# Americans living abroad are still viewed as fully American

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/culture/americans-abroad-and-belonging/
Published: 2026-10-23

> Featured topic in Culture.

72.1% of Americans say a citizen who has lived abroad for five years is just as American as someone who never left. Just 6.4% feel negatively toward Americans living overseas.

## Overview: Still American after years away

In a Verasight survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted September 25 to 30, 2026, 72.1% say a citizen who has lived abroad for five years is just as American as someone who has always lived in the U.S. The other 27.9% say they are not.

Feelings toward Americans who live abroad are mostly neutral (55.3%) or positive (38.3%). Just 6.4% feel negatively.

## Five years away doesn't change much

The question offered only yes or no, and describes a citizen who has lived abroad for five years.

It measures views on identity, not support for any policy toward citizens abroad.

## Few feel negatively

Very positive feelings account for 21.2% and somewhat positive for 17.1%.

Somewhat negative feelings account for 5.4% and very negative for 1.0%.

Over half, 55.3%, feel neither positive nor negative.

## Two separate questions

Views on identity and feelings toward Americans abroad were asked separately. Neither question measures support for any policy toward citizens abroad.

## Supporting evidence

### 72.1% of Americans say a citizen who has lived abroad for five years is just as American.

Question: Do you think that an American citizen who has lived abroad for 5 years is as American as someone who has lived in the US all their lives?

Topline:

- Yes: 72.1%
- No: 27.9%

### 55.3% feel neither positive nor negative about Americans who live abroad, and 38.3% feel positive.

Question: In general, how positive or negative are your feelings towards Americans who live abroad?

Topline:

- Neither Negative Nor Positive: 55.3%
- Very Positive: 21.2%
- Somewhat Positive: 17.1%
- Somewhat Negative: 5.4%
- Very Negative: 1.0%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-09-25 → 2026-09-30
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.4%
- Module: Technology, Security, and Global Affairs
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Sources

- [Do you think that an American citizen who has lived abroad for 5 years is as American as someone who has lived in the US all their lives?](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-130): reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report
- [In general, how positive or negative are your feelings towards Americans who live abroad?](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-131): reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report

## Citation

APSA Omnibus Survey #2026-153, fielded September 25-30, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.4%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-130](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-130)