You were born and raised in the US, but now it’s time for new things. Here’s how to move out of the US for the next chapter in your life.
February 7, 2025
By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP
In 2024, 21% of Americans said they wanted to move out of the country. The US is vast, but eventually, you run out of new places to explore. Plus, the nation’s progression may not be what you expected or wanted, so you want to leave the US while you can.
Whatever the reason for your relocation, moving out of the US is a huge deal. And unfortunately, it’s not as easy as packing your things, buying a plane ticket, and getting out of Dodge.
This article will show you the steps on how to move out of the US so you’re better prepared.
Choose Your Destination
As we’ve just mentioned, you can’t just buy a plane ticket, fly to another country, and call yourself a resident there. There are so many moving parts to relocating, and if you miss a detail, it can create difficult obstacles and challenges. It can even prevent you from a successful move.
So the first thing you have to do is decide where you’re going. If you’ve got a few places in mind, then research the following factors to see if they’re truly places you’d like and feel comfortable in:
- Cost of living (rent, groceries, healthcare, transportation, etc.)
- Quality of life (healthcare, education, climate, culture, etc.)
- Visa and residency requirements (more on this later)
- Job or business opportunities
- Safety and political stability
- Language barriers
Need some help narrowing destinations down? Here are some are some of the best countries for Americans to move to:
- Latin America: Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia
- Europe: Portugal, Spain, Germany, Italy
- Asia: Thailand, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
- Middle East: United Arab Emirates, Qatar
Here are also some of the best countries to move to that speak English.
Check Visa and Residency Requirements
The US passport is one of the strongest in the world, and holders can visit 172 countries visa-free. This high mobility makes Americans believe they can easily move anywhere in the world, but that’s not true.
The reality is that residency can be quite complicated and difficult, if not impossible in some countries, even if you’re an American. The upside is that there are many avenues to qualify for residency, including:
- Tourist visas (short-term stay)
- Work visas (for employment)
- Digital nomad visas (if doing remote work)
- Retirement visas (if applicable)
- Entrepreneur/investor visas (if starting a business)
- Student visas (if studying)
- Permanent residency or citizenship programs
If you’re interested in any of the above, it’s best to visit the embassy website of your chosen country to learn more. Should you find a suitable visa, apply for it well in advance, as processing times vary.
Handle Your Finances
Relocating won’t be cheap, and your finances need to be in order both before and after you move. Here are the steps to do so.
Budget for Your Move
First, estimate your travel costs. This will include things like plane tickets, luggage shipping, and customs fees.
Also, there will be housing costs. Not only do you need to pay for the rent and deposit, but also for utilities and furniture if those aren’t included.
You must factor in healthcare costs too. You may already have a decent insurance plan, but plan for out-of-pocket costs as well.
In addition, make a reasonable budget for daily expenses. Account for things like food, transportation, internet, etc.
Lastly, make sure you have emergency savings of at least 3-6 months of your living expenses.
Banking and Taxes
You should open a bank account in your new country or find an international bank. However, don’t close your US one, as it’ll come in handy for American expenses. You can also consider a multi-currency account or a service like Wise for lower currency conversion fees if you change USD into other currencies often.
Research tax obligations as well. US citizens still have to file US taxes, even if you’re living abroad. There may be tax treaties between the US and your destination country, so in many cases, you can avoid double-taxation.
Retirement and Investments
Check how your Social Security, 401(k), IRA, or pensions work overseas. For example, you can cash out or even move your IRA to an offshore account if you wish.
If you’ve invested in real estate, you may be better off selling. There’s a good chance you’ll still have to pay property taxes in America if you keep it.
As for precious metals, don’t try to transport them on your own. Instead, use a logistics company.
Find a Job or Secure an Income Source
For those who are lucky, their current employers may allow international work on a remote basis. Otherwise, you’ll have to go job hunting.
In this latter case, you should learn about work permits and employer sponsorship requirements, as you won’t automatically be able to work if you’re residing in a country.
For flexibility, consider freelance work or online businesses.
Secure Housing
Depending on your financial situation and how long you plan on staying in the country, you can either rent, buy, or Airbnb short-term before finding a permanent home. Some destinations will be safer than others, so research specific neighborhoods and access to essential services.
There are severe housing crises in many countries as well, such as the Netherlands. It may be extremely challenging to find accommodations, so start as early as you can and join local expat groups for housing tips.
Sort Out Healthcare and Insurance
Many countries have universal healthcare, and in your research, you might’ve found that your destination does too. If not, then you’ll have to get private insurance, or even international health insurance.
Before you leave the US, arrange medical checkups and get copies of your medical records. That’ll make the move and transition easier.
Handle Legal and Practical Matters
Make sure you notify your bank, credit card companies, and insurance providers of your upcoming move. Update your mailing address too; consider using a US mail forwarding service for convenience. This is also the time to cancel subscriptions, utilities, and memberships.
If you have a driver’s license and plan to drive in your new country of residence, then check if you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or if you need to take any other action to change over your license.
Ship or Sell Your Belongings
If there’s ever a good time to downsize, it’s now. Sort through your things into piles to keep, donate, sell, or store away.
Once you’re done, you can take the following actions, depending on what you have:
- Sell online or to consignment stores
- Donate to charity shops
- Rent a storage unit in the US
- Use international moving companies
Final Preparations and Departure
You should get multiple copies of these important documents:
- Passport and visa
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Diplomas or certifications
- Medical and vaccination records
Those moving with pets should check vaccination and quarantine rules, and get a pet passport if required.
That’s How to Move Out of the US
You may not need it immediately, but you now have knowledge on how to move out of the US. It can be exciting to move abroad, but as you can see, it requires thorough preparation.
Ensure that you do your research, have your finances in order, and prepare for the unexpected. After you relocate, give yourself some time to adjust, and you’ll see that there’s a bright new international adventure awaiting you.
Get in touch with us today if you want to learn more about protecting your assets overseas. We at Global Wealth Protection are backed by decades of experience.
