How to get dual citizenship or nationality | USAGov (2024)

FAQs

How do you qualify for dual citizenship? ›

Dual citizenship if you are a citizen of another country

If you qualify for dual citizenship, you must first immigrate to the U.S. Then you must become a permanent U.S. resident before being eligible for U.S. citizenship. Learn more about immigrating to the U.S. And find out how to become a permanent resident.

American dual citizenship is possible in certain countries such as Portugal, Spain, Malta, Cyprus, Belgium, Denmark, Australia, the UK, and Dominica. The list may be subject to change depending on the changes in policy. Among them, Portugal and Spain offer Golden Visa programs.

Do your research to find out if you can become a citizen through ancestry, marriage, or the naturalization process. And don't expect it to happen overnight. This process takes years. You'll need to file forms, conduct interviews, and pass tests on language skills and knowledge of the country's history.

The Supreme Court of the United States has stated that dual nationality is “a status long recognized in the law” and that “a person may have and exercise rights of nationality in two countries and be subject to the responsibilities of both.

Naturalization, often the easiest method for many, requires a residency period of five years. Consequently, Dominica emerges as one of the fastest and easiest countries for obtaining second citizenship.

The St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship-by-investment program stands out as one of the easiest and quickest ways for US citizens to obtain a second passport. The program doesn't require any mandatory stay period in the country, and the immigration process is completed in just four months.

Yes, the United States allows dual citizenship. If you are a naturalized citizen, you don't have to give up citizenship from your country of origin. U.S. immigration law does not prohibit dual nationality. The U.S. Supreme Court also ruled that people can “have and exercise rights of nationality in two countries.”

You will need to pay a total of $725 for these two services – $640 for the N-400 form and $85 for the biometric services fee.

The government does not require naturalized U.S. citizens to give up their citizenship in their country of origin.

US citizens can live outside the country for as long as they wish — even for the rest of their lives — without a problem. A US citizen cannot be prevented from re-entering the US. You can stay out of the USA for as long as you'd like. You can renew passport as needed at the local US embassy or consulate.

What is the 4 year 1 day rule for U.S. citizenship? ›

Essentially, if you broke your continuous residence, the four-year and one-day rule shortens the waiting period by one year. It offers an opportunity to become eligible for naturalization sooner, provided that you meet all the other requirements for citizenship.

The Immigration and Nationality Act provides for special consideration of the civics test for applicants who, at the time of filing their Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, are over 65 years old and have been a permanent resident for at least 20 years.

Today, most advanced economies allow dual citizenship; notable exceptions which restrict or forbid it are Austria, Japan, the Netherlands, and Singapore.

Complicated Process. Sometimes dual citizenship happens automatically (for example, when a child is born in the U.S. to foreign parents). Other times, however, the process can take many years and can be extremely expensive and complicated. This can deter some people from pursuing dual citizenship.

Can I enter a country with one passport and exit with another? No, you should not enter a country with one passport and exit with another as it might suggest to the border control that you have overstayed. However, in practice some people enter and leave a country on different passports without an issue.