If you had the opportunity to get dual citizenship would you do it?

[Nikki Stone1]

Through some technicality, a friend of mine has the opportunity to apply for citizenship in Italy. I don't think much of the government there and am afraid if she goes to live there, she might not be able to make a living. She says she may not go there to live. So I said, what was the point of having the dual citizenship.

Any thoughts?

[rockymountaindem]

1. Well, for your friend the advantage would be getting an EU passport

thereby allowing her to work anywhere in the EU. As for me, I'm sticking with my US citizenship.

[Boojatta]

2. What's the point of having collision insurance if you might never collide?

[Fridays Child]

4. Good point.

[inna]

14. excellent point.

to answer the op, i would, in a heart beat.

[Gormy Cuss]

3. Sure.

Can't hurt to have citizen privileges in another country (at least not SOME other countries.)

[polichick]

5. What's the downside of having dual citizenship?? I'd grab it...

...just in case we're ever faced with a Palinesque presidency.

[AspenRose]

6. Yes.

[Sanity Claws]

7. I have the opportunity but haven't done it yet

I've been meaning to do it just haven't got around to it.

As for your friend, with Italian citizenship, she can live and work in any EU country.
Another advantage -- with a passport from an EU country, she can use a different, faster line while visiting EU.
Another advantage -- in some countries, a person may be better received if she has a European rather than an American passport. (I think this was particularly true during the Bush administration.)

Yet another advantage -- she may be able to enter without a visa or travel restrictions imposed on Americans. I'm thinking of Cuba in particular.

[Sultana]

21. I totally agree with faster line thing

Gah, it sucks how slow the non-E.U. line was. But if you were already in Europe and traveling around you get to get use a faster separate line even if you are not a E.U citizen. That's what happened to me when I returned to England from Dublin via Gatwick. I wish they had told me that I didn't need to fill out the paper slip earlier.

*(random) I love flying in and out of Gatwick. Heathrow is such a bitch of an airport. :D I can't wait to go back to Europe. I miss you Europe, sniff.

I got grilled in Dublin by a grumpy customs dude.

But I'm sure the outsiders have a tough time with our customs as well.

Why does US customs always double check my passport? :( My white friends that I flew, weren't so scrutinized.

[mopinko]

8. i could, but i just keep not getting around to it. does that count?

i could have irish citizenship, i just have to dig up some docs. just haven't had a reason to, although i have been wanting to go. have some friends that go back and forth quite a bit. my daughter is bugging me to get it, which she can then apply for, and afaik, would likely get it. she wants to go to college somewhere where they think an educated citizenry is a worthwhile investment. she thinks there might be some in the eu somewhere.
i wanted to get it for 8 of the last 9 years, and if there had been a draft i would have. i could have sent my son to hide.

[jannyk]

9. I (unofficially) have Triple citizenship

British (and therefore EU)
US (who do not officially allow the other two)
and thanks to my Dually Husband, Taiwan.

No downsides at all!

[HipChick]

24. as long as you show your US passport on re-entry..

and as long as you aren't trying to get a government or contracting job that requires clearance..they will request you give the non US citizenship up

[cbayer]

10. In a heartbeat. No drawbacks and tons and advantages.

:hi:

[Ian David]

11. If they have universal health care, I would. n/t

[GCP]

12. I have it - UK, US

And am strongly considering leaving this country in the next few years.

[BOG PERSON]

13. Sure, why not

It's sort of fun to have a different-looking passport from everyone else's.

[Sultana]

15. Hell Yes

Having an E.U. passport would be delicious :D

[southernyankeebelle]

16. I love Italy and have Italian relatives. My mother was from Italy and

my mom deliver my brother in her home. When he got to be 16 he had to choice citizenship. My dad didn't let him pick. He told him was and is american first. Now my dad was Italian-american also. His dad was born in Italy. My mom became an american citizen. We kids loved Italy very much. We had so many good times. I would tell her to live there for a year or two before she decides. I would never, ever give up my citizenship for any country. Maybe Canada I might.

[Nikki Stone1]

17. I actually wondered if she might have trouble getting back into the US

if she went on a trip or something. She's a petite thing and the last thing she could handle is 8 hours in questioning at the airport.

[Mariana]

45. Why would she?

Just hand them her US passport and she's in.

My husband and daughter have dual citizenship (US and UK). It's never been a problem.

[lumberjack_jeff]

18. Canada recently changed their laws such that anyone born to natural born Canadian citizens

Is a Canadian.

Mom was Canadian. :thumbsup:

[XemaSab]

29. I remember the ad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDeDQpIQFD0

[Nay]

31. Brother Nay and I got our Canadian citizenships about 4 years ago

under a similar version of that newer law. Our mom was a natural-born Canadian. We have never been happier. We feel like we have a get-out-of-jail-free ticket, frankly.

My only regret is that I didn't investigate it many years ago, when we could have moved to Canada as a young family. I regret that a lot.

[grahamhgreen]

35. I just applied.

I used this law firm -

http://www.akcanada.com

Hope it works!

[Joe the Liberal]

19. I wouldn't even hesitate......

Especially if it's for Europe, I mean what do you have to lose?

[flamingdem]

38. Well, try over $400 for the passport if not more by now nt

[Heidi]

39. Where does a passport cost $400?

A first US passport costs $100. A British passport costs £77.50. A biometric Swiss passport costs CHF 250. I couldn't find a passport with a fee as high as $400.

[flamingdem]

48. Thanks. You may be right.

I had that number in my head from before. It includes fees, insurance, UPS but it's probably closer to $250. Anyway, it may be worth looking into.

[mnhtnbb]

20. She should get it. No question.

[Sisaruus]

22. One of these days

I will apply for citizenship in Finland. All 4 grandparents were born there.

[HipChick]

23. I have triple citizenship

no problem entering US...

[KamaAina]

25. Hell yeah!

Two words: "President Palin". :scared:

[HipChick]

26. I don't think we have to worry about that..

ever...

[Gwendolyn]

27. I have it. Makes me feel free, like I can escape any moment if I want to. n/t

[mmonk]

28. Yes. Not for me necessarily but my sons.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

30. I still figure to leave this nation if I'm ever able,...

I am grateful Obama was elected, incredibly so.

But, I don't belong here, apparently.

That's how I feel: I do not belong in this nation.

This is one of the most violent and selfish nations on the face of the earth.

I don't belong here.

[grahamhgreen]

32. YES!

[mikehiggins]

33. Ireland

you used to be able to get dual citizenship with Ireland if you were a descendant of a legal immigrant who arrived before a specific date==or so I was told by my Uncle Alec.

Anyone know anything about that? I think I'd like to travel on an Irish passport, even today in the Obama Era where Americans aren't hated quite so widely. We're still targets for terrorists, though.

[riderinthestorm]

36. You can get Irish citizenship through a grandparent

I've done it.

I'm a dual Irish/US citizen.

[KharmaTrain]

34. I Have And Didn't Do It...

Being Jewish, I am eligible (or was) for Israeli citizenship. When I traveled there in 1969 I was asked if I wanted to become a citizen but said no...I was proud of being American and still am.

[flamingdem]

37. I can get my passport and work in the EU but it's costly

so I haven't bothered... will I regret it?

I'm not sure if my parent dies whether I'm still eligible..

[upi402]

40. hell yes n/t

[BlooInBloo]

41. Sure. Always nice to have options.

[lunatica]

42. My son has dual citizenship and it's very convenient

He can work and live in both countries with no hassles at all since he's a full citizen in both.

[Neoma]

43. I want dual citizenship with France someday.

I think that's a yes.

[Raine]

44. Absolutely & Positively I would! nt

:thumbsup:

[LeftishBrit]

46. I have dual British/Canadian citizenship (through my Canadian-born father)

Although I have not spent a lot of time in Canada, it is good to know that there's somewhere where I *could* go easily if there were ever a good reason to leave Britain.

[Homer Wells]

47. In a heartbeat!!!!! n/t

[Iggo]

49. If I felt like I was a citizen of two places...

...yes, I'd do it.