Dual citizenship FAQ

Yes. U.S. law does not require you to give up another nationality when you naturalize, and USCIS does not ask for proof that you did. Whether you keep your first citizenship depends on your other country's law.

It does, but the United States does not treat the oath as ending your other citizenship. Some countries, however, treat voluntary U.S. naturalization as giving up theirs.

No. You lose U.S. citizenship only by voluntarily performing an act of expatriation (like formally renouncing at a U.S. embassy) with the intent to give it up.

U.S. citizens must file a U.S. tax return on worldwide income wherever they live. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, foreign tax credit, and tax treaties often reduce or eliminate double tax, but filing is still required.

If the total of your foreign bank and financial accounts is over $10,000 at any time in the year, you must file FinCEN Form 114 (FBAR). Larger foreign assets may also require IRS Form 8938 (FATCA).

Possibly. Many countries tax based on residence, so you may owe there only if you live there. Check that country's rules and any U.S. tax treaty, and talk to a cross-border tax professional.

Yes. The State Department fee to renounce is $2,350, and some people with high income or assets owe an exit tax.

Always your U.S. passport. U.S. law requires citizens to leave and enter the United States on a U.S. passport.

Usually that country's passport. Many countries require their own citizens to enter on their passport. Never use a passport your country considers cancelled (for example, an Indian passport after U.S. naturalization).

Your green card is taken at the ceremony, so wait until your U.S. passport arrives (expedited service is available). Keep your Certificate of Naturalization safe; you need it to apply.

It will try, but a country that considers you its own citizen may limit U.S. consular access to you there.

Yes, if it has compulsory service and you are still its citizen. Countries with conscription include South Korea, Turkey, Israel, and others. Rules for citizens living abroad vary, so check before visiting.

Men who are U.S. citizens or residents aged 18 to 25 must register. Failure to register can affect naturalization if you knew about the requirement.

Generally no, unless you serve as an officer or in a military fighting against the United States and intend to give up U.S. citizenship. It can still complicate security clearances.

Examples include Mexico, the Philippines (through RA 9225), the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Germany (since June 2024), Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, and Nigeria.

Examples include India (you can get an OCI card — see our India guide), China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, and Ethiopia. Austria and the Netherlands usually do too, unless you qualify for an exception.

Look for a status for former citizens: India's OCI, Turkey's Blue Card, Korea's F-4 visa, Ethiopia's Yellow Card. These give long-term visa-free entry and some rights, but not citizenship.

Contact your country's embassy or consulate in the United States before your oath ceremony. Rules change, and some countries require you to register or notify them.