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Advantages Disadvantages of Canadian USA Dual Citizenship

Whether you are from the United States or Canada, you have certain rights and freedoms, from assembly to religion and speech. However, not all countries reconcile with the term “dual citizenship”. Nonetheless, you can become a citizen of either of the countries without formally associating yourself with the other.

Folks who are citizens of both countries are not prohibited or treated differently in the U.S. or Canada. However, you might enjoy the benefits of being a Canadian or American when you travel abroad. Consonant to that, citizenship comes with specific financial, legal and social responsibilities and benefits.

In this post, we’ll cover what dual citizenship is, how to get citizenship as an immigrant and the pros and cons of being a U.S. Dual citizen.

What is Dual Citizenship?

Multiple or dual citizenship means being a citizen or national of more than one country at a time. Each nation has a unique perspective on this matter, which you can see through the lens of its nationality laws.

There are two ways to become a dual citizen – natural or legal process. The latter involves giving birth to a child in the country by foreign or immigrating parents. Hence, the child is both a national to the parent’s home country and the birth country, in this instance, the United States.

The United States, Canada, and many other countries allow dual nationality. However, not all countries have accepting and open dual citizenship regulations like the United States and Canada.

More importantly, getting dual citizenship through legal means can be expensive and challenging, requiring an immigration lawyer’s assistance. The first step will be to determine if you are eligible to immigrate to the country of your interest.

For immigrants, nationality is the highest available advantage in both countries, which explains the tedious process of acquiring one.

United State of America

It’s easier to become a national if your parents are Americans or you were born in the United States than through a legal process. As an immigrant, you need to apply for a green card, which gives you the right to stay and live in the country.

After five years of obtaining a green card and living in the country for at least three years, you can apply for citizenship. This application usually involves exams and interviews testing how well you understand and can articulate the language. Also, you will be asked about the history and government of the United States.

In addition, before becoming a naturalized American citizen, you’ll be required to swear loyalty to the country, which means when called to serve in the Armed Forces, you must answer.

Canada

Like the United States, if you were not born in Canada, you should start your bid for citizenship by applying for permanent residence. The main categories for immigration are similar and include entrepreneurship/investment, skilled work and family.

However, you don’t have to wait for five years to apply for Canadian nationality. After three years and having never been convicted of any crimes, you are eligible for Canadian citizenship. Keep in mind; that you don’t have to stay and live in the country for three years.

What’s more? You’ll have to take a written test to prove your proficiency in their official language – French or English. Also, you will be asked questions related to the national rights and responsibilities as well as Canada’s history and government.

Canadian and U.S. Dual Citizenship 一 Pros and Cons:

Being of two nationality offers exciting advantages like working and living in both countries, free traveling, owning properties, and many more. However, it comes with some downsides worth considering, such as increased tax and the tedious and expensive process of acquiring dual nationality, among many others.

Pros:

Privileges and benefits

This is probably one of the reasons why dual nationality is most sought after. Being a dual citizen offers you the best of both worlds. If the country’s law permits, you can run for a political post in either country.

Also, you can stay and work in any country without needing a visa or a work permit. Even better, you don’t have to pay tuition fees at the rate of immigrants.

Dual Passports

Another remarkable benefit of dual citizenship is owning two passports, which makes traveling a breeze. You can easily travel between both countries without going through the long, tiring process of collecting a visa, not to mention annoying customs questions regarding your journey.

So, if you have families or businesses in both countries, dual-passport holders can easily enter and exit the counties.

Property Ownership

Another advantage of dual citizenship is the right to own property in both nations. Remember that not all countries offer this benefit, especially land ownership, to dual citizens.

However, as a lawful dual citizen, owning property in both or either country shouldn’t be a problem. This benefit is essential to people who regularly or intend to travel between both nations, as owning a property in both places reduces your cost of living.

Cons:

Dual responsibilities and obligations

As a dual citizen, it’s obligated to abide by both national laws. This seemingly simple but tricky obligation can spell trouble in the near future.

Take, for instance; you have received the call to join the Armed forces; you are obligated to accept and fulfill the forced military duties. This means losing your other citizenship, especially if both countries are waging wars against each other.

Therefore, it’s essential to review the U.S. dual citizenship policy to understand situations where you can serve in the other country’s military duties without losing your U.S. citizenship.

Dual taxation

You are obligated to pay taxes to both governments for dual citizens not living in their home nation and working in their dual residency country. To avoid this nightmare, it’s best to take advantage of the income tax treaties between the United States and your residency country.

To illustrate, the United State government has a treaty with the Canadian government to override the income tax legislation between both parties. This is the most effective way to eliminate or minimize an individual’s tax liability.

However, we strongly advise that you seek the help of a professional tax accountant, as these intricate tax regulations vary from time to time.

Employment limitation

While dual citizenship gives you the right to stay, live and work in either or both countries, it has a limitation. If your career path leads to the U.S. government, being a dual citizen might impede your security clearance or progress. This might not be a big deal for both with dual citizenship by birth.

Complicated and expensive process

The legal process of becoming a dual citizen is never an easy one. This process takes many years and might require you to break a bank. Even worse, you might face many complexities that might stop you from pursuing a dual nationality.

Dual citizenship – is it worth it?

In a quest to pursue new, exciting prospects, obtaining a dual nationality offers more benefits and privileges to stay ahead. Another nationality provides you with more travel alternatives, emergency money, and a better insurance policy, among many more.

Remember, heavy is the head that wears the crown. Double taxation and obligation might put you under unnecessary pressure.

All in all, it’s definitely worth it if you want to become a global citizen and enjoy all it has to offer.

The post Advantages Disadvantages of Canadian USA Dual Citizenship appeared first on Find US Lawyers.



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Advantages Disadvantages of Canadian USA Dual Citizenship

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