Dual Citizenship

izzy1313

5-Year Member
Joined
May 11, 2011
Messages
11
I have a dual Egyptian-US citizenship and I was wondering if that would disqualify me in any way for admission to the academy at all. Would I have to terminate my Egyptian citizenship to hopefully go to the academy and later on serve in the air force?
 
If I'm not mistaken I think you do have to give up your Egyptian citizenship. As it might complicate your application for the Security Clearance.
 
I have a dual Egyptian-US citizenship and I was wondering if that would disqualify me in any way for admission to the academy at all. Would I have to terminate my Egyptian citizenship to hopefully go to the academy and later on serve in the air force?

Since the U.S. technically doesn't accept dual citizenship, yes, you will have to give it up. However, it won't disqualify you. After your military career is over, you may be able to get that citizenship back, depending on Egypt's rules.
 
I worked that very issue about a year ago. If the dual includes US, then you meet the US citizenship requirement and don't have to give up foreign citizenship to qualify for appointment. That said, dual citizenship can conceivably constitute an impediment to certain security clearances.

As an aside, dual citizenship is far rarer than most people (including some who think they have it) think.
 
So I can still keep it until I hopefully become a commissioned officer in the air force?
 
izzy the best thing to do is to contact the Academy directly or your Admission Liaison Officer. They will give you a much more definitive answer. :smile:
 
Hmmm. A freshman at USAFA dismisses my recap of the HQ USAF position as requiring a "much more definitive answer?" Now, that's hubris!
 
Hmmm. A freshman at USAFA dismisses my recap of the HQ USAF position as requiring a "much more definitive answer?" Now, that's hubris!

No, because your "recap" did not address his follow-on question as to whether
a security clearance might be an "impediment" while at the Academy or only after graduation. Would suspect it might depend on the country of the other citizenship.
 
No, because your "recap" did not address his follow-on question as to whether
a security clearance might be an "impediment" while at the Academy or only after graduation. Would suspect it might depend on the country of the other citizenship.

"Once upon a time in the past" I had an officer in my unit who held "dual citizenship" from both the USA and Australia.

When it was time for his security clearance, he was grounded from flying his MWS (Major Weapon System) for 3 years while the fight went on re: his Top Secret Clearance Application. In other words, while he was/is a great guy (and I mean this sincerely, he's a good friend), he was 100% USELESS to our squadron as a combat asset.

Finally he was told: You will swear away your Australian Citizenship, inform the Australian government/embassy, we get copies of the revocation of citizenship, etc...etc...and THEN you'll get your clearance, etc.

Things may have changed since then...I have no idea, but if you're NOT willing to take this step, then might I suggest your reconsider your future career plans? I know that sounds harsh but at the end of the day, as a commander, I need to know WHO you serve, WHO you are loyal to, WHO you will or won't work with/for/support/fight, etc...

IF we suddenly found ourselves in an armed conflict with Egypt, where would your loyalties lie? Could you bomb Egyptian targets? And worse...if you were captured, are you now going to be executed as a national traitor? Do I lose an officer that otherwise would have been a "simple" POW that might be subject to exchange, etc? Am I going to have other lives placed at risk because we need to try to rescue you because of this "unique" situation? Again, I realize this sounds very callous/harsh/cold, but...we're not talking little things here, this is a very real issue.

There are a LOT more issues here than a simple question re: dual citizenship.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Citizenship is a status bestowed on an individual by a country. As such it can only be revoked fully by the country which granted it.
One can revoke their citizenship to a country publicly but that country may still consider them a citizen.

The issue here is if YOU consider yourself a citizen of a foreign country and do you hold a passport as a citizen. If you have two passports you will have to give up the foreign passport. You also may be asked to submit notification renouncing citizenship to the foreign country.

You need to speak with Academy officials - the actions you need to take depend on many factors including the country involved, if you have ever taken advantage of your dual citizenship and if you have two passports.

It is my understanding that those who attend flight school must have a "Top Secret" clearance prior. The work for this begins while you are at the academy and may take months and in some cases years to secure.
 
Thank You flieger83 and Just_A_Mom. I actually only have an american passport but i am still considered an egyptian citizen(I don't need a visa to visit egypt) because my parents immigrated from Egypt. I was actually born here though. Would I still have to renounce even though I don't have an Egyptian passport?
 
As mentioned several times, you need to contact Academy officials.
 
I had this issue this past year. I was told because I am a dual citizen to Germany-USA, I would have to give up my German citizenship. In fact, I had to sign the papers stating this as part of the application, not registration.
 
Thank You flieger83 and Just_A_Mom. I actually only have an american passport but i am still considered an egyptian citizen(I don't need a visa to visit egypt) because my parents immigrated from Egypt. I was actually born here though. Would I still have to renounce even though I don't have an Egyptian passport?

Right - Egypt considers you a citizen even if you don't consider yourself and Egyptian citizen. You really need to contact the Academy. I think it will make your security clearance much smoother since you have never held or used and Egyptian passport. You most likely will have to submit some paperwork renouncing your citizenship.
Each circumstance is different and the Academy will be able to help you.
 
im not applying to the usafa but i am applying to other SA's. Im also a dual citizen. i was born and raised in the US but I have a canadian citizenship as well.

when I was younger, my mom wanted me to have this. I dont really see why but alright.

Will I have to do anything special in my app when I apply to the sa's or does it only pertain to me if i receive an appointment.

If it matters, ive never even set foot in canada or even flown over it on an airplane.
 
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