I've been in the US for over 11 years and still dont have citizenship. we are indian, and a lot of indians immigrate to the US. if you dont get lucky enough to get it as soon at you can, you're stuck waiting years longer. we just got our green cards last year. 11 years man, we just want to be able to travel.
@@jamesedwards1284 mate that's not how it works. Indian passports have very little give in where we can go, and what we are allowed to do in the US. We have to go through immigration every time we travel to or from the US, and are ways askedexrra questions. Cant go to Canada or most european countries.
@@jumanaarif1196 well traveling is a privilege, it takes a lot of effort. But you can still apply for a visa to enter those countries you want to travel to.
I think you need to mention somewhere in the video that the reason you were able to get your O1 visa and green card in the first place was because you started a company that was based/hired people in America. That is a privilege that a lot of normal people from ordinary backgrounds don’t have. The real cost of your citizenship is the amount of money it took to start up your company. That’s a privilege that a lot of people don’t have. It’s incredibly misleading for you to hide this fact from your video and act like the biggest hurdle of the whole process wasn’t the act of getting the O1 and green card itself.
I think it is mostly because of her husband as he seems to be the one who is in IT or something, she herself seems to be arranging trips to English language schools, is it also considered to be a start up?
@@Lecintel No, she has also started one or more companies on her own and now she has one with her husband (not sure, remember seeing it in an older video)
I was thinking the same thing. She makes it seem like “oh you just have to fill out papers and wait” but in reality people have green cards for over a decade and still don’t have citizenship.
Guys her family is very wealthy in Russia (no hate here they worked hard to build their wealth). My point is that there are alternatives to middle and low income earners. Reach out to non-profit
Her family is not rich, they've just managed to get an investment to start their business. So maybe it's smarter to keep your unbased presumptions to yourself...
In italy it’s totally free of charge to become a citizen and you don’t have to pass any Italian or culture tests, but you have to live in Italy with a permanent residence permit for 10 years though
This comment is misleading as you don't have to live 10 years with PERMANENT residence permit, but you have to have reached 10 years of residency, where after 5 you will get your permanent residence card (previous 5 years can be temporary permits for studying, work, unemployment, wtc). And you DO have to pass Italian language test (you don't only if you graduated from Italian university) and Italian culture test and it is NOT free of charge.
@@andrijanaginin1168 hey, I'd be grateful if you could answer some questions for me. How hard would you say it is to get study permit or work permit (in technology related field) in Italy? If yes what would be cost of education? If you're a native, how would you describe the life there compared to Canada or us. I've been interested in Italy a lot, I'm looking to move abroad few years later. So i wanna give Italy a chance if it'd be worth it.
@@misssparkle6421 it is not hard to get the study or work permit at all. If you pass the entrance test at the university, the study permit is basically granted, they don't turn people away, just the process is long but once you apply, you can stay and study as you go through the process. As for work, that depends if you're coming directly from another country to work or you came to study and then after you found a job. The former requires that when you get job offer, you sign a contract and then apply for work permit, again you can work while waiting in the process (you get it no problem if your job is legal). Work after study requires a conversion from study to work permit, again long, but no problem there. Basically, if you're doing everything legal, they never say no.
@@misssparkle6421 the cost of studying at the university of Bologna is around 1500/2000 euros per year for bachelor's and around 3000-4000 euros per year for master's degree, depending on the program (I believe it's the same or similar at any public university, private ones are more expensive, however not considered better than public AT ALL). I've never paid a dime because I come from a "low income family" (very average really), so after submitting some documents the uni required to prove it, I got full scholarship (tuition fees waived + dorm accomodation and some cash). This is very common in Italy for students. I'm not native, I moved to Italy to study and stayed to work, around 9 years ago. I've never lived in Canada or the US, but here you've got free heath care, university costs nothing to little, it is quite safe yo walk the streets at night even if you are a girl, I feel Europeans are less anxious compared to some of my American friends. Food is healthier too, for sure. Italy is hard to live just because the bureaucracy takes soooo long and it is sooo complicated, but other than that - you'd love it, I'm sure! Good luck 😁
$20,000?? Now I really do not blame anyone trying to enter the country without documentation…. Who can afford to pay that?… and have four years to spare to get it?
No. The only reason for that expenditure is the lawyer. You do not need the services of an immigration lawyer. I do not know why she needed one, but ordinarily, no one needs one.
@@garimaduralya410 it depends: if he was successful, then he would be punished severely by the US for renouncing his citizenship (covered Expatriot rule). If he was financially unsuccessful then it would be an easy process and the only reason to give up US citizenship at that point is for convenience sake. Given that s/he moved to Finland, it is very unlikely that s/he was financially successful because successful people move out of Finland, not in. Overall, it’s unfortunate that the United States is the only country to place this burden on its citizens. BoL
@bench of lemons money is great and all. But its useful without time and support to use that money. In the Scandinavian countries, they get 6 weeks min annual holiday, better employee protections, etc.
She has money so got it the easy way. Most people don’t have the ability to get that extra visa unless you have a company of some sort that makes a lot of money.
@@user-gi1xr8tf1p It doesn’t really matter, does it. Even if you have 1.8 million to invest the US, they will make you wait over 16 year *just to get to the front of the line* where you might get rejected, it’s ridiculous. It’s nothing like Canada or the UK where you can just buy your way in almost instantaneously, unfortunately imo. She got in though the O visa, not an investor visa.
@bench of lemons exactly. She's a businesswoman, so unless she spends a humongous amount on legal fees or other dubious means, idk what her extraordinary ability is. Melania trump got an O1 visa when she was an unknown model as well. I assume she followed the same path.
I'm an immigration paralegal and let me tell you you were extremely lucky, most immigrants in this country can't even get their green cards dispute living in this country for so many years. Congrats, it is a very stressful process.
Congrats !!! I am from Victoria, BC Canada … moved to Tucson, Arizona and got my green card in 2008 … then about 5 years later I got my US Citizenship in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the huge historical federal court building in a large court room with another 71 people when we were sworn in as US Citizens! It felt so surreal and awesome now being a dual US and Canadian citizen.
Keep in mind if you have free Medicaid, you don't have to pay any money for citizenship. I used to work in international organizations for migration, and we had legal refugees from around the world. I have filled out about 200 papers for citizenship, and they were able to get a free citizenship process because they had their state Medicaid.
My mom is trying to convince my dad to become a citizen. My mom is natural born but my dad moved here from Mexico back in 1998, and he’s been legal the whole time, but he just keeps renewing his green card. We have no idea why he doesn’t just become a citizen because at this point it’d be cheaper for him to do that than keep renewing his green card.
For those of you that are low income there are programs that will fully or partially pay for your visa. There are also many non-profits especially in California that will fill out your paperwork. Many resources out there!
I was one of them! Go 🇺🇸 ♥️. To clarify, you need your Green card for 4 years before applying to be a citizen, just being in the country for that long is not a qualification. Gotta have the green card first 👍👍👍. Also, the $20,000 she mentions would’ve been for an immigration lawyer for her whole family, I did it without a lawyer so I had none of that. I think immigration lawyers are a total waste of money, most of them will drag out your application and miss deadlines resulting in re-filing and extra fees. Skip it if you can!!!
I paid $400 back in 2008, was asked 3 questions and wrote in English a complete sentence incorporating my name. The process was lengthy, which I don’t remember much since I was a kid, but I’m sure it was in the thousands as well.
Anna they don’t want Indians here. The worst is the Indians were already here, even if their visa is about to expire any time and they’ve been begging around for someone to sponsor them even day look down on other Indians, and look at other Indians with disgust. I have no idea why.
My husband got his citizenship in 2022 after five years due to government extensions and a world changing event. Normally a marriage visa to citizenship takes only three years, but the cost is the same as you mentioned. I definitely recommend hiring a good lawyer. Ours followed through but could have been better.
Almost 2 million people became US citizens last year, people. She ain't to only one. She got an extraordinary ability visa. She has every right to become a citizen. She did it the legal way. If she were to apply to another developed country she will have to go thru tremendous challenges also. So I congratulate her and welcome her to our country.
People complaining about waiting long for citizen ships , I’m from sudan my parents legally moved to saudi with job contacts , right after they got married and me and my 3 siblings were all born there, yet non of us have a Saudi passports , or at least infinite citizenship, as a meter of fact my family was paying monthly fees to the government besides taxes and vats , just for the simple fact of us being there , this applies to anyone who’s ancestors are not originally Saudi (basically all foreigners) , so you could be born and raised could have even finished all your education and got married and had kids in Saudi but you would still be considered a foreigner, your dad could be a “foreigner” but your mom is Saudi, you would still be considered a foreigner.. soooo ..
Canada has less opportunities long term so its more expensive long term. Usa is better for actually making money or running business. Canada is more of a socialist country which you are punished for earning more.
@@blinxx3533 American Culture is respecting other people's beliefs and cultures. . the person said nothing wrong.. i see many people saying inshallah in usa
This goes against everything I have heard from people coming to the US .. even professors at Columbia with PhD from Chicago took way longer.. and I have a PhD from a top place in Europe and I would still depend on lotteries, a friend of mine in a similar situation had to renounce for not been drawn in a lottery and she had a crazy job offer and a great PhD, another one, professor at UCLA is still having troubles with his wife getting a work permit after two years and I cannot think of anyone more extraordinary than them.. I am speechless..
Congratulations! I remember when I took my oath to become a US at the Los Angeles Convention Center. There were almost 5K people in the center who became new US citizens. The largest group was from Mexico about 2,000 people. The smallest group was from Germany (17). You can now get your US passport.
Please understand your process is a lot different for others coming from other nations. Many people have a much harder time trying to become a citizen as they come from nations that are seen as less desirable (per the US) and don’t always have an employer/connections/sponsorship as you may have. That’s privilege.
Exactly. She started her own company based in the Us and that allowed her to get the O1. The real cost of her citizenship is how ever much it took to pay to start up her company. This isn’t something someone from a normal background can do. It’s kinda misleading of her to omit this privilege.
@@WK-rp1yh yeah I used to be like that too, obsessed over the US even till a couple of years ago. I used to like go to Google maps and search for street view of the us and would just spend hours roaming around exploring, ik it sounds creepy lol. I feel like it was probably how it was portrayed. Like working in the US is considered a privilege in my country, irrespective of the job. Relatives we meet in weddings would be just boasting about how one of their son works in the us. Basically, going to the us makes things like getting married easier (especially for guys). And most people go there for the money ofcourse. And some people don't settle in the US as a family , mostly only one member works there, mostly the husband and they send their money to their family and boy oh boy that money like quadruples in terms of value when converted. It's crazy. And fun fact, a lot of high school graduates go into the most premiere institutions of my country (it takes a LOT of studying to get there, the competition is MASSIVE) only to move to the us. It's ironic to watch. And btw I'm sorry, I know your comment doesn't deserve a literal essay but I'm just venting my feelings out lol. And btw I'm from India and I can confirm "the American dream" is a real deal here.
I would like to sincerely apologize for my bad English. My own comment gave me a headache to read because of the OUTRAGEOUS amount of filler words I used 😅😅
Because if you have a good education and a good job, life is so much better there. US dollar is so strong. Let’s say I made 100 grands a year saved 40% of it. I can buy a decent apartment in my home country with 40grands. If I continue living in my home country, it would take like 10 years. It’s mostly about money. I’d probably try to not get sick or suffer any injuries, ofc. I’m young so US looks attractive to me. Btw, Australia looks attractive too. I don’t speak other European languages, so I only stick with US or Oz.
I suppose joining the army is the only real option because the green card lottery has very low odds, you don't have 4 years to spare, or can't get the money. You only have to serve for ONE day before applying for citizenship, the minimum pay is $22,000 base (not including $500 language special pay if you know another language, the BAH or BAS which are not taxable), The application fee is ~900-1000 (for background checks), and you only have to serve 2 years minimum before you can get out, after you leave the army, you get $4000 for college a year (I believe), free housing for college, reduced cost healthcare and more. So you could serve as a 92G (Cook) and get a bonus in the N. Guard. (2 weeks a year, 1 weekend a month). Also recieving some bonuses (not nearly as much as 4,5,6 year contracts though)
This is why most Mexicans come to the US illegally, it's much more expensive and a lot of paperwork work (and takes a lot longer for us). Also sheesh it costed her $20,000! Crossing illegally costs half of that and even that is already expensive which is the real reason why we saw a slowing down of border crossings... because it has become expensive and now the demographics of people crossing the border has shifted towards the most desperate, which includes Venezuelans and Central Americans.
Meanwhile I had to stay 3 years in Canada and pay for the application. Less than $1000 overall. Imagine paying $20k for a country with practically no socialized healthcare.
As someone who was brought to the USA illegally as a child I would gladly pay $20k even 50k for citizenship. Sadly there’s no route for me atm unless I get married. It is hard living here without being able to travel to other countries and coming back home here. I can’t imagine others who are the same as me but worse without a employment authorization card and social security number and super difficult to find a job that pays $12+ without them.
I finally qualify for the us citizenship in 9 months n I can’t wait,I came to the country with a tourist visa as well and got married to an us citizen. I’ll apply for the citizenship for the 3 years rule because my husband is an. Us citizen. IM SO HAPPY CANT WAIT.
@@wendy_101. what form is it for the marriage to us citizen? Did you just keep renewing the tourist visa over and over again until you gained citizenship?
@@wavy346 lol nooooo.. I came to the USA with a tourist visa and got married to an us citizen and that’s how I got a green card and after 3 years of begin a permanent resident I become an us citizen. Through marriage. People who gets a green card through marriage with an us citizen 🇺🇸 can apply for the citizenship at 3 years of begin a green card holder.. so you have to get a green card first and then apply citizenship just like the person of the video.. the only difference in that you can apply for the 3 year rule. That’s it
@@dce9018 naturalized citizens may be barred from certain jobs, such as those involving national security, and there may be some restrictions on their ability to hold certain public offices. Additionally, naturalized citizens may have a longer waiting period before they can sponsor family members for citizenship. But these differences are relatively minor, and the vast majority of rights and protections are the same for both born and naturalized citizens.
@@singingLeaf123 they MAY be. I'll give you examples of you say about certain jobs and political office doesn't apply. One from the past and one in the present. First the past. Wernher von Braun who came to America and is considered the father of the American space program. He had very high security clearance and was a naturalized citizen. Second the present Congresswoman Ilhan Omar form somalia became a US citizen at 17 elected to office in 2017 they are extraordinary examples but the do exist.
Congratulations Marina 👍🏻 You are an inspiration to many people whose dream is to settle in US, I love your content which is very informative and entertaining.
Congrats. You now have to pay the IRS taxes (or at least file for foreign tax credits) every year for the rest of your life, no matter where you live or where you work.
@@lisalep The only difference is the fact that if she worked in a country with no income tax (such as the UAE) as a Russian citizen, she would not be obligated to pay the Russian government taxes on her non-Russian income. However, after a certain financial exemption (I think its $120,000), a U.S. Citizen must pay taxes on their income (regardless of its source) to the U.S. government.
I've been a fan of you from a long time now. You're an inspiration really and I know it will be (borderline) snide remark but I hope people who spread constant hate about you do focus on "extra ordinary ability work visa".
I was surprised hearing this because I have friends on work visa and they needed more than 10 years but people who come on refugee status need 1 year for green card and 5 for citizenship
@@anapaladi4499 Well, as I understand the route many choose to get a tourist visa, enter the country, find an immigration lawyer and start searching ways to change status, that's because it would have been so much longer to get that extraordinary abilities visa while outside of the country, but when you have money everything is possible. But what weird to me is how easy change of status gets approved after entering the country, coming on business visa and changing status means they straight up lied about their intentions when applying for tourist visa, but on the other hand, you can never predict the intention and change of status is legal and many do it
That's just an exaggeration, the US isn't mostly as big on guns unlike what the media says. Just use common sense like visiting any country. It's mostly used for politics which is best to ignore mostly.
Was very easy for you. The reason is from where is you place of Origen. You have a good chance of becoming a hero of anything. Did you know that Jeff Besos was raised by a person of Cuban origin?
I was adopted from Korea at 6 months to parents who are citizens. I thought I would automatically be granted citizenship, however after applying for financial aid I was told that I am not a us citizen and am a “non residential alien”. Any advice? Super scared for myself
I become a US citizen last February and really a fast processing application experience on my case. And I don't have to spend a thousands of dollars as you did. Lucky me though.
