[POLL] Immigration
As TCKs, some of us lived in our passport countries before we became a full-time TCK and for some of us the passport country is barely just that - a passport country. Some of us don’t even know what “patriotism” really means.
And here is my question I’d like to pose to you - if you have the opportunity to change your passport country, would you? Would you immigrate?
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Cynthia Yang
Born in Taiwan and grew up in Indonesia, Thailand and China. Went to the US for college and have been working between Shanghai and Connecticut ever since. Fluent in Mandarin and English and can understand basic conversation of Thai.Related Posts
20 Comments to “[POLL] Immigration”
March 25th, 2008 at 4:07 am
That is a very interesting question.
Does this mean “giving up” a passport country?
I don’t know what i would do. I don’t think that i can choose.
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March 25th, 2008 at 4:15 am
See, my family DID immigrate (AND emigrate…) to the US, so I did just that. Though we waited 15 years so that we could get dual citizenship. But if I’d do it again, it would depend on the country. I’m planning on moving to Germany or somewhere in Europe someday…
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March 25th, 2008 at 4:57 am
I am just basing on the current “citizenship” status. Doesn’t matter if you did immigrate or not previously, but after knowing that you are a TCK, would you?
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March 25th, 2008 at 5:41 am
I’ve always thought that the best solution for me would be to get a passport from a completely random country with which I have no formal/historical/practical relation just for the hell of it…
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March 25th, 2008 at 6:54 am
Um, YES. I left my passport country when I was 1. I went back for a 2 week period when I was 7. It is the MOST WORTHLESS PASSPORT ever, and I’m applying to immigrate to Canada next year.
Despite this, I would be really sad if I had to choose between Canada and my passport country, because my citizenship has always been a part of me and would be difficult to just get rid of.
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March 25th, 2008 at 9:51 am
I have Canadian and French citizenship, it does have some perks so … no complaints.
I don’t really feel any attachment to France, so I wouldn’t mind changing my French citizenship for another European one (as long as it helps me avoid the long queue at the customs!)
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March 25th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I agree with Brice, having US and Mauritian passports definitely has its advantages, especially when traveling around the world. I wouldn’t mind changing the US but I would keep the Mauritian one… I have few ties to MRU as it is, wouldn’t want to lose the passport as well.
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March 25th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Interesting answers, not ones that I had in mind haha.
For me, this is a tough question. As much as I have never actually lived in Taiwan if you ask me to give it up, I think I’ll have a hard time saying yes. I am not sure what it is. I mean I might just as well hold a US passport or some other foreign passport because 1) it will make it easier for me to say where I’m from (in regards to my English ability) and 2) it will steer me away from “unwanted attention” (if you know what I mean).
But even with that, I still have a hard time accepting the idea that it is a possibility that my passport can change.
Maybe I am just so used to having it? I am quite attached to it. I think in a way it confirms at least I “belonged” somewhere since I was born…hmm, this is so hard to explain LOL
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March 25th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
“because my citizenship has always been a part of me and would be difficult to just get rid of.”
That is probably why I am having a hard time accepting the idea of giving up my passport.
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March 25th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
I think you always keep the passport of your birth country no matter what. But simply because of the complications of work permits and labour laws, I’m thinking as many passports as I can get
Some countries such as Canada and the US can be too strict and actually hurt themselves in the long run. I’ve seen relationships fall apart because of the length of time it takes for one to get the required work visas, & “status” for insurance, benefits etc.
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March 26th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I know exactly what you mean because I am currently in that situation. I am trying hard to get a work visa for like the 4th time LOL My bf is in the States and maybe I’d consider getting a PR eventually but still, the thought of changing my passport is just…hard.
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March 26th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Me too! that would be amazing, although I am not sure I would want to give up either of my passports but adding a 3rd to another country just for the heck of it would be amazing! I actually considered a while ago what nation I wanted to have another pass to, but then I figured I could never stay there long enough to qualify for one so I gave up that idea.
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March 27th, 2008 at 12:52 am
well apparently to have a canadian passport you just have to have a proof of residence (my friend got one bc his uncle has a house somewhere in canada….he’s never actually lived there tho)…
someone correct me if ‘im wrong
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March 27th, 2008 at 12:55 am
Well I think we can all keep whatever we have and just add…. just use the one which is most convenient at the time…
What would be really useful is a non-nation passport… Maybe not a TCK passport but something that has no country…would be so much easier that way
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March 27th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I only have Argentine citizenship, I will admit it doesn’t have ALL the perks of a European/Canadian/american passport but it’s great. I can go to place without a visa that all the above mentioned need.
We are not really hated by anybody (on a government level I mean
), we have it easier that most latinos in Europe, we are not targets for anything, so it’s great.
I have a love hate relationship with my citizenship as far as identity goes, but otherwise, I wouldn’t change it for anything.
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March 27th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
well i have lived a little less than half my life in my passport country, so i can’t say i dont know the place.
i’m pretty lucky to have norways as my passport country, since were not really enemies with any nation, and i pretty much get into any country without a question.
my current passport has an american visa, a indonesian visa, eh, a malaysian student visa, and a malaysia other visa, and then a new temporary malaysian visa.
actuall, the entire immigration system like collapsed and failed or something, so i have a confusing piece of paper that says im allowed to remain in west malaysia to the 4th of april and the above that is says 30 days. i dunoo whats right.
anyhow.
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April 20th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Yes. I would give up my Australian citizenhip for a US or EU one in a heartbeat.
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May 8th, 2008 at 2:34 am
I think the most important reasons for me not to change my passport are
1. because a Taiwanese passport will give me trouble entering some other countries - especially because Taiwan doesn’t really “exist” officially lol
2. because I made a decision recently that I would only have a Taiwanese passport if it was a “Republic of Taiwan” passport and not “Republic of China” - I guess I’ve been in this part of the world too long; I’m a bit too wrapped up in Taiwan politics
Actually I suppose there are a few more reasons; I do like Switzerland even though I’ve never lived there, and sometimes I get little bursts of patriotism from nowhere. And I guess I wouldn’t go through all the fuss of changing passport, really.
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May 8th, 2008 at 3:39 am
I would Definitely trade my “home” country’s passport for a better one, like Desi with Taiwan, Gambia is one of the smallest countries in Africa, enought said! and for Africa passports, it never makes travelling easy! (But those visa stamps does make it looked much cooler). I think i would only trade it for a better travel guarantee, less hassle and cut down on the major times i spent calling high commissions and embassies at times. You know for some of use, giving up a passport its just that, giving up a passport and for those who have attachments in their home country, that doesn’t mean you have to severe all ties with that country! For me getting a better passport just means i can get IN my own “home” country easier lol.
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May 8th, 2008 at 7:42 am
I would love to trade my passport for british citizenship! Love the UK and the people!
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