Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to SO?

[jaysonsmom]

Last night my husband told me he wants us to take a no-kids anniversary trip to Paris in September to celebrate our 10 year anniversary! He's already arranged for my parents to watch them for a week. Yay right?

Here's the problem, he's a US citizen, I'm not. I have a greencard. All he needs to do is book tickets, and he can be on his merry way. I looked up the documents required for me to get a tourist visa to France, and it's ridiculously tedious:

-application and fee
-I need letter of employment from current employer stating start date and title
-Need 3 current pay-stubs
-medical coverage abroad that covers me when I'm overseas
-Round-trip ticket
-Proof of financial means (bank statement)
-Proof of accommodation (we are staying with his sister, and she has to get a signed letter from her city hall to prove she has legal residence in France)
-an appointment and trip to the French Consulate because you can't do any of this online, it has to be in person.

I never even thought of becoming a citizen because it's just so much paperwork to fill out and send in, now I wish I had become a citizen years ago because I have to just as much paperwork to prep for, and it's just for ONE TRIP!

 

[tyty333]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

OMG...that just sounds crazy that you need all that stuff but...for a kidless trip to Paris I would get my tush in gear and get
it all together! Have a great time!

 

[Octavia]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

I completely understand. I'm a US citizen but my DH is not, and most of our vacations are either to his native country or to domestic destinations so we don't have to deal with the hassles of getting him a visa. Fortunately, some countries were just added to his visa waiver list, so we have a few more possibilities, but going to Europe is a huge headache. I REALLY want to go to Italy and Spain with him (we have friends in both countries) and to Germany to visit his brother, but even the thought of making arrangements is exhausting.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

I never even thought of becoming a citizen because it's just so much paperwork to fill out and send in, now I wish I had become a citizen years ago because I have to just as much paperwork to prep for, and it's just for ONE TRIP!

a lot of rules changed after 911

 

[artdecogirl]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

What are you waiting for!!?? Get your butt in gear, it's PARIS for goodness sake!!! La ville de l'amour! (I hope I said that right! french is a little rusty)

 

[jaysonsmom]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

To apply for citizenship is quite an expense in itself these days! It used to be $300 when I first qualified to apply, then I procrastinated and dragged my feet until now. I believe it's almost $1000 just to upgrade from a permanent resident to a full-fledged citizen!

 

[isaku5]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

OMG...that just sounds crazy that you need all that stuff but...for a kidless trip to Paris I would get my tush in gear and get
it all together! Have a great time!

Wow, I'd jump through all the necessary hoops too!

 

[jaysonsmom]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

OMG...that just sounds crazy that you need all that stuff but...for a kidless trip to Paris I would get my tush in gear and get
it all together! Have a great time!

What are you waiting for!!?? Get your butt in gear, it's PARIS for goodness sake!!! La ville de l'amour! (I hope I said that right! french is a little rusty)

Yes, Thanks ladies, I really just needed someone to tell me to get my rear in gear. I'm already dreading the process

 

[Dancing Fire]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

To apply for citizenship is quite an expense in itself these days! It used to be $300 when I first qualified to apply, then I procrastinated and dragged my feet until now. I believe it's almost $1000 just to upgrade from a permanent resident to a full-fledged citizen!

it only cost me $40 when i applied for my citizenship,and don't forget if you flunked 3X it'll cost you another $1000 to re-apply.

 

[tigian]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

I have a feeling it is going to completely worth the hassle. What a lucky duck! A gorgeous upgrade AND Paris!

 

[jaysonsmom]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

I have a feeling it is going to completely worth the hassle. What a lucky duck! A gorgeous upgrade AND Paris!

Yes, I'm feeling lucky, but a lot has to do with the fact that my husband's little sis moved there a year ago, and her husband (whom she met in the US) is French-Swiss, and he took a 2 year job in Paris, and we've already let one year slip by without a visit. We definitely want take this great opportunity of staying at their beautiful apartment on the river Seine that his company rented for them.

 

[tigian]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

I have a feeling it is going to completely worth the hassle. What a lucky duck! A gorgeous upgrade AND Paris!

Yes, I'm feeling lucky, but a lot has to do with the fact that my husband's little sis moved there a year ago, and her husband (whom she met in the US) is French-Swiss, and he took a 2 year job in Paris, and we've already let one year slip by without a visit. We definitely want take this great opportunity of staying at their beautiful apartment on the river Seine that his company rented for them.

Sounds like a wonderful opportunity! We have friends who just visited and Paris and the pictures were amazing. You must take some pics for us PSers and share.

 

[movie zombie]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

given the hoops that those coming here to visit have to go through, i don't think those are unreasonable: they show proof of intent to visit for a short period of time and then leave. it shows ability to take care of yourself should a medical need arrise and not be a burden on their system. wait until you come back into the US: they will ask you a lot of questions also.

my husband is an aussie citizen and despite australia being one of our greatest allies and that he has his green card, he still faces a lot of questions when we re-enter the US from an AU visit....actually, even when we both come back from canada. and our last trip back from AU it was mandatory by law that he be fingerprinted upon re-entry......

also, once one leaves the US and even if one is a US citizen, there is no guarantee of re-entry....i was shocked to find that one out.

each country has their own criteria and as noted, things got a lot stricter after 9/11. but if this inconvenience spurs you to becoming a US citizen after you get back, then maybe it wasn't such a bad thing after all?

mz

ps perhaps your country of citizenship does not have as good recipricol travel agreements with France as the US? i'd check into it and see what your travel status is based on your country of origen. AND I'D COLLECT THOSE PAY STUBS AND PACK THOSE BAGS AND BE ON MY WAY because in the scope of things, its really not much to put together. HAVE FUN!

 

[tyty333]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

To apply for citizenship is quite an expense in itself these days! It used to be $300 when I first qualified to apply, then I procrastinated and dragged my feet until now. I believe it's almost $1000 just to upgrade from a permanent resident to a full-fledged citizen!

it only cost me $40 when i applied for my citizenship,and don't forget if you flunked 3X it'll cost you another $1000 to re-apply.

Yes, but that was in like what...1948? Inflation DF, inflation!

 

[RhubarbPie]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

Yes my FF is a different citizen than I am. It is very frustrating at times dealing with all of the visa issues. The US treats people of other countries very poorly (and he is a citizen of an allied country). He is actually on the plane returning to the US right now from a visit home. His plane was delayed but no one has any information, and those that do have information dont speak English. I am so frustrated and this thread just happened to pop up, so thought I'd add my frustrated vent to it.

 

[Indylady]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

Rhubarb, its not just the US. Its a lot of places.

I went to a country I swore I'd never go back to after the treatment I got at the airport. Flight delayed for nearly 3 days, hotel only offered on the first night, and the airport officials were rude and nasty. When I called the US Embassy, the person who answered told me that he'd been delayed for as many as 5 days without any recourse, and that there wasn't really anything else to do in the country. I felt like a combo of by the end of it.

 

[Octavia]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

Rhubarb, its not just the US. Its a lot of places.

I went to a country I swore I'd never go back to after the treatment I got at the airport. Flight delayed for nearly 3 days, hotel only offered on the first night, and the airport officials were rude and nasty. When I called the US Embassy, the person who answered told me that he'd been delayed for as many as 5 days without any recourse, and that there wasn't really anything else to do in the country. I felt like a combo of by the end of it.

Ditto IndyLady -- my DH doesn't have a problem coming in and out of the US (knock on wood), but it's hard to get visas for him to go to many other countries because he has to apply in person at the consulate for our region, which means a 1 1/2 hour train ride each way on a weekday, plus standing in line for hours, plus fees. I don't think he's ever had a problem with people being nasty (nor have I) but he was denied boarding once because the people who processed the visa had made a mistake -- through no fault of my DH's -- and it couldn't be fixed in time for him to make his flight. It was quite a fiasco, since he missed an important work event because of it.

I understand the reasoning behind all that stuff, but in the end, it means that our discretionary dollars aren't being spent in those countries because it's just easier to go elsewhere. Their loss.

 

[tigian]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

Rhubarb, its not just the US. Its a lot of places.

I went to a country I swore I'd never go back to after the treatment I got at the airport. Flight delayed for nearly 3 days, hotel only offered on the first night, and the airport officials were rude and nasty. When I called the US Embassy, the person who answered told me that he'd been delayed for as many as 5 days without any recourse, and that there wasn't really anything else to do in the country. I felt like a combo of by the end of it.

What country were your visiting?

 

[Amethyste]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

Boy... It's a lot of paperwork to go to France... But, I know about paperwork...
I've been living in the USA for 18 years and in 9/08, I became a US Citizen. I was costly, loads of appointments, and interviews...
Then my now hubby and I got married in 1/2009 when he came to visit from Germany on the Visa Waiver Program. Instead of him returning home, we were advised for him to stay in the USA while his status was being adjusted and until he'd get his greencard. We filed so much paperwork, letters, affidavits - you name it!

It was worth it for me to become a US Citizen. First I've been here all this time and I love it here. Second, there wouldn't be a future for me and my hubby if I didn't become a US Citizen. It was a good timing and I am so glad I did.

The time frame to become a US Citizen was sooooo short. I applied June 1st 2008 and Last week of August, I got approved at my interview and a month later, I attended my Naturalization Ceremony....

 

[Dancing Fire]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

To apply for citizenship is quite an expense in itself these days! It used to be $300 when I first qualified to apply, then I procrastinated and dragged my feet until now. I believe it's almost $1000 just to upgrade from a permanent resident to a full-fledged citizen!

it only cost me $40 when i applied for my citizenship,and don't forget if you flunked 3X it'll cost you another $1000 to re-apply.

Yes, but that was in like what...1948? Inflation DF, inflation!

1977 and no i didn't flunk even though she threw the history book at me

 

[Rhea]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

I married someone who holds a different citizenship to me. Our dating life was a 5 hour time difference for phone calls, or a very expensive 9+ hour flight to another country. In moving to his country there was so much to think about for all my visas!!

I really sympathise with you. The paperwork required is not at all fun. The trip sounds nice though! Paris is beautiful!

 

[onedrop]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

jaysonsmom: your situation is one of the reasons why my DH decided to go ahead and apply for US citizenship this year. We were planning to go to France at some point last year because DH has a lot of family living in France and had never been to visit them there. The trip was scrapped because of all the paperwork necessary for him to enter France as a US green card holder. The costs are high for applying for US citizenship, but the process is pretty streamlined and took about 6 months from filing to approval. I think it's definitely worth applying for a trip to Paris sans les enfants.

 

[AGBF]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

We haven't crossed the borders of the US in many years, since long before-or at least before-9/11/01. Since my husband fears flying, he has settled happily into a job that does not require much travel. He refuses to fly for "pleasure", which wouldn't be pleasurable. So I have missed out on a lot of the new protocols. My passport has been out of date for years. I want to get a new one before it gets so old that I cannot renew it without returning to square one for paperwork!

My husband is a US citizen, although he once was not.

AGBF

 

[iwannaprettyone]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

I applied for my U.S citizenship March 23, 09. I was swore in the middle of July 09.

 

[jaysonsmom]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

I applied for my U.S citizenship March 23, 09. I was swore in the middle of July 09.

Wow, that was fast! What state do you reside in. I think the number of immigrants living in California would probably slow the process down by quite a bit. I plan to do it as soon as I get back from France!

 

[swimmer]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

Jaysonsmom,
My mom is not a citizen of the US and a regular joke in our family is about turning her in to the authorities. Like when she overcooked the Thanksgiving turkey... Anyway, just wanted to share another reason to get the ball rolling.

 

[jaysonsmom]

Re: Citizenship vent-anyone else a different citizenship to

Jaysonsmom,
My mom is not a citizen of the US and a regular joke in our family is about turning her in to the authorities. Like when she overcooked the Thanksgiving turkey... Anyway, just wanted to share another reason to get the ball rolling.

My husband uses that all the time...when I'm winning an argument, he'll say "I'll have you deported!!!!