Dual Citizenship: What You Need to Know

Dual citizenship can seem like a very attractive prospect. If you are a citizen of your country of origin but are a permanent resident in the U.S., it may seem simpler to just have dual citizenship. Dual citizenship allows you to work anywhere in the U.S. and travel freely, just as a U.S. citizen can. It also means you can vote and apply for public benefits.

However, not every country allows dual citizenship. If you are not careful, your naturalization as a U.S. citizen might cause you to lose citizenship in your country of origin. There are also some disadvantages to dual citizenship. Obtaining dual citizenship can be a long and expensive process that may not be right for everyone

If you’re considering becoming a naturalized citizen of the U.S. consider the advantages and disadvantages of dual citizenship we set out below.

What is Dual Citizenship?

Dual citizenship, or dual nationality, means being a citizen of two countries at the same time. Having dual citizenship means you share the rights and responsibilities of the citizens in each country. You are bound by the laws of two nations.

Dual citizenship has both advantages and disadvantages. It is a complex legal status. One of the main benefits of dual citizenship is the ability to possess two passports. This allows you to work and travel freely.

Obtaining dual citizenship can be a long and expensive process. To see if applying for dual citizenship is right for you, take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of dual citizenship below.

Does the U.S. Allow Dual Citizenship?

Not every country allows dual citizenship, and the rules vary among those that do. The U.S. government does not require naturalized U.S. citizens to relinquish citizenship in their country of origin. This means naturalized citizens will have dual citizenship. 

Dual citizenship happens automatically in some situations. For example, if a child is born in the U.S. to parents who are citizens of a foreign country, the child will have dual citizenship.

You can also achieve dual citizenship through specialized legal processes. For example, if you marry a U.S. citizen you can apply for dual citizenship if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Just because the U.S. allows dual citizenship doesn’t necessarily mean your country of origin does too. Some countries, such as China and India, do not allow dual citizenship. You would have to pick one citizenship.

Advantages of Dual Citizenship

Here are the biggest advantages of dual citizenship:

• You can work anywhere – with dual citizenship, you can apply for employment anywhere in the U.S. without first obtaining a work visa.
• You can study anywhere – you can enrol in a U.S. school without a student visa and without paying international student tuition rates.
• You can travel without restrictions – you can travel abroad for as long as you want without losing your citizenship or needing a re-entry permit. Having a citizen’s passport eliminates the need for long-stay visas and any questioning about the purpose of your trip during the customs process.
• Your family might be eligible for green cards – you can obtain green cards for your family. Your parents, adult children, and siblings can apply for their own green cards.
• You can vote – you can vote in any U.S. election.
• You can apply for public benefits – assuming you meet the eligibility requirements you can apply for all public benefits that are available to U.S. citizens.
• You get a cultural education – as a dual citizen, you’ll be immersed in the culture of two countries and experience a different way of life.

Disadvantages of Dual Citizenship

There are also a few disadvantages of dual citizenship to keep in mind:

• You could be vulnerable to double taxation. As a dual citizen, you must file and pay U.S. income and other taxes regardless of where you live. This means you could owe taxes on the same income to both the U.S. and to your other country of citizenship.
• You must serve in the military if called upon to do so by the government. All males between the ages of 18 and 26 are required to register with the Selective Service System. In the case of war, you might be called upon to serve in the military.
• You must serve on a jury if summoned. Jury duty is mandatory for all U.S. citizens. 
• You might not be able to get some federal jobs. Having dual citizenship may bar you from getting the security clearance needed if your job requires access to classified information.
• You might have to go through a complicated application process. Applying for dual citizenship can take many years and be extremely expensive.

Process for Gaining Dual Citizenship in the United States

Before you apply for U.S. citizenship as your second citizenship status, it’s crucial to contact the embassy or consulate of your country of origin to find out whether your country allows dual citizenship. If they don’t you may lose your citizenship in your home country as soon as you gain U.S. citizenship.

Make sure you contact an immigration lawyer and tax professional if you have any concerns about the impact of dual citizenship on your livelihood.

You need to make sure you’ve satisfied all naturalization requirements. You can apply any time after meeting the eligibility requirements for naturalization, which is usually 3–5 years after getting a green card.

You can begin the naturalization process by submitting the Application for Naturalization Form N-400 to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Filing your citizenship application with USCIS is only the first step of the process. Overall, naturalization can take over a year and cost a lot of money. 

If you qualify for U.S. citizenship through a parent you need to apply for citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act. You can apply for the Certificate of Citizenship by filing Form N-600.

Read More

• How Do I Speak to a Live Person at USCIS?
• How Many Citizenships Can You Have?
• How Do I Know Which USCIS Service Center?
• How Do I Know If USCIS Received My Application?
• What “Country of Residence” and How to Know Yours When on a Visa
• How to Check Dropbox Eligibility with the App

Conclusion

Dual citizenship, or dual nationality, means being a citizen of two countries at the same time. Having dual citizenship means you share the rights and responsibilities of the citizens in each country. You are bound by the laws of two nations.

Dual citizenship allows you to work anywhere in the U.S. and travel freely, just as a U.S. citizen can. It also means you can vote and apply for public benefits.

However, not every country allows dual citizenship. If you are not careful, your naturalization as a U.S. citizen might cause you to lose citizenship in your country of origin.

Obtaining dual citizenship can be a long and expensive process that may not be right for everyone. But if you decide it’s right for you, you can reap many potential benefits.

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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