Dual citizenship between United States and Canada. Please read details.?

Question

I am currently a US citizen, but would like to apply for a dual-citizenship as a Canadian. My grandmother was born Canadian, but forced to choose citizenship when she was 18, and gave up her rights to move to the US. She has since passed away, so I doubt I'd be given any special consideration due to that. I've read the official websites, so I have a vague understanding of the laws. I'm just wondering if anyone has some real world experience, in this matter, they could share with me?

Answer 1

The USA doesn't recognize dual citizenship. But, Canada does. I'm a Canadian citizen living and working in the USA with my greencard - I will become a US citizen next year. After that, Canada will recognize me as a dual citizen, the USA will only recognize me as an American.

I hope everything works out the way you want it to.

BTW, you don't have to be born in Canada to become a Canadian citizen. My son was born in the USA and is eligible to become a Canadian because his mama is. I'm not sure how it works with grandparents though.

Answer 2

I am a Filipino American. I was born in California but grew up here in the Philippines. You can have 2 citizenships at the time of your birth & have 2 passports at the same time.
However, in your case, I think you just have an option of being a US Citizen. Your grandmother had already passed away.
I think there is a reciprocity between US & Canada but this is on a case to case basis. How would you avail of your Canadian citizenship if you arent sponsored by anybody unless you plan to work there & be sponsored for work.
Most Canadians wish to go to the US. However, in your case, it is the other way around. Better consult not an ordinary lawyer, consult an immigration lawyer.

Answer 3

There are many ways that someone could be a dual citizen of Canada and the United States, and there are actually many thousands of people who are dual citizens of these countries, including me. 1) Both Canada and the U.S. follow a "citizen by birth" rule. Essentially, anyone born in the U.S. is an American citizen, and anyone born in Canada is a Canadian. 2) Both Canada and the U.S. permit people to have citizenship by descent. So if an American person has a baby in Canada, the baby will be American by virtue of having an American parent. The baby will also be Canadian by virtue of having been born in Canada (as per point #1, above). The same situation would apply if a Canadian went to the U.S. and had a child there. 3) Both Canada and the U.S. permit citizenship by the process called "naturalization." Once someone completes certain residency requirements in either the U.S. or Canada, that person can apply for citizenship in whichever country he/she is living. So if an American gets transferred to a job in Canada and ends up living there for several years, that American could apply for Canadian citizenship. The same is true if a Canadian moves to the U.S. and lives there for a certain number of years. For instance, if a Canadian got married to an American and moved to the U.S., then that Canadian could eventually apply for U.S. citizenship after a few years of permanent residency in the U.S. Both Canada and the U.S. also recognize dual citizenship. Anyone who states otherwise is on this message board is incorrect. It is true that some countries will take away citizenship when their citizens acquire the citizenship of another nation. However, neither Canada nor the U.S. follow that idea. So if an American moves to Canada and acquires Canadian citizenship, that American is still considered a U.S. citizen in the eyes of the U.S. government.

Answer 4

if you were born before 1977 you can no longer claim Canadian citizenship benefits through a grandparent unless you registered before 2005 to do so. Plus, if your grandmother gave up her Canadian citizenship you do not likely qualify.

Whil a strict interpretation of the law says that US will only recognize one citizenship (USA) in practice this is not the case. If you are still interested in comming to Canada you may wish to apply as an immigrant by way of skilled worker application and naturalizing after a few years. You can fild the details on www.cic.gc.ca

Answer 5

You can only become a Canadian citizen if you were born in Canada even if you are now a US citizen. Based on your narration, your grandmother was the only one born in Canada. Thus, you are not a Canadian citizen. Anyway, ask the Canadian embassy about your situation.

Answer 6

The United States does not recognize dual citizenship. If you apply for Canadian citizenship, you would be giving up your US citizenship.

Answer 7

Contact your nearest Canadian embassy. They will tell you