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Dual citizenship possible?

sounion

Hero Member
Oct 21, 2012
408
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CPP-O
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Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
29-11-2012
AOR Received.
17-01-2013
Med's Done....
24-10-2012
Interview........
20-11-2013
LANDED..........
20-11-2013
I figure this is the best place to ask this question.

Can I get dual citizenship if I am an American Citizen? I've been a PR for over 5 years now, so I am eligible to apply, but my family in the US seems to think this is not possible for Americans to gain Canadian citizenship without ditching the US citizenship first.

Anyone have experience with this?
 

itsmyid

Champion Member
Jul 26, 2012
2,250
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I figure this is the best place to ask this question.

Can I get dual citizenship if I am an American Citizen? I've been a PR for over 5 years now, so I am eligible to apply, but my family in the US seems to think this is not possible for Americans to gain Canadian citizenship without ditching the US citizenship first.

Anyone have experience with this?
False
There are a lot of people in Toronto with citizenship from both
 

21Goose

VIP Member
Nov 10, 2016
5,247
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AOR Received.
Feb 2017
Canada recognizes dual(or multiple) citizenship. So does the US. You'll be fine.

There are some countries (such as India) that do not recognize dual citizenship. Indian citizens renounce their citizenship when they become citizens of another country. Possibly this is what your family is thinking of.
 

Bs65

VIP Member
Mar 22, 2016
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Of course whilst still a US citizen believe you are still obliged to report to the IRS every year even though there is a tax treaty to avoid double taxation. Plus expected to use a US passport to enter the US , likewise as a Canadian citizen you need a Canadian passport to enter Canada.

Other than those minor inconveniences no issues being a dual citizen as far as Canada or the US are concerned.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/Advice-about-Possible-Loss-of-US-Nationality-Dual-Nationality/Dual-Nationality.html
 

ahmed5

Hero Member
Sep 7, 2014
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Canada
Visa Office......
NDVO
NOC Code......
1224
App. Filed.......
24 - 12 - 2014
Nomination.....
PER 21 - 03 - 2015
AOR Received.
11 - 05 - 2015
IELTS Request
8 ( send with application )
Med's Request
06 - 08 - 2015
Med's Done....
11 - 08 -2015
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
13 - 10 - 2015
VISA ISSUED...
18- 10 - 2015
LANDED..........
09 / 02 / 2016
Go ahead and apply
 

foodie69

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Dec 18, 2015
2,993
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I figure this is the best place to ask this question.

Can I get dual citizenship if I am an American Citizen? I've been a PR for over 5 years now, so I am eligible to apply, but my family in the US seems to think this is not possible for Americans to gain Canadian citizenship without ditching the US citizenship first.

Anyone have experience with this?
A simple google search could have answered this too..
 

zardoz

VIP Member
Feb 2, 2013
13,304
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Canada
Category........
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London
App. Filed.......
16-02-2013
VISA ISSUED...
31-07-2013
LANDED..........
09-11-2013
I figure this is the best place to ask this question.

Can I get dual citizenship if I am an American Citizen? I've been a PR for over 5 years now, so I am eligible to apply, but my family in the US seems to think this is not possible for Americans to gain Canadian citizenship without ditching the US citizenship first.

Anyone have experience with this?
This MAY have been true in the long distant past but is no longer the case. I suspect that this is what the "family" is remembering.

This may help. https://immigration.findlaw.com/citizenship/dual-citizenship.html

Recognition of Dual Citizenship in the U.S.

The United States does not formally recognize dual citizenship. However, it also has not taken any stand against it, either legally or politically. Typically, no American will forfeit his or her citizenship by undertaking the responsibilities of citizenship in another country. This is true even if the responsibilities include traveling with a foreign passport, voting in another country's election, or running for and/or serving in public office of another country. In most cases, it is unimportant to U.S. authorities whether another country also claims you as a citizen.

Loss of Citizenship Due to Dual Citizenship

The loss of U.S. citizenship can only occur if a person's actions demonstrate an intent to give up his or her citizenship. Such actions might include:

  • Serving in the armed forces of a country which is engaged in hostilities against the United States.

  • Formally renouncing one's U.S. citizenship in front of a duly authorized U.S. official.

  • Committing an act of treason against the United States, or attempting or conspiring to overthrow the U.S. Government.
Although it's rare, some countries will revoke a national's citizenship when citizenship is acquired elsewhere. Other countries require renunciation of any prior citizenships as a condition of naturalizations. It is important to carefully read all of the rules of citizenship for each country.
 

zardoz

VIP Member
Feb 2, 2013
13,304
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Canada
Category........
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Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
16-02-2013
VISA ISSUED...
31-07-2013
LANDED..........
09-11-2013
Might as well throw in an official "source" as well.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/Advice-about-Possible-Loss-of-US-Nationality-Dual-Nationality/Dual-Nationality.html

Dual Nationality


Section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) states that “the term ‘national of the United States’ means (A) a citizen of the United States, or (B) a person who, though not a citizen of the United States, owes permanent allegiance to the United States.” Therefore, U.S. citizens are also U.S. nationals. Non-citizen nationality status refers only individuals who were born either in American Samoa or on Swains Island to parents who are not citizens of the United States. The concept of dual nationality means that a person is a national of two countries at the same time. Each country has its own nationality laws based on its own policy. Persons may have dual nationality by automatic operation of different laws rather than by choice. For example, a child born in a foreign country to U.S. national parents may be both a U.S. national and a national of the country of birth. Or, an individual having one nationality at birth may naturalize at a later date in another country and become a dual national.

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. However, persons who acquire a foreign nationality after age 18 by applying for it may relinquish their U.S. nationality if they wish to do so. In order to relinquish U.S. nationality by virtue of naturalization as a citizen of a foreign state, the law requires that the person must apply for the foreign nationality voluntarily and with the intention to relinquish U.S. nationality. Intent may be shown by the person’s statements and conduct.

Dual nationals owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country. They are required to obey the laws of both countries, and either country has the right to enforce its laws. It is important to note the problems attendant to dual nationality. Claims of other countries upon U.S. dual-nationals often place them in situations where their obligations to one country are in conflict with the laws of the other. In addition, their dual nationality may hamper efforts of the U.S. Government to provide consular protection to them when they are abroad, especially when they are in the country of their second nationality.

U.S. nationals, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. Dual nationals may also be required by the foreign country to use its passport to enter and leave that country. Use of the foreign passport to travel to or from a country other than the United States is not inconsistent with U.S. law.
 

sounion

Hero Member
Oct 21, 2012
408
10
Category........
Visa Office......
CPP-O
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
29-11-2012
AOR Received.
17-01-2013
Med's Done....
24-10-2012
Interview........
20-11-2013
LANDED..........
20-11-2013
Thanks everyone. I really appreciate it.

As for dual passports, are there any issues using Canadian to enter Canada or American to enter US? The only thing I can think of is if they record entry/exit dates and so if you enter US with American passport, it won’t ever register you as leaving.
 

zardoz

VIP Member
Feb 2, 2013
13,304
2,166
Canada
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
16-02-2013
VISA ISSUED...
31-07-2013
LANDED..........
09-11-2013
Thanks everyone. I really appreciate it.

As for dual passports, are there any issues using Canadian to enter Canada or American to enter US? The only thing I can think of is if they record entry/exit dates and so if you enter US with American passport, it won’t ever register you as leaving.
Both countries normally require you to enter on the appropriate passport, however Canada/USA duals have some exemptions. What you leave on, is up to you I believe.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/dual-canadian-citizens-visit-canada.html

See https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/dual-citizen-entering-us-using-ca-passport.547868/
 

sounion

Hero Member
Oct 21, 2012
408
10
Category........
Visa Office......
CPP-O
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
29-11-2012
AOR Received.
17-01-2013
Med's Done....
24-10-2012
Interview........
20-11-2013
LANDED..........
20-11-2013
Zardoz! You’re terrific. Thank you once again.