Can a U.S. citizen lose their citizenship?

Asked by: Erick Kozey DVM  |  Last update: October 30, 2022
Score: 4.6/5 (28 votes)

You might lose your U.S. citizenship in specific cases, including if you: Run for public office in a foreign country (under certain conditions) Enter military service in a foreign country (under certain conditions) Apply for citizenship in a foreign country with the intention of giving up U.S. citizenship.

What is the most common way that a person lose American citizenship?

The most common way to lose American citizenship is by voluntarily giving it up. A formal oath must be signed in a foreign country before an American official to renounce citizenship.

How can citizenship be lost?

There are three ways in which a person can lose citizenship of a country. These are renunciation, deprivation and termination.

Can I lose my U.S. citizenship if I live in another country?

A U.S. citizen may naturalize in a foreign state without any risk to his or her U.S. citizenship. However, persons who acquire a foreign nationality after age 18 by applying for it may relinquish their U.S. nationality if they wish to do so.

How long can you live outside the US without losing citizenship?

The law states that if a Green Card holder remains outside of the United States for one year and one day during any one trip, they are considered to have abandoned their residency and lose their Green Card and permanent resident status.

Denaturalization: 4 Reasons Someone Can Lose U.S. Citizenship

44 related questions found

How long can an American stay out of the country?

If you plan to stay outside of the United States for more than one year but less than two years, you will need a re-entry permit for readmission.

Does the US allow dual citizenship?

Does the United States allow dual citizenship? Yes, practically speaking. The U.S. government does not require naturalized U.S. citizens to relinquish citizenship in their country of origin.

Can I lose my citizenship if I divorce?

Depending on your circumstance, a divorce may affect your eligibility to become a U.S. citizen even with a green card. When you file to become a citizen, the USCIS will review your immigration file in its entirety. They may find the timing of your divorce to be suspicious.

Can I have 3 citizenships in USA?

How many citizenships can you have in the US? You are allowed to have dual citizenship or more in the US. The American government does not require you to renounce any citizenship if you obtain dual citizenship, and it even allows you to have more than just dual citizenship and become a multiple citizenship holder.

Can a U.S. citizen be denied entry into the US?

If you are a non-citizen visa holder or visitor, you may be denied entry into the United States if you refuse to answer officers' questions. Officers may not select you for questioning based on your religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs.

What is a golden passport?

"Golden passports," formally known as citizenship by investment (CBI) programs, allow wealthy foreigners to receive citizenship or residency in exchange for investing a certain amount of money in a country. Over a dozen countries, including the US, offer immigrant investor programs.

Do I lose my U.S. citizenship if I become Canadian?

A Canadian will not lose their citizenship if they take on another nationality or nationalities. If they are naturalized as a citizen, they will retain their original citizenship in addition to their Canadian citizenship, provided that the other country also allows dual citizenship.

Can I be deported if I am married to a citizen?

Marriage alone won't stop deportation or prevent you from being deported in the future. But, marriage to a US citizen can make it easier to establish your legal status in the United States.

What happens if you marry a U.S. citizen and then divorce?

An immigrant who has been married to and living with a U.S. citizen has to wait only three years after getting a green card to become a naturalized citizen. After your divorce, however, you will no longer qualify for this exception, and will have to wait the usual five years before becoming a U.S. citizen.

How long do you have to stay married to keep your citizenship?

The spouse must have continuously resided in the United States after becoming a lawful permanent resident (LPR) for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the naturalization application and must have lived in marital union with his or her citizen spouse for at least those 3 years.

How many passports can U.S. citizen have?

You can have as many citizenships as you want, but how many should you have? Well, it's all up to you. Four passports are usually sufficient, however, for some people, two or three will suffice. The first step is to diversify, and then you should cover all of your bases.

Can I travel on 2 passports?

As others have noted, it really is not that complicated to use two different passports. While you have to register a passport with the airline, all the airline is concerned with is that you have a right to enter the country you are flying to - otherwise, they will be stuck with the cost of flying you back.

What happens if you stay outside the US longer than 6 months?

If you are abroad for 6 months or more per year, you risk “abandoning” your green card. This is especially true after multiple prolonged absences or after a prior warning by a CBP officer at the airport.

How long do I have to leave the US before I can return?

There is no set period you must remain outside the USA before returning but: "When traveling to the U.S. with the approved ESTA, you may only stay for up to 90 days at a time - and there should be a reasonable amount of time between visits so that the CBP Officer does not think you are trying to live here.

What country is the easiest to move to?

Here are the 9 easiest countries that you can move to from the United States:
  • Svalbard.
  • Mexico.
  • Portugal.
  • Ecuador.
  • Malta.
  • Spain.
  • South Korea.
  • Australia.

Can I go back to US if I was deported?

Following deportation, a foreign national would need to file Form I-212 Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States After Deportation or Removal. This lets you ask USCIS for permission to submit an application to re-enter the United States.

Can marrying a U.S. citizen stop deportation?

Getting married does not stop deportation. You must prove your marriage to USCIS and then adjust your status with the Immigration Judge. If your adjustment of status is granted you become a permanent resident and your deportation proceedings are over at the time the Judge grants your case.

Can my wife deport me from USA?

Can Green Card Marriage Citizens be Deported? Can you be deported if you are married to an American citizen? The answer is yes, you can. About 10% of all the people who get deported from the U.S. every year are lawful permanent residents.

Can I live in Canada if I am a U.S. citizen?

US citizens can obtain Canadian citizenship, but just as other foreign nationals, they need to become Permanent Residents first. After having held Permanent Resident status for a minimum of 5 years, then they can apply for Canadian Citizenship.