline their kind invitation. Finally been called as a citizen for duty in two weeks time. Doing an annual tax return and jury duty once or twice every ten years is not a reason to not be a citizen.
Biggest reason to do it, is the peace of mind of knowing a citizen can come and go as they please.
You have to file a US tax return but personally I was paying tax in the UK, and by becoming a citizen that tax was then paid in the US. If I have to pay tax I prefer to pay it where I live, not where I don't get any benefit. Ian mentioned jury duty - got called twice while a LPR and had to decline their kind invitation. Finally been called as a citizen for duty in two weeks time. Doing an annual tax return and jury duty once or twice every ten years is not a reason to not be a citizen.
Biggest reason to do it, is the peace of mind of knowing a citizen can come and go as they please.
#33
Re: US Citizenship: pros and cons?
It isn't about avoiding the long queue. It is about having a right to enter the US regardless of any changes made to future immigration law. Knowing you can come and go as YOU please.
#34
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Re: US Citizenship: pros and cons?
Ian
#35
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Re: US Citizenship: pros and cons?
Well, I am still thinking about doing that or just filing for another PR for ten years. Thanks for your reply.
#36
Re: US Citizenship: pros and cons?
One benefit no-one has mentioned is not having to deal with USCIS again.
To renew a greencard for 10 years is $450 and to get citizenship is $690
To renew a greencard for 10 years is $450 and to get citizenship is $690
#42
Re: US Citizenship: pros and cons?
Normally I scoff when people even debate dual nationality as 99% of the time there are zero consequences to it. But with the US there are. Namely military service (do you want to be drafted into the US military if they get into war?) and tax. Banks have to report the accounts of US nationals living abroad via FBAR and get penalties if they don't. As a result some foreign banks choose not to serve US citizens. So its a two edged sword, if you want to leave the US you can either do so as a citizen with the right to return but the obligation to report foreign accounts and pay tax, or leave as a Brit with no obligations to the US but also no right to return. Its tricky.
If it were me, the one nationality I would choose not to take up is that of the US. But many happily take US nationality with the benefits it gives and that isnt a bad decision either.
If it were me, the one nationality I would choose not to take up is that of the US. But many happily take US nationality with the benefits it gives and that isnt a bad decision either.
Last edited by johnwoo; Aug 9th 2016 at 7:19 pm.