The United States is a country built by immigrants. Celebs from around the world continue to bring an immense amount of talent and innovation to the U.S. From Canada to the UK to Israel, all of these iconic people came from other nations, achieved tremendous success and ended up becoming the permanent citizens of America. 

Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson may seem to be the Ultimate Californian girl, but she actually grew up in Canada. In 1989, she featured on the cover of Playboy magazine and later migrated to the USA to make a career in acting. She became a U.S. citizen in 2004 while keeping her Canadian citizenship. At that time, the Baywatch star said, "Having a U.S. citizenship was important in order to vote in the United States. Besides, this will allow me to help my children's grandparents settle in the States when they become older."

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey shifted to Los Angeles from Ontario, Canada, in 1979 to fulfill his American dream. In 2004, the funny man became the dual citizen of Canada and the United States. While he believes his upbringing in Canada has shaped him into the person he is today, he never fails to thank America for making his dreams come true.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Born in a small village in Austria, Arnold Schwarzenegger moved to the States in 1968. He was granted American citizenship in 1983, went on to become one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, actor and politician. He once said, "With hard work and persistence, and because the Americans were so warm and comforting, I have thrived beyond my wildest imagination." 

Salma Hayek

The Oscar-nominated actress, Salma Hayek, hails from Mexico. She moved to the United States in 1991 and gained American citizenship in 2013. Hayek has confessed that she overstayed her visa and spent some time here undocumented before getting her green card. The actress is an active supporter of immigrants' rights and always makes an effort to represent her Mexican community in her work and life. "I spent my entire life to represent my Mexican heritage with dignity and respect, she said. "I have always encouraged my daughter to embrace our Mexican roots."

Michael J. Fox

Another Canadian! The "Spin City" star moved to Los Angeles in 1979, at age 18. He was granted dual citizenship in 2000; said that he was deeply disturbed by the fact that he lives in the United States but could not vote. The actor is a proud Canadian.  In 1987, Fox said, "I feel extremely proud of the fact that an average American relates Russia with "cold war" but a Canadian relates it with 'hockey.'" He has Parkinson's disease and often uses his celebrity status to promote government-sponsored medical research in the United States.

Charlize Theron

South African babe, at age 19, moved to the United States in 1994 when her mother bought her one-way plane ticket to Los Angeles. She acquired US citizenship in 2007 so she could vote and travel the world without having to get a visa for every other country. While she is very much connected to her home in South Africa, she feels having American citizenship has made things a lot easier for her. 

Mila Kunis

In 1991, Mila Kunis along with her family migrated to the US from Ukraine on a religious refugee visa. Hollywood sensation, Kunis says "My parents moved to the States in search of a better future, and because religious freedom is deeply rooted in the American culture as well as protected by the law. I want my children to have the same opportunity. American citizenship to me means 'Better life for our children.'

Immigrants are an integral part of our society and at Ria Money Transfer, we make sending money abroad easier, safer, and faster for our immigrant community all over the world.