US Citizenship

Full US Citizenship grants the bearer all the rights and privileges of natural born Americans including the right to vote and to consular protection when traveling. While Green Card holders can live and work in the US indefinitely, they are not classed as full US Citizens although they are eligible to apply for this status with the sponsorship of their employer.

There are two ways to obtain US Citizenship – by birth or by Naturalization.

 

Naturalization

Naturalization is the process by which immigrants become citizens. It usually starts with obtaining a visa, followed by a green card. After obtaining the green card, it is generally just a matter or filling out paperwork and meeting certain naturalization requirements including:

  • Be a LPR (Lawful Permanent resident): In practice this means being a Green card Holder who has never been in trouble with the law. The only exception to this is those who have served in the US Armed Forces and that were in the US at the time they were enlisted.
  • Continuous Residence: Maintain your permanent address and status as a legal permanent resident for a period of 5 years immediately preceding application for naturalization.
  • Speak and Comprehend English:  There are a few exceptions to this rule but generally those who apply for naturalization should be able to read, write and speak English.

 

Dual Citizenship

Dual citizenship or dual nationality means that a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time.

In some cases dual citizenship is acquired automatically as it may be the case for a child born to US Citizens, in a foreign country. Depending on that country’s owns laws and policy the child might automatically be a citizen of the US and a citizen of the country in which it was born.

Dual citizenship may be conferred by marriage or by naturalization in which case the person may retain nationality of their birth country. However those who are US Citizens and who choose to seek nationality of a foreign country risk losing their US Citizenship.

The US recognizes that there are legitimate reasons for dual citizenship but it is not a situation that is encouraged by the Government. On one hand, claims of other countries on dual national U.S. citizens may conflict with U.S. law and on the other, dual nationality may limit U.S. Government efforts to assist citizens abroad.

Dual nationals owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country and must follow the laws of both countries.