It is not a bug... but why is it a feature? If the Canadian citizenship certificate was a travel document, you would still have an option not to show it if it's not desired for you. I always travel with two passports, but mostly show the US passport; thus, I am treated as a US citizen while travelling. I guess I did not fully understand the point you were trying to make.
How has USC and US Passport changed your life?
- Thread starter Mombasa_guy
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CalGreenCard
Registered Users (C)
The basic issue here is that I'd be a bit nervous boarding a direct flight between two countries if I were a dual citizen and both countries required me to use their own passport. I'd be concerned about a misunderstanding arising that would cause a great deal of trouble for me.
Since the USA requires me to enter and leave using a USA passport, it is quite a relief to me that Canada doesn't have a similar requirement. Since the USA seems to be the country with the strict requirement to enter and leave with its own passport, it just makes me feel more relaxed if I don't have to bring any other travel documents--besides USA documents--with me.
If the Canadian citizenship card were a travel document, I'd be concerned about my use of it becoming known to the USA authorities and causing me to run afoul of USA law requiring me, as a US citizen, to enter and leave the USA with USA documents.
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So you do not carry any documentation showing your Canadian citizenship when you enter Canada? Doesn't this mean that you enter Canada then as a US tourist which could be potentially a cause of "misunderstanding" as well?
I am not familiar with Canadian law, but in my case, when I enter my old country, I have to either show my old country passport, or my US passport in combination with my old country national ID card. Otherwise, I would be treated as a US tourist by my old country and I would pay a visa fee and the visa would be good for only 90 days.
According to US law what I am doing is OK since I am leaving/entering the US with my US passport, but I am free to use my other passport or my US passport combined with my other national ID card when entering/leaving my old country or any other country.
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CalGreenCard
Registered Users (C)
No, not at all. As I think I've said a couple of times in this thread, I enter Canada as a Canadian citizen with a Canadian citizenship card. The Canadian citizenship card is good for life and is a perfectly valid document to enter Canada--so that aspect of things is resolved for life without further cost or hassle.
But I show my USA passport to the airlines traveling in BOTH directions. That's because my itinerary ends in the USA so they need USA paperwork. The airline probably does think I'm a US tourist visiting Canada but that doesn't really matter. At least on their online check in web pages, the airlines seem to allow for only one passport--so, once again, it is much simpler if I need to only show one passport.
OK, that makes perfect sense. Your situation is then the same as mine: I use my US passport both ways for boarding as well. I show my national ID card only to the border control officer of my old country while entering/leaving.
CalGreenCard, I don't know, man... I have two passports and my both countries require me to enter on their respective passports, so I have to manage it. Never had any problem, even on direct flights. To the airline, I always show both passports, and they always figure out which one to enter for the APIS. To the border control, I always show the correct passport, and nobody gave me grief about holding multiple citizenships because it is allowed. I just can't understand your concerns. I won't spam in this topic anymore 
CalGreenCard
Registered Users (C)
I agree that if both countries require you to use their own passport, you don't have a lot of choice, and need to show both and hope for the best.
I've never had a serious problem, but I've had a number of experiences over the years where airline check in staff seem hesitant and uncertain as to how to handle a complex situation. My takeaway has been to try to keep it as simple as possible for the airlines. If I can show the airline one passport rather than two, that is my personal preference.
I'm not predicting dire immediate consequences for anyone showing two passports. But, as others have said, sometimes things are a matter of personal preference. And given the choice, my personal preference is strongly to use one passport rather than two.
From what I understand, in König's case there is no choice and the two passports need to be shown at airline check-in. I agree that the airlines staff can be overwhelmed sometimes when faced with a non-standard situation. If that happens just ask for a supervisor. They are in general very well trained and can handle complex situations.
Triple Citizen
Registered Users (C)
Correct. It all depends on the individual countries a multiple citizenship holder belongs to. Take my case. Pakistan is very lenient as far as entry choices given to its citizens. Pakistan issues multiple entry visit visas to its citizens on their non-Pakistani passport(s) even if they hold valid Pakistani passports. I have 5 possible choices of how to enter Pakistan.
(1) A Pakistani visit visa on my US passport
(2) A Pakistani visit visa on my Canadian passport
(3) Using my Pakistani identity card along with my US passport
(4) Using my Pakistani identity card along with my Canadian passport
(5) Using my Pakistani passport
I, being the person I am, will only go for option #5. It is a personal choice. Nothing more, nothing less.
(1) A Pakistani visit visa on my US passport
(2) A Pakistani visit visa on my Canadian passport
(3) Using my Pakistani identity card along with my US passport
(4) Using my Pakistani identity card along with my Canadian passport
(5) Using my Pakistani passport
I, being the person I am, will only go for option #5. It is a personal choice. Nothing more, nothing less.
Wow, those are too many choices. Frankly speaking, I am glad now that I am "just" a dual citizen. Dealing with two governments is enough for me
As a Canadian citizen, do you also need to file taxes on world income as it is as a US citizen?
Triple Citizen
Registered Users (C)
No. Canada taxes on residency and not citizenship. Since I have no financial ties with Canada, I do not need to file any tax returns with Revenue Canada.
rick92
Volunteer Moderator
RE: PROUD Citizen
It is a wonderful thing not to only feel like a US Citizen but to be ONE. So, YES. It is worth it and every one's experiences are different. And, YES, you belong even if you dont agree on everything your govt does for you. But, make no mistake, this is a GREAT country with GREAT and compassionate PEOPLE. Dont look for perfection here because you will not find it. Hurry. Become a Citizen and become another PROUD American.
It is a wonderful thing not to only feel like a US Citizen but to be ONE. So, YES. It is worth it and every one's experiences are different. And, YES, you belong even if you dont agree on everything your govt does for you. But, make no mistake, this is a GREAT country with GREAT and compassionate PEOPLE. Dont look for perfection here because you will not find it. Hurry. Become a Citizen and become another PROUD American.
Yeah, and don't forget to buy a "Proud to be an American" bumper sticker. Otherwise, how will people know you are an American and you are proud if you don't look like one and don't sound like one? Unless you are a Canadian, of course... become another PROUD American.
cafeconleche
Registered Users (C)
I must say that after years of studying in Europe on an RTD and RP, and travelling with those, including on a night train from Slovenia to Hungary via Croatia, which was SCARY with those soldiers checking documents in the middle of the night, the passport has made things SO MUCH EASIER! It's great, and though I have many problems with the way the United States is run (look at the bloody presidential race and the lack of choices we have!), I'm glad I'm a US citizen and have a US passport, even if it's just for selfish reasons. Mostly, it's nice to be able to stay out of the country for as long as I want (which was a nightmare before). I'll be moving to Germany soon, too, and maybe German citizenship is on the horizon. We'll see...
Prior to obtaining my U.S. citizenship, I was stateless. As such, it was particularly important for me to apply for naturalization. Besides, I have no allegiance to my country of birth (I was 10 when my family immigrated) and plan on spending the rest of my life in the U.S., so it made even more sense.
With regards to political reasons, America is certainly not perfect. On the other hand, what country is?
@cafeconleche:
From what I understand, Germany doesn't allow multiple citizenships.
With regards to political reasons, America is certainly not perfect. On the other hand, what country is?
@cafeconleche:
From what I understand, Germany doesn't allow multiple citizenships.
Germany allows dual citizenship with a special permit ("Beibehaltungsgenehmigung") for German citizens acquiring another citizenship. It is much more difficult to get this permit as a foreign national applying for German citienzship.
cafeconleche
Registered Users (C)
Yeah I would need to apply to retain my US citizenship, but it would be based on my German partner, and I have been talking to some Americans who've naturalised as Germans and I've been told the reasons for retaining citizenship don't have to be too strong. For example, I can claim I have investments in the US (IRA) for which it would be really handy to retain US citizenship. We'll see. It's some time away, and it's only a possibility, so nothing's in stone.