Wife GC, Husband Citizen

V

vinny19

New Member
Hi,
Recently I have received my citizenship (under 4 months). Due to logistical reasons, my wife had not applied for her citizenship at that time. One of my friends had mentioned that it would be beneficial to have one of us on GC (with Indian citizenship) and one of us having US Citizenship.

Just want to find out if there are any benefits for this sort of arrangement:

I do understand it would be a hassle for visas, 6 month limit for traveling outside US etc. Are there any advantages (say if you have a small firm or intend to start any venture in US). An example could be, to be eligible as a minority owned small business

Thanks,

NOA: June 22nd 2009
Fingerprints: July 23rd 2009
Interview : September 11th 2009
Oath : September 22nd 2009
 
Green card holders are not considered a minority under any federal law.

There are no real benefits of not taking up US citizenship, other than your personal preferences with regards to giving up existing citizenship, etc. except
if you decide to leave US for good, as a US citizen you are required to file US tax returns. However one can give up green card and not be subject to this tax requirement.
 
What exactly is the gain of one retaining Indian citizenship within a couple? Has it got something to do with inheritance or estate laws in India? Pardon my ignorance since I never had to make a tough decision when naturalising on both occasions.


vinny19 said:
One of my friends had mentioned that it would be beneficial to have one of us on GC (with Indian citizenship) and one of us having US Citizenship.
Click to expand...
 
Maybe due to emoitional reasons such as "I love India and I don't want to give up it citizenship".
 
Triple Citizen said:
That is not a gain or advantage. It seems the OP's friend was suggesting a material advantage or benefit.
Click to expand...

Most tangible reason for many couple doing this is that they consider possibility of one day permanently going back to their original country.
Other than that, I don't see any other benefits. But in short term
some one may have sick parents in original country and need to visit them
without trouble of getting a visa first on emergency call.
 
I guess the OP's friend can only clarify what he/she meant.

WBH said:
Most tangible reason for many couple doing this is that they consider possibility of one day permanently going back to their original country.
Other than that, I don't see any other benefits. But in short term
some one may have sick parents in original country and need to visit them
without trouble of getting a visa first on emergency call.
Click to expand...
 
Some people say such things but when I ask them to give one benefit, it draws a blank. Both can take citizenship and apply for OCI card. The only problem though is that OCI card holders cannot own agriculture property in India (verify this info) and also, cannot vote. The truth is, someone else is excericising your vote already there. :) So, it's a personal decision for your to make. Also with GC, your wife has to keep maintaining her residency status here.
 
Thank you all for your inputs:
The intent was to explore the material benefit only. We have been through the emotional part( ...:) )!
I agree, folks say the generic statements like one of us have to be on Indian passport to get you business registered as minority owned business. However, I could not find any evidence on the net for this.

May be just an urban legend....

Regards,
Vinny
 
One potential risk is wife does something wrong and get deported from USA to India and husband does something wrong and get deported from India to USA and the family has to be seperated for ever
 
WBH said:
One potential risk is wife does something wrong and get deported from USA to India and husband does something wrong and get deported from India to USA and the family has to be seperated for ever
Click to expand...

:) you are thinking too much and too far :)
 
I know a couple who underwent something similar but not likely to occur very frequently. The wife was Pakistani and husband was Indian. Both were living in Kuwait in 1990. When Iraq invaded Kuwait, naturally all expats left, or tried to leave :)
The Pakistani authorities took care of the wife only and the Indians provided passage only to the husband. They had to seek refuge in Pakistan and India respectively. Both countries refused to grant a visa to the spouse of their citizen. They had to wait it out until Kuwait was liberated and they could return there.

WBH said:
One potential risk is wife does something wrong and get deported from USA to India and husband does something wrong and get deported from India to USA and the family has to be seperated for ever
Click to expand...
 
Benefits

One benefit of retaining the Indian citizenship is , if you have any inheritance or ancestral properties in India that fall into the criteria of Agricultural land or Plantation property, a foreign citizen cannot own these types of properties. ( The rule is different in different states as the land classification and sub classification can vary) . Even though you buy a house, the land can be classified in the deed as agricultural land. Some states have very strict laws in these regards and lately you need to submit photo id during the registration. There are implications of owning certain businesses especially proprietorship firms…
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top