Can i be a U.S foreign officer even though i am not American?

I grew up here. Me and my family moved here when i was only 7 and i know more about the u.s than my own native country. We get sponsored by the World Bank, they provide our visas. I really love working for foreign agencies because i speak French, English and spanish. I am planing to go to college and study internationals Relations but i think i won't be able to get a job because i am not American.

Ricky Bobby

As Shane quoted from the State Department Website, you obviously have to be an American to join the American foreign service. I'm sure every country in the world has the same requirement since you will be privy to national security clearance information.

So, the best thing for you is to become a naturalised American.

If, for whatever reason, you don't want to be, then another option is to work as a local staff at a US embassy overseas. An obvious possibility would be to work at the US embassy in your original country. Local staff at embassies get paid really well, sometimes more than the diplomats! (but you don't get free accommodation etc of course)

Another possibility, if you don't want to work in the foreign service of your own country, is to work for an international organisation like the United Nations.

Good luck!

Lady Shondra

sounds like you could get a job most anywhere as an interpreter without being a citizen of that country.

but if you become a naturalized citizen, then you can serve in an OFFICIAL capacity at any job but president,

Brantley K

As long as you are an American citizen and can pass the background checks you can. And you must show absolute loyalty to the U.S. government. Go to state.gov and you can see the requirements for a foreign service officer.

Shane S

To quote the State Department:

*All applicants must be U.S. citizens on the date they submit their registration package.
*On the day you submit your registration, you must be at least 20 years old and no older than 59 years of age.
*On the day you are appointed as a Foreign Service Officer, you must be at least 21 years old, and not yet 60.
*You must also be available for worldwide assignments, including Washington, D.C.

That's for a foreign service officer. Basically if you have a clean record, do relatively well on a foreign service exam, and have something unique to offer... like a number of languages that you're proficient in and a good degree, then you should be able to get a job, if not with the State Department itself then another similar dept. I spent several years working with the Dept. of State and there were plenty of foreign service officers who weren't native born Americans.

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