Setting Up For Citizenship?

Why would you want dual citizenship or a second passport?

If you have a long-term commitment to your country of residency, you might want to become a citizen. Residency doesn’t allow you to vote, for example, but citizenship does. Citizenship also eliminates the need to renew your permanent residency permit.

But citizenship in a new country can come with new obligations. Some countries, for example, have required military service for men (and in some cases women) up to a certain age. Therefore, becoming a naturalized citizen could create an obligation to serve in your new country’s army.

If you’re in your 30s or beyond, you’re unlikely to qualify for any form of military service… however, these obligations could be conferred on your children depending on the country’s laws. You’ll want to understand this fully before you unwittingly sign on your great-grandchildren for a foreign army.

Another consideration (that’s rarer) is that some countries may restrict travel to countries they deem enemies.

You have to take a long look at the benefits and obligations of being a citizen of a specific country before making any decision.

That said, there are good reasons to want to obtain dual citizenship and the second passport that comes along with it. Citizens have the right to work, while foreign residents often don’t. Employment and other restrictions are lifted when you acquire citizenship. In some countries, for example, certain professions, typically those requiring a license, such as to practice as an attorney, a doctor, a real-estate broker, or an insurance agent, are protected and open only to citizens. Other countries impose similar restrictions.

Assuming you are retired and not looking for employment, the best reason to get a second citizenship is the second passport that comes along with it. With a second passport, your travel options become broader, safer, and easier.

Unfortunately, the world still has places that aren’t necessarily safe to travel in if you hold a U.S., U.K., or even a Canadian passport. Holding a second passport gives you the option to use your other passport when traveling someplace where you wouldn’t want to show your original passport.

A second passport also allows you broader options for visa-free travel. As mentioned in the section on tourist visas, many countries don’t require one for U.S., Canadian, or U.K. citizens, but some do. This is increasingly true for U.S. passport-holders.