Does the US still allow for dual citizenship?

[joeybee12]

I'm planning on applying for Lithuanian citizenship (basically, to make it easier for me to work over in Europe) and I know that the US used to allow for this--anyone know if that's changed recently? Don't plan on renouncing my US citizenship--just want both!

Thanks!:hi:

[Call Me Wesley]

1. I think so,

at least Switzerland has it, but you have to check with Lithuania, if they allow citizens to have dual citizenship.

[joeybee12]

3. Lithuania told me that I can get citizenship from them, but as

far as having to give up my US citizenship, that's a US issue. Just wondering if anyone ever had any experience with doing this!

[Call Me Wesley]

7. Might want to check with them:

http://vilnius.usembassy.gov/

Edit to add:

Which Countries Allow/Prohibit Dual Citizenship?

Countries Which Allow Dual Citizenship:
Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cyprus, Egypt, El Salvador, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan*, Portugal, Serbia and Montenegro, South Africa*, Spain (only in certain cases), Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tonga (only in certain cases), Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America, Western Samoa.


* Persons retain their former citizenship if they apply to retain it before taking out Australian citizenship.

Countries Which Prohibit Dual Citizenship:
Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Burma, Chile, China, Denmark, Ecuador, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran*, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zimbabwe.


* Iran does not recognise dual citizenship but continues to recognise its citizens as Iranian.
* Note that Germany has recently amended its citizenship laws so that in some exceptional circumstances, dual citizenship is now allowed. Consult the German Foreign Office website for details.
* Also, India announced on 8 January 2002 that it will shortly change its law to allow dual citizenship for Indians settled outside India.


This information was taken from Attachments A and B of the Government's June 2001 Discussion Paper with updates that we have become aware of since then. Please note however that laws may change in some countries and we cannot guarantee that this list is completely up to date.

[joeybee12]

10. I actually have! They told me to check with the US!

If I apply with Lithuania, they have no say over whetehr that means I renounce my US citizenship--I doubt that it does, but I want to be sure. I don't want just the simple act of applying to set off any bells and whistles here and I end up getting spied on!

[Call Me Wesley]

13. I edited my post for more info.

From what I see, you won't have any troubles.

[joeybee12]

16. Thanks!

[billyskank]

15. Lithuania is in the EU now

Can you become an EU citizen?

I know Switzerland is not a member. :hi:

[Call Me Wesley]

17. If she gets a Lithuanian citizenship,

she's a member of the EU. Unlike myself. :( We're still living on an island!

[Squatch]

2. You might want to look into it...

carrying dal citizenship may obligate you to pay taxes in 2 countries, compulsory military service, etc.

[joeybee12]

14. I have sort of checked..I think it more depends on residency, so

I cna get around that!

[enfield collector]

4. yes I have dual citizenship

[joeybee12]

6. When did you get it?

I ask because Cndo-liar now heads the State Department, through which these things are processed!

[no name no slogan]

5. The US doesn't recognize it, most other countries do.

If you're a US citizen, you're a US citizen, period.

However, most other countries recognize it and allow it.

You can still be a dual citizen of the US and Lithuania, but the US government won't necessarily recognize your Lithuanian citizenship.

[joeybee12]

8. Thanks--don't care if the US recognizes it, I care if other EU

countries recognize it, which they will, I assume. I just wonder if the process of applying will set off bells and whistles here in the US and I start getting spied on!

[GRLMGC]

9. No

but they won't know the difference. It's pretty low priority to see if people have dual citizenships.

[joeybee12]

11. Did you know someone who tried and/or asked?

Thansk1

[GRLMGC]

38. I'm pretty sure I have dual citizenship

In fact, I probably have more than 2. I never renounced my other citizenships and I don't plan on it. I know you're supposed to but they really don't enforce it.

[billyskank]

12. I have a friend from Pennsylvania who recently got joint UK/US citizenship

so I guess do. :)

[joeybee12]

Thnaks!

How recent? Within the last year or two? I'm wondering because you know what's happening in this country--dual citizenship may be frowned upon now!

[billyskank]

20. Yes, within the last year I think.

He has a US passport and a UK passport; between the two of them he can travel just about anywhere now.

[billyskank]

21. Oh, an EU passport I should say

there's no such thing as a UK passport any more. :)

[AllegroRondo]

23. Is UK fully a part of EU?

I thought they still used their own currency, and were not a full member yet.

[billyskank]

40. No, we are a full member of the EU

which gives me the right to live and work in any EU country, no permit or visa required. You are correct however that we are not a member of the single currency.

[LostinVA]

25. It is an EU passport -- because I have one

[tjwmason]

42. It's both.

It bears the title "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" and "European Union", it is issued under the authority of the Queen (as per the text on the inside front cover) and has the Royal Arms on the front, under nationality mine says "British Citizen" (as with most British passports).

[lizziegrace]

31. How Billy?

My sister is a US citizen married to a British citizen, living on England now. She was told that she would have to renounce her US citizenship you cannot swear allegience to more than one country in the England. So now I'm confused. :shrug:

[billyskank]

41. I'm not sure. When I next see him, I will ask him

and I will PM you his answer.

"Swear allegiance"! How I detest that idea! x(

[LostinVA]

18. In have it -- but I had to turn down a job in the Foreign Service

because of it. (American and Italian)

[joeybee12]

19. Which did you get first? n/t

[LostinVA]

24. Kind of simultaneously

It doesn't matter, per the FSA I talked to.

[Sgent]

22. I don't think their is a "citizenship" issue

per se.

However, if you need security clearance or for certain government jobs...

Also, the US doesn't care where you live -- you owe US taxes on your worldwide income. That being said, there are quite a few tax credits and exemptions that maybe applicable depending on your residency.

Note, even if you give up your US citizenship, you still owe taxes on your worldwide income (although enforcing it is another issue).

[LostinVA]

26. As I said upthread, I had to turn down an FSA job

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

27. The U.S. is ambivalent about dual citizenships

Many people who become U.S. citizens retain their original citizenship as well and it is not unusual in my line of work (corporate immigration paralegal) to see people who have triple or even quadruple nationalities.

In other words, as long as your other country allows you to maintain U.S. citizenship at the same time as acquiring your new citizenship, the U.S. is ok with that (or rather, it is ambivalent; it doesn't really care). Of course, if there is a war between Lithuania and the U.S. there may be problems.

[AussieDave]

28. I have dual U.S. & Australian citizenship

I was deemed too young to have renounced my U.S. citizenship when I was naturalized as an Australian, so now I have both - have had it for nearly 20 years.

[khashka]

29. Sorta - there's a lot of ambivalence

If you are born with dual citizenship, they'll recognize it. Sometimes grudgingly.

If you apply for it or marry someone and get it - it's more difficult. Sometimes they'll allow it, sometimes they grab your passport and demand you make a choice. I think that technically it is'nt allowed, but in practice it seems pretty arbitrary. Ask Heidi - an American woman married to a Swiss man and living in Switzerland. I'm sure she has first hand experience with this and have always meant to ask her about it. I tried for British citizenship and also Dutch citizenship - got turned down. Apparently only the Americans will take me. But I'm considering applying for Canadian citizenship.

Khash.

[LostinVA]

34. I was told by the Foreign Service that mine was recognized

So... I have no idea. And, I only got mine last year.

[joeybee12]

30. Thanks for all the help and insight everyone!

:hi:

[Taverner]

32. KKKarl Rove has dual (US and German)

[lizziegrace]

35. That's frightening

:scared:

[JVS]

33. I thought dial citizenship was merely tolerared

I think if you become a citizen of another country your US is revoked, but if you are a citizen of another country and that country doesn't strip you of your citizenship there you are allowed to be dual

[LostinVA]

36. I did become a citizen of Italy LAST YEAR

And I am still am American citizen, per the US Gov't.

[Benfea]

37. Technically, it is illegal

Unfortunately, in some cases, another country will refuse to relinquish your right to citizenship in order to allow you to keep your American citizenship. In these cases, people can maintain dual citizenship, but you should understand that this is a loophole that is very much against the spirit of the law.

[peacebuzzard]

39. Yes. Ea. country has its own requirements for obtaining and use of....

passports and citizenship privileges. Nationals from certain countries have weathered changes in the pre-requisites for obtaining the dual status. (Which is merely opting to accept a passport from another country other than the one you currently have citizenship with.)