Hello,
I would like to naturalize as a Japanese citizen. Usually, it is required to give up one’s nationality to naturalize. However, I have read that in cases where it’s difficult to give up your previous nationality, you may be exempted from this requirement.
I am a US citizen, but I can’t afford the $2,350 (USD) fee needed for processing a request for a Certificate of Loss of Nationality. Will I still be allowed to naturalize as a Japanese?
I know, consult with a lawyer.. As you can see, I’m tight on money, so I’d like to ask the community here first if possible. I do have a steady job in Japan, so I’m not worried about proving my ability to make a living in Japan though. I just can’t cough up $2,350 at the moment though.
14 comments
You won’t have to do that step for at least a year even if you start now so you have plenty of time to save up the money.
Wasn’t the US one of the countries that let you lose your nationality before getting a new one? Against the international agreement to prevent statelessness?
I believe the “cases where it’s difficult to give up your previous nationality” usually refer to the case where giving up previos nationality is extremely hard. I know my home country require me to be present in the court (physically) for the judge to even consider revoking my nationality, for example. Even then, it could be denied.
I don’t think not being able to afford the fee count, but it could vary by your case officers. Never heard of any American being allowed to kept their nationality though.
That exception is for countries that don’t allow you to renounce your citizenship. I doubt that not affording the fee qualifies…
Financial ability is one of the requirement. so saying you cannot afford $2,350 probably won’t look good anyway. the process also require a lot of papers and time and it would be a nightmare on your own. you’ll be better off hiring a scrivener which would require similar amount.
Why not wait till you’re in a more financially stable situation? It’s not a good idea to make such a huge decision when your finances are unstable.
You’ve got quite a bit of time if you haven’t started the process yet. Aim to save around $200 US equivalent for a year and you’ll have enough, which should be around when you’d actually need to get the Loss of Citizenship certificate if you start the process soon.
I think that only applies to Honduras et. al. which have no citizenship renunciation.
Also there are numerous Americans renouncing citizenship so the MOJ may not buy that argument.
There was a case on “turning Japanese” where a US citizen naturalized to Japan, and did not renounce.
Eventually (a few years) he got caught and his excuse was because he did not want to pay exit to tax to the US to renounce.
Needless to say his Japanese citizenship got revoked. Also he lost his PR at the same time, and basically because he lied, won’t be eligible for PR again. MOJ took pity on his plea though (family in Japan) so granted him the LTR visa.
But glad he got caught…. You can’t have the best of both worlds….
I don’t have the source for that case, but if someone does please share.
Bear in mind that you will be scrutinised, including your financial situation.
You need to ensure that you do not become a burden on society.
> I have read that in cases where it’s difficult to give up your previous nationality, you may be exempted from this requirement.
The high cost to renounce US citizenship is not counted for exemption. This only applies for citizens of countries that violate human rights by not allowing their citizens to renounce, and those people are subject to further requirements after they receive Japanese citizenship.
> I know, consult with a lawyer
There is nothing that a lawyer can do for you.
> I’m tight on money
Your application will not be accepted if you are having financial difficulties. There is a financial requirement and if you’re living in poverty then they won’t even let you apply in the first place. Not only do you have to show steady employment and submit copies of your paystubs, but you also have to present copies of the pages of your bank book which shows how much you have in savings. You could try if you’d like, but if they decide that you’re not in a good place financially then they won’t even allow your application to be submitted until your situation changes.
All of that being said, you are given a two year deadline to renounce your American citizenship which begins from the day you receive Japanese citizenship. It also takes a while to even receive Japanese citizenship, so you’ve got 2-3 years (from today) until you have to pay that. Start saving now. If you do not renounce by the deadline you will be summoned to the 法務局 and be informed that your Japanese citizenship has been revoked and you won’t be eligible for any visas, so don’t try to skip out on it. They will know if you did not renounce because you have to report it and submit proof and it gets recorded on your 戸籍
I want to be clear that I’m not saying this to discourage you. If you want to naturalize then I think that’s awesome. I did it myself and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. But I also want you to understand that there is no way out of paying the fee. I would recommend that you call the 法務局 to make your appointment for naturalization as you were already planning to do, and go ahead and begin the process. You have plenty of time to save your money in preparation. Whether or not you are financially eligible is up to the Ministry of Justice, so consult with your case worker about it if you are nervous. If you are a 正社員 and make enough to be above the poverty line then that should be enough, the cost of renouncing your American citizenship is irrelevant and will not be considered as a factor for your application. The most important thing that you need to know is that your case worker is there to help you and they will help you make sure everything is in order before submitting your application. They will not submit it if they thing you will fail. Consult with them to confirm that your financial situation is fine.
Are you able to save at all? If you can put $200 into savings each month then you’ll have the money in one year. Adjust your budget if you need to. My application was accepted exactly a year after I applied, maybe yours will be a similar timeframe.
DM me. I will pay for you to lose your citizenship, but (to keep everyone honest) I’d have to go with you to the embassy. God damn America.
Technically what difference you can have between PR and citizenship other than the right to vote? To me, keeping my natural citizenship while holding on to my PR is the next best thing to reaping the best of both worlds.
another thing to consider: having you been filing with the US?
If not, they will require you to at least “back-file” the last 5 years.