Moving to another country? It should simple when you’re thinking about it from your sofa.
You picture a different pace of life, a new neighborhood, better weather, being closer to family, or simply having a fresh start somewhere completely different. You start looking at houses online. You start checking flights. You start searching for the best countries to move to from the US.
Then the practical questions begin.
Can you actually live there? What happens to your taxes? How will you see a doctor? What happens to your bank account, your phone number, and all the other everyday things you’ve never had to think twice about?
Those are the less exciting parts of moving abroad, but they’re also the things that can make the difference between a smooth move and a very stressful one.
Keep reading on to learn four areas to consider before packing up and leaving the USA.
Visas and Legal Residency
This is probably the first thing you need to figure out.
You can’t simply decide you like a country, book a one-way flight, and assume you can stay there indefinitely. Every country has its own immigration rules, and what you’re allowed to do will usually depend on certain things – like your age, employment, income, nationality, and reason for moving.
Some countries have visas aimed at remote workers or retirees. Others have routes for people who have secured employment, started a business, or have family connections there.
And then there’s the difference between being allowed to visit somewhere and being allowed to visit somewhere and being allowed to live there. It sounds obvious, but it’s an easy distinction to overlook when you’re excited about a potential new home.
Before making any serious plans, find out what visa options are actually available to you and how long you can stay. Also look at what happens after the initial visa period. A move isn’t much of a move if you’re going to have to leave again in a few months.
Taxes and Finance
Many people would probably rather avoid thinking about taxes.
Unfortunately, moving abroad doesn’t mean your financial responsibilities in the US disappear. Your tax situation might actually become more complicated when you become a resident of another country – more so if you have income, investments, property, or other financial interests in the US.
You also need to think about how you’ll actually manage your money after moving.
Will you keep your existing US bank accounts? Will you need a local account? How will you transfer money between countries? What happens to your investments?
Now, remember, none of this means moving abroad is financially impossible. It just means you shouldn’t leave the financial side of the move to the last minute. You definitely don’t want to wait until you’re already living in your new country.
Getting proper tax and financial advice before you go will save you from some very expensive mistakes later.
Healthcare
Healthcare is another big aspect to consider.
It’s easy to take your current arrangements for granted. You already know how they work. You know where to go when you’re ill, how your insurance works, and roughly what you’re covered for.
Moving to another country, though… That means you’re starting from scratch.
Healthcare systems vary. Some countries have public healthcare systems. Others rely more heavily on private healthcare. Then there are the ones that use a mixture of both.
You need to understand what you’ll actually be entitled to once you move. Don’t just assume that having legal residency automatically means you’ll have access to everything a citizen receives. You won’t.
It’s also worth thinking about prescriptions, ongoing treatment, and private health insurance if you’ll need it.
This is especially important if you’re moving with children, older family members, or anyone who regularly needs medical care.
Communications and Admin
Then there are all the little things.
And, strangely enough, these can be some of the most annoying parts of moving abroad.
You’ll need to think about the following:
- Phones,
- Internet,
- Banking,
- Driving licenses,
- Mail,
- Subscriptions,
- And all accounts tied to your old address.
Even something as simple as changing your address could turn into a surprisingly long list.
You may also find that your US phone number is connected to bank accounts or two-factor authentication. This means cancelling it without thinking ahead could cause problems when you’re trying to access something later.
Make a list before you leave. Not a mental list – an actual one.
Work through your accounts and decide what needs to be changed, what needs to be cancelled, and what needs to be kept. This is boring, but future-you will probably be grateful.
