Becoming a U.S. citizen

[MoneyGuy]

My wife was born in the States but has only Canadian citizenship. It now appears that our daughter will likely move to the States for several years of university.

Does anyone here know about the process of my wife and daugher applying for dual citizenship and if this provides any benefit? It might help our daughter if she needs to work during her university years. My wife and I will not likely live in the States, except maybe part time during retirement, but there may be some value for our daughter. Does it help our daughter if he mother has dual citizenship. I understand that my daughter is eligible for dual citizenship because her mother was born in the States.

Any advice appreciated.

[Sliver]

If there is a draft I believe she could be called upon to serve if she has dual citizenship (could be wrong). I don't see the States as getting into any less trouble over the next few years so I think you'd be crazy to persue this.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Have a chat with someone versed in US Tax law. With your labrynth of financial holdings , there a chance you may run into a situation that doesn't work to your favor, resulting in double taxation.

On a stock transaction at our company, I know someone that renounced their US citizenship for that reason - they were going to have to pay additional taxes in the US,

[troutman]

Your daughter should marry a frat boy from New England.

[MacDaddy77]

Do you know where she is thinking of going to University?

I know that if she is going to a State university? If she is and you know someone that lives in that state, do all your applying through their address and you will save thousands of $'s.

I'm not sure what the amounts are but it is ALOT cheaper to attend state universities if you are from that State.

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Have a chat with someone versed in US Tax law. With your labrynth of financial holdings , there a chance you may run into a situation that doesn't work to your favor, resulting in double taxation.

On a stock transaction at our company, I know someone that renounced their US citizenship for that reason - they were going to have to pay additional taxes in the US,

+1 to this advice.

Go talk to a US tax specialist first, my understanding is that issues may arise.

[Weiser Wonder]

Originally Posted by Sliver

If there is a draft I believe she could be called upon to serve if she has dual citizenship (could be wrong). I don't see the States as getting into any less trouble over the next few years so I think you'd be crazy to persue this.

Only males sign up for selective service.

[Sliver]

If the fit hits the shan maybe they'll grab chicks too?

[Weiser Wonder]

I wouldn't be worried. Somebody has to stay home in the extremely rare event of a draft and that would be the women.

[Sliver]

But but but...okay fine my idea was stupid lol.

[Ice]

Enacting a draft is political suicide. I don't expect military services will ever be anything but voluntary ever again.

[OilersBaby]

Yes, having to pay in state tuition is MUCH cheaperfor State Universities if you are a resident of that state. To be considered a resident you have to have a citizenship/green card and have lived in the state for at least one year. So if you daughter went to university to say UC Berkeley for example, she would have to pay something outrageous for the first yera, and then after she established California residency by living here for 1 year, opening a bank account, getting a drivers license here etc..then she would be eligible for in state tution which is around 10,000 a year. Nonresident (but still US resident, so basically if you are out of state) tuition is 22,021 per year, and International (which is what you are if you are Canadian and do not have US citizenship/greencard) tuition is 37,000.

This is taken from UC Berkeleys' website:
Legal Residency and Fees

Students are classified as residents or nonresidents after completing the Statement of Legal Residence shortly after being admitted to the university. Many graduate students (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and some eligible non-immigrants) who enter UC Berkeley as nonresidents and establish residency for the required year may be classified as residents for tuition purposes within one year after their arrival. These students then receive the benefit of paying fees at the lower resident rate.
The classification process is not automatic. Continuing nonresident students who have made California their permanent home and believe that they are eligible for resident status must submit a residency classification petition, along with supporting documentation, to the Residence Affairs Office prior to established deadlines. Even though nonresident students will probably not submit a petition to change their residency status until the end of their first academic year at Berkeley, you must start the process of fulfilling the residency requirements as soon as you arrive. This includes documenting when you arrived, that your year of physical presence in this state is coupled with your intent to make California your home, and that you are financially independent.
What should you do once you arrive in California?

• Document your presence in the state as soon as you arrive. Save your airline ticket or bank/credit card statements showing that you were physically present in California one year prior to the beginning of the term for which you are seeking resident classification.
• Establish a California residence in which you keep your permanent belongings.
  Obtain a California Driver’s License within 10 days of arriving in California. If you have never had a driver’s license in any state, obtain a California State Identification Card.
• Surrender all out-of-state driver’s license and identification cards.
• Register your vehicle(s) in California within 20 days of arriving in the state.
• Register to vote in California, and vote in California elections.
• Pay California income taxes as a resident on all taxable income earned after your arrival in California, and file California resident or part-year resident tax returns.
• File nonresident or part-year resident out-of-state tax returns if you have out-of-state taxable income prior to arriving in California.
• Designate and use a California address as your permanent address on all records (e.g., school, employment, tax forms, military, etc.).
• Open a California bank account and close all out-of-state accounts. If your financial account is with an interstate or internet bank, change your permanent address to California.

[Weiser Wonder]

I am a dual citizen. I was born in Calgary. My parents are American and got my brothers and I American Born Abroad Certificates when we were 6 or so by going to the American Consul in Calgary. Which have the same function as birth certificates.

[Azure]

I'm a dual citizen too. Dad was born in the states, and back in '96 when me and my siblings got our dual citizenship, it was a lot easier than it is now.

[Temporary_User]

I'm a dual citizen. I went the other way though, I was born in the states and then got my Canadian citizenship. Since all of my family except me were born in Canada it was pretty easy for me to get my citizenship. All I did was sign a few forms, get a picture taken. It didn't take me any longer than a couple months.
I would definitely recommend dual. The other than to think about is travel. I travel between the two countries fairly often, and never receive any hassle either way. I also have the confidence of knowing they can't stop me from entering. They could of course delay me, but they don't.

Edit: maybe I'm young, dumb, and ignorant, but I don't pay double taxes. I haven't done anything regarding U.S. taxes in years; not since I've lived down there.

[Yeah_Baby]

Okay, stupid question of the day. I was under the impression you can only carry one passport, how does that work with dual citizenship? Or am I on drugs?

[OBCT]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

Okay, stupid question of the day. I was under the impression you can only carry one passport, how does that work with dual citizenship? Or am I on drugs?

I'm also a dual citizen, and until I got my U.S. passport, I was told on more than one occasion at a border crossing (American side) that I should get the second passport ASAP (I already had a Canadian passport).

What it boils down to, I've learned, is that the U.S. has decided it best to loosen up on the "two passport" regulations and instead put more focus on getting every American citizen a passport ... or, at least as many as possible who travel abroad ever. This is beneficial to them for many reasons, not the least of which being for tracking, surveillance and "homeland security" reasons.

Needless to say, I now have both passports, and it does make travelling between countries a bit easier.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Have a chat with someone versed in US Tax law. With your labrynth of financial holdings , there a chance you may run into a situation that doesn't work to your favor, resulting in double taxation.

On a stock transaction at our company, I know someone that renounced their US citizenship for that reason - they were going to have to pay additional taxes in the US,

Hah, I'ma CFP. YOu don't pay double taxes due to the tax treaty between Canada and the U.S. I'm not a U.S. tax expert but I do know that.

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

Do you know where she is thinking of going to University?

I know that if she is going to a State university? If she is and you know someone that lives in that state, do all your applying through their address and you will save thousands of $'s.

I'm not sure what the amounts are but it is ALOT cheaper to attend state universities if you are from that State.

It's not a state university but a private university in California.



Thanks for the advice and comments thus far. I expect there will be lots more.

[The Special One]

There's no law that says you can have only one passport. This used to be a Canadian law but was overturned after a high profile case involving an Arab woman who got divorced in Canada in the 1970s.

[PIMking]

I'm a duel citizen also but american/German. German mom american father. born in germany.

Now My fiance gets half off instate at university of alabama because her father is the dean of the school of social work so he gets that perk. I went to try out for UA hockey team since I plan on attending UA but not til next year. Out of state is 9k per semester and I just cant afford that. next year its something like 4k for in state.

It depends on what school she goes to on how much its going to cost. She doesn't have to get citizenship to attend school in the united states. green card for education that is all.

Two they dont draft women. Only men have to sign up for the draft
three do you really want her to be an american citizen?

I just found out today that my high school f'd up my transcript and I "didn't graduate" high school lol. I had my mum find my diploma and everything is all fixed but sometimes the education system is a joke.

I would reccomend that your daughter go to a Community college first to get her pre reqs done before she attends a big school. If shes goes to a smaller state school it should be fine. besides my CC here in tuscaloosa is 1800 per semester for out of state. Not bad and I wont be packed in classes with 300 kids and the teachers will be able to help me.

She doesn't have to be an american to attend american schools. Hell you dont have to be a legal citzen with a green card to attend highschools so it shouldn't be that big of a deal.