Editor’s Note: Mikkel Thorup, is a true international man and diversification expert who has been to over 100 countries. Mikkel has over 20 years of experience in international diversification.
There no other person who does a better job of staying on top of the best ways to legally reduce your taxes, obtain second residencies and passports, open offshore bank accounts and brokerage accounts, invest in foreign real estate, and finding the best ways to enjoy life in the most liberty loving places on earth, all while making a lot of money at the same time.
We urge you to read what Mikkel has to say…
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Guest Post by Mikkel Thorup
The reasons for choosing the expat lifestyle are numerous: more freedom, optimized taxes, a more affordable cost of living, the chance to experience a new culture, a place aligned with your vision and mentality, and so on. No matter your reasons, being an expat entails some complexities, such as getting visas, moving to another country, or even learning a foreign language.
But one of the most important things to understand as an expat is the difference between residency and citizenship. These two legal statuses have different implications for your rights, privileges, and responsibilities in your new country.
To make the most of your expat experience, it’s important to understand these implications fully. In this article, we will discuss the main differences between residency and citizenship and how you can benefit from each one. Let’s jump right in.
RESIDENCY
Residency refers to the legal status of individuals living in a specific location without the need for citizenship. It grants them the right to reside and work in that country. Residency can provide various benefits, including access to healthcare, employment opportunities, education, property ownership, and investment options.
Residency can be either temporary or permanent, and it is typically obtained through fulfilling specific requirements, which may include documentation, financial criteria, language proficiency, and background checks.
CITIZENSHIP
In contrast, citizenship is the legal status of being a recognized member of a country, entailing specific rights, privileges, and responsibilities. It can be acquired through birth, ancestry, military service, special programs, investment, marriage or naturalization.
Citizenship offers numerous advantages, including the right to vote, unrestricted international travel with a passport, and increased economic opportunities. The requirements for acquiring citizenship vary, depending on the country, but generally include criteria such as length of residency, language and cultural knowledge, good moral character, citizenship tests, and interviews.
RESIDENCY AND CITIZENSHIP COMPARED
If you are thinking about moving abroad or embarking on a long-term stay in another country, it is vital to understand the differences between residency and citizenship. These two concepts play a significant role in shaping your rights, privileges, and responsibilities. Let us explore critical points that can help you compare residency and citizenship and make informed decisions for your international journey. Here are some key points of comparison:
LEGAL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS
Citizenship and residency are distinct legal statuses offering different rights and privileges. Citizenship goes beyond residency by providing individuals with comprehensive legal and political rights, such as voting, actively participating in the political process, and holding public office. On the other hand, while conferring certain rights and protections, residency generally does not encompass these full-fledged political privileges.
Citizenship confers a range of legal and political rights that extend beyond what residents typically enjoy. For example, citizens have the privilege to run for public office and actively participate in government decision-making processes, whereas residents may have just the right to work, live and access certain public services within a country.
TRAVEL AND MOBILITY
Citizenship offers the advantage of unrestricted travel with a passport issued by the country of citizenship, which allows citizens to enjoy visa-free travel to numerous countries and facilitates international mobility. Residency may also offer travel benefits within specific regions or countries, but it often comes with limitations and may require additional visas or permits for international travel.
TAXATION AND FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Citizenship often entails specific taxation obligations, including worldwide income reporting and potential taxation on global earnings. Residency might offer financial advantages, especially if it involves non-taxation or favourable tax regimes. However, tax implications can vary significantly based on individual circumstances and the countries involved, making professional advice crucial.
RENUNCIATION AND DUAL CITIZENSHIP
Some countries allow dual citizenship, enabling individuals to retain their original citizenship while acquiring a new one. Other countries require individuals to renounce their previous citizenship when acquiring a new one. Understanding the policies and implications regarding renunciation and dual citizenship is vital for individuals considering these options.
TYPES OF RESIDENCY AND USUAL REQUIREMENTS
Understanding residency options is essential. A temporary residency allows you to live in a country for a specific period, often tied to employment or educational purposes. Permanent residency, however, offers stability and allows you to reside indefinitely. Some countries also provide long-term residency options.
Obtaining residency typically involves meeting specific requirements. These commonly include providing the necessary documentation and paperwork, such as passports, visas, and application forms. Financial and income criteria may also be evaluated to ensure you can support yourself during your stay. Additionally, some countries may require you to demonstrate language proficiency, especially if needed for daily life and integration. Background checks are often conducted to assess your criminal record and ensure compliance with the country’s security measures.
By understanding the different types of residency and the requirements, you can make an informed decision and navigate the application process more effectively.
TYPES OF CITIZENSHIP AND USUAL REQUIREMENTS
When it comes to acquiring citizenship, there are several paths you can explore. Birthright citizenship is granted to individuals born within a particular country’s territory, automatically conferring citizenship upon them. Citizenship through descent or ancestry allows individuals with parents or grandparents who are citizens of a specific country to claim citizenship based on their familial ties. Naturalization is another common route, where individuals can apply for citizenship after meeting certain eligibility criteria and going through a legal process.
Acquiring citizenship often involves fulfilling specific criteria. The length of residency is a key factor, as some countries require a certain number of years of continuous residency before being eligible to apply for citizenship. Language and cultural knowledge may be assessed through language proficiency tests or integration programs to ensure applicants can effectively communicate and integrate into society. Good moral character is often evaluated to ensure individuals seeking citizenship have demonstrated law-abiding behaviour and adherence to ethical standards. In addition, citizenship tests and interviews may be conducted to assess an applicant’s knowledge of the country’s history, government, and values.
Understanding the different avenues available to acquire citizenship and the associated requirements allows you to chart a suitable path toward obtaining citizenship in your chosen country. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the specific criteria and processes involved to increase your chances of a successful citizenship application.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Residency and citizenship are distinct legal statuses that offer different benefits and implications. Residency provides the right to live and work in a country, while citizenship offers comprehensive rights, including political participation and global mobility.
When deciding between residency and citizenship, individuals should consider factors such as legal and political rights, travel and mobility, taxation, social integration, and renunciation and dual citizenship policies. Seeking professional advice and thoroughly researching each option’s specific requirements and implications can help you choose the best option according to what you want and the requirements you fit.
Editor’s Note: The political and economic climate is constantly changing… and not always for the better. Obtaining the political diversification benefits of a second passport is crucial to ensuring you won’t fall victim to a desperate government.
That’s why Doug Casey and his team just released a new complementary report, “The Easiest Way to a Second Passport.” It contains all the details about one of the easiest countries to obtain a second passport from. Click here to download it now.
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Wow ! Sign me up for that complementary report!
I want outta’ here !
Great if you have money, but what if you are relatively poor?
Go to Mexico then walk back across.
So, what country in the world is not a commie shit hole run by the Global Cabal?
Brunei?
I should have said, and not a 120 degrees in the shade.
Yea, in hindsight that was a pretty big oversight.
But of course.
The OIL was/is/will be until the end, a main ‘Pillar’ of Profit & Control. Duh.
Oil rich Sheikdom?
VASTLY different than a ‘Bananna Republic’ ?
ONLY from a $$$$$$ perspective.
And geographically.
Best Korea.
What do I win?
Russia?
Rich coward…..stay and fight!!…..
You meant to say…
‘stay and go down with the ship!’
so what ship you gonna go to, ships without the second amendment slave?
Your exceptionalism is showing through!
For the less brain-damaged:
As a self-employed American, how do I reduce my taxes in current year? Most of what I have read about is too old of information to work anymore, and most people just tell me to work harder.
Operate cash only.
What I don’t hear anyone stating is how much money you really need to pull this off. I’m guessing it’s FAR more than most Americans have.
Not really. If one relocates to a locale with a lower cost of living than US. Mexico is an example and it is not the shit hole many make it out to be. In some instances health care is superior and far more affordable than US, food costs less as does housing. One must be selective and situationally aware but that’s true in US or anywhere. It helps to have travelled and/or lived out of the states and been comfortable so doing. For example, excluding cost of airfare one could live in Medellin in a 1 bedroom apt rental and all in expenses for $1200_1800/mo. If one is an American that cannot afford such then the life planning skills need rexamine.
Did you mean Columbia?
Both Mexico and Colombia.
Bla bla bla- where you gonna go in the New WORLD Order? West Europe? High taxes. East Europe – low taxes but shitty ugly housing and streets and cities. Sandniggerland?. Russia? – good luck with the longo and paperwork.
Forced health isnurance in all other countries. No right to hold weapons. America is the world’s last chance as KGB defector Bezmenov said ” you gonna go to antartica to escape the gulags”
And nothing has changed in the world since Bezmenov was interviewed… {/facepalm}
Bollocks – Europe with increasing sandnigger invasion, taxes, mandatory health insurance and climate bullshit, and to a lesser extent USA has gone neo-marxist. You in denial boy
Pssst – don’t mention the transformation of Russia!
I’m Canadian and moved to Northern Thailand back in 2006 and have no problem living on 2000 CAD (1500 USD) per month.
I am not allowed to work and must have the equivalent of about 22,000 USD in the bank (some have found a way around that). Showing a decent pension income works as well. I am allowed to own a condo but can’t own a house or land. Rents are cheap. You can find plenty of places for about 300 – 400 USD a month.
I live is a city where there is no crime. No one gets mugged on the street, no ones gets their house broken into, no one gets their car or motorcycle stolen. If Thais want to steal from you, they try to scam you.
For those of you that are racist — I can’t tell you when the last time I saw a black man. It’s been a very long time.
The big negative for some of you — There are a lot of trannies. It’s so common, no one cares.
What about the real totty, can you tell it from the trannies? and what is it like, do they like men from the West, is it easy to get a hot young wife who is faithful? Asking for a friend
One further question has the trannies all got dicks or did they chop em off, I suppose you can ask the totty for their birth certificate
Yes, it is easy to get a young (and I assume you mean of legal age) wife who is faithful and likes men from the west. Plenty of men come here in their 50’s and 60’s and get married. The wife will take good care of you if you are good to her.
Why would I care if a trannie has had it removed or not. Either way, I ain’t sleeping with it.
dude who you think I am?. I aint no faggot – I just wanna be sure I aint banging some dude with an artificial hole. Thanks
You live in an area where they give preference to their own and restrict outsiders to some degree via culture and law? Sounds nationalist/rayciss. No white nations are allowed this natural right since about 1945.
True, I am restricted. I am in their country and they make the rules. I don’t need to work, I don’t want to own land or a house. What’s the problem?
I am very much in favor of the strict immigration rules. If you want to come in and be a peaceful, law abiding resident that has the funds to take of yourself, you are welcome. All others, F off. If you want to call that nationalist/rayciss then so be it.
This is the main mindset of ‘western’ people. They think everything should be the same as in their country, same ‘services’, time schedules, standards etc etc. The host country is supposed to conform to their ‘culture’ regardless of where in the world they go.
I have a friend who’s lived in Chang Mia for 30+ yrs, went there and never came back. Loves it. When we go to a foreign country we always avoid gated ‘communities’ and tourist spots. Hate them. We live where the natives live.
Citizenship was a useful legal fiction to segregate the sheeple. Now that Globohomoschlomo has decided to bundle up large groups of serfs for administrative purposes. They no longer need nations nor their so called citizens.
If you can’t look in the mirror or your family history and know what true nation you are a member of. I feel sorry for your mixed up mind and genetics.
Tell us more how Nation States are an instrument of oppression!