Do you need dual citizenship? 

By Annette Cagle 

Passports are one way of traveling around the world, but the United States is hardly the only country that offers passports. A second passport from a different country could get you places that you’d need a U.S. passport and a visa to get to otherwise. How, you may ask, could you get a passport from another country? Simple (sometimes): Dual citizenship. 

Dual citizenship means that you have the same legal privileges as a native Canadian would, if you were a dual citizen of Canada. This may seem redundant. Why would you need to be a citizen of two countries? First, since each country has different worldwide agreements, dual citizenship paired with a passport could grant you visa-free entry into numerous countries. For example, U.S. passport holders need a visa to visit Australia, India, China, or Egypt. Other citizenships may get you into those countries easier (New Zealand to Australia). 

How do you get dual citizenship? Several countries offer avenues through which you can become a citizen via lineage. Ireland is one such country. If your grandparents were native Irish, you could use their Foreign Births Register to apply for dual citizenship. Italy, Israel, and Hungary all offer similar programs. 

Another way to get dual citizenship is through Citizenship by Investment. Some countries offer foreign nationals citizenship if they invest in their economies or governments. These programs tend to be rather expensive, but others such as Argentina and Paraguay have lower-cost requirements. 

The benefits of being a dual citizen can include a permanent residence outside the country, freer travel, and a lower tax burden. Having another passport also gives you an out should instability in one country make moving abroad increasingly attractive. If you’re an entrepreneurial traveler, you might also consider investing in new markets as a gain of dual citizenship. Being the citizen of a rising country can pay off for both you and your new residence.  

Of course, dual citizenship isn’t a walk in the park. It requires time and effort, especially if you are not applying through a lineage process. I’d recommend talking to experts on the subject, like legal and financial advisors, before starting the process. However, dual citizenship can unlock doors that nothing else can, and that adventure could be well worth the effort. 

Annette Cagle is the president of Brandywine Travel Agency, Inc. She has worked in the travel industry for over four decades and is a Certified Travel Counselor and a South Pacific and Europe Destination Specialist.