CANADIAN citizenship and US green card

[Deleted member 103187]

Hi I live in a border city in Canada and commute to work in the US. I recently applied for citizenship here in Canada. Since I work in the US currently on H1b, I am thinking of applying for a green card to improve employment options in the future.
Question is will applying for a green card affect my citizenship application in any way. I still plan to live in Canada and work in the US even after getting Canadian citizenship and the green card

 

[scylla]

Hi I live in a border city in Canada and commute to work in the US. I recently applied for citizenship here in Canada. Since I work in the US currently on H1b, I am thinking of applying for a green card to improve employment options in the future.
Question is will applying for a green card affect my citizenship application in any way. I still plan to live in Canada and work in the US even after getting Canadian citizenship and the green card

No issues from a Canadian perspective. Long term you will likely risk losing green card status (unless you actually move to the U.S.) since the U.S. expects you to be living in the U.S. to retain it.

 

[hawk39]

Scylla is right; if you get a green card, you're pretty much expected to eventually get US citizenship or else you'll lose the green card.

https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/maintaining-permanent-residence

"Abandoning Permanent Resident Status
You may also lose your permanent resident status by intentionally abandoning it. You may be found to have abandoned your status if you:

• Move to another country, intending to live there permanently. "

 

[Deleted member 103187]

Scylla is right; if you get a green card, you're pretty much expected to eventually get US citizenship or else you'll lose the green card.

https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/maintaining-permanent-residence

"Abandoning Permanent Resident Status
You may also lose your permanent resident status by intentionally abandoning it. You may be found to have abandoned your status if you:

• Move to another country, intending to live there permanently. "

Thank you for your reply. Correct me if I’m wrong but I could actually apply to get a “commuter green card” and still live in Canada without ever loosing the green card. Only downside is that time spent on the commuter green card does not count towards US citizenship if I eventually decide to go that route

 

[scylla]

Thank you for your reply. Correct me if I’m wrong but I could actually apply to get a “commuter green card” and still live in Canada without ever loosing the green card. Only downside is that time spent on the commuter green card does not count towards US citizenship if I eventually decide to go that route

Yes - that's available. There are a number of limitations / requirements that come with this status - and you would also want to be single if you go this route (i.e. no partner or children).

 

[hawk39]

Thank you for your reply. Correct me if I’m wrong but I could actually apply to get a “commuter green card” and still live in Canada without ever loosing the green card. Only downside is that time spent on the commuter green card does not count towards US citizenship if I eventually decide to go that route

§211.5 Alien commuters
Yeah, but you won't get any of the benefits of a true permanent resident. And if your employment ends in the US and are not able to find another job in the US in 6 months, then you'll lose your commuter green card too.

 

[frange]

Hi I live in a border city in Canada and commute to work in the US. I recently applied for citizenship here in Canada. Since I work in the US currently on H1b, I am thinking of applying for a green card to improve employment options in the future.
Question is will applying for a green card affect my citizenship application in any way. I still plan to live in Canada and work in the US even after getting Canadian citizenship and the green card

I would say, apply for the real green card by the time to process it, you will be a Canadian citizen which means you will have more option.
Don't go through the commute green Card since it is so restrictive in terms opportunity for you and your family.

 

[mastersboy]

Does anyone here know how often one is required to travel to the job in US on a minimum to keep the commuter green card status?

I have a full time job offer in US asking me to travel up to 40% to the US. Do I qualify for a commuter green card?

Inviting @ozonezone234 @scylla @frange @hawk39 to answer. Thanks!