A Resident Alien debating US citizenship.

(I did as much checking beforehand for this topic, but apologies if what I'm looking for is extant and I just didn't search hard enough.)

My mom has been a landed alien in the US for almost 14 years now. (My brother, a US citizen, sponsored her and in effect, supports her.) Health care costs have had risen so much that she's wondering if she's better off back in Canada. (Again, my brother is mostly footing the bill for these expenses.)

In light of this, I'm researching what the pros and cons are of her taking out citizenship.

-How would her income situation change regarding taxes due the US government?
-Would her CPP/OAP situation be complicated by a change in status?
-What about her work pensions?
-Would she be eligible for Medicare?

As I'm typing these questions I guess it comes down to wondering if there are any advantages at all to her changing her citizenship.

Any insight or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Schmadrian/

Nothing would change for any service or responsibility if she got her USC or stayed on GC, except that she could live in canada as long as she wishes without worrying that her GC would be taken away.

There are some US services that are only for UScitizens or green card holders, so if she moves back to Canada -- and eventually loses GC -- she might not get these, even if she returned to US as, say, a tourist.


If she moves to Canada and plans to stay there, then I would think thta Medicare is not an issue.
Now, if she would return to live in canada, her taxation would change, as she would now be taxable in canada and US.
The rule of thumb is that, if she really wants to keep her GC status when leaving US, then she should apply for citizenship

Thanks.

If she moves back to Canada, that's it, she's there to stay (and to die; she's almost 80). So it's not the moving back to Canada that concerns me. (No health care costs back in Canada is a big plus to consider.)

It's more what the advantages are for her tax-wise (she doesn't pay any taxes now) and also access to (perhaps) Medicare if she stays and takes out citizenship.

She is as taxable now with GC as she would be with citizenship.

I don't believe there is any difference for medicare whether she is a citizen or long-time GC holder like she has been. Typically medicare eligibility requires previous work contributions to Social security, even for citizens. If she has not qualified for Medicare now, I don't think getting citizenship will make her eligible.