Hi there,
Thank you for the renunciation page. This is such a helpful resource!
My question is: after renunciation of U.S. citizenship in a foreign nation, is it possible to reapply for a greencard and immigrate back to the U.S. at a later time?
It’s a strange, and almost contradictory question. But here’s the story:
I was moved from my native Australia as a teen by my parents who moved to California. I never wanted to be here, and my heart has always been in Australia.
Despite this, I did become a naturalized citizen in 2009. It was more of a strategic move, rather than a patriotic or emotional one. I was planning on moving back to Australia, and wanted to have accessibility to move back if my parents became ill.
Shortly after, I met my American now-husband and married. I’ve been patiently waiting for him to complete his grad program this upcoming May,2018 and have submitted for his Australian residency last month. It looks like 2018 may finally be the year I go home.
I do plan on renouncing my U.S. citizenship once in Australia. Although I’ve voted since 2009, I have no capability of doing so afterwards, I rarely use my U.S. passport as it is, have no real emotional connection to the U.S. and to be honest, find the taxation of expats ridiculous and a looming cloud.
However unlikely, if my spouse hates Australia and wants to move home, would it be possible to come back with him sponsoring me for a U.S. greencard? I realise that I’d be beginning at the back of the line, and that’s okay. I have no interest in getting U.S. citizenship again. I’m just more concerned that if he wanted or needed to go home, that my situation would allow him to return and for us to be together. It’s doubtful this will happen, but it’s an important factor on this big decision.
Thank you so much!!!
Ryan
@Ryan
Just to confirm Medea’s post and to add that the Reed amendment (if ever implemented) only applies to covered expatriates.
@Ryan
Your story might have a twist in that your husband is American ( I assume?) I would think as the spouse of an American you could always go back to America. Secondly watch out for joint accounts while living in Australia.
Thank you Polly,
My husband is indeed American; born and raised in Ohio. It doesn’t get much more American than that! That is what I assume is the keypoint that I could reapply for a green card, if the need ever arose, that I am married to an American citizen.
What about joint accounts in Australia should I be weary of?
Ryan
Any ‘foreign’ joint account you share with a US person will be reported to the IRS. Best to keep your accounts and finances separate.
Have you looked into the time scale for Australian resident visas for your US spouse? I remember my friend’s British daughter married an Australian in the UK, it took almost a year for her to obtain a visa to join him.
Oh, you are so right about the joint accounts. I never thought about the IRS enquiring about that, and being joint would defy the whole point of renunciation. Thank you!
As for his residency visa application, we submitted the request in late February. The Australian immigration page does state it could take 11-15 months to be approved, if it does. We’ve heard stories from friends who have gotten approvals in six months. But we’re prepared for the long haul and if it takes a year+
Hi there,
Thank you for the renunciation page. This is such a helpful resource!
My question is: after renunciation of U.S. citizenship in a foreign nation, is it possible to reapply for a greencard and immigrate back to the U.S. at a later time?
It’s a strange, and almost contradictory question. But here’s the story:
I was moved from my native Australia as a teen by my parents who moved to California. I never wanted to be here, and my heart has always been in Australia.
Despite this, I did become a naturalized citizen in 2009. It was more of a strategic move, rather than a patriotic or emotional one. I was planning on moving back to Australia, and wanted to have accessibility to move back if my parents became ill.
Shortly after, I met my American now-husband and married. I’ve been patiently waiting for him to complete his grad program this upcoming May,2018 and have submitted for his Australian residency last month. It looks like 2018 may finally be the year I go home.
I do plan on renouncing my U.S. citizenship once in Australia. Although I’ve voted since 2009, I have no capability of doing so afterwards, I rarely use my U.S. passport as it is, have no real emotional connection to the U.S. and to be honest, find the taxation of expats ridiculous and a looming cloud.
However unlikely, if my spouse hates Australia and wants to move home, would it be possible to come back with him sponsoring me for a U.S. greencard? I realise that I’d be beginning at the back of the line, and that’s okay. I have no interest in getting U.S. citizenship again. I’m just more concerned that if he wanted or needed to go home, that my situation would allow him to return and for us to be together. It’s doubtful this will happen, but it’s an important factor on this big decision.
Thank you so much!!!
Ryan
@Ryan
Just to confirm Medea’s post and to add that the Reed amendment (if ever implemented) only applies to covered expatriates.
@Ryan
Your story might have a twist in that your husband is American ( I assume?) I would think as the spouse of an American you could always go back to America. Secondly watch out for joint accounts while living in Australia.
Thank you Polly,
My husband is indeed American; born and raised in Ohio. It doesn’t get much more American than that! That is what I assume is the keypoint that I could reapply for a green card, if the need ever arose, that I am married to an American citizen.
What about joint accounts in Australia should I be weary of?
Ryan
Any ‘foreign’ joint account you share with a US person will be reported to the IRS. Best to keep your accounts and finances separate.
Have you looked into the time scale for Australian resident visas for your US spouse? I remember my friend’s British daughter married an Australian in the UK, it took almost a year for her to obtain a visa to join him.
Oh, you are so right about the joint accounts. I never thought about the IRS enquiring about that, and being joint would defy the whole point of renunciation. Thank you!
As for his residency visa application, we submitted the request in late February. The Australian immigration page does state it could take 11-15 months to be approved, if it does. We’ve heard stories from friends who have gotten approvals in six months. But we’re prepared for the long haul and if it takes a year+