The Best Non Extradition Countries to Become Invisible

Countries Without Extradition to The U.S.

First, straight to the point: The United States has bilateral extradition agreements with 107 nations. Moreover, the United States maintains diplomatic relations but, according to the above-mentioned list, does not have extradition treaties with the following full list of countries.

Instead of repeating this full list, we will focus on several that are of interest to nomads or people who fit this bill and are looking for a good lifestyle abroad.

Brunei

While Brunei is no constitutionalist’s picnic, it’s one of the wealthiest countries to have no extradition treaty with the US. The Sultan of Brunei doesn’t want anyone meddling in his affairs. If you played it cool there and didn’t make out with your new girlfriend in public, you’d probably be quite fine.

Russia and China

Big countries like that don’t want to be pushed around by the US government the same way smaller countries often suffer. China is rarely mentioned as a foreign country without extradition, but it doesn’t have an extradition treaty with the United States, either.

Before you balk at the idea of living in China, consider that the country is as large as The Land of the Free and provides any kind of lifestyle you could desire for your time on the lam — from five-star ultra-chic to backpacker cheap.

The Gulf States

Other wealthy countries with no extradition treaty include the wealthy Gulf states of Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates don’t have one either, although their governments have made it clear they want nothing to do with being a safe haven for “criminals”.

Nevertheless, Dubai plays home to the deposed prime minister of Thailand. We doubt you’d be welcomed with open arms into the local cultures of these Middle Eastern countries, but living in a country with more air-conditioned shopping malls and Rolls Royces than any other doesn’t sound like a terrible punishment.

Deeper in the Middle East, Jordan and Lebanon are also countries with no extradition treaty; just don’t use your Israeli second passport to seek entry.

Montenegro

Looking at Europe, a major lifestyle goal of many nomads and travelers, the former-Yugoslav country and the now Republic of Montenegro, is on this list as it offers excellent lifestyle and investment opportunities. In addition, not being a part of the EU, Montenegro may offer certain privacies (as well as beautiful people and views).

Ukraine and Moldova

Other countries in the region that one might normally look at are Ukraine and Moldova. These Eastern European countries have struggled with their share of development or financial challenges, but Moldova is a potential frontier market that appeals to many nomads.

Vietnam, Cambodia, and Mongolia

Meanwhile, Vietnam, Cambodia, and rapidly-growing Mongolia are also countries without extradition. We'd even argue that you could improve your business success by living in any of those countries — whether you were hiding out or not.

Perhaps someone should start “no extradition tours” and force people to start businesses in fast- growing boom markets as “punishment”! Seeing as there is currently a lot of interest already for people to expand their freedoms and lifestyles abroad in these destinations, their openness to all without extradition treaty is an interesting facet to explore. Any takers?

Maldives, Vanuatu, and Tunisia

The Maldives, Vanuatu, and Tunisia are all non-extradition countries. Vanuatu is a tax-free nation and has interesting citizenship by investment program. The Maldives are of increasing interest for real estate developers in the tourism space.

Tunisia is an up-and-coming North African destination that may appeal to those who love the Mediterranean weather, culture, and history. So is Indonesia, where the economy has grown so fast a real estate bubble is developing at warp speed. That said, Jakarta is perhaps the cheapest city in the region. And, of course, Indonesia is home to Bali, a favorite of many nomads, as well.

Africa – Ethiopia, Botswana, and Uganda

In Africa, Ethiopia and Botswana, two of the continent’s star economies, don’t have any extradition treaties. Uganda is also in this boat. Those looking to venture into frontier markets can use this goal as an impetus for exploring opportunities on the continent.

Where should someone from the United Kingdom on the run flee to? Well, many on the list above share a lack of extradition treaties with the UK as well. Also worth noting are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cameroon, the Dominican Republic, Georgia, Kazakhstan, South Korea, and Venezuela. For citizens of other countries, the same concept applies: do your research on what countries do have extradition treaties, and then for those nations omitted from the list.

Famous Cases of (Non) Extradition

A discussion on extradition treaties isn’t complete without reviewing some of the most famous cases in recent history. As we mentioned in our intro, the story of Edward Snowden is perhaps one of the most newsworthy in the past decade that has gotten people thinking about the concept of extradition.

El Chapo, the infamous Mexican drug lord ( and inspiration for the new Netflix show with the same name), was famously extradited to the United States facing numerous indictments. Another involved in the drug trade, who is a well-known name, is Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, who was head of the Medellin cartel. Roman Polanski, a filmmaker accused of having sex with a minor, has avoided extradition in numerous countries.

So.., if you’re waiting for a knock on the door from Terry Benedict’s guys — or the Gestapo — there are global hide-outs where you could live out your days and, judging by the looks of some of these places, things could be worse. Now, go out and fly right.