How To Apply For A Visa If I Have Dual Citizenship

If you’re currently a citizen of more than one country and are curious about how your dual citizenship may impact your ability to apply for a temporary Visa in the United States or a permanent Green Card, continue reading. As you’ll discover how to apply for a Visa if you have dual citizenship. For example, you’ll learn how to apply for a Green Card to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis as well as how to apply for a B-2 Visa to enter the United States on vacation.

B-2 Visa Or ESTA Visa

If you are currently a citizen of two countries and are looking to visit the United States for leisure purposes as a tourist, you may be wondering if you can still apply for a B-2 Tourist Visa or an ESTA Visa. The simple answer is yes.

If you intend to travel to the United States for a period of 90 days or less, check whether either of your nationalities makes you eligible for the ESTA Visa waiver program. Keep in mind that only citizens of select countries may apply for an ESTA Visa, which allows you to visit the United States without having to go through a formal interview, like applicants for the B-2 Tourist Visa go through. If you are eligible for the ESTA Visa, through one of your nationalities, you’ll be able to apply for your Visa online and will only need to pay a small application fee.

If neither of your nationalities qualifies you to apply for an ESTA Visa, you’ll be able to apply for a B-2 Tourist Visa as a citizen of either of your countries. Whether you identify as a citizen of one country or the other, is your choice.

F-1 Student Visa

If you are keen to study in the United States at an English school, high school, college, or registered educational facility, you’ll also be able to apply for your Visa using either of your nationalities. However, you must not hide the fact that you are dual citizenship, especially during your final interview. Instead, you’ll increase your chances of having your Student Visa approved if you are honest about your dual citizenship and don’t try to hide it.

Residency Visa In The U.S

If you are already a citizen of two countries and are interested in obtaining a Green Card that will allow you to live and work in the United States, you’re in luck. As the United States currently doesn’t have a cap on the number of nationalities that Green Card holders can hold. As long as the governments of all of your current nationalities allow multi-citizenship, you will be permitted to apply for any Green Cards which you are eligible for.

As an example, if you already hold dual citizenship and have an immediate family member such as a parent, sibling, or spouse who is a U.S citizen or Green Card holder, you’ll be able to apply for residency in the United States. You’ll also be able to apply for a Green Card in the United States if you find a potential employer who is willing to sponsor your Green Card.

Can You Become An U.S Citizen If You Already Have Dual Citizenship?

After spending five years in the United States as a legal Green Card holder, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for U.S citizenship. However, it pays to think carefully before applying for U.S citizenship if you already have dual citizenship. As the United States will allow you to hold three citizenships but only if you agree to pay tax on all of your income. This includes any income which you make offshore. If the governments of your other nationalities have similar laws, you may be double or triple taxed on all of your income. Which could significantly decrease the amount of disposable income which you’ll be able to spend on both your necessities and your luxuries.

In this circumstance, unless you want to be able to vote in political elections or to apply for a job with a government department, you can reside in the United States indefinitely as a U.S resident. You’ll even be able to petition for a spouse, fiance, sibling, parent, or child to join you in the United States as a Green Card holder.

Example Of Countries That Allow Multi-Citizenship

Some examples of countries that currently allow multi-citizenship include the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Germany and Argentina. If you already have dual citizenship, it’s worth checking if your current countries will allow you to become a citizen of three countries. As many countries allow dual citizenship but will not allow you to become a citizen of three or more countries. However, as stated above, the United States does allow multi-citizenship. As long as multi-citizens who claim US citizenship are willing to pay federal tax on all of their income.

In Conclusion

If you are a dual citizen and are interested in applying for a Green Card in the United States, the United States will not prevent you from applying for a Green Card that you are eligible for. So if your dream is to live and work in the United States, it’s still worth applying for a Green Card, even if you are already a citizen of two nations. You’ll even have the opportunity to become a U.S citizen after five years if you are interested in pursuing U.S citizenship. While if you want to enter the United States on a temporary Visa, you’ll be able to apply for your chosen Visa, with either of your nationalities, without any legal issues. For further assistance, it’s a great idea to talk to an experienced attorney about pursuing a U.S Visa as a dual citizen.

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