Loss Of Us Citizenship

[SKORPiO]

Is it possible for Naturalized US Citizen to loose his/her US Citizenship by residing abroad (not necessary in birth country) for extended period of time?

For example: An English or French citizen is naturalized in US and has dual citizenship. Lives and works in US for let's say 30 years and retires. Next, resides in Thailand on retirement visa.

From what I have heard, naturalized citizen has to reside in US for a certain period of time every year. I'm trying to find information online but really cant find anything relating to this issue.

Does anyone know?

Regards, Bartek.

[britmaveric]

only way you can lose your citizenship is to renounce it. Thus once a yank always a yank.

[ShugNorris]

only way you can lose your citizenship is to renounce it. Thus once a yank always a yank.

Even if they renounce their citizenship? That's not fair on any yanks who may have renounced their citizenship in a bit to better themselves!

Oh, just for the record, I'm only joking before I get shot down in flames!

Edited January 31, 2009 by ShugNorris

[SKORPiO]

only way you can lose your citizenship is to renounce it. Thus once a yank always a yank.

I agree, but this is true for born US Citizen. Its also possible to lose it by applying for another citizenship, and other actions such as rallying against US and also when you desert during war. This seems pretty straightforward, but Ive heard that Naturalized Citizens can lose citizenship by simply residing abroad.

regards, Bartek.

[Jingthing]

You have a specialized question and a legit concern. I suggest you find a forum based in the US that deals with immigration law for the United States. Probably helps if you speak Spanish (ha ha). If you don't get a definite answer, in the worse case you can email some US based immigration lawyers and see if you can get an answer (but you may have to pay for an opinion). I can see why this is a big deal for you because it is a big deal.

Another idea. It is very common for Filipinos to become US citizens and then retire in the Philippines. If you can find a forum with a lot of Filipino Americans, there will probably be people there who really understand this issue.

Edited January 31, 2009 by Jingthing

[britmaveric]

state.gov?

[Hairy]

I'm not positive -- I'll ask around -- but I believe that the OP's concern is only true for people on a "green card" (permanent resident status), not for a naturalized citizen. If a permanent resident is no longer a resident, they lose their status. Leaving for more than a few months is risky; I believe the cutoff is either three or six months.

As far as I know, U.S. citizens, whether naturalized or from birth, can live, work, retire, or hang out wherever they want to. In fact, if you have a ton of money and try to renounce your citizenship, Uncle Sam makes it dam_n near impossible, and tries to claw some money out of your pockets on the way out.

[ubonjoe]

Is it possible for Naturalized US Citizen to loose his/her US Citizenship by residing abroad (not necessary in birth country) for extended period of time?

For example: An English or French citizen is naturalized in US and has dual citizenship. Lives and works in US for let's say 30 years and retires. Next, resides in Thailand on retirement visa.

From what I have heard, naturalized citizen has to reside in US for a certain period of time every year. I'm trying to find information online but really cant find anything relating to this issue.

Does anyone know?

Regards, Bartek.

Not true. A naturalized citizen has the same rights as a citizem born in the US (other than being president). They will not loose it for living out side the country.

There have been several topics on this already.

[Martian]

The main way a US "naturalized" citizen can lose their citizenship is if they fraudulently obtained said citizenship. This can be anything from being a part of the Nazis party and not disclosing to misrepresenting ones self anytime during the naturalization process. Even if you were found to have married just to gain citizenship, it can be revoked. It has to found to be a "material" breach.

It is during permanent residency (green card holders) that you have to spend at least 6 months of every year in the USA. You can gain a parole or some kind of waiver to this rule but it is on a case-by-case basis and might hinder one if they are interested in being naturalized.

As for a US citizen, live out of the USA all you want.....you are still a citizen.

This is why I had my Thai wife gain US citizenship, so we could live where we wanted and come and go (USA) as we please and not be bound by any "residency" requirements. It also helps in international travel to places where US citizens enter with only passports while a Thai citizen might have to get a visa.

Martian

[sbk]

I'm not positive -- I'll ask around -- but I believe that the OP's concern is only true for people on a "green card" (permanent resident status), not for a naturalized citizen. If a permanent resident is no longer a resident, they lose their status. Leaving for more than a few months is risky; I believe the cutoff is either three or six months.

As far as I know, U.S. citizens, whether naturalized or from birth, can live, work, retire, or hang out wherever they want to. In fact, if you have a ton of money and try to renounce your citizenship, Uncle Sam makes it dam_n near impossible, and tries to claw some money out of your pockets on the way out.

Unless things have changed, it is one year limit for a permanent resident to reside outside the US. It is also possible to apply for a two year permit to remain outside the country.

As for losing one's citizenship, yes its possible to renounce ones citizenship but one does not lose one's citizenship by gaining another and even if you renounce, you can go back and say I didn't mean it when I said it and get your citizenship back.

How do I know this? well, I actually emailed the US embassy and asked. Amazing the information you can get if you go to the source.

[PeaceBlondie]

Answer may be available on the website of the agency, which used to be called INS.

[dotcom]

Is it possible for Naturalized US Citizen to loose his/her US Citizenship by residing abroad (not necessary in birth country) for extended period of time?

For example: An English or French citizen is naturalized in US and has dual citizenship. Lives and works in US for let's say 30 years and retires. Next, resides in Thailand on retirement visa.

From what I have heard, naturalized citizen has to reside in US for a certain period of time every year. I'm trying to find information online but really cant find anything relating to this issue.

Does anyone know?

Regards, Bartek.

Be very careful tossing around the words "dual citizenship" - some countries allow it - others don't.

[mdechgan]

Natural born citizens cannot be have their citizenships revoked.

However naturalized citizens can have them revoked anytime but just for being abroad isn't much of a cause.

You pretty much have to be a convicted traitor, spy or terrorist, etc. Something really bad.