Can Debt Stop Me From Leaving The Country? Know In Advance

Can debt stop me from leaving the country? If you’re planning on traveling abroad, chances are you’ve already started thinking about how to get there. But before you book your flights, ensure that your debt will not keep you from leaving the country. 

Traveling overseas can be complicated, and owing monies to an organization may not help with your travel plans. One of the best things a person can do is to seek to clear all funds owed, if possible, before traveling. If this isn’t possible, contact all creditors to let them know what you want to do.

Can debt stop me from leaving the country?

Unfortunately, yes. Debt can prevent you from leaving the country, even if you have a valid passport and all other documentation. This debt issue is because many countries require that you be in good standing with your creditors before they issue travel visas. If you lack good credit, your application may be denied because of outstanding debts.

However, some situations are different, and that is why we said it can and not that it will prevent you from leaving. It depends on the severity of your case and if you are considered a flight risk. Persons can leave a country and never return to deal with debt issues.

What is ‘Debt?’

Debt is a loan that you owe to someone. When you take out a loan, you borrow money from the lender, and they agree to give it to you in exchange for payments over time. You can use this money to pay for something like a house, car, or education.

When you take out a loan, the lender will give you an agreement that tells you how much money they will lend you and what terms apply—like how much interest will be charged if there are any late payment fees or other penalties.

Why does debt stop you from traveling abroad?

The reason why debt can prevent people from leaving the country is because of a law called Section 212(a)(9)(B) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). 

This law states that if an immigrant owes money to a creditor, that person will not be able to enter or re-enter the U.S. 

They must first pay off their debt in full or make arrangements with their creditors to pay off their debts over time or in installments (such as with an installment agreement).

Another reason debt is a significant obstacle to traveling abroad could be a lack of funds. It’s hard to save money when you’re paying off loans, and credit cards, which means saving enough to go on vacation is hard. 

But debt also stops people from traveling abroad because of the difficulty in getting loans or credit cards approved when you’re already out of the country. 

If you can’t get a loan or credit card while abroad, your options are limited. You might have to stay where you are instead of exploring other parts of the world.

Does debt follow you from country to country?

Debt is individual to each person and follows you wherever you go. If you have credit card debt in the United States, that debt will follow you if you move to Canada, Mexico, or Germany. 

The same goes for student debt, auto, and mortgage loans—they’re all individual to each person concerning their specific circumstances. 

If you’re moving from one country to another, the first thing that matters is whether or not the countries have a treaty. If there is no treaty between the two countries, then there are no rules governing how debt follows the citizens of each nation. 

However, if there is an agreement in place, this will set the guidelines for how your debts will transfer with your move.

What happens if you owe money and leave the country?

If you owe money and leave the country, a collection agency will likely pursue you. You might be surprised to learn that this can happen even if you do not own any assets or property in the United States.

If you fail to pay your debt, a creditor may file a lawsuit against you to recover what is owed. If they win their suit, they can garnish your wages or place a lien on any property you own.

However, this process will depend on the relationship between the country you live in and the one where the debt remains unpaid. 

How to resolve any debt?

When you have debt, it can be challenging to know where to start. You may need to learn how to resolve it or what to do with your credit score.

Here are some steps for resolving any debt:

1. Understand the basics of debt resolution

2. Turn off your credit cards and other lines of credit

3. Create a budget that includes all your monthly expenses, including rent/mortgage payments, utilities, food/groceries, insurance premiums, and student loans (if applicable)

4. Contact creditors and ask them to help resolve your debts by offering you a settlement option or other options, such as reducing interest rates or lowering monthly payments.

Can debt owed in another country be rescinded?

A foreign court can cancel debt owed in another country. However, this is not easy and likely not worth it, especially if the debt is small.

To have your debt canceled by a foreign court, you’ll need to file a lawsuit against the debtor. You’ll also need to hire an attorney licensed in that country with international law experience. The cost of this process could easily be higher than what you’re owed; therefore, it’s only worth it if it’s a large amount of money or if extenuating circumstances surrounding the debt make it more critical than usual.

Even if you succeed in having your debt canceled by a foreign court, they may need to release your funds into your account immediately. If possible, try to negotiate with the creditor before filing any lawsuits—they may agree to settle for less than what is owed if they know they’ll lose anyway!

Final thoughts

Debt can stop you from leaving the country, but it’s not impossible. If you have a hefty obligation, getting a visa or passport may be difficult if you try to leave the country. However, there are ways to work around this problem.