Citizenship

[Hobber]

Hi all,

 

What are the benefits of going through the citizenship process to become a US citizen? Just voting and such? My wife doesnt need to become a US citizen if she doesnt want to, right?

 

She can stay in the USA with greencard, right? Just need to get it renewed every 10 years?

 

Our concern is she is listed as owner on the home her parents currently live in (in China). How does China view this is she becomes a US citizen? Is it best for her to stay a Chinese citizen? Can she?

 

How will she travel in and out of the USA down the road? Greencard and China passport? China passport expires in 5 years.

 

She needs to be US citizen to get US passport, correct?

 

Sorry for all the questions. We are confused

[Beachey]

This thread covers the basics:

 

http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?/topic/40985-deciding-whether-to-get-us-citizenship-for-wife/

[dnoblett]

A list of benefits:

http://resources.mar...citizenship.htm

• Voting
  
• Jury Duty
  
• Hold elected offices
  
• Certain work
  
• Visa free travel to many countries such as Europe, Asia, Australia, etc..
  
• Retirement benefits, SSI
  
• Able to file immigrant petitions for Parents, Siblings, and Older age son/daughter
  
• Not having to report to the government every time they move to a new address, as well as their sponsor(s) having to report their movements.
  
• Not having to pay a fee every 10 years to renew their green card.
  
• Cannot be deported for many reasons, for example get convicted for DWI, and their is a risk of losing green card, and being deported, a green-card holder is considered a guest, and a Lawful Permanent Resident.
  
• US Citizens can apply for a US passport, a green-card holder cannot.
  

Travel as a green-card holder is the same as if did not have a green-card, would need to apply for travel visas to visit any country that would have needed one before getting green-card, with the exception of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean Islands.

 

Travel to and from China is the same as before, however would need to show green-card to exit China, and enter the USA.

 

Renewing a Chinese passport involves visiting the Chines consulate having jurisdiction over where you live.

 

http://www.chinaconsulatesf.org/eng/qianzhen/W020031026589650314898.gif

 

Sometimes this is a pain, for example if you live in the NW areas like Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, the consulate you have to travel to to renew a passport is Washington DC. My wife simply renewed her passport on her last trip to China shortly before it expired rather than take a trip down to New Your City.

 

As for property ownership in China, this varies from place to place, in most cases it is ok to own a place as a US Citizen, other places grandfather US Citizens if ownership began before rules changed, or before changing citizenship. This is one that others may have more definitive answers to, there are a few members that are US citizens who live in China and own an apartment over there.

Edited February 10, 2012 by dnoblett (see edit history)

[Randy W]

The laws in China govern purchases by foreigners, not ownership - anything she already owns in her name would remain in her name.

 

The greencard is valid for ENTRY to the US, but allows travel (with the Chinese passport) only to Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean countries.

 

The Chinese passport is 10 year renewable as of about 4 or 5 years ago. It may be renewed at any of the Chinese consulates - NOT by mail.

[warpedbored]

On a side note I received a visa bulletin yesterday from the visa service we use. A US citizen may no longer get a visa at any Chinese consulate in the US. They must now apply at the consulate that has jurisdiction where they reside. We always went through Washington DC because they were more lenient with longer stay multiple entry visas.

China Visa: Chinese consulates throughout the States have decided to exercise jurisdictional restraint and will only accept applications which fall under the correct jurisdiction. Your jurisdiction can be found here. They have also ceased to same day visa service in Washington, DC and Houston, TX. HOWEVER, Travel Visa Pro can still handle your same dayvisa request at San Francisco office for any of 50 states.

China Visa: All China visa applicants who were born in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau, must complete section 1.3 to provide their name in Chinese characters. They are also required to provide an official document showing their name in Chinese characters.

[dnoblett]

On a side note I received a visa bulletin yesterday from the visa service we use. A US citizen may no longer get a visa at any Chinese consulate in the US. They must now apply at the consulate that has jurisdiction where they reside. We always went through Washington DC because they were more lenient with longer stay multiple entry visas.

China Visa: Chinese consulates throughout the States have decided to exercise jurisdictional restraint and will only accept applications which fall under the correct jurisdiction. Your jurisdiction can be found here. They have also ceased to same day visa service in Washington, DC and Houston, TX. HOWEVER, Travel Visa Pro can still handle your same dayvisa request at San Francisco office for any of 50 states.

China Visa: All China visa applicants who were born in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau, must complete section 1.3 to provide their name in Chinese characters. They are also required to provide an official document showing their name in Chinese characters.

I would suspect this applies to walk in service, however if using a mail travel agent service like Oasis or the other agents they will not have issue. Oasis is located in same building as the consulate office near Washington DC.

 

https://www.oasischinavisa.com/

http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/yisq/t169580.htm