Will I lose my U.S. citizenship if I become a citizen of another country?

No, you generally won't lose your U.S. citizenship just by becoming a citizen of another country, as the U.S. allows dual citizenship; however, you can lose it if you naturalize in another country with the intent to relinquish your U.S. citizenship, which is a key factor for expatriation, but absent that intent, you'll likely become a dual national, owing allegiance to both countries, and must use a U.S. passport to enter the U.S..


Can I keep my US citizenship if I become a citizen of another country?

The Supreme Court of the United States has stated that dual nationality is “a status long recognized in the law” and that “a person may have and exercise rights of nationality in two countries and be subject to the responsibilities of both.

How long can you live abroad without losing US citizenship?

There is no time limit for how long a citizen can live abroad. However, such persons may be considered for loss of nationality if they perform a potentially expatriating act with intent. For naturalized citizens, prolonged absence may prompt review, especially under nationality act rules.


For what reasons can a U.S. citizen lose their citizenship?

You can lose U.S. citizenship by voluntarily renouncing it (e.g., applying for citizenship in another country with intent to give up U.S. citizenship, joining a foreign military/government) or through involuntary denaturalization, primarily for naturalized citizens who obtained citizenship through fraud, misrepresentation (like hiding crimes or terrorist links), or committing treason/serious crimes like war crimes or human rights violations.
 

What countries do US allow dual citizenship?

The U.S. allows dual citizenship, meaning you can hold U.S. nationality along with another country's, provided that other country also permits it, with common partners including the UK, Canada, Mexico, Ireland, France, Italy, Australia, and the Philippines, among many others in Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa. The U.S. doesn't require you to renounce other citizenships, but you must follow the laws of both nations, which can sometimes create conflicting obligations, like military service or taxes. 


Dual US Citizens Could LOSE Their Passport! Will the Government Ban Dual Citizenship for Good?



What is the downside of dual citizenship?

The main downsides of dual citizenship involve potential complexities with taxes (double taxation risks, filing in two places), military service obligations in one country while living in the other, restricted job eligibility (especially government/security roles), bureaucratic hurdles (paperwork, banking), and potential cultural/identity conflicts, though these vary greatly by the specific countries involved. 

How long until you lose U.S. citizenship?

Renouncing U.S. citizenship involves a lengthy process, primarily determined by the wait time for an appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate, which can range from months to over a year, depending heavily on location. Once you attend two required interviews and take the oath, the application goes to the State Department for final approval, adding several more months for processing and mailing the Certificate of Loss of Nationality (CLN). 

What are the three ways of losing citizenship?

Residing abroad on a permanent basis. Serving in a foreign military or foreign government. Failure to reaffirm one's citizenship by a certain age (often an age between 18 and 30 years old) Failure to revoke other citizenships by a certain age (e.g. 22 years old in the case of Japan)


Can a country kick out a citizen?

Yes, a country can revoke citizenship, a process known as denaturalization, typically for fraud in obtaining it (like lying on applications), serious crimes (terrorism, treason, drug trafficking), or disloyalty/affiliation with hostile organizations, though this often applies to naturalized citizens and involves high legal burdens, especially in countries like the U.S., to prevent arbitrary deprivation of rights. Grounds vary by country, but generally involve actions undermining the state or its values. 

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

The 4-year, 1-day rule for U.S. citizenship (naturalization) is an exception for permanent residents who broke their required 5-year "continuous residence" by staying outside the U.S. for more than 6 months but less than a year. Instead of starting over, you can file for naturalization after waiting 4 years and 1 day from your return to the U.S., provided you can prove you maintained ties to the U.S. and that the absence wasn't an abandonment of residency. This allows you to apply sooner than the full 5 years, but you must still meet all other naturalization requirements, like physical presence and good moral character, as explained in the USCIS Policy Manual. 

What is the 3 year rule?

The "3-year rule" refers to different time limits, most commonly the IRS's statute of limitations for claiming tax refunds or the USCIS rule allowing spouses of U.S. citizens to apply for citizenship sooner; it's also a general guideline for relationship milestones, requiring deep understanding before major commitment like marriage. For taxes, you generally have 3 years to claim a refund, while the IRS has 3 years to audit, but exceptions like significant underreporting (6 years) or fraud (indefinite) exist. For citizenship, you can apply after 3 years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen for that period, instead of the standard 5.
 


What is a golden passport?

A "golden passport" refers to a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, allowing wealthy individuals to buy foreign citizenship for a substantial financial contribution, like investing in real estate or donating to a government fund, granting them the rights, travel freedom, and security of a new country's passport. While often confused with a "golden visa," which grants residency (not full citizenship) but can lead to it, golden passports offer immediate citizenship, providing benefits like visa-free travel, tax advantages, and a "Plan B" for global mobility, though they face controversy over security and fairness.
 

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

No, a U.S. citizen cannot be permanently denied entry into the United States; they have a fundamental right to reenter their country, but they can face significant delays, questioning, and even temporary detention if officials have concerns, especially regarding identity verification, customs violations, or potential criminal activity, with refusal to answer certain questions potentially leading to prolonged inspection or seizure of devices, though not outright denial of entry. 

Does the US allow 3 citizenships?

Yes, you can have three citizenships (triple citizenship) as a U.S. citizen, as the U.S. permits multiple nationalities, but it depends on the laws of the other countries involved and comes with responsibilities, like using your U.S. passport for U.S. entry/exit and potential conflicting obligations or tax issues. There's no U.S. limit on the number of citizenships, but you must respect the laws of all countries and be aware of potential tax/military duties, with the main requirement being using your U.S. passport for travel to the U.S. 


What is the 3-3-3 rule for citizenship?

Your spouse must have been a U.S. citizen for the entire three years leading up to your application. Even if you were married, time before they became a citizen doesn't count toward the three years. You must have your permanent resident status for three years before you can apply for citizenship through marriage.

What causes you to lose U.S. citizenship?

You may 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.

Can you lose your American citizenship if you live in another country?

No, living in another country doesn't automatically make you lose your U.S. citizenship; you generally keep it unless you take specific actions like formally renouncing it or committing treason, though long absences can affect your ability to pass citizenship to children or potentially trigger denaturalization if you were naturalized fraudulently. The U.S. allows dual citizenship, so becoming a citizen of another country doesn't cause loss of U.S. citizenship unless you intend to give up your U.S. status. 


Can US citizens live abroad permanently?

Yes, U.S. citizens can live abroad permanently without losing their citizenship; it's a permanent status, but requires managing U.S. tax/reporting obligations and securing legal residency in the host country, often via visas or investment programs, while maintaining a valid U.S. passport for re-entry. The main considerations are host country rules, tax laws, and financial reporting, not U.S. immigration rules for citizens. 

Do you lose your original citizenship when you become a U.S. citizen?

If your home country forbids this practice, then becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen will result in the loss of your original citizenship.

What is the new citizenship law 2025?

New U.S. citizenship laws in 2025 focus on modifying birthright citizenship via executive action and proposed legislation, alongside major updates to the naturalization process, including a new civics test and stricter moral character reviews by USCIS, though many changes face legal challenges and debate. Key initiatives involve efforts to redefine "subject to the jurisdiction" for birthright citizenship and legislation like the "Exclusive Citizenship Act" to potentially end dual nationality, while USCIS implemented a tougher civics test and enhanced good moral character evaluations.
 


Do dual citizens pay taxes in both countries?

Most dual citizens file tax returns in two countries, but they rarely face full double taxation on the same income. The foreign earned income exclusion and the foreign tax credit usually ensure that one country applies tax first, and the other removes most or all of the remaining amount.

Why do countries not like dual citizenship?

National loyalty: Some governments view dual citizenship as a challenge to undivided national loyalty. These nations often require individuals to renounce prior citizenships upon naturalization to prevent divided allegiance.

Why do banks want to know if you have dual citizenship?

Banks ask about dual citizenship primarily for regulatory compliance (like the USA PATRIOT Act, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules, and FATCA) to identify financial crime risks, screen against sanctions, and determine tax reporting obligations for foreign accounts, especially since dual citizens often have reporting duties (like FBAR) to the IRS for overseas assets. This helps them manage risks from international transactions and adhere to U.S. Treasury and IRS requirements for tax evasion prevention.