Dual citizenship: 10 pros and cons of having two and more passports (2024)

FAQs

What are the pros and cons of having two passports? ›

Dual citizens can travel freely in both countries, as well as work, do business, own land, and do other activities that may be restricted to foreigners. However, there are also disadvantages, as dual citizens may face extra taxes or even military service.

If you are a U.S. citizen with more than one passport, you must use your U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States—however, if you're traveling to another country, you may use whichever passport you prefer.

The United States generally considers a person with dual U.S. and foreign citizenship a U.S. citizen for Social Security purposes. This does not apply if you are a U.S. citizen and a citizen of a country the United States has an international social security agreement with.

Certain countries have always had a favored position for dual citizenship. Most notably, US citizens have no restrictions on obtaining multiple citizenship unless the citizenship can cause significant harm to the country.

US citizens can legally possess two passports. Yes, you can have the normal 10-year passport plus a second, limited validity passport, normally valid for 4 years.

MOST countries allow their citizens to hold dual or multiple citizenship; therefore, one person can legitimately have 2, 3—or even more—passports. Some EU countries and over 95% of the Asian countries forbid it; if you become one of their citizens, you must renounce any prior citizenship(s).

As a US citizen living abroad, you will likely have to file taxes with both the US government (based on your citizenship) and your country of residence. And because the US taxes the worldwide income of its citizens—not just US-source income—many dual citizens are also at risk for double taxation.

Citizens of the United States may apply for dual citizenship with New Zealand. Dual citizenship with New Zealand is one of the best dual citizenship for US citizens. The process usually involves meeting residency requirements, filling out an application, maybe taking a citizenship exam, and paying related expenses.

The general rule is that a naturalized citizen who voluntarily resides outside the US for an uninterrupted period of more than one year may be presumed to have abandoned their US citizenship. However, this presumption is rebuttable if the individual can provide evidence to the contrary.

U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one citizenship or another. Also, a person who is automatically granted another citizenship does not risk losing U.S. citizenship. However, a person who acquires a foreign citizenship by applying for it may lose U.S. citizenship.

How long can a retired U.S. citizen stay out of the country? ›

There's No Time Limit For Receiving Social Security Benefits Abroad. Luckily, there is no time limit on how long you can live outside the U.S. and still receive monthly Social Security payments. As long as proof of life documents are signed and returned annually, you'll still get paid.

Some pension and social security benefits from the birth country may not be available to a dual-citizen living in the country of their second citizenship, or if they are not tax-resident in their birth country.

You can travel abroad for as long as you'd like without any risk of losing your U.S. citizenship. And if you plan to stay outside of the United States for longer than a year, you won't need a re-entry permit in order to return, as is the case for green card holders (permanent residents).

Which passport should dual-citizens use? Reminder for Dual National U.S. Citizens: U.S. law requires all U.S. citizens, including dual-national citizens, to enter the United States using their U.S. passport. We urge all U.S. citizens to keep their U.S. passports current.

Different countries have different rules, but the easiest countries to get dual citizenship are states like Turkey, Vanuatu, Grenada, and Dominica. They offer citizenship by investment that can be obtained in 1—10 months.

Freedom of mobility: Having a second passport gives you more freedom to move around the globe. Depending on where you acquire your second citizenship, you and your family can enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to numerous destinations.

Citizens of the United States may apply for dual citizenship with New Zealand. Dual citizenship with New Zealand is one of the best dual citizenship for US citizens. The process usually involves meeting residency requirements, filling out an application, maybe taking a citizenship exam, and paying related expenses.

If you don't hold the right to citizenship from another country through the naturalization process, descent, or marriage, citizenship by investment is the easiest way to get a second passport. Countries with easy second passport programs include St. Lucia, Grenada, Dominica, and Vanuatu.