Pros and Cons of US & UK Dual Citizenship

Are you wondering if a U.S. citizen is allowed to have dual citizenship with the UK and hold a passport in both countries? What if you decide to move to the UK. Will you still be able to keep the advantages of American citizenship?

The United Kingdom and the United States BOTH allow dual citizenship.

Here’s what you need to know about holding citizenship in both countries, as well as the benefits and disadvantages of US/UK dual citizenship.

[HiNinqi]

Thank you Ms! This is really helpful. I'm American and wanting to live in Scotland. What you said about renting vs buying was news for me!

[carolineskipper]

Interesting video.
I remember a neighbour of mine, who had joint citizenship but had lived outside the US all her adult life, facing a legal quagmire when she tried to sell a proerty she owned in the US, but hadn't been paying her US taxes since she
I also know of friends with joint UK/ Australian citizenship whose daughter came to University here in the UK, but was treated financially as a 'Foreign Student' (ie much much higher fees) because they had not lived here for so long.
There's certainly lots to think about on this subject.

[crowbar]

You should always use the passport of the country you are entering (if you have it) if you don't want to stand in line after a long flight.

[leecal]

Another great and informative video. Thank you.

[TheEulerID]

One correction. It is not longer the case that if you are born in the UK you are automatically qualified to be a British citizen. That principle, known as Jus Soli (right of the soil) was an English Common Law principle, which was also adopted in the USA. However, the position in the UK changed with the passing of the British Nationality Act 1981, which came into force in 1983. Since then, somebody born in the UK is only automatically a British citizen if at least on of his/her parents has British citizenship. Note, that's not the only way you can be entitled to British citizenship at birth; those born abroad to British citizens can also be registered as a British citizen, and there are qualifications for those born in British Overseas Territories (which are, constitutionally, similar to US unincorporated territories).

Note that this is now much more similar to the great majority of European countries which did not have Jus Soli as a principle.

However, the US has stuck with Jus Soli, which was why Boris Johnson was an American citizen, only renouncing it when he found he was going to be liable for a bunch of taxes on property sales. On a little anecdote, one of my neighbours tutored him for his entrance to Eton College and informed him, that he, Boris Johnson was qualified to be both British Prime Minister and the President of the USA based on his American citizenship.

[tobeytransport]

1:15 only individuals born within the UK or Crown Dependencies before 1983 are citizens... that was the year that absolute Jus Soli (citizenship by birth on soil) was abolished. It will depend on the exact year of birth but generally if you are born in Britain after 1983 but have at least one British citizen parent you should be eligible for British citizenship. You should also be eligible if you are born outside of Britain to at least one British citizen parent who was born in Britain. So in short, more strict than the US who has the absolute birthright citizenship rule.

[davidhoward]

I am just about to become an Australian citizen after moving here in 2015, from the UK the experience here is very similar initially I arrived on a 2 year visa, before applying to become a permanent resident on a de facto partnership visa, prior to arriving in 2015, I had been visiting Australia twice a year as my partner is Australian since 2010 and also acquired an Australian bank account which I would transfer money into on a monthly basis from my UK account, I had a visible foot print in this country

The permanent visa application form is quite extensive and expensive, plus you are required to attend a medical, have a chest xray and an HIV blood test. Because of my frequent visits I had all the relevant information although I also was required to produce Australian and UK police Criminal record checks, plus supporting documentation that I was in a relationship and financial records

Being a PR allows access to all the services, the UK has reciprocal health care arrangements with Australia so I was entitled to Medicare, I also have private medical insurance, which Australians have l. You are not allowed to vote as a permanent resident and after 5 years you are required to renew the travelling outside of Australia part of your permanent residency.

After 4 years as a PR you can apply for citizenship which is much simpler the cost is around $400 Aud also take an citizenship test although I was exempt this being over 60, once accepted you attend a citizenship ceremony, take the pledge when this is done you are considered an Australian citizen and can apply for your passport also vote in elections. Ironically I should have become an Australian last month, but the day of the ceremony I was just arriving back from the UK, my first visit back to the old country since 2016 due to the Covid travel restrictions, My ceremony is now in July.

I can't comment on work requirements as I was 60 when I arrived and had just retired but Australia has a myriad of work visas, some lead to permanent residency and eventually citizenship. Their is a push on at present to attract new immigrants due to a chronic skill shortage so their are numerous opportunities for those with skills Australia requires and some employers will sponsor you.

Why would a 60 year old man suddenly upsticks and move 10, 000 miles to the otherside of the world. ?. a women of course, also an opportunity to sample a new lifestyle, if it had not worked out then at least I had tried, not died wondering what if ?

I have assimilated quite easily into the Australian lifestyle and culture although still retain some Pommie quirks, the transition has been almost seamless but Australia has a very similar structure to the UK for obvious reasons. I have never seen moving at a " mature " age as a challenge more on an opportunity which does sound very American in my case a rather unique opportunity 😉

[gilliantracy]

Thanks for another great video. My understanding as far as being able to use the NHS is not only does one need to be a citizen but also needs to be an "ordinary resident". Meaning you need to live in the UK as well. This is, to my understanding, to keep "medical tourists" from using the NHS.

[zebj]

I am a dual citizen, UK and Republic of Ireland. It may be easier to get Irish citizenship - you need a grandparent born on the island of Ireland.
There is an agreement between the UK and the Republic (called the CTA, dates to ~1922), that means Irish citizens can live, work, use the NHS, vote, etc just as a UK citizen (and similarly UK citizens can live, work, vote in Ireland).
This has NOTHING to do with Brexit or the EU - it predates the EU by 50 years.

I imagine many Americans have Irish ancestry (it is the WHOLE of Ireland, as agreement was during the separation of the Republic), and effectively Irish and UK citizens share the same rights in either country (there may be exceptions, I'm no expert).
Due to my father being born in Belfast, though he only ever had British citizenship, I was able to get Irish citizenship (and an EU passport ). Note that a lot of UK citizens have done the same to get an EU passport due to the Brexit mess.

Love from London 🇮🇪 🇬🇧.

[AbzScotland]

Another interesting video. Just wondering...when flying to the UK can you show your US passport when leaving the US and then your UK passport when entering the UK? Did you renounce your Canadian citizenship if you moved to the US from Canada?

[ThisAlexia]

Thank you so much for posting this! I am a US-UK dual citizen through one of my parents being British. Lately I have been curious about possibly living/working over there. I’m a realtor though and I’m not sure how that would translate. Lots to think about! 🤍😊

[stephenwalters]

Quick question for you...
when leaving the US ???..Do you check in with the UK passport???

[Andy_U]

Hiya. So passports, do you take both with you when travelling to the States? One for entering the US and the other for re-entering the UK? Also, when travelling elsewhere, which passport is better accepted with the least border/visa complications/requirements? Stay safe. All the best to you.

[russellbrauer]

are you allowed to stay in england on a regular visitors visa for six months? i am american. if you leave after the six months, how long after that can you come back for another six months? do they allow that.? thanks in advance for your help.

[AshMundo]

You are not automatically a uk citizen if you're born here (uk) if both your parents are not citizens and they have not lived here for a certain time (i think it's 3 years).

[thomasttrr]

Hi, my daughter was born in the US 2 weeks ago. I am the father that was born in the UK and lived there until I was 23. I am currently a permanent resident and my wife (the mother) is an American citizen. How would I go around to getting my daughter dual citizenship? Thanks!

[therealchrishill]

My parents were born in British Jamaica (pre independence before 1962). Was wondering if I could qualify for British citizenship by descent.

[krc]

I have read that if a great grandparent was born in Ireland you can apply for citizenship there. Would this make any path easier for living in the uk? TY

[barryrobbins]

I know someone who is a citizen in three countries on three continents and speaks, and writes, all three languages.

[markhosbrough]

I am dual citizen us and British I shall be going back to England next month to visit my family and was wondering weather I can get away with just taking my us passport or would I have have issues if I don’t take my British passport