Do I lose my U.S. citizenship if I move to another country?

Asked by: Mrs. Emmie Will  |  Last update: September 23, 2022
Score: 5/5 (61 votes)

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.

Can a U.S. citizen lose their citizenship living abroad?

Unlike the situation for lawful permanent residents (green card holders), a citizen can't lose citizenship solely by living outside of the United States for a long time.

What happens if a U.S. citizen moves to another country?

No Longer Can One Lose U.S. Citizenship By Living in Another Country. At this time, no penalties exist if a naturalized U.S. citizen simply goes to live in another country. This is a distinct benefit of U.S. citizenship, since green card holders can have their status taken away for "abandoning" their U.S. residence.

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

International Travel

Remaining outside the United States for more than one year may result in a loss of Lawful Permanent Resident status.

Can I renounce my U.S. citizenship and move to another country?

A person wishing to renounce his or her U.S. citizenship must voluntarily and with intent to relinquish U.S. citizenship: appear in person before a U.S. consular or diplomatic officer, in a foreign country at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate; and. sign an oath of renunciation.

Will you lose your citizenship if you leave your country?

15 related questions found

Can you get U.S. citizenship back?

Getting back your citizenship will be irrevocable and irreversible. The only exception to getting back U.S. citizenship is if you renounced before age 18. Then you can claim before the Department of State that you want U.S. citizenship again, but you must do so within six months of turning 18.

What are three ways you can lose your citizenship?

Renounce or Lose Your U.S. Citizenship
  • 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.

How long can I live in another country as a U.S. citizen?

You are correct. As a U.S. citizen, you can stay abroad for as long as you wish and always have the right to return. CBP officers must admit a U.S. citizen. That's true even if you were to visit a country where U.S. law restricts travel, such as North Korea or Cuba.

What is the 4 year 1 day rule for U.S. citizenship?

The 4-year 1 day rule is simple. If you break continuous residence (travel outside the US), a new period starts to run when you return. From the day of return, you must stay in America for at least 4-years and a day before you are eligible to reapply for naturalization.

How long can U.S. citizens stay in other countries?

Tourist Visas

Most countries allow visitors to stay as tourists from up to one to three months. As long as you can prove that you have sufficient funds, you might be able to extend your stay. Some countries require an extension every month, others only every three months.

What happens if I stay more than 6 months outside US?

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 can I keep US residency while living abroad?

8 Steps to Maintaining Permanent U.S. Residence While Residing Abroad
  1. Maintain and use U.S. savings and checking bank accounts. ...
  2. Maintain a U.S. address. ...
  3. Obtain a U.S. driver's license. ...
  4. Obtain a credit card from a U.S. institution. ...
  5. File U.S. income tax returns.

How do you maintain a US address while living abroad?

For many Americans living abroad, the question of what address to enter on their tax return arises. At first, the answer seems obvious: use the address for where you are living. The address on your tax return should be a place where you can easily and quickly receive any correspondence the IRS needs to send to you.

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 U.S. citizen have dual citizenship?

Dual citizenship (or dual nationality) means a person may be a citizen of the United States and another country at the same time. U.S. law does not require a person to choose one citizenship or another.

Can I stay on green card forever?

A Permanent Resident Card (USCIS Form I-551)

Although some Permanent Resident Cards, commonly known as Green Cards, contain no expiration date, most are valid for 10 years. If you have been granted conditional permanent resident status, the card is valid for 2 years. It is important to keep your card up-to-date.

Can I live abroad and keep my green card?

Even if you have a green card, you cannot maintain your permanent resident status if you live outside the United States indefinitely and return only for visits. Extended absences will eventually lead port-of-entry staff to question whether you have abandoned your permanent residence.

How long does it take to become a U.S. citizen in 2022?

Total time to naturalize: 18.5 months to 24 months

This is because some U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field offices handle applications much faster than others (see “Understanding USCIS Processing Times” below).

Do I have to pay taxes if I move out of the US?

Do I still need to file a U.S. tax return? Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen or a resident alien living outside the United States, your worldwide income is subject to U.S. income tax, regardless of where you live.

What is the most common way to lose citizenship?

The principal modes of loss of nationality are:
  1. Deprivation of nationality on grounds of conduct.
  2. Deprivation of nationality on grounds of fraud or misrepresentation.
  3. Renunciation (voluntary)
  4. On the acquisition of another nationality (voluntary)
  5. Civil service or military service for a foreign state.

Is it worth renouncing U.S. citizenship?

Aside from reducing the monetary burden of taxation, renouncing will also reduce the filing burden that all US citizens face. You will no longer have to file a US tax return, fill out Form 5471 for foreign companies, or report your foreign bank accounts with the FBAR form.

Can a US born citizen be deported?

Introduction. Immigration law is rarely cut-and-dry, but in this case the answer is clear. A US citizen—whether he or she is born in the United States or becomes a naturalized citizen—cannot be deported.

Which countries make you renounce your citizenship?

As a result, you may be required to give up on your US citizenship or your other nationality.
...
If you become a naturalized citizen in any of the following countries, you have to renounce your US nationality:
  • Liechtenstein.
  • Netherlands*
  • Croatia.
  • Bulgaria.
  • Taiwan.
  • South Korea.
  • Hong Kong.
  • Cambodia.

Will I lose my Social Security if I renounce my U.S. citizenship?

And while it may be surprising to some, the US doesn't 'punish' you for renouncing and revoke the privileges you earned during your time as a citizen. You can renounce your citizenship, avoid (most) future US taxes and still receive the income/benefits from the US from which you are entitled.