Obtaining citizenship and then moving overseas

[SophWeb 25]

So the job prospects for my chosen field of study are not looking too bright in the future here in the US. However, back in Australia I could get a job a lot easier.

My husband and I were discussing the possibility of moving to Australia because there are better employment opportunities for me. Nothing is even remotely set in stone yet, we're just talking about future possibilities.

My issue is obviously I don't want to leave the US. I came to stay and live here and I went through this whole process, and to leave would such a waste of time and money. (And frankly I enjoy living here, if the job prospects were better I would be more than happy to stay.)

Also, I don't want to leave without first getting my citizenship, so I don't have to ever deal with red tape again should the opportunity to live in the US again arise (hubby and I both agree that if we did move to Australia, we would try to move back to the US in the future). The citizenship is non-negotiable to me. I would rather be unemployed for 3 years then not get US citizenship after all it took to get me here. So we know we're gonna be here for at least another 3+ years until I get it.

My question is - would I run into any issues if I moved back to Australia immediately after getting my US citizenship?

I understand that I could change professionals but right now I'm not considering that. I'm just wondering what would happen if we went through the process of getting citizenship and then left straight after, and any effects that would have.

Thanks for any help!

Edited March 7, 2011 by SophWeb

[amykathleen2005 441]

Once you are a citizen you can come and go as you please, no restrictions.

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

Once you are a citizen you can come and go as you please, no restrictions.

[polar1979 4]

yes, you can be anywhere and as long as you want without any restrcitions, however, it's highly recommened for you to file Tax Return every year even you earn the income from aboard, this is very important, it shows that you respect your american citizenship in case of any changes would ever happen in immigration laws, which happens all the time, you can be sure that you will be safe. good luck

Edited March 7, 2011 by polar1979

[SophWeb 25]

yes, you can be anywhere and as long as you want without any restrcitions, however, it's highly recommened for you to file Tax Return every year even you earn the income from aboard, this is very important, it shows that you respect your american citizenship in case of any changes would ever happen in immigration laws, which happens all the time, you can be sure that you will be safe. good luck

Very good point. Thank you!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

For decades, it was indeed a requirement to continue living in the USA after naturalization, but that requirement has been dropped.

[SophWeb 25]

For decades, it was indeed a requirement to continue living in the USA after naturalization, but that requirement has been dropped.

I know you can't answer this with any certainty, but just wondering your opinion -

If the Immigration Laws were to change, as mentioned above, would it be likely that that would effect me? Because I know with some rules they backdate them. As in, if you had held so and so visa/citizenship before certain date, then the new rules don't apply to you.

[Okalian 41]

I know you can't answer this with any certainty, but just wondering your opinion -

If the Immigration Laws were to change, as mentioned above, would it be likely that that would effect me? Because I know with some rules they backdate them. As in, if you had held so and so visa/citizenship before certain date, then the new rules don't apply to you.

Usually new rules are effective only on beneficiaries/applicants after the law goes into effect. But this is as good as guessing what Justin Beiber's next joke is about.

[lynJer 7]

Thanks for this post....as my husband and I and heading to Australia once my citizenship comes through....and like you....no way would I wanna go thru all this K1 stuff eva again....

Can I ask a question back to you Sophia...once back in OZ My husband will be going for Australian Citizenship...will that be the path you will go to as well? If so have you got any suggestions on making that better....I believe there isnt too much involved once youve been married for over 4 years...and living together is married in Australia....

[bradcanuck 1]

lynJer,

The day of my Oath this month, I am actually going to it with my car packed and ready to drive up to Canada from Los Angeles. I am literally getting my certificate, applying for the passport the same day and then leaving the country. (For the same reasons you are, job prospects, I was laid off)

There's nothing wrong with this and not against any rules. Best of luck to you.

[SophWeb 25]

Thanks for this post....as my husband and I and heading to Australia once my citizenship comes through....and like you....no way would I wanna go thru all this K1 stuff eva again....

Can I ask a question back to you Sophia...once back in OZ My husband will be going for Australian Citizenship...will that be the path you will go to as well? If so have you got any suggestions on making that better....I believe there isnt too much involved once youve been married for over 4 years...and living together is married in Australia....

I've done a little research and it's actually not that easy. Have you visited this site - http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/family/

[NY_IZMIR 1]

I want to re-iterate the post about filing taxes.

When you're a US citizen, whether naturalized, or US born, you MUST pay taxes irregardless of where you live. I am not a lawyer, but I believe not doing so could make you a tax evader. IRS is the last body of government I personally would want to mess with.

What that means as you can imagine is that you can potentially be double taxes. First in the country of residence and secondly by U.S. The only positive is that you don't pay U.S. taxes on the first $91,000'ish (at least that's what it was a couple of years ago when I checked) You still file, but claim a foreign earned income credit. If you make above that value, you will be taxed.

Read more about it at.

http://www.taxmeless.com/page4.html

http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc856.html

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Thanks for this post....as my husband and I and heading to Australia once my citizenship comes through....and like you....no way would I wanna go thru all this K1 stuff eva again....

Can I ask a question back to you Sophia...once back in OZ My husband will be going for Australian Citizenship...will that be the path you will go to as well? If so have you got any suggestions on making that better....I believe there isnt too much involved once youve been married for over 4 years...and living together is married in Australia....

Here: https://www.ecom.immi.gov.au/citz/startIntervalCalc.do it's not married for 4 years, it's resident for 4 years

[Deb+Steve 13]

Here: https://www.ecom.immi.gov.au/citz/startIntervalCalc.do it's not married for 4 years, it's resident for 4 years

Have to agree with this. I looked into it and the Aus procedure was actually more expensive and harder that the US. Keep us posted because once the DH retires we're heading back too. Best of luck.

[lynJer 7]

Have to agree with this. I looked into it and the Aus procedure was actually more expensive and harder that the US. Keep us posted because once the DH retires we're heading back too. Best of luck.

Huh.....sounds like theres gunnu be a few of us heading back to Oz ....Im not going to work back there...unless I have to.... but why stay cold living here when I can lay on a beach at Fraser Island doing nothing but sipping good wine and cooking....

sure we will return to USA when we have to....but can see most of our time will be spent in oz.....and looking forward to it....