@JP *********

yes there are ways to minimize taxes including to zero. FEIE and FTC being the two main ways to do so.

But you can’t get rid of self employment tax in most cases so if ever self employed she would owe that. Also the higher the income the more likely someone will owe.

And she would still be required to deal with FBAR and issues with banks not opening accounts. Which is the main reason people get rid of US citizenship if they are not wealthy.

In general anyone with another passport, especially a strong one, that does not truly plan to live in the US is best served by getting rid of a green card or citizenship.

The US tax system is annoying if you are not dealing directly with US incomes, banks, investments, and etc.

@Alistair *********

I believe you can even if you don’t. But becoming stateless would be very foolish.

@Marc *******

any US citizen can renounce citizenship. It doesn’t matter how they got it.

Not sure how the process works for actual children though. They may have to wait till adulthood. Not sure.

@Alistair *********

yes it is. But for those who don’t need it there can be pretty large tax savings. And it makes banking in other countries easier.

Also benefits like social security if already qualified for (10 year work history basically) you can still get as a non-citizen.

Green card holders need to get rid of since they will lose their ability to use it if they stay out too long but still be required to folllow the world wide tax rules. So no benefits and all the negatives.

Citizens have to weight the pros and cons.

She mentions she has a UK passport so she already has a great powerful passport and nationality. She likely doesn’t need US citizenship if she has it.

I can’t give direct advice since I don’t know but here is what I would do in your place. And hopefully this helps.

1. Contact the Thai embassy/consultant near you in the US. Doesn’t sound like you lost citizenship so should just be about getting a new passport.

1b. Likely will need to get other official stuff once in Thailand. I personally would plan to stay in BKK for a few months to a year to get everything settled. Also likely the best place to study Thai.

2. Find Thai expat groups in the US/UK/AUS. You are likely to find others who have been in your exact situation. And since you speak English natively these will be the best countries to find Thais who do as well.

Even if the embassy can help you completely with the passport thing I believe groups like this can help you over all.

2b. See if you can find groups for returning Thais.

2c. Maybe reach out to vloggers and such that have similar situations. Off the top of my head I think Flora and Note since Note is Thai but lived in Canada for a while. His situation is not the same as yours but he may be able to connect you with other returning Thais. If they don’t reply to an IG DM let me know and I can see if Paddy Doyle (who occasionally talk to there) can help connect you to them.

3. Check with Thailand on the rules for bringing your dog. But otherwise most seem to just take them on flights. I wouldn’t pay $7k for that. It should be a lot less.

4. Unless I had to I would not enter Thailand on a non-Thai passport. Again I am assuming you should be able to get a new one while still in the US.

5. If you are a U.S. green card holder or citizen remember they tax world wide income and you have to formally give either up. If you don’t plan to return to the US really consider do this asap once you leave.

6. Tools from the US will often have issues over voltage and shipping costs often make it really not worth it. Personally I’d buy tools in Thailand.

7. If you end up documenting this journey (imo you should) I would love to follow along. So please let me know your YT, IG, and etc where you will share it if you do.

Good luck on your return home and embracing your culture and heritage.

@John *********

are you taking any other classes or just learning Thai?

How much is that costing you?

Given your profile pic I’m honestly surprised.

Has she gotten visas for other major nations besides France/EU?

Normally once you get a few of those getting into the US isn’t hard.

Also what were the answers to those questions they ask?

Any red flags in her past including visible on social media?

While the interview is the final say of course some prefiltering happens. To me the shortness of the interview suggest something flagged before the interview.

And the questions were just to confirm.

Like if you or her owned bars in Pattaya for example. Which would suggest sex work.

And even visa free nationals get esta denials over sex work. Including a recent case an OnlyFans model had.

Not saying or suggesting you or her are into the bar scene. Just giving it as an example.

Digital nomad work might flag too since it suggests she would be working while in the US. And the US is not grey at all when it comes to digital nomads.

Housesitting also flags them and gets denials since under US law that is work.

@Andrew ********

seem far too many people waste loads more chasing it.

By all means do due diligence but that is normally best done up front. Once you have to get lawyers involved in recovery it’s math vs your ego. And often the only winners are the lawyers.

Once the money is “invested” it is what it is. Either you will see a return or you kiss it good bye.

@Andrew ********

I’m not Peter but common sense.

Even in the US or UK a story like this (what we know at least) has very little chance of recovering money.

Why would I expect more chance in Thailand where we have all seen versions of this time after time.

To have any chance of recovery depends on exactly how the deal (you’d be surprised how many around the world have nothing on paper) was structured.

Then winning a civil lawsuit.

Then actually enforcing a collection.

Even in the best of situations that’s unlikely. And like I said I am talking even in the US or UK.

Investing in a business is high risk even when structured well. And no you can’t just ask for money back and get it.

A business partner may agree to buy you out, pay you back, and etc. but unless it is on paper they don’t have to.

I have a saying

Never waste good chasing bad

Be that money or times.

By all means consult a lawyer. But don’t spend a load of money if you have little chance of recovering it.

And your chance to recover depends on many things.

I personally would not expect my money back based on what little you shared.