Immigrate to Guatemala. What will the USA do?

Question

I am a US citizen by birth and have lived here all my life. But I have friends who live in Guatemala and I wish to move there. I will be looking to get work and go to school while I am there. I have read the the US MIGHT take my citizenship if I apply for citizenship with another country. From what i have read, Guatemala allows US citizens to stay for 90 days, and then you can renew for another 90 days, but I am looking to stay there for a lot longer than 180 days. Does anyone know what the US will do if i apply and obtain Guatemalan citizenship?

Answer 1

Your US citizenship is not endangered by becoming a holder of a "permanent resident" visa from Guatemala.

Also, you can leave Central American every 180 days, and then return with a 90 tourist visa, and extend it for 90 days more. Many people live permanently in Guatemala (as tourists) this way.

Answer 2

In the past the US saw applying for citizenship in another country as resigning US citizenship. But now there are many dual citizens; the policy has recently changed. You might want to check it out.

It occurs to me that Guatemala might also have a permanent resident status or a long-term visa where you can live in Guatemala but not have to take Guatemalan citizenship.

Answer 3

I've read about people who go for the 90 days, then just take a 3 day trip to Honduras or Mexico or another neighboring country and come back in.
If you're going there to go to school, like there are schools in Antigua, and they can help you with info about applying for a student visa. Buut, as for going there to work, they're not going to love any foreigner coming there taking a job from a Guatemalan. Unemployment is high, and unless you're going there with money to open a business that will create jobs for Guatemalans, the government there is not going to feel for you.
I'm not sure about applying for citizenship there, but it's not the first step. First go hang for a while and then find out about residency or longer stay visas, like to attend school, then when you're there, get creative.

Answer 4

There is no such thing as dual citizenship in the US. Once you become a Guatemalan citizen, you resign your US citizenship. Instead, you should apply for residency, and not give up your US Citizenship.

There are many benifits to keeping your US citizenship if you wish to travel. You can get into most countries with only a US Passport, while other countries citizens must apply for a travel visa.

Answer 5

You need to do more research--you have no idea what you're getting into. For starters, you don't have to take Guatemalan citizenship in order to stay there long-term.

Also, I hope that soliciting information from complete strangers on Y!A is not your idea of serious research on an issue with such serious consequences.

Answer 6

Dual Nationality


The concept of dual nationality means that a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time. Each country has its own citizenship laws based on its own policy.Persons may have dual nationality by automatic operation of different laws rather than by choice. For example, a child born in a foreign country to U.S. citizen parents may be both a U.S. citizen and a citizen of the country of birth.

A U.S. citizen may acquire foreign citizenship by marriage, or a person naturalized as a U.S. citizen may not lose the citizenship of the country of birth.U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one citizenship or another. Also, a person who is automatically granted another citizenship does not risk losing U.S. citizenship. However, a person who acquires a foreign citizenship by applying for it may lose U.S. citizenship. In order to lose U.S. citizenship, the law requires that the person must apply for the foreign citizenship voluntarily, by free choice, and with the intention to give up U.S. citizenship.

Intent can be shown by the person's statements or conduct.The U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Claims of other countries on dual national U.S. citizens may conflict with U.S. law, and dual nationality may limit U.S. Government efforts to assist citizens abroad. The country where a dual national is located generally has a stronger claim to that person's allegiance.

However, dual nationals owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country. They are required to obey the laws of both countries. Either country has the right to enforce its laws, particularly if the person later travels there.Most U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. Dual nationals may also be required by the foreign country to use its passport to enter and leave that country. Use of the foreign passport does not endanger U.S. citizenship.Most countries permit a person to renounce or otherwise lose citizenship.

Information on losing foreign citizenship can be obtained from the foreign country's embassy and consulates in the United States. Americans can renounce U.S. citizenship in the proper form at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.

Just found this:
Moving to Guatemala?

Basic items like food, housing and utilities are far lower than you would experience in most big North American and European cities. You don’t need to be a resident to begin your life in Guatemala since most foreigners receive 90 days permission as a tourist when they enter the country. An extension of another 90 days is permitted before deciding upon your residency status.

There are three basic options for most persons interested in residency.

#1. Temporary Residence: One year (Renewable) Fee Q500 ($65).
#2. Permanent Residency: Five years, Renewable. Fee: Q3,000 ($350).
#3. Permanent Pensionado/Rentista Status for life. No Fee*.

*To receive Retired Resident Citizen status or Rentier Resident Status you are required to prove pension and/or an investment income of US$1,000.00 per month. You’re also required to show an additional income of US$200.00 per month for each dependent.

To become a resident a proof of pension or investment income is required, along with a marriage certificate (if applicable), a police record certificate issued by your police department, a certified photocopy of your passport and a letter of validity of your passport issued by your embassy. (These documents, if not in Spanish, must be translated into Spanish by an official translator.)

You can begin the process before coming to Guatemala by working with the Guatemalan consulate nearest to you. However you are not required to attain residency before you arrive since it’s possible to live in Guatemala up to 180 days as a tourist prior to your application for residency.

Answer 7

I believe you can hold dual citizenship. if not, you can obtain a permenant visa, thus being able to live there and still be a US citizen

Answer 8

Go for it...Just check the laws so you keep you usa citizenship!!!!!

Answer 9

I think you should give me a becho !~

Answer 10

you will have double nationality nothing to worry about