I think this “story” might have originated in some Keen Defender’s quarantine fever dream, but it’s worth discussing because I actually love talking about individual stories of green cards, work visas and immigration. The original version of this – the keen version, if you will – is that Harry probably wouldn’t even be able to STAY in America for any length of time because he’s a British citizen, duh, and something something Harry will be legally required to abandon Meghan and Archie because of America’s f–ked up immigration system. While it’s true that our immigration system is f–ked, here are some other things which are also true: Harry is already married to an American citizen, which gives him a massive “leg up” when it comes to applying for a work visa or green card; Harry is white, Christian and British, all of which give him another leg up, as opposed to a bachelor named Mohammed from Syria trying to immigrate. But still, the Keens need something to cling to, so they’re clinging to the idea that Harry will… have to do paperwork! And he might have to *clutch pearls* hire an immigration lawyer?
Meghan Markle may have to sponsor Prince Harry so he can live and work in the US permanently, a top immigration attorney told Page Six. As of Tuesday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are no longer working royals and are officially embarking on their new “financially independent” life in Los Angeles. While the Queen’s grandson, 35, would have been able to work while the couple was living in Canada for the past few months as it’s part of the Commonwealth, the rules are completely different in the States, a top New York immigration attorney said.
Harry has three options to get a green card — he can either sponsor himself in the extraordinary ability category — or Markle, 38, can sponsor him as a U.S. citizen or a U.S. entity can sponsor him. He would get a temporary work and travel permit after an initial approval like any regular applicant, the process to get a green card can currently take more than a year. After three years on a green card, Harry would be eligible to become a U.S. citizen. However, this means he would have to renounce his royal title as sixth in line to the throne, so that would be highly unlikely, the attorney said.
After their move to LA late last month, Harry could either be on a B1/B2 visa, which is a regular tourist visa, or possibly an A1 diplomatic visa, which are for government officials and diplomats. He can’t work on either of these visas, other than in a government or diplomatic capacity on an A1 visa. However, following President Trump’s sour tweet this weekend where he declared he would refuse to pay for their multi-million security bill, an A1 may not last too long. Harry could also be on or apply for an O-1 visa should he have potential contracts here or as someone with extraordinary ability.
The attorney said: “I would probably have Harry and Meghan’s nonprofit org sponsor him based on his history of high profile philanthropy and public works and activism. If the org is not established in the US they would need a US entity of the org as well. The org could also sponsor him for permanent residence under the EB1A extraordinary ability category as well, but currently things are faster and easier through spousal sponsorship.”
From what I understand – I’m no lawyer, obviously – but there are exceptions to the whole “he must renounce his title if he wants to become an American citizen” thing. People like Emily Blunt make it sound like no one ever gets dual citizenship and one must denounce the Queen, but it seems pretty clear that Harry could be eligible for dual citizenship WITH his title intact. And even if he didn’t want to seek American citizenship and he simply wants to live and work in America for a time, again, he’s legally married to an American citizen. It will be quite easy for him to get visas. This immigration lawyer that Page Six is quoting from seems completely flummoxed at the idea of a high-profile, wealthy, white foreigner getting designated an alien of extraordinary ability (so-called genius visas).
All of which brings me to this: Archie Mountbatten Windsor is Harry’s anchor baby. I’m not using that as a pejorative, because I had a realization when I was well into my 30s that I was an anchor baby too. My dad was not a citizen when I was born, and it was easier for my dad to become a citizen because he was married to an American and had an American baby. Archie is American simply because he was born of an American mother, and I’d be willing to bet that Meghan already has Archie’s American citizenship and Social Security number and all of that handled. So Harry has an American wife and an American anchor baby. I love it.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Avalon Red, IG.
Yes, they needed a “top lawyer” to tell them Harry will need paperwork. You know, like Meghan did for the UK…
I was born in England then moved to The U.S. when I was a kid. I eventually moved to New Zealand with my American born daughter and married a Kiwi. Paperwork was filled out for all this. It is not hard, it takes a little time and definitely a lot money which I’m sure Harry has more access to than me but if lil ole me can do all that I’m sure Harry will have no trouble at all. He is the exact type Trump wants moving here(despite his pettiness on twitter).
Oh how i love your work Kaiser. This gave me a right giggle – but guuuurl, you could have made it longer haha!
Oh noes! Are we supposed to believe that H and M have never thought about this? And neither have their own lawyers and support team? Bad luck, Keens. It will all be sorted with a minimum of fuss, if it hasn’t been already.
I think the Keens and the Queen and the British tabloids would like nothing better than a storyline of the Sussexes being forced to flee from country to country until they were forced to return to England. I also think Trump is a big enough ASSHOLE to personally insert himself into Harry’s ability to get a work Visa.
This☝🏼Unfortunately I do think tRump is ‘small’ enough to get petty 😖 But I also believe that it’s largely out of his hands 🤷🏼♀️ I’m a Brit, so I don’t know enough but we’ve both got a bunch of 🤡 🤡 running our 2 counties. Anything is possible
@JLCL and @Hanna, no Trump can not bar prince Harry from getting a PR or even citizenship if he wants it. US is NOT a dictatorship but rather a democratic government and Trump is NOT above the laws of the land. If Trump couldn’t kick the DACA out of the US, then he has no power over Harry. He can try to meddle, but the Sussex lawyers would sue his a$$ to Timbuktu his head would spin. In the most recent past, the Trump administration attempted to ban citizens of certain countries from entering into the US, tell me how and where that ended. So no, he doesn’t have that authority or power.
Secondly, I just spoke to a person with dual citizenship, and they told me that they were eligible to apply for citizenship after 5 years as green card holders. They submitted and got their citizenship. It seems US is a bit longer than ours here as we have to have resided in Canada for 3 years, (365×3 years) to be eligible. 5 years is a very long time, Trump won’t be president at that time even if he gets re-elected; the Sussex situations might change and they decide they no longer need Harry’s US citizenship etc. A lot can happen in 5 years but, even if nothing happens and Harry wants US citizenship he’ll get it if he wants it. Also, it will depend on whether his country of birth allows dual citizenship etc.
These two probably have top lawyers advising them and letting them know the best course of action. It could even be they stay in the US for 6 months or so, come back to the UK or something then go to Canada then come back to the US.
Whatever it is I’m sure they’ve thought of all that before people found out they even moved
where were the top lawyers advices when they made the mess of half in-half out, royal yes, royal no, foundation… nope! is gonna be a NPO? wait… maybe? c’mon…they have NO IDEA what they’re doing
@BYk, I don’t understand the derision in your comment. It sounds almost personal, and somewhat bitter. None of us know what this couple actually dealt with before that statement was made announcing their transition. We all read the news that said they had discussed the change with family for months. Whether they planned for the Dim’s blackmail leak in December or not, they were going to leave sooner rather than later. Did they also plan for the COVID-19 pandemic that squashed many companies’, individuals’ and families’ plans for the future? Rhetorical question, but be honest with yourself that you don’t like them for whatever personal reason(s) you harbor, and understand: It’s really none of your or our business to know or judge what they do with their own lives and livelihood.
The Keen crazed stupidity knows no bounds! I saw Keen fans saying Archie was MEGHAN’S anchor baby!!!! It’s like the racist hatred interferes with logic and common sense! She needs no anchor baby, you numpties!!! She’s the one who gave Archie his US citizenship! OMG 🙄
Regarding Harry, my husband is a Brit and didn’t have to renounce his citizenship or passport when he married me and became a US citizen several years later. So I’m sure Harry will be just fine. And I’m sure they’ve already got the very best immigration lawyers working with them on any decision. He also doesn’t need US citizenship at all if he could be sponsored for permanent residency by his “employer” (their nonprofit).
“Numpties” has to be one of my new favorite words. I will try to use it in a sentence today.
I thought the exact same thing about ‘Numpties’….it gave me the giggles!
yeah, he doesn’t even need to become an american citizen nor is citizenship the very first step to residency. he could just apply for a green card if he qualifies and come and go as he wished.
pst pst…is not that much about the citizenship about about TAXES …$$$$ and ££££ BOTH
I’m waiting for the story that goes like something something something Archie was born in England which means something something something they HAVE to come back because something something his great grandmother is Queen so he belongs to the crown.
Oh I’ve seen that already. Never mind that the “law” they think they’re referring to references the monarch’s grandchild and Archie is a great grandchild. And – even if it were true (which it isn’t anyway) – there’s no way it would be enforced in this day and age. Again, their hatred creates a stupidity circus in their heads.
This was such a pointless article. They truly must generate great traffic for Page Six. Anyone who has a basic understanding of the US immigration system knows that marrying an American is one of the simplest paths to legal residency. That is why there is a whole process for vetting these marriage, and Harry’s race, status, and money would make it even simpler for him. Why the article attempts to make it sound like such a “difficult” process with so many “difficult” choices is beyond me.
What’s so funny to me is all of the people, including so many RRs and apparently even royals themselves (going by some of the Willieleaks and “The queen will welcome Harry – and only Harry – back anytime” articles), who really believe Harry is going to abandon his wife and child to return to England and the cesspool that is now the royal family. The way they phrase things as if Meghan and Archie are not ALSO his family now. It’s really mindboggling to me!! Especially seeing the way he is so clearly head over heels I’m love with Meghan! It’s like they’re living in some bizarro world.
So IMO this article is along those lines: the process is just sooooo complicated and long that Harry shouldn’t even bother. He be better off abandoning his wife and child and returning to England. *eyeroll*
Meghan and Archie are his immediate family now. Everyone else is extended family.
I know people that married Americans, several people, and got their green cards within 6 months. Of course that was before Trump, but they did obtain them in 6months. I am willing to bet a arm and a leg that Harry’s paperwork was submitted last September because by the time they went on their vacation, they had already made the decision to live in both countries half and half the time.
My husband is on the third year of his spousal green card and it actually takes about a year from the start of your application until approval for the initial two year approval. He just did his renewal (which you’re required to do after two years) and the department says it’ll be about a year until he gets the renewal completed and approved (you literally have to submit all the same documents all over again) since they are so behind. I would love to be a fly on the wall when they have to do their family interview and provide all the proof of their marriage (photos, birth documents, etc). Can you imagine? “And here’s a copy of the international live stream of the ceremony…” lol
The entire world saw them get married, so proving he’s legally, truly married to an American citizen shouldn’t be a problem, lol.
PowerMoonCrystal —- Page Six and the paper that publishes it are owned by Murdoch. Enough said as to why their slant is always anti-Sussex!
The immigration status for Harry Archie and future Sussex children were probably worked out before Harry and Meghan said I do.
Of course it was! Any couple from different countries is going to have that conversation. I’m sure there was even a discussion, if only in passing, about Harry’s ability to work if they had to spend an extended time in the US. Meghan especially has shown she’s a planner and doesn’t make decisions without looking at all possibilities, whether it’s a cookbook or her family’s citizenship.
You know the royal leaks have dried up when people start writing immigration stories.
I cant wait for earthquake and mudslide stories.
These people are always 10 steps behind. I have no doubt Harry and Meghan have thought all of this through. And tbh, even without Archie, Harry is a rich British white man. He’ll be fine.
I don’t think Harry will become a US citizen, but he’ll def apply for a green card when eligible and I imagine it will be granted relatively easily. My best friend married a man from Spain (who came here for the sole purpose of living with her/marrying her) and the immigration process was annoying but at the same time fairly simple. They got a lawyer, followed the process, and he got a green card. I’m sure Harry is going to be fine.
What is that nonsense that Harry could just start working in Canada because it’s a commonwealth country? Canada has its own immigration laws separate from the UK and you cannot work in Canada if you aren’t a citizen or have a PR card without a visa. There were some special privileges for British subjects for a while, but that stopped in the mid 70s.
As for Harry, he could easily qualify for one of those Einstein visas. Having an American wife and child just adds to the process being easier for him than most.
One of my friends applied for a green card as he was working in the US at a high level job. The process took several years and a lawyer had to be involved. As he was Canadian, I wondered why it was taking so long. He said that green cards are assigned based in where you were born, and as he was born in India, they only gave out so many of them to people born in that country per year. His Canadian citizenship didn’t count in their eyes, despite living here for a few decades. I was shocked because frankly that’s a pretty racist way to do it. Harry won’t have that issue.
Institutionalized American racism is horrible, but hardly shocking.
We got it from the Brits! Like most everything!
What we didn’t get from them, we invented in order to distance ourselves, such as determining which hand should hold a fork at the dinner table. Damn Yankees!
I actually know someone I went to school with has spent the last couple of years trying to get her English husband to be able to live full time in Canada. It’s been absolute hell for them. He’s still not through the battle yet.
The thing is though, when you’re wealthy you do tend to have an easier time. It’s bs, but like most things, money makes it much easier. My understanding is that there is or was (not sure if it’s still a thing tbh) a startup program that fast tracks your visa – entrepreneurs who want to start a business that will create jobs for Canadian’s and compete globally – so basically if you have enough money, have a business plan and have the ability to create jobs, you’re on the fast track to permanent residency assuming you meet the application guidelines. I assume they could have done something like that, and had it sorted out much faster than the people I know who really don’t have much in the way of resources.
@Erinn, Harper scrapped that program years ago. Now we have the equivalent of green card lottery but ours is a lot harder as it’s a point based program. But with that said, if a person marries a Canadian national, they can get them into this country if they want to, rich or poor. One of my friends’ son got married June 2019, his wife paperwork was processed as “spouse outside Canada” and she was here for Christmas. The entire application process took only 6 months to get her here but her visa was issued within 5 months. I’m not sure why yr friend is having such a hard time if he meets all the requirements.
One of Canada’s most decorated Paralympians, Marnie Abbott-Peter lives one town over. I interviewed her for the paper (2001) and she mentioned she had just gotten engaged to her boyfriend who lived in another country. A few years later Marnie told me they tried for years to get him to Canada and ended up splitting up when it became impossible.
When I was talking to Marnie’s mom she mentioned that right after her paralysis diagnosis, she told her mother she was going to move again, “no way is my mom tying my shoes for me for the rest of my life.” Three gold and a bronze Paralympic medals and four World Championships, and she still couldn’t get her boyfriend to Canada legally.
@Lady D, yeah sometimes this system doesn’t seem fair, but in yr friend’s case, she was trying to sponsor a fiancee and those cases are rather difficult as so many people get burned by people that marry them under false pretenses as just means to come here so… Same as trying to sponsor kids, I read about a guy who came to this country, got his PR and wanted to sponsor his child. Guy told to do paternity test and turns out kid was not his. He said kid’s mother was already deceased and he was the only parent the child knew (apparently he himself had no idea the child wasn’t his) but he was never able to bring the child to Canada.
My husband is Canadian and I am not. he and I are expats not living in Canada. It took me 12 weeks from applying to acknowledgement of approval of my Canadian permanent residency card. It was not that hard when you have all your ducks lined up in a row. We were married a few years and had two kids and decided to apply just in Case we needed to move to Canada if our work contracts were not renewed. Medical, police records from every country you lived in, proof of relationship etc. It would have been 10 years ago and I have renewed it a couple times. We literally sent pictures of us visiting our families, taking selfies with them. Visiting our grandparents, with our kids etc. they want to keep families together.
The only way he could have worked while he was here temporarily would have been by applying for a temporary open work permit through the Working Holiday Scheme. The caveat is you must be between 18 and 30 and he doesn’t meet the age criteria. Other than that, he would have to apply to immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident then apply to the business start-up program and/or a similar one for self-employed persons.
You are absolutely correct. Harry could not work in Canada. No citizen of any Commonwealth country can travel willy nilly around the world and work. They all have immigration rules.
what a non-story – “Immigrant needs green card or visa, will likely consult lawyer”, fixed the story for them!
What’s that horrible noise? …Oh, it’s the sound of a barrel being scraped.
Despite the Keen fandom (what’s their collective noun, I wonder? A swoon? A wiglet?) and Samantha Markle (eckth, coughs up furball) the Sussexes will be just fine. Sorry.
-Am 70% recovered from CoronaHell; tried to get back on the yoga mat but jellylegs would not support me through a crescent lunge. So I have clean sheets on the bed, a selection from my Wall of Trash (you know, the kinds of books you wouldn’t want to be found with if in a bus crash) and a bottle of Baileys. If my posts get a little WooHoo, chalk it up to survivor-euphoria and whisky. Lots of love to all.
Good to have you back!
@Andrew Nemesis, I’m glad you feeling better. Enjoy the rest of the quarantine/isolation, this will take a while.😁😁😁 Namaste.
AN! Nice to hear from you! Glad you are on the mend.
Thank you, BTB, Babs and SomeChick – great to be back with my Sisters of Snark 🙂 xxx
Happy to hear you have mostly recovered!
Oh my god, this got me. I think you’ve earned every drop of that whiskey. Gramp’s mom was born in Scotland – whenever ANYONE would get sick, you’d have drambuie pushed at you – and man will it ever ‘cure’ any stuffy nose.
So gross that crap. My boss at the bar used to drink it when he got drunk or equally bad, he’d swill Glayva. Both are gag inducing liquors.
It’s rough haha – I will do a shot of it when I’m desperate to breathe through my nose, but I have to work myself up to it.
It took my lungs three weeks to fully recover from a bad influenza infection earlier this year, so don’t push yourself too hard or get too frustrated because the strength will eventually come back. I think we’re all glad to hear you’re doing well, though!
Nice snarky post Andrew’s Nemesis. Glad to hear you’re recovering and a pleasure to once again get your take on things. And love your recovery strategy! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Really glad to have you back! 😘😘👍👍😁😁
Happy to hear you are recovering!
So glad you are feeling better!!!!!
So glad to have you back! Just relax and let your body recover. You’ve been through a hell of a fight.
Yayyyyy – Andrew’s Nemesis is back! Don’t forget the bad snacks you’re allowed ONLY while recovering – double stuff Oreos, Miss Vickie’s potato chips and cheesy popcorn. Glad you’re feeling better!
Glad you’re feeling better, AndrewsNemisis! Your post is hysterical (I’m doing all that and I’ve not been sick! 😄) Hugs! ❤️
Glad you’re recovering. Don’t rush things. Your body has been through hell.
So happy you’re doing better and through the worst of it. They really are scraping the barrel now. Someone wrote some stupid headline yesterday about H&M being upset no one will be interested in them now because of Coronavirus, but they keep writing about them. Like, seriously!?
Well done you! Just finished chemo and am off to bed. Can you have a few swigs of the Baileys for me? Your post made me smile and my heart feel a bit lighter. I will gladly read whole tomes of your Baileys Gibberish! Keep ‘em com in’.😊
Best of luck and health to you Susan – been there, done that, stay strong and let us know how you’re doing! Big hugs.
She’s back!!! Glad you are feeling better and recovering nicely. 😎👏🏾👏🏾🥳🥳
I’m still stuck on the whole: “ While the Queen’s grandson, 35, would have been able to work while the couple was living in Canada for the past few months as it’s part of the Commonwealth,” part.
Eh? I’m pretty sure that in Canada, like in Australia and the rest of the Commonwealth, foreign citizens still need a work visa in order to work. Brits who move to Australia (and I’m pretty sure Canada is the same) have to apply for visas, just like everyone else, and they don’t get special treatment. Those visas are usually sponsored by companies. We have reciprocal agreements with countries like the UK and Canada where people under 30 can get a 1-2 year working visa; but again, they have to apply. There are limits on the numbers each year, etc. Harry is not under 30. Methinks the Americans who wrote this have zero understanding of how the commonwealth actually works.
Also, I don’t think the issue is that he would have to renounce his claim to the throne in order to be a US citizen, rather that he can’t be in line for the throne as a dual citizen.
I would guess that he would get an O1 visa. If my DJ friend can get it, he most certainly can.
Canada is like Australia… the Brits aren’t able to work without a visa here either. Commonwealth isn’t the same as colony, but whoever wrote this has no clue.
I think the tax problems will be a greater nightmare than the visa problems.
Anyone who still thinks Harry has any Fs to give about “the throne” is delusional. Why would he want that? He so obviously doesn’t.
Tax problems are easily solved by money. Which they have.
This whole thing is a lot of handwaving over nothing. Harry is his own man. He is doing exactly what he wants to be doing.
Get over it.
I also think the custom of telling people’s ages in these articles is BS. It’s unnecessary and disrespectful. Particularly in cases where we all already know who the hell these people are. Like I say to the dog, “drop it!”
And can you imagine what would happen if Harry did return, castrated by family power games and vicious press pressure? It would be ‘full metal jacket’ bullets instead of the blanks and BB guns they’ve been shooting. I can’t see Harry ever jettisoning a happy and productive life for that.
Canada is definitely the same – my brother moved over from the UK to Calgary about 18 months ago, on a two-year under-30s visa, which has given him two years of working in the country. He’s now working through the process to get a longer term visa. He could visit prior to getting his via but not work, and he did secure this visa without a job offer (I believe it’s because of the age criteria) but after a few months found a job which we’re hoping will help him be able to stay (he loves the climbing there).
Page Six and the New York Post are going to try the nonsense with Meghan and Harry. I see them being a problem. They may not be as bad as the tabloids in England but it’s coming. It’s clear these people have no idea what this couple are doing and they’re scrambling for clicks. I really don’t understand the obsession the media has with this couple. Yes, it’s certainly about money but there’s a certain insidious like obsession the papers and media have with controlling and knowing everything about them and now they’re starting to obsess over Archie. It’s so bizzare.
@Brit – This is Diana 2.0 where the US tabloid press is concerned.
Brit —- The New York Post and Page Six are part of the Murdoch media empire. Thus his US holdings are going to cosplay the same tabloid bullshit as his British media outlets. Trouble with this for him is that tabloid media in US is not seen as legitimate source of news as it is in Britain. I imagine the NYP, Page Six, Fox News, the National Enquirer, and US magazine are going to take part in this, just to name a few.
Does anybody outside of NY society even pay attention to Page Six? I never even heard of it until the Real Housewives of NY franchise (yes, I know, I watched it, lol). They used to mention it a lot on that show. Somehow, I don’t think it has that much reach.
@MsIam – I was going to ask the same question does anyone outside NYC or not from NYC really read the New York Post or the New York Daily News.
Both papers can be easily purchased in Tampa, Miami, Orlando or Fort Myers but, other than New York City people, no one really buys them.
I would love… LOVE an (Ex) Royal version of 90 Day Fiancé starring the Sussexes!
Oh, Kaiser. You do spoil us. Never leave!!!!
I have a friend who is Dutch and moved here with her American husband decades ago and has kids. She’s never become a US citizen and still lives here legally as he now works in the government. It is possible or was at least, and I don’t see Harry renouncing his British citizenship. As far as Dual citizenship, I think that is very hard and also depends on other country and I’m not sure I’ve heard of many having it recently, except Canadians so Emily Blunt may be right on that. Now the only caveat to all this and the caveat to most of the Wtf things in the US is Donald Trump. Who knows with him in charge. I wouldn’t assume these stories are coming from any keen sources more from the US nutter in charge. You know he likes to stir up shite.
@Magenta, I’m not sure if you are American but I know people from my country that obtained US citizenship and were never required to renounce citizenship of country of birth. And it wasn’t as hard as you make it sound. Once their green cards were close to expiration and they met eligibility criteria, they submitted and applications processed and citizenship granted. They go back and forth to both countries with no problems. I was told that the Us immigration laws don’t even have any dual nationality clauses or something. I’ll Google it when I get home
I am American, and I do know to become a US citizen from another country is long and requires a lot of effort. They have to spend hours learning about US history and our constitution and passing tests, plus significant time living and working in the US. They probably know more about the US than the average born American. I’ve been to the US citizenship ceremonies at Monticello (Thomas Jefferson’s home for non Americans) on July 4th a couple of times. It’s quite inspirational if you’ve never attended. A dual citizenship also has to do with the other country and in this case the UK, and I just said Emily Blunt a UK born person with a fair amount of wealth claimed dual US/UK citizenship doesn’t really exist anymore. I thought she might be right as I haven’t heard of many US/uK citizenships who weren’t WWII age. Theoretically it could exist on the book but neither country is letting it happen. I know of a few dual citizenship people US/Canada and US/Israel now that I think of it and I work in Washington DC in that area, but don’t know all the rules for each country. As I said he doesn’t need to become a citizen though and I doubt he would. The only caveat is Trump though. He’s made a long laborious and hard immigration process worse and more unfair than it was. Anyone who says otherwise has obviously not had to deal with US immigration.
@Magenta, once again your claims are inaccurate. I just googled it and it states that the UK permits dual citizenship/ nationality. I also have just talked to my buddy and they said there is no dual citizenship clauses (or something to that effect) in the US immigration laws, so Harry can get citizenship of both countries should he want it and meets the eligibility criteria. If he legally resides in the US, I believe, for 5 consecutive years as a green card holder, he would apply and get his citizenship.
I’m not even gonna address yr “UK/US dual citizenship is no longer obtainable” that’s just not correct.
With that said, even if prince Harry was required to renounce his UK position in the line to the throne, I’m sure he would do it in a heart beat if that is what’s standing in the way of him remaining with his family. Harry has stated time and again how he cares ZERO about royalty, becoming king or his position in the succession to the British throne. That why William’s crazy claims that “Harry is jealous of my becoming king” never made sense. Harry is on record saying he has no desire to ever become king of anything.
Huh? I have dual citizenship and my niece (sister’s daughter), has three passports: British, French and American. Not a single issue out of any of them so far. The key thing is each country has to allow multi-citizenship’s. Which quite a lot of countries do. As long as that’s the case……🙃
The main thing is, who wants to bother with all that stress? My sister only went to the trouble of getting her daughter the American passport because my niece was born in America and it was fairly straight forward. Otherwise, she’d have just had the dual situation.
Harry,if he wanted, can get a green card through his American wife. It’s the easiest route. Same with his visa, although if he wants to work, he’ll get a permit for that. Something tells me the process will go smoothly for him, just a hunch 😉. I know people who have green cards even though they came here as children and never got US citizenship until Trump got elected. That’s when it hit them that getting citizenship was a smart thing to do, paperwork and fees be damned. They did not have to give up their foreign citizenship. Also, it’s very difficult for an American to renounce their citizenship. Uncle Sam wants that tax income. @Magenta, the actual citizenship test is not that hard, like middle school level civics. Just memorize some facts and take the test. It’s not like the bar exam.
Hmmm. I know plenty of people with multiple citizenship including myself, my immediate family as well as extended and friends. The US and UK allows dual or multiple citizenship. And no, it’s not only for people who are of WWII age (I’m not even 30 yet). I have American citizenship through birthright citizenship (jus soli) and Thai and British citizenship through my parents (jus sanguinis). I can also get french citizenship through one of my parent but I haven’t bothered yet. My parents didn’t have to give up their citizenship (British/Thai/french) when they naturalized. My grandfather didn’t have to give up his British citizenship either. Neither did my aunts and uncles who settled here. My cousin’s fiancé has Irish citizenship through her dad, who got it through his dad.
John Oliver, Rachel Weisz, Emily Blunt didn’t have to give up their British citizenship when they became Americans. Nicole Kidman has Australian and US citizenships. Charlize Theron naturalized whilst retaining her South African citizenship. Natalie Portman also carries dual citizenship, Israeli and American. Kristen Dunst was born here, but was able to get German citizenship through her father.
If Harry wanted to naturalized, he could. And he wouldn’t have to renounce his citizenship. I don’t know why there’s so much hand wringing over this.
The Monegasque royals retain their dual citizenship and remain in the line to the throne. At least one of Princess Madeleine’s children has multiple citizenship, one of which is US, and remain in line to the Swedish and UK thrones. Her kids are eligible for Swedish and possible UK and US citizenship (Chris is dual US/UK citizen).
It really depends on what you do for work and whether you have any real roots here, tbh. Money is definitely a major factor, but if you’re in any of the STEM fields, you’re going to have a much easier time getting in and then applying for citizenship. It’s definitely not what I’d call easy, though compared to a lot of countries it may look like it considering we take the most in raw numbers. Less so now that we’re seeing a xenophobic backlash under this administration.
Pa’lease my ordinary husband from a European country got a green card after being married to me for six months. It was absolutely no big deal. He later went on to get citizenship (again no big deal) I can only imagine if we plebs can do it without incident, it will be very easy for those with clout.
And yet, NotSoGullible, when the government (i.e., the President) wants to f**k with the process, the process is f**ked with. One has only to look at John Lennon versus Nixon in Lennon’s years-long bid for US residency. I’m sure your husband was not a high profile applicant applying under a President with a personal ax to grind like Nixon, or just being batshit crazy like Trump. I can see Trump sticking his tiny little hands in this pot and stirring hard. Nothing comes easy for either of the Sussexes.
Trump is not president for life. He may not even be president next year depending on the election. So I would consider him a non-factor. Besides, look what happened to Nixon, so yeah i’m sure Harry is not worried.
Exactly @Msiam and @Not so Gullible. Thank you for both comments.
The difference being Yoko Ono was a citizen of Japan, not of the US.
You guys made me look this all up. First now the published timelines from the US are minimum of six months wait for green card and five years with green card to apply for US citizenship plus a US citizenship test. Which most people can’t waiver out anymore and honestly it is quite difficult. To those trying to be citizens I tip my hat off. It is work and no one should diminish that.
Now dual citizenship from UK/US unless you are born in it like Archie, or Princess Caroline of Monaco and the others in Monaco it does appear to be a thing of the past. Now Princess Grace got it cause they petitioned the US state department to keep her US citizenship. Again that was Monaco but sort of similar. Doubt Harry will go citizenship route. The UK is the country he fought for and the country of his mother. I just don’t think he would give that up. Plus it’s not necessary. Even under strictest guidelines he should be able to just go back to UK for a bit and be fine. I’m sure he could do that. He does have several UK charities he supports he will need to see at a minimum. Plus, It’s what they both said initially and I see no reason not to believe it. It’s really more of a tax issue and I think the US is happy as we get some of his money most ways.
Magenta, I don’t care what you looked up. I was not born here and I have dual citizenship. All my sibs do too. One can get the US citizenship and US passport, then renew your passport from your country of birth. Voila!
All my kids are dual citizens as well. They are US citizens by birth and get citizenship from my country of birth. They just had to show my birth certificate and theirs to get their passport.
One sister in law just became a citizen and travelled to her home country and renewed her passport.
My sister’s kids have three passports. They are born here and hold passports from both their parents country of birth.
How can the US government stop them ( or me) if the other countries consider us citizens?
@Sunee, what Magenta is saying is that the US doesn’t recognize dual citizenship anymore. Not that a person can’t have dual citizenship. The US government will not recognize your other citizenship status for any official purpose. Just your American citizenship.
I’m not sure why you’re insisting that dual citizenship doesn’t exist for the US/UK, when both government state otherwise.
According to the gov.uk site, “dual citizenship (also known as dual nationality) is allowed in the UK. This means you can be a British citizen and also a citizen of other countries.”
Similarly, the US State Department states “ U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one nationality or another. A U.S. citizen may naturalize in a foreign state without any risk to his or her U.S. citizenship.”
@Msiam, then @Magenta is arguing about something not even relevant to this thread. The bottom line is, if Harry wanted to get dual citizenship, 5 years from the time he obtains his GC, and he meets all the criteria, he will get it. If nothing of yr immigration laws gets changed in the next 5 years, then yes Harry meets eligibility criteria. But, as I already started upthread, a lot can change in 5 years.
I believe the knot is not as much as dual citizenship (of course if exists) but in his particular case, in order to apply to US citizenship he will have to renounce to his UK titles. And he won’t, they’re holding tight to those.
Luckily for Harry and Meghan they were smart enough not to hire a Page Six top lawyer.
LOL, I know. Better call Saul. This person sounds confused. Like the man is married to an American citizen. I’m sure they’ll sort it out, probably quicker than Meghan would have in UK. Wait till they find out Meghan can register to vote or they may be counted in the 2020 census.
He would have to renounce his title if he became a U.S citizen. The US doesn’t recognize foreign titles. However, he legally can’t do that in the UK. They only give you a year to renounce any titles you are given and after that only parliament can take it away. If he goes for citizenship in the US, which I don’t think he will, they would likely compromise with Henry Mountbatten-Windsor being his legal name in the US. Meghan’s last name was probably simply changed to Mountbatten- Windsor on her US passport when they got married.
I can foresee Harry relinquishing his UK citizenship for tax reasons. I don’t think he gives a damn about being in the line of succession. He’s been very clear, his family comes first. I wonder if Meaghan has dropped her effort in becoming a UK citizen or if she’ll simply allow the clock to run out.
If you don’t reside in the UK, you don’t pay income tax in the UK. There are somewhat complicated rules about residency, but if you’re not spending much time there, you’re not going to owe tax there. It’s different to the US, where as a citizen you carry the burden of filing an annual tax return for the rest of your life regardless of where you move around the world, so long as you earn income. Renouncing UK citizenship wouldn’t change in any substantive way his obligations, such as they may be, to pay UK income tax in future years.
He can get his green card just like Melania Trump got hers.
Melanie and her entire immigrant family!
You mean on her knees? (sarcasm…)
…with a magnifying glass. (no sarcasm)
Darnit Lady D! Now I have an image of Melania on her knees with that magnifying glass wearing a detective cap.
I loved this article and couldn’t stop laughing because you know how Melania got her visa? Via GENIUS GRANT I kid you not:
HOW DID MELANIA TRUMP SECURE ‘GENIUS VISA’ FOR ‘EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY’ WHILE DATING THE FUTURE PRESIDENT?
https://www.newsweek.com/melania-trump-genius-visa-einstein-826431
I thought “anchor baby” was an offensive term.
While Harry is indeed white, Christian and British, he is, more important to this discussion, wealthy and connected. Some working class kid from Manchester or Liverpool would find it pretty hard to get citizenship or a green card, harder than a wealthy child of the elite of any country who get visas for working at investment banks or hedge funds (in exchange for the banks getting sweetheart treatment in their home countries.) There have been visa scandals involving the children of the Chinese and Saudi elite who get no-show jobs in big banks here.
Haven’t Beatrice or Eugenie had dilettante jobs here? I have no doubt Harry will figure something out.
Exactly. I don’t know if Beatrice was working for a British company with a US office or a US company and whether that makes a difference. But I do know you have to have some type of visa or authorization to work and live here in the US for a longer period of time. So If she got it all sorted out, then why are they thinking that Harry will be flummoxed by the whole thing?
Eugenie worked for the US arm of Paddle8 auction house/gallery iirc.
The RR are desperate to prove Harry a cad, throwing everything at the wall to convince people he will abandon his wife and child just to retain his place in the line of succession because he just can’t hack it in the real world. Nevermind he’s continually shown himself capable of taking on anyone who says a word against Meghan since there were first rumors of them dating. Nevermind Harry is head-over-heels in love with Meghan and Archie. Nevermind he’s already given up his patronages and military appointments and using his titles professionally. Do the RR and BRF really think he’s going to run back alone to Daddy and Grandmummy because he has to fill out a few forms?
P.S. I never get tired of looking at that header picture of Archie and Harry. How can anyone look at that picture and doubt Harry’s love for his wife and child?
There was an article from an Australian reporter that said during Prince Harry’s engagement at Frasier Island, he looked depressed and bored because Meghan was not there. He was back to his beaming self when he was reunited with her. I think Harry has always found royal engagements boring and was wanting out. He did try to make it work but he is someone that wants to launch projects to help people. And now he can.
I think you’re right, Marie. Harry has made no secret of wanting to choose his own life. When he met Meghan and saw how enthusiastically she threw herself into engagements and creating projects, he was re-energized and re-committed himself to being a successful senior royal. But when H&M realized the BM and BRF wouldn’t support them, Harry knew he had to leave and try to make his own way.
Why aren’t they writing articles about the dullards that are supposed to be keeping the monarchy together right now. Oh ya that’s right no one cares about them.
I mean, the article is stupid on several levels, but come on. Ain’t nobody fooled thinking America won’t gladly push ahead citizenship for the wealthy, much less somebody with as much celebrity draw as Prince Harry lol.
I have dual British and American citizenship. I managed this by… continuing to renew both my British and American passports. I don’t understand why this can’t have dual citizenship thing is so pervasive, literally no part of applying for American citizenship required renouncing anything, they certainly didn’t make me hand over my documents or whatever.
I wonder if Page Six and all the other detractors are aware of all of the professional baseball players here in the US who are getting paid good money and are not citizens. Despite all of the *horrors* paperwork!. Most of them go back to their home countries after they retire although some do go on to become citizens here. Somehow, someway i think Harry will be fine. *eyeroll*
He’ll get an O visa like Sting has… No biggy
Richard Fitzwilliams, one of the odious RR, was whinning on Twitter yesterday about “Britian being Harry’s home” and was dragged to h*ll and back.
If Harry does renounce his British citizenship, which I doubt, these people will have a collective aneurism. Dang, whatever happened to that “Keep calm and carry on” mentality the Brits are supposed to have?
I saw that. He got dragged in the replies too.
And, it was brutal, LOL!
Immigration attorney here. They probably spent the past few years doing extensive pre-immigration planning; otherwise, Harry’s going to be on the hook for a lot of taxes. Also, since they have been married for less than three years, Harry will get a conditional GC for two years. He can then apply for a permanent GC before the conditional one expires, but will have to show that they’re still married at the time. Both applications require extensive financial and personal information, especially now that the agency is also doing an analysis to ensure that no applicant is likely to become a public charge. Both applications are currently taking 1-1.5 years to be adjudicated.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if one of the Obamas sponsored Harry? A bonus is that both are still able to practice law, if they choose. 🙂
I’ve got nothing productive to add other than to say I can’t wait until the twins come, Archie will be such a great big bro.
I was watching The Truman Show the other night and the ending really made me think of Prince Harry and his life and his escape. I wonder if he’s ever seen this.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-_zYn-HHcyA
The BRF and the BM are Ed Harris.
Wow Nyro, thank you for posting that. That gave me chills. I’m so proud of Harry for standing up for his family and for choosing love and freedom over the media and royal family. They completely controlled his life.
Like, he is literally Truman. That movie clips speaks to almost everything. He was brought up in a fish bowl, a fake and controlled environment with events created by others so that the world could watch him, going all the way back to the Lindo Wing photo -op, mere hours after being born. And now he’s fallen in love with a free woman and he too wants his freedom. Yet all he’s heard from his family and the BM is how they know him better than he knows himself, how the real world is ugly and messy and he’s too stupid and sheltered to survive, how he’s got it good in his little fish bowl and would be a fool to leave, etc. The Truman Show.
@ Marie and Nyro
1,000,000% correct. Except in Harry’s case, the BRF and BM are incredibly spiteful, sadistic and infinitely more controlling than Ed Harris’ character.
Sometimes I wonder if Harry saw one of the many great things about Meghan as being his way out. Not saying that in a cruel way, but when I was first dating my husband he lived in California and one of his pluses was honestly, I knew I would one day move to California. I wonder if Harry saw Meghan and was like….endgame! Permanent vacation to California!!!
As far as I know, being legally married to an American doesn’t necessarily grant you a green card. At least no if you were married in Mexico. A friend of mine met an American man, dated for a year and a half, he was living in Mexico the whole time. They got married, he went back to USA, she couldn’t stay longer because they were told they needed to get married in the USA, their Mexican marriage was not “real” in the eyes of the American law, but ya been hell for them.
Also, I believe there’s a green card clause where if you are an investor or you have enough money to invest in America, you’re granted one. You’re basically paying for it, but as a form of investment in the USA. I’m not sure what’s the amount required but it’s a hefty one. Which in sure Harry has it.
You laid out the truth Kaiser! Harry being a rich white male will have no trouble getting a Visa and I’m certain that all that has been arranged already or trump wouldn’t have randomly spoken about their permanent move to the US. The buffon must’ve got a tip from government immigration department.
Harry has several things thst can help fast track his application from his wealth,marriage to an American women & father of Archie to his investment via the none profit they’re setting up & possibly work with JP Morgan & the university they visited.
@NYRO
“I was watching The Truman Show the other night and the ending really made me think of Prince Harry and his life and his escape. I wonder if he’s ever seen this.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-_zYn-HHcyA
The BRF and the BM are Ed Harris.”
Wow you’re right on the money! That’s exactly who they are!
My draw dropped when I saw that scene again. It’s totally what his life has been.
I’m married to a British citizen and it was pretty simple for him to get his green card, even in the Trump era. You fill out some forms, pay money, do an interview and done. We didn’t use a lawyer. As Prince Harry is who he is, I seriously doubt he will have any trouble securing a visa. I don’t even know why it’s a news story. Also, I have both American and UK citizenship, and it’s not an issue. You can have both. However I doubt he would do that anyway.
Immigrant needs lawyer and a visa to be in the US. And water is wet. Sheesh, they sure are reaching for things to bang on about, aren’t they?
Just what type of “work” would Harry do to require a work visa anyway: assistant manager at the Best Buy on Sunset Blvd?
As an American living in Canada on PR (permanent resident) who applied for dual citizenship up here in September(I am presently waiting to take the knowledge exam, which could be months until I take it now), I have always wondered what Harry and Meghan were going to do. PR took me 4 1/2 years to get; I have had PR 8 years as of this coming June. Green cards in the US are even harder to get at times, especially with Trump in office. I suppose they both could have gotten work visas in Canada, why I was surprised they went to LA. Sure, Meghan is a US citizen, but Harry will have a hard time getting a green card. It involves a lot of renewals and hassles once he does receive it, far more than my PR card. Either way, Harry’s status will be difficult and quite a hassle for quite a long time to come.
It won’t be that hard for him. I know someone who got an investment visa and I think he had pretty flimsy proof of his investment level. I’m sure they don’t need visa advice from us and it’s not like they haven’t thought of this. Why do people act like these people just fell from the sky?
Girl, these are rich people. Look at all of the athletes, entertainers, etc from other countries that are here in the US making money hand over fist and yet you think Harry will “have a hard time getting his green card”? Okay, Jan….
People, please stop with this nonsense, Harry WILL get a GC if he wants one and it’s NOT as hard as you make it sound. And I just LOL and RME at claims “the citizenship test is sooo hard”, c’mon now!!!
And you DO NOT need to hold Canadian PR for 8 years to apply for citizenship. You only need to have had yr PR for 3 consecutive years and resided here for 365 ×3 days to be eligible. Process takes 1.5 -2 years, (processing times have changed over the years) but it’s not difficult. A woman I know and her husband both non US born went to the US as a married couple in 2008. They went on student visas as the guy had got a scholarship in one of US universities to resident and fellow etc in the US. 5 years later, they both and their 2 American born kids were granted citizenship and the guy has continued to practice medicine in the US to this day. And it wasn’t difficult, it just took them years, like everyone else, to be eligible. Harry will get it.
You have to hold PR for 4 years to apply for citizenship. I renewed PR once(every 5 years you have to renew) and then decided to apply for citizenship a few years later.
Andrea you are wrong prove it
I will say no
No it will not be hard for Harry to get a GC.
1. He married an American.
2. He is rich.
3. He is White.
“Harry is already married to an American citizen, which gives him a massive “leg up” when it comes to applying for a work visa or green card; Harry is white, Christian and British, all of which give him another leg up” – absolutely agreed. And also he’s really rich; let’s not forget that.
Harry only needs a mere 200K USD for an E2 visa to be able to work here in the U.S. THAT’s it.
Believe me I know….Canadian here working in the U.S. I am not white, nor titled and it was easy peasy. I imagine some very well known, well connected uber rich white dude will have no problem. I also would bet money that Trump would cozy up to Harry and Meg if Harry and Meg would have him. Trump is just being petty because he knows H and M aren’t fan of his.
The American immigration process is very simple. I am not rich, I had no legal assistance, and I’m of average intelligence, and I completed all of the paperwork myself. I came here legally without a problem. He has money and prestige, so I’m sure he’ll be just fine.
Ok…I’ll say it….Petty Brits want the US to KICK Harry out of the country. They was hopeful that Trump would say he and Meghan wasn’t welcome. They are looking for at least ONE American to say they are not welcome and must go back to the Petty Brits. So I will be one of so many Americans that will say to the Petty Brits….we love them and welcome Meghan and Archie HOME. We’re are also so very KEEN in having Harry. A man that put his life on the line for his country. The same country that turned it’s back on him because he DARED to marry an American woman of color….so to the Petty Brits…You gave up one of your finest and we are very KEENLY happy to take him!
This is a poor attempt to have Americans turn on the Sussexes. NY post and the sun uk have the same owner. Prince Harry is part of a lawsuit as well as his wife’s lawsuit against the daily Fail. The daily Fail asserted that she is privileged royal so she should be scrutinized. Unless they settle the lawsuit this assertion is no longer a valid one. There are two things of note in regards to immigration there are exceptions to the law and it is always subject to be changed. Personally I find this article distasteful but apropos to the NYP. The Sussexes have a right to privacy since they are no longer senior royals and all their expenses are met by themselves not taxpayers.
I’m puzzled…Meghan is Hot? Harry is stupid?
Harry is not stupid and Meghan is hot.
Questions answered.