Prince Harry turned his back on royal life to live a “more peaceful” one with Meghan Markle in the U.S. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved to Los Angeles after they officially stepped down from their senior royal roles at the end of March.
Since Prince Harry arrived in America, there were speculations that he will apply for U.S. citizenship. But, it was, previously, reported that the Duke of Sussex is not applying for a green card or dual citizenship.
To be considered a resident, one must not be out of the U.S. for 183 days, which is known as the “substantial presence test.” Prince Harry has, reportedly, been in the country for 159 days since he and Meghan Markle left Canada and settled in California.
Meghan Markle, being an American citizen, could sponsor Prince Harry to have a green card. But, immigration and tax expert David Lesparance noted that it is unlikely for the Duke of Sussex to be in the country for the green card as it would make him a U.S. citizen for tax purposes.
As for the substantial presence test, Express explained that it “counts the days if you have been in the U.S. and if you meet certain criteria you count as having residency in the US and are liable to pay tax there.”
To pass the test, candidates should be “physically present in the U.S. for 31 days during the current year and 183 in the last three years.” This means that, if Prince Harry reaches 183 days this year, he will be counted as a U.S. resident. However, it can be rebutted by certain situations, such as being a resident in another country, and more.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were planning to launch their new brand in America after quitting their senior royal life. Paperwork filed in the U.K. indicated that the shutting down of the Sussex Royal Foundation has begun as the director of their trading company leaves without a replacement.
The remaining directors, British business leaders Stefan Allesch-Taylor, Karen Blackett, and Steven Cooper plus broadcaster Kirsty Young, are, reportedly, not going to be a part of their new venture. A previous report claimed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, also, let all 15 members of their U.K. staff go.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's newly appointed private secretary Fiona Mcilwham, communications chief Sara Latham, Prince Harry’s program co-ordinator Clara Loughran, and assistant communications secretary Marnie Gaffney are few of those who are believed to have been let go upon the Sussex pair's shocking royal exit.
