US Dual Citizenship: Definition, Eligibility, Benefits, Requirements, and Application

US Dual Citizenship is a status obtained by foreigners by becoming citizens of the United States and of another country simultaneously. US Dual Citizenship is acquired through birth, descent, marriage, or through naturalization. Foreigners are eligible for USA Dual Citizenship if they have held a Green Card for at least 3-5 years. One way to qualify as a U.S. Dual Citizen is to apply for immigration investment for permanent residence. Other requirements for Dual American Citizenship include Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization), your Green Card, and passing naturalization tests.

Many immigrants aim to become US Dual Citizens to gain benefits such as the right to vote, sponsor family members for Green Cards, gain access to government financial assistance, and possess a USA passport. The dual Citizenship USA application involves checking your qualifications before filing Form N-400. You are then required to attend an interview and take an English and civics exam. Approval of your U.S. Dual Citizenship application means that you must pledge allegiance to the United States and follow the country’s laws while fulfilling your obligations to your other country of citizenship.  

What is US Dual Citizenship?

US Dual Citizenship (Dual Nationality) is a status that allows you to be a citizen of both the United States and another country at the same time. US Dual Citizenship means that you owe allegiance and must fulfill your obligations to the United States and your other country of citizenship.

How Does US Dual Citizenship Work?

US Dual Citizenship (Dual Nationality) exists when you are a US citizen through birth, marriage, or naturalization and remain a citizen of another country. USA Dual Citizenship is gained by foreigners by applying for naturalization after a certain period of Permanent Residence (Green Card) in the United States. Naturalization is the process of voluntarily applying for American Citizenship. Not all countries allow for Dual American Citizenship so you need to check the laws of your home country first before applying for naturalization.

U.S. Citizens are also able to get Dual Citizenship by obtaining second citizenship in another country. The United States does not require its citizens to relinquish their status if they are applying for second citizenship in another country.

What are the Benefits of US Dual Citizenship?

Many immigrants aim to get USA Dual Citizenship because of the following benefits.

• The ability to vote and run for public office. You get to vote and run for local and federal offices when you acquire Dual Citizenship USA.
• No restrictions on employment. You are able to work anywhere in your country of citizenship without the need for employer sponsorship, visa, or work permit.
• International mobility. You become a holder of 2 passports as a US Dual Citizen. The US Passport grants you visa-free access to more than 180 countries. Your length of stay is not limited when you are in your country of citizenship.
• Access to government-funded assistance. Dual Citizenship USA gives you freer access to federal programs such as Social Security and Medicare. You and your children become eligible for federal college assistance which is only dedicated to US Citizens.
• Better educational opportunities. The United States is home to the world’s top universities and colleges. You enjoy lower tuition fees without the need to have a student visa to study in the USA and your other country of citizenship. 
• The ability to sponsor family members. Dual Citizenship USA enables you to sponsor your immediate family for Permanent Residence (Green Card). There is no limit to the annual allotment of immigrant visas for immediate family members of USA Dual Citizens.
• Ownership of property. Certain countries only allow their citizens to own property. You gain the right to land ownership in the United States and your other country of citizenship as a US Dual Citizen. 

What are the Responsibilities of a US Dual Citizen?

US Dual Nationality means that you have to abide by the laws and regulations of the United States and your other country of citizenship. Make sure that you understand and adhere to the following obligations and duties of a USA Dual Citizen. 

• Take the Oath of Allegiance. Pledging allegiance to the USA means that you support and promise to defend the U.S. Constitution and laws of the United States. You are still required to follow the laws of your other country of citizenship as an American Dual Citizen. There are cases when Dual Citizens of the United States frequently find themselves in situations where their commitments to one country conflict with the laws of the other due to claims made by other nations.
• Pay your taxes. US Dual Citizens are obligated to file their taxes no matter where they live, including for money earned abroad. The rule of double taxation requires you to pay your taxes to both the United States and your other country of citizenship. In some cases, income tax treaties between the United States and other nations effectively lower or eliminate a U.S. Dual Citizen’s tax liability under double taxation.
• Serve in the military. Males must register with the Selective Service System if they have lived in the United States or acquired a Green Card between the ages of 18 and 26 unless they have an immigration status other than “Green Card holder.” When the government requests military service, a U.S. Citizen must respond by enlisting in the military whether in combat or not.
• Serve on a jury. All USA Citizens have jury duty. You need to attend if you are summoned, however, you are not always required to serve. You must be chosen by the judge and counsel involved in the case to actually serve on a jury panel.

Who is Eligible for US Dual Citizenship?

You need to immigrate to the United States and apply for Permanent Residency before qualifying for US Dual Citizenship as a foreigner. Below are the key eligibility criteria for gaming Dual American Citizenship.

• Be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
• Been a Permanent Resident for at least 3 or 5 years.
• Resided continuously in the United States for at least 5 years before filing for USA Dual Citizenship.
• Have not been outside the United States for 30 months or more in the last 5 years.
• Lived in the US State where you are applying for Dual Citizenship USA for a minimum of 3 months.
• Pass an English language and civics test.
• Pledge to respect and support the US Constitution.
• Be of good moral character and be willing to take an Oath of Allegiance to the USA.

What are the Requirements for US Dual Citizenship?

These are the main documents that you need to collect and present to prove your eligibility for U.S. Dual Nationality. 

• Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization). Form N-400 is the document filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to apply for U.S. Dual Citizenship. 
• Copy of the front and back of your Green Card.
• Proof of payment of the N-400 filing fee and biometrics service fee.
• 2 identical photos with your name and Alien Number written lightly with a pencil on the back of each photo if you are outside the US.
• For applicants filing for Dual Citizenship USA based on marriage, you need to submit evidence of your spouse’s USA Citizenship and proof of your marriage with your U.S. Citizen spouse.
• Proof of ties to the United States if you traveled outside the USA for over 6 months after getting your Green Card.
• Other documentation that applies to your case relating to your criminal history, taxes, military service, or disability exemption request. 

What are the Ways to Obtain US Dual Citizenship?

Here are the ways in which you can qualify for US Dual Citizenship.

• By birth. Persons who are born in the United States or any of its territories automatically obtain American Citizenship regardless of their parents’ citizenship. 
• Through your parents. Persons who are born to US citizen parents acquire USA Citizenship even if they were born overseas. The parents must notify a US embassy or consulate to ensure their child’s claim to U.S. Citizenship. The child additionally holds USA Dual Citizen status through the Dual Citizenship of their parents.
• Naturalization. Foreigners are eligible for USA Dual Nationality by marrying a U.S. citizen or getting a Green Card. You must be a Permanent Resident for at least 3 years to apply for Dual Citizenship by marriage. All other permanent residents must hold a Green Card for at least 5 years before filing for US Citizenship.

Many foreigners opt to go for naturalization through US Citizenship by Investment. Immigrant investors qualify for U.S. Dual Citizenship by applying for USA Investor Visas that lead to permanent residency. You are able to live and work in the United States with your family as you fulfill US Investor Visa requirements. 

Learn more about your options for US Citizenship by Investment. 

How to Apply for US Dual Citizenship?

Applying for USA Dual Citizenship is done through naturalization. Below are the 6 steps for filing for US Dual Citizenship.

1. Check your eligibility for Dual Citizenship USA. You must meet the criteria for U.S. Dual Citizenship such as the minimum length of permanent residency, marriage to a US Citizen, English proficiency, and continuous stay in the US.
2. Complete your N-400 form. Form N-400 is the document filed by foreigners seeking to become US Dual Citizens after permanent residency.
3. Submit your Form N-400 and pay the fees. The N-400 application is submitted to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The filing fee for N400 is $640.
4. Go to your biometrics screening. Your fingerprints, photo, and signature will be taken to be used for background checking purposes.
5. Attend the naturalization interview. The English and civics exams also take place during the interview with a USCIS officer.
6. Granting U.S. Dual Citizenship and taking the Oath of Allegiance. The Oath of Allegiance ceremony usually takes place the same day as your interview if your application is approved. There are cases when USCIS issues a “continued” status for N400 submissions if you failed part of the naturalization exams or you are required to submit additional evidence. Denied applicants are able to appeal USCIS’s decision after 30 days of receiving the denial letter.

Check our complete guide on Filing for US Citizenship.

When can I Apply for US Dual Citizenship? 

Application for Dual American Citizenship is possible as early as 90 days before your 3rd or 5th anniversary as a Green Card holder. You must still meet the full 3 or 5 years of permanent residency to be eligible for USA Dual Citizenship.

How Long Does it Take to Obtain US Dual Citizenship?

Getting US Dual Citizenship takes between 18 and 24 months. The processing time for U.S. Dual Citizenship starts from the day you filed your N400 form until you take your Oath of Allegiance.

What are the Countries that Allow Dual Citizenship with the US?

Here is a list of the top countries with the highest number of Green Card holder immigrants in the USA that allow Dual Citizenship with the US according to the Population Estimates FY2022-Office of Immigration Statistics September 2022 report.

• Mexico citizens are allowed to have US Dual Citizenship but cannot vote and run for Mexican public offices.
• Philippines citizens who are natural-born Filipinos are eligible to reclaim their Philippine citizenship after naturalization.
• Dominican Republic citizens are allowed to become USA Dual Citizens but lose their right to run for president or vice president in the Dominican Republic.  
• Vietnam citizens automatically lose their original citizenship after naturalization but are qualified to reclaim it.
• El Salvador citizens are allowed USA Dual Citizenship if they were born in El Salvador.
• Canada and United Kingdom citizens are able to keep their original citizenship after becoming US Dual Citizens.

Always inquire about the current laws and regulations of your country on Dual Citizenship before applying for naturalization in the United States. 

What are the Countries that Do Not Allow US Dual Citizenship with the US?

India and China do not permit US Dual Citizenship but have high numbers of Green Card holders eligible for USA Citizenship per the Population Estimates FY2022-Office of Immigration Statistics September 2022 report of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Chinese citizens automatically lose their original citizenship after naturalization. Naturalized Indian citizens lose their original citizenship but are able to register as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). An Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) receives a multi-entry permanent visa and is granted the rights given to non-resident Indians. OCIs do not have any political rights in India.

What is the Difference between Permanent Residence and Dual Citizenship?

Both Permanent Residence and Dual Citizenship permit you to stay indefinitely in the United States, however, USA Dual Citizens have more rights than permanent residents. USA Citizens obtain the right to vote, run for public office, and own a US passport. Permanent residents will need to continually apply for a Green Card every 10 years and have to secure a re-entry permit if traveling outside the USA for more than 1 year.

FAQs about Dual Citizenship