Nobody feels first the need to run away or hide in a new country, but what if you run a business that is termed under criminal offense overnight by the authorities. What would you do if you were a local casino mob millions of dollars? What will be your move in case the government in your country upped the ante on their spying program? Like these, there are many scenarios where almost anyone can feel the need to be invisible in a non-extradition country.
Extradition is when a country pledges to return someone to where they committed their crime or offense. Only a few countries are willing to do this for the US anymore. After the past cases where President Trump's insisted on building a wall, new trade taxes, and tariffs, among other things, some US citizens are still looking to avoid living in America, and they seem more eager than ever before.
However, luckily for you, you can now prepare in advance for such moments when you need to disappear to a non-extradition country. But before jumping into that, you need to familiarize yourself with some basic aspects of non-extradition. If you feel like you can just pick any random country for extradition, then you are seriously mistaken. Not every country has the same laws or offers the same protection and opportunities. Read on for our list of the safest places worldwide that can give American citizens political asylum or protection against extradition.
Not Every Country Recognizes An Extradition Agreement
Even though you live in a country with an extradition treaty with your nation, different rules apply when it comes to the extradition of American citizens. In several cases, countries have refused to provide extradition support to US authorities and refused many of their extradition requests.Let's take the case of 2012, when more than 900 people were handed to the United States under extradition. These people came from countries like Canada, Colombia, and Mexico. Mostly they were drug traffickers and people involved in other kinds of fraud, pornography, and homicide cases. The United States Attorney General, the Department of Justice, or any other official will not recognize any agreements made by another country on behalf of their diplomatic mission. So if you are visiting one of these countries, the embassy won't recognize your non-extradition agreement as valid.
The same holds when it comes to US embassies abroad. At the same time, they can provide you with the necessary help in information, documentation, and ensuring that you are not getting into any kind of trouble. At the same time, overseas, they will not recognize your non-extradition agreements as valid until and unless the countries are concerned about changing their foreign policy.
If it is a member of the European Union, for example, you are only allowed to have such an agreement with that particular country. However, if it is an EU member state that does not have a non-extradition agreement with the US or another country, it will be accepted as valid if you are a resident of that state.
Other factors may cause your extradition, though. For example, a criminal offense can be a trump card for the other nations, and a non-extradition agreement does not guarantee your extradition. So if you are a drug smuggler, then hopefully, you are not living in one of the non-extradition countries on our list.
List Of Best Non-Extradition Countries
Before starting with extradition countries, you need to know over 107 countries have bilateral extradition agreements with the US. This means you are left with just a few options that you can opt for while looking for non-extradition boundaries. But still, there are some options you can offer some countries that do not have any type of political or diplomatic treaty with the US on the grounds of extradition.Recently, there have been cases where some countries have refused many extradition requests by the United States. Despite having political and diplomatic ties with the US, these nations simply look in the other direction on extradition requests made by the US. So, while commonly, people have the perception that they have to go through a hellhole to flee from the eyes of authorities, it doesn't always have to be this way.
Some great options can provide safe non-extradition space and better peace of mind. From advanced countries like Russia and China to beach destinations like Maldives, Tunisia, and Vanuatu, you have the luxury of choosing from some potential great places. Let us now look at a few such potentially safe escape routes that American citizens have currently. Keep in mind that the list is by no means comprehensive, but it is best to look at something around your location and see what options are there.
- Brunei
Brunei is a great and potentially safe option for you if you live or travel to China or Southeast Asia. This tiny island country has no extradition treaty with the United States. It is also not an EU member state. Visiting this nation and seeking asylum in Brunei can be a great move for anyone if they are worried about their future in the US. The no extradition treaty between Brunei and US is the Sultan of Brunei, who doesn't want any western power interfering in their affairs. If you keep a low profile and keep away from making major public appearances, then you will have no major issues disappearing in this nation. - Russia & China
Russia and China have no extradition treaties with the United States. However, there is also an unofficial deal which means that embassy officials can travel to the country without fear of being handed over to US authorities. This deal has been in place for the past several decades, and it came into effect because of the Cold War which was going on at the time. Unfortunately, this treaty has changed, however, and both countries are currently pushing for more agreements even though they don't have extradition treaties with the US.
Even though it may seem like a bad situation, these treaties are still in effect, and you don't have to worry about being deported if you are traveling to Russia or China. Russia is a great place to travel if you want to get away from the US. They are also now the most sought-after places globally, and people love visiting them even though they might get roughed up by Russian police.
If you live in Russia or China, you can safely fly back to the US without any issues. However, there have been cases where some Russian intelligence officials have handed over some US citizens who were working in the country on spying charges. So while traveling through Russia and China may be fine, living there is a different matter altogether. Try to avoid any red flags and keep a low profile throughout your stay here to stay safe. - The Gulf States
The Gulf States is one of the most popular tourist destinations globally. If you live or visit one of these states, you can potentially apply for asylum or citizenship after staying in this country for several years. Even though there are unofficial deals between these countries and US, they simply don't honor United States' extradition requests when it comes to any privacy-related issues against its citizens. Some of the best options for you to try in Gulf Stats include: - Some countries are referred to as heaven for people with criminal charges in the US. There is no extradition treaty between the US and these nations, even though they do have close ties with the US on political and economic fronts. Recently there were a lot of cases where people have been given citizenship on humanitarian grounds by the Kuwaiti government.
Lately, the deposed prime minister of Thailand has resided in Dubai as a play to disappear from authorities in his country. While you may have some problems adapting to local cultures here, it will serve its purpose best in providing the best hiding support. Jordan and Lebanon have also emerged as the new heaven for criminals looking to avoid extradition support. - Montenegro
Montenegro is a tiny republic country located in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula. It has a population of just over 600000 people. Montenegro is known for its sandy beaches, coastal resorts, and clear waters. It is also known for producing high-quality tobacco products. Many people from the UK have been looking to shift to small nations in Europe like Montenegro after Brexit as they seem to be better systems set up here with more stability than some bigger counterparts.
If you live or visit Montenegro, you can apply for citizenship after staying in this country long enough. This option is relatively safe because it doesn't fall under US extradition requests while being outside the European Union territory. - Ukraine and Moldova
These two countries are located in the western part of Europe. Both Ukraine and Moldova have no extradition treaties with the United States. Ukraine and Moldova have a lot of diplomatic relations with the United States, but these are mostly based on a free trade agreement and their neighbors like Russia and Belarus.
It is relatively safe to visit these countries if you live or travel to Central or Eastern Europe as long as you don't have any other red flags. If anyone wanted to pursue the action against you for deporting them, then it would be a tough case. Moldova has also emerged as one of the best economies in the market for rentals and property investments. There are tones of options in Asia where you will find that these nations have no treaties regarding extradition. - Vietnam, Cambodia, and Mongolia
These three countries are located in Southeast Asia. These countries have had close economic and military ties with China. Vietnam and Cambodia also have no extradition treaties with the United States. Therefore, even though the US has a lot of influence over the Vietnamese and Cambodian governments, there is no extradition treaty between these nations.
These nations are relatively safe if you live or travel here as long as you don't commit any major crime or red flag crimes like drug trafficking or people trafficking. These countries will offer you safe shelter against authorities, but they will also provide you with innumerable opportunities to grow your business in the long run. The markets here are vast, with tons of opportunities and a simple taxation system. - Beach Countries - Vanuatu, Maldives, and Tunisia
These three countries are located in the archipelago that connects Southeast Asia and South Asia. They all have no extradition treaty with the US. While these nations are not huge countries and might not be able to support your escape from authorities, they will do a good job at hiding you as long as you keep a low profile.
These islands are also relatively safe for people with criminal records or red flags because the governments of these countries have no extradition treaties with the US. They make a really good place to hide from authorities if you want to stay here for the long term. This is one of the most convenient places for people looking for easy money without any problems related to red flags. - African Nations – Ethiopia, Botswana, and Uganda
These three are located at the very end of Africa and are quite popular tourist destinations.These countries have no extradition treaties with the US. These are some of the best countries on the African continent. If you have a better goal of turning to a market with loads of opportunities, these rising African economies could prove to be a great choice. Few other great options for non-extradition countries include:- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Cameroon
- The Dominican Republic
- Georgia & Kazakhstan
- South Korea and Venezuela
No Diplomatic Ties Vs. Non-Extradition Countries
Non-extradition countries and countries without extradition treaties with the US are considered safe places to hide and live in. In all but the one crime, you will find that these nations are quite friendly to the average person. These countries will also provide business and economic growth opportunities at each stage of your life.So what are you waiting for? If you desire to live a carefree life of money-making, these nations are the best places that can match your demands. With few precautions, it will not be difficult for you to live and thrive in these countries as long as you follow the steps carefully and cautiously. If you are a US resident, Countries like Cuba and isolated Asian nations like Bhutan are only some of the few options of non-war zone countries where you can get the best options.
Understanding the difference between Not Extraditing and No Extradition Treaty
Just because there is no extradition treaty between any country doesn't mean they will look in the other on felons and criminals. It means that there is no hard and fast mechanism to facilitate such trades. There are many cases where these giant and all-power countries just walk over foreign soils to take down whoever they are looking for. There are always other diplomatic/bullying methods to facilitate such trades.This is the main reason why having dual citizenship is your best bet. Commonly every country has special provisions to protect its citizens under the threats of extradition. Brazil and Venezuela are prime examples of such nations that offer protection to their citizens against extradition activities. In addition, some countries don't have extradition treaties with the US but do extradite the other nation's citizens.
You might have heard about Turkish jails for Americans during the 2003 incident in Iraq. However, this doesn't mean the country does not have an extradition treaty. Turkey does not extradite its citizens, so it falls under the non-extradition countries list but has an extradition treaty with the US.
Some Famous Cases of Non-Extradition
When asked to return someone who has been accused of a crime, many nations feel they should honor their extradition treaty obligation. Even more, countries will not extradite their citizens to other countries. Here are some famous cases of non-extradition by countries:Edward Snowden
In June 2013, Edward Snowden disclosed the documents about NSA's mass surveillance programs to journalists. He left the US and continued to live in Russia. The government of the United States has been trying to extradite him from Russia, but there is not much progress has been made since then. Why? Because the Russian government has no extradition treaty with the US, and they have no plans to change that. If a country is concerned about our national interest, it will be willing to help us.
Rudolf Elmer
Rudolf Elmer is a Swiss banker who was arrested in 2011 for hindering the tax evasion plan of his client UBS AG and for leaking secret bank data. However, the Swiss government refused to take him into custody and extradite him to the US. They were certain that this case could cause an internationally embarrassing situation for Switzerland, which had no extradition treaty with the US at that time.
Extradition is a process you might know too well, considering that the US practices it more than any other nation. For example, the person has been charged with a crime against the law in his or her own country, and he or she is on the run. Or the person is fleeing prosecution in his or her own country and asks for asylum in another one. Find a non-extradition country with no extradition treaty with the US to live a better and peaceful life without any worries. There are plenty of nations that will help you!Whistleblower Rudolf Elmer together with Edward Snowden
Frequently Asked Question
- Why Should You Apply For Citizenship?
The biggest reason you should apply for citizenship in a non-extradition country is that they are relatively crime-free and provide people with endless opportunities. Just like in the UK, many people want to work and live in these nations without being scared of the police every time. In addition, most nations here do not have extradition treaties with the US, so it will be almost impossible to get breached. - What are the Requirements for Becoming a Citizen of Non-Extradition Countries?
There are different requirements to apply for citizenship in non-extradition countries. Many of these nations have not been made clear, and you might have to do a little research to figure out the details. For example, while some countries require you to spend more time living in their nation, others will ask you to hold a job there. However, some even require that you buy land or property in their country. - How many countries have come non-extradition treaty with the US?
Many nations have come up with a formal treaty with the US, which means they cannot extradite their citizens to the US. In stats, there are around 107 countries that have an extradition treaty with the US.
These countries also provide their residents with an opportunity for future investments. Many countries here have their own money circulating that can be used to buy real estate or start businesses within the nation's boundaries.
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