Dual citizenship enables individuals to have citizenship of two countries simultaneously. Since Canada and the U.S. share borders, many individuals desire dual citizenship to enjoy the best of both worlds. They can live and work freely in either of these countries and won’t require a work visa. The U.S. and Canada allow their citizens to have dual citizenship with other countries. Obtaining dual citizenship depends on various situations.
Here are some situations where you can get dual citizenship in the U.S. or Canada.
1. Dual Citizenship by Birth
The most popular dual citizenship is to get citizenship by birth. If one of your parents is a U.S. or Canadian citizen and you were born in either country, you automatically get citizenship in both countries.
2. Dual Citizenship through Marriage
If you are married to a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you don’t get dual citizenship automatically. However, it could lead to getting citizenship after a certain period when you reside in the destination country. You can then apply for citizenship.
3. Family sponsorship
If you are a citizen of either the U.S. or Canada, you can sponsor your family member or relative for citizenship. However, the eligibility criteria for sponsoring may differ depending on the country.
4. Job-Based Immigration
The U.S. and Canada offer several pathways for acquiring permanent residency and, eventually, citizenship. For instance, Canada offers Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program, Francophone immigration, etc., for people with specific skills and work experience to apply for permanent residency.
Moreover, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) enables U.S. citizens to work temporarily in Canada under various categories, such as business visitors, traders, investors, professionals, and intra-company transferees. Working temporarily in Canada can later lead to permanent residency and eventually citizenship.
How to Obtain Dual Citizenship in Canada and the US?
The steps below provide a general overview of the process of getting dual citizenship in both countries.
- Check Your Eligibility: Before applying for citizenship, check your eligibility. Assess which pathways are suitable considering your situation.
- Collect Documents: You must keep track of the latest visa funds requirements to prevent your proof of funds from being rejected. If you’ve declared a lesser amount based on outdated requirements, you should update your application with the most recent increased amount.
- Apply for Permanent Residency: You may have to apply for permanent residency in the U.S.A. or Canada.
- Maintain PR Status: Maintaining your residency by filing taxes, adhering to the country’s laws and fulfilling other duties is essential.
- Apply for Citizenship: After complying with residency rules, you can apply for citizenship. In the U.S., you will have to apply through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), while in Canada, you would apply to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Participate in interviews and examinations: As part of attaining citizenship, you will have to take examinations for the language requirements of the country. You will also have to study the history and cultural value of the destination country and pass examinations.
- Pledge to be a citizen: You will also be invited to take the oath of being a citizen of the country once you pass all examinations and eligibility criteria.
- Get a dual-citizenship certificate: You might receive a dual citizenship certificate after you receive nationality in both countries.
Advantages of Dual Citizenship for Canada and US
There are several advantages of having dual citizenship, including:
- Opportunity to live and work: Dual citizens can live and work freely in both countries. This opens doors to several career opportunities and multiple lifestyles.
- Enjoy social benefits: Dual citizens can access social services in both countries, like healthcare, education, etc.
- Travel easily: They can travel to both countries without a visa.
- Voting rights: Dual citizens can enjoy voting rights in both countries and participate in the democratic process.
- Owning property: Dual citizens can buy land or property in both countries without legal issues.
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Basic Requirements of Becoming a US Citizen
To fulfill the basic requirements of becoming a U.S. citizen, you should meet the following criteria:
- Atleast 18 years of age at the time of application.
- Can write, speak and read basic English
- Of high moral character
The applicant should also meet one of the following criteria:
- Lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) of five years
- Married to a U.S. citizen and lawful permanent resident for three years
- U.S. military service member (active duty or veteran)
- Child of a U.S. citizen
Basic Requirements of Becoming a Canadian Citizen
You need to fulfill some basic requirements to be eligible to become a Canadian citizen. Those are mentioned below:
- You should be a permanent resident
- You should have lived in Canada for 3 out of the last 5 years
- You should have filed your taxes
- You should have proven your language skills
- You should pass a citizenship test
- You need to take the oath of citizenship
Doing Tax as a Dual Citizen in the U.S.A.
If you are a dual citizen of Canada and the U.S., and you are living in the U.S., you don’t have to file a Canadian tax return. Canada has a treaty with the U.S. that helps avoid double taxation.
Tax Filing as a Dual Citizen in Canada
If you’re a U.S. citizen with dual citizenship in Canada, you must file taxes with the U.S. government. The U.S. taxes its citizens based on worldwide income. Before filing taxes, you need to determine your residency status. Your tax obligations may differ depending on your residency. You can file a tax return using Form 1040. Apart from filing taxes in the U.S., you must also follow tax laws in your country of residence.
Disadvantages of Dual Citizenship
Apart from the advantages of dual citizenship in both countries, you may also have disadvantages. For example, you may lose U.S. citizenship if you are a U.S. citizen and serve in a foreign military. You may also have to undergo dual taxation if you live in a dual-residence country. However, the U.S. and Canada have taxation treaties that can minimize individual tax liability.
Need help?
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