PROS & CONS OF HAVING DUAL CITIZENSHIP​

1. PROS & CONS OF HAVING DUAL CITIZENSHIP

2. WHAT IS DUAL CITIZENSHIP? • It can be quite enticing to become a citizen of another country. Many nations provide benefits to citizens that are not available to non-citizens, such as voting, free or low-cost healthcare, and higher education, therefore dual citizenship is an appealing choice. However, there are certain drawbacks that may outweigh the benefits. Did you know that to become a citizen in some countries, you must relinquish your citizenship in all other countries?  • As a result, we'll go over the pros and cons of dual citizenship so you can make an informed decision before embarking on the often-complicated process of becoming a legal resident of another nation.

3. Pros of Having Dual Citizenship • Benefits and Privileges: You have access to two social services systems, can vote in either country, and may be able to run for office in either country (if the law permits).  • Two Passports: Having a citizen's passport eliminates the need for long-stay visas and any questioning about the purpose of your trip during the customs process.  • Property Ownership: Another benefit of dual citizenship is the ability to own property in either country.  • Cultural Education: As a dual citizen, you'll reap the benefits of being immersed in the culture of the two countries. 

4. Cons of Having Dual Citizenship • Dual Obligations: As a dual citizen, you are bound by the laws of both countries.  • Double Taxation: For individuals who are dual citizens any another country, the country imposes taxes on its citizens for income earned anywhere in the world. • Barriers to Some Forms of Employment: Depending on your career path, dual citizenship can be a disadvantage.  • Complicated Process: Sometimes dual citizenship happens automatically (for example, when a child is born in the U.S. to foreign parents). Other times, however, the process can take many years and can be extremely expensive and complicated. This can deter some people from pursuing dual citizenship.

5. HOW MANY CITIZENSHIPS CAN YOU HAVE? • In general, there are 195 countries in the world today, and the good news is that you can have citizenship in all of them. However, not all 195 countries allow their citizens to hold multiple citizenships. A Chinese citizen, for example, would lose their citizenship if they became citizens of another country. Every country has its own set of laws that govern citizenship, and these laws can be changed at any time. For example, while the United States does not openly welcome dual citizenship, the rules are not strictly enforced. • As a result, you can travel with both your American and foreign passports. However, if you are traveling to the United States from another country, you must present your American passport to enter the country as a citizen. Basically, if your country allows you to keep multiple nationalities, you can have as many as you want if the countries whose citizenship you hold allow it.

6. Facts to Consider • Citizenship by birth or marriage is not available to everyone. Citizenship by special consideration is also a long shot that doesn't appear to be feasible if you don't have highly unique skills. The rest of us must make do with citizenship by naturalization or citizenship by investment.  • Not all countries allow dual citizenship: While some countries reserve or openly allow their nationals to obtain dual citizenship, others are categorically opposed. When their nationals with dual citizenship reach a certain age, these countries require them to choose which nation they will be loyal to (usually 18, except for Japan, 22). Following that, they can only hold one citizenship (which is the home nation). If they are unable to decide, they may be forced to renounce their citizenship.