What happens after she becomes a US citizen?

[Chad]

I have a question about once a Chinese woman becomes a US citizen what happens if she wants to go back to China to visit for a month or even a year. Once she is a citizen in the US does she have to request a visa from China to go back? And will they give her one, what is the woman losing when she becomes a US citizen?

In a few years we think we want to live in both China and the US for six months at a time. Is that possible?

If the woman was going to get a pension will she still get it if she becomes a US citizen?

Any answers and thoughts supplied will be appreciated.

[kenny]

 We have decided, for now anyway that Linda should remain a citizen of China and a resdient of the US. It seems to me that Linda could return to China faster and eaiser this way in case of an emergecy with her family. She can travel back and forth to China with her chinese passport and US green card. This is the way I understand it to work anyway. I asked a question similar to this a month or two back and one thing that was pointed out to me was the right to vote. I dont think that is more important to us right now.

Later we will probably apply for citizenship for Ziwei for school reasons, she is only twelve now. I am not sure about the renewel of their passport's though that is something I will have to leran more about.

[sara]

    i knew some people who worked and lived in guangzhou have their retired saraly. they will still come and get their retired salary  in guangzhou when they become 50, 55, or 60 years old if they just has green card. after they get their retired salary they could apply to become USA citizen. you should make sure the cities' policy of your lady because the guangzhou policy for the pension might be different from the other cities in china.
Sara

[Irishman]

What's the retirement salary like in China?
Sunny will apply for Irish citizenship so she can get an Irish pension (as well as being able to travel around Europe etc without needing a visa, she can get a yearly Chinese visa anyhow for in case of emergencies so that's not a consideration), which I imagine will be worth more than a Chinese one ?

[Pineau]

Jing became a US citizen and now requires a US passport and Chinese VISA to go visit China.

[Pineau]

Fiona says the last she checked (two years ago) the retirement income was 650 RMB per month.

[joeswuhandream]

hi Chad
it my understanding from information from my wife is this
if your wife is a citizen of a another country she will loose her entitlement to her Chinese pension, as china does not allow dual citizenship
As far as splitting your time between country's no problem, if this is the case maybe your wife is better remaining a Chinese citizen ,makes it much Moore easy if she needs to go back home at short notice, it is my reading of the situation that the Chinese pension is around 1500 rmb each month
think our Chinese members will give you maybe more helpful advice
have a nice day Chad regards Joey and Sophia

[Arnold]

I'm with you Joe on this . I don't see any advantage my Wife ever becoming a Citizen here in the US . Makes going back easier for her .. for either Visit's or for good in the Future . I only became a US Citizen , because I know I wont ever go back to Germany to Live and it wasn't so much because I can Vote now . We will leave it as it is right now and the same will apply for Qing's Son . But that will be his choice later in Life .

[Jason B]

Xia will never be a US citizen, but I am leaving it upto her whether she wants to be become an Australian Citizen.  We have discussed the travel issue, not only to China but to be able to travel anywhere around the world.  Is it easier on an Australian Passport?  I will let her make Chinese friends here and discuss the matter with them.  Which way is easier for her to go?  She is her own person if she wishes to become an Australian Citizen I will support her 100%, if she wishes to stay an expat Chinese I will support her 100%.  As far as I can see there is no real advantages at this stage.  She can still work and enjoy all the advantages of Australia with just the visa she has at the moment.

[Willy The Londoner]

From what I understand a woman loses her pensions rights as soon as she becomes a citizen of another country.  China does not allow dual passport holders. 

So many woman get married outside China retain their Chinese name and keep Chinese passport.  Many do this because they are aware of the failure rate amonst marriages to foreigners and taking up foreigne citizenship can cause them problems.  And there is no record in China of a marriage to a foreigner.

As an aside I was on the telephone to the pension office in UK. I was told that when my wife reaches pension age which is still many years away we can then received married couples pension.  Also If I was to 'pop my clog's at any time then she would be entitled to a UK widows pension based on my contributions over the years.


Willy

[Chad]

Thanks for the replies guys. This has helped clear up my questions. For some reason I "assumed" that she would have to become an America citizen. So you all are saying that if she gets the "green card" and keeps it valid she can live in the US forever. What about changing the her last name to mine, any pluses or minuses? What would you suggest and what did you do about the last name?

[David E]

Jason

There are many places in the World where you can visit on an Australian passport without needing to get a tourist visa beforehand.

There are almost NO places in the World you can visit on a Chinese passport unless you get a tourist visa first...and that is always problematical for a single Chinese Woman, but not so difficult for a Chinese woman married to an Australian Man.

Somewhere down the track, I believe it will be compulsory for Permanent Residents to eventually get Aus Citizenship...but that does not apply...at the moment !!!

Of course...if Xia remains a Chinese Citizen, she cannot vote, become a Politician or join the Military....DUH 

I have also discussed this with Ming...and we came to the same conclusion as you. If she decides for her own reasons to get "Nationalised"  , then I will support her decision. If she decides not, its OK by me.

But generally speaking I can envisage that non-citizens  could be somewhere disadvantaged in the future, if the whim of the Government of the day makes it Politically desirable...and who can judge that can of worms...certainly not me !!!!!

[maxx]

Chad That is really a tough question.International air travel can be tough.Especially if there is kids involved. It took me 2 hours the other day at check in.And it still wasn't right.I had to spend another half hour in Denver trying to get the seats and the names straightend out on my wife's and sons tickets.My wife travels to China under her maiden name.With her Chinese passport.Her green card has her married name.

The first time we went back to China together.We didn't have any problems leaving or entering the U.S.We had only one kid at the time.Now since we have 2 the ticket agent couldn't figure out who to assign the youngest kid to.But otherwise we haven't had any problems.My wife's social security card.And her U.S id card along with her green card all have her married name.

[Arnold]

I can say that I had quite a problem here in the States with Qing's Name . I wanted it to be Qing ( first ) Chu ( middle ) Dusch ( last ) . Somehow this got so far been written down as .. Qing Zhu Dusch .. Qing Dusch Chu and Qing C. Dusch . The last one I wanted it to be , but since the Gov. put's it Dusch Chu Qing and the DMV Qing Dusch Chu it is quite confusing as you see . All I wanted is Qing to keep her Birth Name somewhere on Paper so it will be easier when in China or Traveling . They find ways though to throw / mix it .. that I wished I just put it down as Qing Dusch only on ALL paperwork . Keeping it as simple as possible is best for the Government , because their are very GOOD at NOT doing their Job .

[maxx]

Scott my father in law receives a pension.He worked for a chemical plant that made chlorine.When I talk to my wife in a couple of hours.I will make sure he never worked for the government.I do know that he was in the army.He was drafted.Did his time Then he got out.

There is no nation wide medical insurance coverage for China.Those that do have medical insurance have payed for it out of there own pocket.China hospitals are pay as you go.You check in at the front desk.You give the girl behind the counter some money.The doctor takes a look at you.If the doctor thinks that you need a I.V. or some drugs.You go pay the girl behind the counter more money.Then you get the I.V. or drugs.After the I.V. you holler at the nurse.She writes something down and takes the I.V. out you are free to go.This little adventure will cost you 100 rmb.If the doctor thinks you need to come back it is 100 Rmb for each visit to the hospital.

This is the way they work it in JiuJiang.I don't know how they work it if your admitted to the hospital.I think you need to call a relative to bring you some money.If you don't have enough.Or if you don't have insurance.

Scott I think I would call who ever you bought the ticket from.And have them change the name on the ticket.To whatever is on your wife's passport.The first time my wife went back to China.I did the same thing you did.I used my wife's family name as her middle name.About a week before we were to fly out.I called the company I bought the ticket from.They told me to call the airline.The airline told me.That the passport and the ticket must match exactly.So I fought with the airline and the place I bought the ticket from.For about a hour that day.

When we showed up to check in for are flight.There wasn't a problem.Because my wife's passport.And her ticket matched exactly.The next year we flew back to China.I bought the ticket for my wife using her family name.There wasn't a problem.There wasn't ever any problems flying out of China.The ticket agent just glances at my wife's green card.Customs in the states is the same way.They just glance at my wife's green card.

This year the problem was that my sons last name didn't match.My wife's name .So they wouldn't issue are youngest son a ticket at check in.Because the names didn't match.So theire computer wouldn't print a ticket.2 hours latter.They let my son on the plane.And I had to deal with this when we got to Denver.In Denver it took another half hour to get it fixed.By the time this was all complete.I had two extra tickets for are oldest son.Three extra tickets for my wife.I had two extra tickets for my self.

When I flew out of Beijing Monday mourning.It took less then five minutes to get Checked in.My wife and the kids are staying in China for a couple of more months.I will probably have to fly back to Beijing before they are ready to come home.And help my wife get checked in at the check in desk.Because I'm sure there is going to be more problems.Since the boys last name doesn't match my wife's family name.So Scott save yourself some grief.Call the airline and get this straightend out.