Dual Citizenship Dilemma
May 16, 2015 10:02 AM Subscribe
My Mom was born in Portugal. I was born in Canada. I can get my Portuguese Citizenship. But will that keep me from getting a job in Astronomy?
I'm going back to school for an Astrophysics / Chemical Physics degree and during my search for scholarships and summer research programs found a few that would accept me if I have my EU Citizenship. Applying for Portuguese citizenship is not a major cost, but would be paid on loans.
However, while most of the Canadian postings for Astrophysics research do not specifically deny duel citizenship the US does almost across the board. This appears to be mainly due to DoD and NSF-REU funding, but it does make me worry.
In Astrophysics would duel citizenship be a plus or a minus? Is there any other major issues I should be aware of starting on this path?
I'm going back to school for an Astrophysics / Chemical Physics degree and during my search for scholarships and summer research programs found a few that would accept me if I have my EU Citizenship. Applying for Portuguese citizenship is not a major cost, but would be paid on loans.
However, while most of the Canadian postings for Astrophysics research do not specifically deny duel citizenship the US does almost across the board. This appears to be mainly due to DoD and NSF-REU funding, but it does make me worry.
In Astrophysics would duel citizenship be a plus or a minus? Is there any other major issues I should be aware of starting on this path?
I think a lot of US govt lab jobs are only open to US citizens, period. Are you sure you're eligible for these jobs now?
posted by PercussivePaul at 10:27 AM on May 16, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by PercussivePaul at 10:27 AM on May 16, 2015 [5 favorites]
I'm no longer in academia and not in astronomy, but my subject has the same broad sources of funding (NSF, DoD, DoE occasionally). NSF funding is not closed to dual citizens, but usually requires US citizenship (this is why REUs almost all require you be a US citizen). It's not so feasible to get a security clearance as a dual citizen (people have tolde it's possible without renouncing, but I've had a job interview stop dead).
However, it sounds like you're not a US citizen. Canada+Portugal should be no worse in the US than Canada.
posted by hoyland at 10:33 AM on May 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
However, it sounds like you're not a US citizen. Canada+Portugal should be no worse in the US than Canada.
posted by hoyland at 10:33 AM on May 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: It might be worth considering whether you might, post-PhD, be interested in ever doing defence / intelligence work for Canada, either working directly for the government, or for a defence contractor or think tank. At least here in the US, that sector is a pretty major hirer of STEM PhDs, and dual-citizenship could absolutely be a complication there.
posted by kickingtheground at 11:08 AM on May 16, 2015
posted by kickingtheground at 11:08 AM on May 16, 2015
Response by poster: Quick conformation, technically I already am counted as a Portuguese citizen but have never gone after getting all the paperwork done. I am not a US citizen. I'm not eligible for most US jobs, and am a resident in Canada. ( Kicking the Ground has my worry right there. )
posted by Liger at 2:47 PM on May 16, 2015
posted by Liger at 2:47 PM on May 16, 2015
My good friend actually stopped pursuing astrophysics after her Master's as she came to find that being a Canadian citizen (or rather not an American citizen) prevented her from being eligible for the mostly US based jobs she was working towards. She pivoted to nuclear physics and stayed in Canada. So I am not sure if the dual citizenship thing will be as much an issue as your lack of US Citizenship for your future career prospects.
posted by saradarlin at 3:08 PM on May 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by saradarlin at 3:08 PM on May 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
Canada is a pretty small pond. We dont have much in the way of defence contractors, think tanks, intelligence agencies. Not even a tiny fraction of the US. It is a country of 30 million. I have to think giving youraelf access the EU and its labor market, which is what, 15 times the size of Canada? It is probably a good move.
posted by PercussivePaul at 5:37 PM on May 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by PercussivePaul at 5:37 PM on May 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If you are willing to relocate later on, I'm betting there will be opportunities at the European Space Agency and similar orgs.
posted by mollymillions at 7:40 AM on May 17, 2015
posted by mollymillions at 7:40 AM on May 17, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
Also, you may already be a Portuguese citizen, regardless of whether you've filled out any paperwork or applied for a Portuguese passport. Some countries' citizenship laws make inheritance from parents automatic, but it depends on the laws of the particular country.
(I have no specific knowledge of your particular situation, but my whole family is dual/triple citizens so I have experience with the general topic)
posted by Emanuel at 10:15 AM on May 16, 2015 [1 favorite]