What is dual citizenship? (2024)

FAQs

What is considered dual citizenship? ›

Having dual citizenship, also known as dual nationality, means being a citizen of the United States and another country at the same time.

The US allows dual citizenship for its citizens. This means that you can hold your US passport and be a citizen in another country at the same time. In such a scenario, you will be a citizen of two countries and share the same rights and responsibilities with other citizens in each country.

As far as the U.S. is concerned, there is no “dual citizenship” status. To become a dual citizen of the U.S. or another country, all you need to do is obtain a second citizenship. There is no specific application or form in the U.S. for dual citizens, you simply need to file for naturalization.

As mentioned, federal law does not restrict Americans from becoming a national of two countries simultaneously and therefore holding passports from two different countries, a concept known as dual nationality.

Having dual citizenship, also known as dual nationality, means being a citizen of the United States and another country at the same time.

Dual citizenship implies being a citizen of two states that are in a special agreement with each other. The countries recognise the rights and obligations of dual citizens in the other state. This means that a person with dual citizenship will pay taxes only in one of these states — the one they reside in.

U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one nationality or another. A U.S. citizen may naturalize in a foreign state without any risk to his or her U.S. citizenship.

Yes, some countries don't allow dual citizenship with America. Among them are China, United Arab Emirates, India, Austria, Japan, and some others. If you want to obtain citizenship of these countries, you need to renounce your American passport.

While the normal limit is a year, you can stay longer and still preserve your US citizen if you are a military service member, Government employee, or meet any other criteria discussed above i.e., work for a US multinational or you proactively preserve residence. Please correct the marked field(s) below.

How much is a dual citizenship? ›

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 whole payment can be made at once through different means, which include money order, cashier's check, or personal check.

General Requirements for Acquisition of Citizenship at Birth. A person born in the United States who is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States is a U.S. citizen at birth, to include a child born to a member of an Indian, Eskimo, Aleutian, or other aboriginal tribe.

The United States generally considers a person with dual U.S. and foreign citizenship a U.S. citizen for Social Security purposes. This does not apply if you are a U.S. citizen and a citizen of a country the United States has an international social security agreement with. This excludes Canada and Italy.

Japan (193 countries) If you're looking for a country with great travel options, then you can't go wrong with Japan. The Japanese passport is ranked as the most powerful in the world, allow visa-free access to 193 countries.

Therefore, if there are any modifications in the laws, the citizens get enough time to take the required action to remain the citizens of the country. Hence, dual citizenship never expires.

You may lose your U.S. citizenship in specific cases, including if you: Run for public office in a foreign country (under certain conditions) Enter military service in a foreign country (under certain conditions) Apply for citizenship in a foreign country with the intention of giving up U.S. citizenship.

Being a dual citizen means that a person is considered a citizen/national of two countries at the same time, and is subject to both country's tax laws.

The main difference between dual and second citizenship is the presence or absence of a special agreement between countries. It also defines the rights and obligations of the holder of two passports.

Is it possible to obtain multiple citizenships? The answer is yes! You may have three or even six nationalities. But legislation in some countries does not allow dual citizenship: you may lose the citizenship of your home country.

How many passports can a U.S. citizen have? ›

The answer is you can have as many as you want, depending on your original citizenship. While some countries allow dual citizenship or many citizenships at the same time, others do not and require you to renounce your previous citizenship.

Why is dual citizenship bad? The major drawbacks of dual nationality are the potential of double taxation and getting bound by the laws of the two countries. Furthermore, becoming a dual US citizen can be a long and expensive process, especially if you don't have an immigration lawyer to guide you.

The Bottom Line

Dual citizens can travel freely in both countries, as well as work, do business, own land, and do other activities that may be restricted to foreigners; however, there are also disadvantages, as dual citizens may face extra taxes or even military service.

An applicant applying for naturalization under INA 316, which requires 5 years of continuous residence, must then wait at least 4 years and 1 day after returning to the United States (whenever 364 days or less of the absence remains within the statutory period), to have the requisite continuous residence to apply for ...

Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen or a resident alien living outside the United States, your worldwide income is subject to U.S. income tax, regardless of where you live. However, you may qualify for certain foreign earned income exclusions and/or foreign income tax credits.

If you're planning to move out of the US permanently, or even give up your US citizenship, then you need a second passport. You can move to certain countries for 5 years and then apply for citizenship, or you can buy a passport and have it in hand in 90 days to 8 months.

The American Citizen Services Section wants to remind all U.S. citizens not to travel outside the United States without a valid U.S. passport. While dual citizens may be able to travel abroad with alternative documentation, all U.S. citizens are required to present a U.S. passport to re-enter the United States.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allows foreign-born, biological, and adopted children of U.S. citizens to acquire U.S. citizenship if they satisfy certain requirements before age 18. The Act applies to children who did not acquire U.S. citizenship at birth.

White – A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.

If you were born abroad and one (or both) of your parents is or was a U.S. citizen, you are automatically a citizen, too. If your parents were not married when you were born, the rules may be different. The rules for acquiring citizenship have changed over time.

Can I get dual citizenship if my mom has it? ›

One of the easiest ways to acquire dual citizenship is by descent. Many countries let you claim citizenship if your parents, grandparents or — in some cases — great grandparents were born in said country. There are other avenues to dual citizenship too, with some of the most popular being investment and naturalization.

Different countries have different rules, but the easiest countries to get dual citizenship are states like Turkey, Vanuatu, Grenada, and Dominica.

While the normal limit is a year, you can stay longer and still preserve your US citizen if you are a military service member, Government employee, or meet any other criteria discussed above i.e., work for a US multinational or you proactively preserve residence. Please correct the marked field(s) below.

Dual citizens can travel freely in both countries, as well as work, do business, own land, and do other activities that may be restricted to foreigners; however, there are also disadvantages, as dual citizens may face extra taxes or even military service.

To acquire the full amount, you need to maximize your working life and begin collecting your check until age 70. Another way to maximize your check is by asking for a raise every two or three years. Moving companies throughout your career is another way to prove your worth, and generate more money.

The most common question dual citizens ask is whether they have to pay taxes to both countries if they don't live in the U.S. The answer is, it's possible. As it turns out, as long as you are a citizen or resident alien of the United States, you must file U.S. taxes if you meet the filing thresholds.

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.” However, your country of origin may or may not allow dual citizenship.

Therefore, if there are any modifications in the laws, the citizens get enough time to take the required action to remain the citizens of the country. Hence, dual citizenship never expires.

In general, the basic principle for most of our readers is that your child will receive the citizenship that both you and your partner hold. There will be different procedures based on whether or not your child has been born by the time you get citizenship in a country.

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 whole payment can be made at once through different means, which include money order, cashier's check, or personal check.