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Im an American with a English girlfriend. We both currently live in America but want to move to England. If we were able to do this, and we stayed long enough for me to become a citizen too, would I have to give up my American citizenship?

bluedude588 wrote:Im an American with a English girlfriend. We both currently live in America but want to move to England. If we were able to do this, and we stayed long enough for me to become a citizen too, would I have to give up my American citizenship?

You will need to be married or have provable history of living together for 24 months, and will need to have earned the US equivalent of £18,600 pa for the last 6 (or 12) months (not sure). If that's not happened your gf/wife will have to come to UK and achieve the financial earning level above before she can apply for a visa for you.

If all goes well the process to citizenship for you is six years and about £4000 over that period in visa fees. You won't have to give up your US citizenship but you might want to as the US taxes you on your worldwide income, nice people.

Ok thanks, that tax thing is pretty stupid, but I might just have to deal with it.

bluedude588 wrote:Ok thanks, that tax thing is pretty stupid, but I might just have to deal with it.

Due to tax treaties and exemptions, you won't actually owe the US any tax in the UK unless you're quite well off. You will, however, have to file a tax return annually.

Oh well thats good news! One more question, while on a marriage visa how hard would it be to find a job? By the time I would live there I would have a BA in software engineering.

Bump

The visa would allow you to work. It's more of a question of finding a job in general than finding a job because of the visa.

As long as you visa allows you to work without any limitation on working hours etc employers will be ok with it. Also job market for software engineering is pretty good these days at least in london and surrounding areas.

Thanks everyone