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US dual citizenship means that you are a citizen of the United States of America and another country at the same time. So, for example, you might have been born as a US citizen and then gotten another citizenship either by naturalization/familial relationship or vice versa.
However, dual citizenship is regulated by every country, and while the US allows more than one nationality, some states don’t allow dual citizenship. As a result, you may be required to give up on your US citizenship or your other nationality.
List of Countries That Allow Dual Citizenship With the US
Here is a list of countries that allow dual citizenship with the US:
- Albania
- Angola
- Armenia
- Australia
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Comoros
- Ivory Coast
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Kenya
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lithuania (very specific cases)
- Luxembourg
- Mali
- Malta
- Moldova
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- New Zealand
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Philippines
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Slovakia
- Spain (only Iberoamerican states)
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Czechia
- Tonga
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- United Kingdom
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
*Please note that the cantons regulate citizenship in Switzerland, and some cantons have very specific requirements if you want to retain your US citizenship.
Countries that Allow Dual Citizenship Only by Descent
If you become a naturalized citizen in any of the following countries, you have to renounce your US nationality:
- Liechtenstein
- Netherlands
- Croatia
- Bulgaria
- Taiwan
- South Korea
- Hong Kong
- Cambodia
*The Netherlands allows citizenship by marriage as well.
Countries Where US Dual Citizenship Is Not Allowed
The following countries don’t allow dual citizenship with the US:
- Andorra
- Bahrain
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Cuba
- Estonia
- Guyana
- Japan
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Myanmar
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Qatar
- San Marino
- Suriname
- Tanzania
Where Do I Pay Taxes If I Have US Dual Citizenship?
Usually, US citizens with two nationalities have to pay taxes in both countries. This is because the US requires its citizens, who reside in another country, to pay tax return from their worldwide income.
However, some countries have a tax agreement with the US that eliminates double taxation, so make sure you check beforehand if your country of residence has such an agreement.
Traveling With US Dual Citizenship
You must use your US passport to enter and leave the country if you are a dual citizen. In addition, your other citizenship country may require you to use their passport when you travel, which means you have to use both passports when you travel internationally.
What Are the Benefits of US Dual Citizenship?
Some of the significant benefits of being a US double citizen include:
- The ability to work and live in both countries.
- The ability to own property in both countries.
- Voting rights in both countries (if the law allows).
- Benefiting from social programs and health care from both countries.
What Are the Drawbacks of US Dual Citizenship?
If you are a US dual citizen, you may come across several disadvantages such as:
- Lack of protection from US consular offices in your other country of residence.
- The possibility of imposing exit bans on you.
- Double taxation.
The biggest disadvantage of dual citizenship is the limited assistance from the US consular office. Because you are a legal citizen in both countries, if you are detained in your other country of residence, there is very little the US embassy or consulate can do to help you.
Does India Allow Dual Citizenship With the US?
India doesn’t permit dual citizenship. However, recently, it started to issue Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), allowing citizens of Indian origin to gain partial citizenship with limited rights, i.e., they cannot vote. So, if you are a US citizen with Indian roots, you may be eligible for an OCI.
Can I Get a US Citizenship and Polish Citizenship?
Technically, you can keep your US citizenship if you also have Polish citizenship. But, it’s essential to keep in mind that while Poland doesn’t have any laws against possessing dual citizenship, there are penalties for using foreign documents while you are in Poland. Also, when you are there, you are considered a solely Polish citizen regardless of your US nationality.
How Do I Get US Citizenship?
You can get US citizenship if you meet the requirements for one of the following:
- Citizenship by birth. The US is one of the few countries that allow citizenship by birth regardless of the nationality of the child’s parent. So, if you were born on US soil, then you can obtain citizenship.
- Citizenship by acquisition. If you were born abroad to parents who are US citizens, you are automatically a US citizen. But, this is valid only if one of your parents lived in the US for a specific amount of time.
- Citizenship by naturalization. You can get US citizenship by naturalization if you fulfill the following criteria:
- You are 18 years old when applying.
- You are a permanent resident of the US.
- You have been a permanent resident for at least five years.
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As an expert in international laws, citizenship regulations, and global mobility, I possess comprehensive knowledge of dual citizenship and related legal frameworks across various countries, including the United States. My expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of citizenship acquisition methods, tax implications, travel requirements, and the nuanced policies of multiple nations.
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List of Countries That Allow Dual Citizenship With the US: I'm well-versed in the extensive list of countries that permit dual citizenship with the United States, encompassing diverse nations such as Australia, Italy, Nigeria, Russia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and many others.
Countries that Allow Dual Citizenship Only by Descent: Certain countries, like the Netherlands, South Korea, and Taiwan, restrict dual citizenship solely to individuals of specific descent or through certain circ*mstances, necessitating the renunciation of US nationality upon naturalization.
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