Does US law apply abroad?
Asked by: Rosamond Steuber | Last update: December 19, 2025Score: 5/5 (67 votes)
Despite the presumption against extraterritoriality, many federal criminal statutes expressly apply outside U.S. borders. Some of the main categories include: Crime in U.S. territorial waters or vessels. Implementing treaties and international agreements.
Can I use my US law degree in another country?
For the most part, yes – although you may well be required to take an exam to prove your comprehension of the new legal system you're moving to practise in. If you wish to move somewhere in the EU, you must join a bar or law society in the country you're moving to.
Do US employment laws apply overseas?
The provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regarding minimum wage and overtime requirements do not apply to any employee whose services during the workweek are performed in a workplace within a foreign country or within territory under the jurisdiction of the United States, except for the following: Puerto ...
Do US laws apply to foreign companies?
In general, if you are doing business in the United States, it is likely that you are subject to the jurisdiction of one or more U.S. courts. For example, if a foreign company sells a product in the United States that causes an injury or death, that company could face a consumer lawsuit or regulatory action here.
Does US law apply on overseas military bases?
U.S. armed forces bases abroad are considered part of the U.S. for the purpose of carrying out U.S. laws; however, they also are part of the territory of the country in which they are located.
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Does US law apply internationally?
Despite the presumption against extraterritoriality, many federal criminal statutes expressly apply outside U.S. borders. Some of the main categories include: Crime in U.S. territorial waters or vessels. Implementing treaties and international agreements.
Are military bases overseas considered US territory?
Is a U.S. military base overseas considered U.S. territory? No. While the U.S. military controls the U.S. military base, the land remains the sovereign territory of the host country.
Do you have to follow US laws in other countries?
U.S. legal protections are not transferable to other countries. Your rights as an American are not transferable to other countries — you'll be judged by the local laws. For example, you could be arrested in Singapore for jaywalking or littering, or even caned for vandalizing property.
Who do US laws apply to?
Federal laws apply to everyone in the United States.
Do US discrimination laws apply in foreign countries?
Federal U.S. employment laws generally apply only to those employees who work in the United States or its territories. There are a few exceptions though, as the following four major U.S. employment laws have some application abroad: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).
Can I keep my US job if I move to another country?
Is it legal to work for a U.S. company and live abroad? In the abstract, yes, it's legal to work for a U.S.-based company and live abroad. But in practice, it depends on the company, the job, where you plan to work, your classification, your visa, and even your citizenship.
Does title VII apply outside the US?
The EEOC guidelines state that an American employer is subject to Title VII for discrimination against U.S. citizens overseas when the cor- poration is (1) incorporated in the U.S. and (2) is doing some further business in the U.S.
Does OSHA apply overseas?
No. The boundaries of geographic coverage are limited to the United States and its territories.
Can American lawyers work abroad?
While it is not always easy, many American attorneys have successfully established a legal career outside the United States. There are many ways to find legal work abroad.
Which is higher JD or LLM?
LawyerEDU defines the JD "as the initial, postsecondary law degree necessary to sit for the bar examination and practice as a lawyer in a US jurisdiction," and the LLM as "a secondary degree for lawyers who have achieved their JD and passed the bar exam, and who are interested in a focused, specialized course of study ...
Can I use my US degree in another country?
American degrees are widely recognized and accepted across the globe. Many countries value the high standards of education provided by American institutions and acknowledge the rigorous academic curriculum and research-driven approach of American universities.
What is illegal in the U.S. but legal in other countries?
One illegal activity many people find surprising is prostitution. While prostitution is illegal in the U.S., most European countries have legalized it and heavily regulate it. Those countries view prostitution as a viable job option, so they ensure that all workers are protected and safe in their occupations.
What does Federalist 78 say?
The Federalist # 78 states further that, if any law passed by Congress conflicts with the Constitution, "the Constitution ought to be preferred to the statute, the intention of the people to the intention of their agents."
What are the 5 requirements to be president?
- Be a natural-born citizen of the United States.
- Be at least 35 years old.
- Have been a resident of the United States for 14 years.
Can you break US laws in other countries?
Generally, if you break a US law even though you're not in the US - you can be prosecuted if the victim is a US person, even if what you did was legal at the place where you did it.
Do US laws apply in embassies?
Yes, an embassy is considered “foreign soil,” meaning that it operates under the jurisdiction and laws of the home country, not the host country (the country where the embassy is physically located).
Is the US under international law?
In the United States, neither state constitutions nor the federal Constitution, nor state or federal legislation, have expressly incorporated international law; from our beginnings, how- ever, following the English tradition, courts have treated international law as incorporated and applied it as domestic law.
Can you be president if born on a US military base?
That constitutional clause requires that anyone holding the presidency be born a citizen of the United States — either born on US territory or, if born abroad, the child of at least one US citizen.
Who has the strongest military in the world?
United States. The United States of America is a North American nation that is the world's most dominant economic and military power.
Does the US have jurisdiction in other countries?
America only has jurisdiction over The Fifty United States, Its Own 27 U.S. Territories, U.S. Military Bases, Some Ambassadorial Properties Within Other Nations, and A Number Of Merchant Vessels Registered Under The U.S. Maritime Authority.