The person with two or more citizenships, and the ability to
engage in visa-free movement because of them, is in a very
flexible position. That person has a great deal of protection
from oppression by having the ability to pick up and move quickly.
At the point that citizens of some particular country might be
unable to travel, either because of domestic or foreign
restrictions, the person with dual nationality will be protected
and can always go to his second country -- or to any country that
allows visa-free entry to the citizens of that second country.
There are actually two levels of visa-free status, depending
upon the exact countries involved.
The first is the tourist or business travel level, which
allows relative freedom of movement but not the freedom to
settle. This level is also the most easily revoked, as in the
1995 example of Canadian tourists being banned from entering
Spain during a dispute over fishing rights.
The second level of visa-free status is that which confers
some right of residence and work. The prime example of course is
having a citizenship of a European Union country, which gives one
the right to live and work in any other European Union country.
(This right covers more geography than one might at first expect,
including the French departments of Reunion, Guadeloupe, and
Martinique for example.)
In terms of freedom of movement, the Latin American zone now
has freedom of movement and work between Paraguay, Uruguay,
Brazil and Argentina, with Chile to soon be included.
The Caricom countries of the Caribbean have a more limited
right for technical and executive personnel to live and work in
other member countries.
NAFTA gives a similar, but even more limited, right to move
between Mexico, the United States, and Canada for those who are
engaged in business in one of the member countries.
Having a second citizenship in any of these groupings
creates the ability to live a semi-nomadic and often tax-free
life. Staying less than 6 months in each of one's countries
(perhaps locations of business interests, branch offices, or just
second homes) will often be sufficient to escape all income taxes.
(Even Americans can get some limited benefits, since a bona-fide
foreign residence lets a U.S. citizen exclude $70,000 per year in
earned income, despite the U.S. being the only major country to
tax based upon citizenship rather than residence.)
About the Author
Adam Starchild is the author of numerous books and articles on
offshore investing and living. Extensive sample chapters from his
works are available at The Offshore
Entrepreneur.
Copyright © 1996 by Adam Starchild
The Libertarian Library has reprinted this article with the permission of the author.
