Lost German Nationality -- a fight with the consulate
 

I had a REALLY good job offer with BioWare-Ireland, however because I do not hold a German passport anymore I am forced to get a work permit; and...in Ireland that means BioWare is required to pay an "X" amount of euro to the government in order for me to come into the country and work.

They didn't like that nor having to call me and say "Sorry, we truly wanted you to join us but we were unable to get the approvals from our corporate office to fund the required fees to the Ireland government." I even pleaded that they take it out of my salary, I didn't care, I had plenty of savings to cover me for a few years. I just wanted to be back in Ireland with all my friends.

So, yesterday I hired a Canadian-based law firm to assist me with regaining my German nationality. Apparently they deal with this a lot pertaining to Canadians who end up losing their nationality because they claim Canada.

Now according to law changes, they are saying I am unable to regain my nationality because I chose to enter a foreign military with intention of denationalizing myself.

This really sucks.

The US Consulate never told me I had to obtain permission from Germany when they handed me the papers and said "sign here sir, you've completed the requirements of your military obligation and we are pleased to award you with full Citizenship in the United States of America".

That sucks, TheGeek. Good luck getting things straightened out!

Thanks Seerah--

I'm pretty bummed.

I really wanted to work with BioWare. The lady asked me if I was interested in the same position here in Austin, I chuckled and asked her if that would get me to Ireland faster.

Sigh.

I shall see what the lawyers tell me in a week or so, I'm hoping there's some technicality we can exploit. However, at the end of the day, it was my fault for not paying attention and having these huge "$$" in my eyes thinking of being allowed to stay in the USA permanently.

Out of curiosity, do you not want to be here anymore?

Eh, wouldn't put it that way.

Trying to think how I can explain this without it coming the wrong way--after all this is the internet.

Basically here is what I'm trying to do.

I want my birth nationality back--because I have a feeling that had I paid attention initially I could have got the appropriate approvals to maintain it. I know a few people who have both German and US nationality--it, to me, seems you need to notify them ahead of time. Which I didn't do, OOPS.

Second, I have friends in Ireland and I truly miss them. We've been pondering the idea of me moving up there. They are from Germany and relocated up there two years ago, hence why I decided not to go to BlizzCon this year and instead went up there to see them. After my visit I started looking at the IT market up there because in just about any country, if you have a strong CV in IT (which I do) you tend to get a bit more ease coming in--of course, now that I say that, it isn't exactly true because I'm having a tough time with Ireland.

Either way, however the bucket falls on my head I'm fine either way. I have a great career here and if these are the cards I'm dealt then I'm perfectly fine staying here. It just means I will travel a ton more to see my friends because it just killed me that it's been two years.

I myself have a US and German nationality, but only because my parents were in Germany and I was born on a US Army base. So I have the option to choose which nationality I want.

I hope everything works out for you, cheering you on!

So many Germans in one thread :O

*feels strangely at home*

Hey, it's a good time to escape ;)

Thanks.

It sucks because BOTH my parents are German and I still have to go through all this b/s just get my birth nationality back.

Ugh.

sprechen du deutsch?

LOL, well, I wouldn't shed tears if I packed up and left.

However, the crud I'm in now I can't even return home to Germany.

I think I'm going to go cry now.

My own fatherland has disowned me!

Lol, thought you were Aussie :o

Ich spreche ein wenig Deutsch.
Been wanting to go abroad again too, I miss Europe; went to a boarding school out there for a few years, was amazing.

Aussie/Danish

Ahh, I miss my home away from home.

Such a combination is possible?! You will learn to rule all woman one day.

Hmm, I'm really only after one :p

I'm glad that you're optimistic either way, it's nice to know and heart warming that even if it's something you truly want, you're happy to let life run it's course.

Stand in line--I'm after that one too.

:banana:

Love triangle?? :O!

It's a tarp!

A man can dream, yes?

You started it--with your comment about the Vanessa costume.

OH this was about me? xD God I'm dense.

Psh, I didn't start anything.

PS: Seems like I'm good at derailing threads xD maybe I should stop posting

LMAO!

It's OK, I give you full authority to derail any of my topics. :)

Uh huh, I'll keep that in mind; and I'll make sure to put "BEWARE: I Might derail your read.", In my sig.

LOL!

I'm going to have to wear a "Yes, you can derail my topic" shirt at BlizzCon next year so you can find me if you show up.