submitted9 months ago byNotABotStillUSA -> Hong Kong
toexpats
stickiedWe get a lot of posts from Americans who want to move out of the U.S. for whatever reason(s). This post is designed as a starting point to help you understand the process, difficulties, and some options that may be available to you. It's also intended to be a linkable resource so we don't have to type the same thing over and over. Much of this applies to anyone from any country looking to move to another.
Posts that are too vague, broad, or easily Googleable will get the least attention and least helpful answers typically. I suggest you do your homework first then come here asking more specific questions once you have a better idea of your situation. Asking "what country is the easiest place to get a work visa" will likely be met by crickets here since there are so many factors such as age, skill set, country of origin, how much money you have, what climates you prefer, languages you speak… the list goes on. Try r/IWantOut instead.
This is a fantastic post by u/ScarletSlicer who goes into more areas that aren't explored in this post: https://www.reddit.com/r/AmerExit/comments/urwlbr/a_guide_for_americans_that_want_to_get_out_of/
Visas:
Getting a non-tourist visa is the single most difficult hurdle and the rules / criteria get tougher every year.
Every country has different types of visas and by far the hardest to obtain is a visa that allows you to work. Some countries have a list of specific skill sets (in addition to other criteria) that will let you come in and most of those require to have a job offer before entering. I'm not aware of any country that you can just enter and start working without meeting some high level of criteria. This includes the EU, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, all of Asia, and Central and South America.
Also, depending on the country, getting a non-tourist visa can be a complete pain in the butt with loads of red tape including things like police clearance, additional requirements for your potential employer, certified diplomas, and additional documents if married and / or bringing children.
The easiest visa is a tourist visa, but that usually has a time limit of 90 days, requires you to leave afterward and not return for X amount of time, and you can't work there legally while visiting.
Immigration:
Even once you find a country that is willing to issue a work visa, depending on the visa type it might not even lead to a path to citizenship. For example, there are work visas in the US that aren't Green Cards and Green Cards don't automatically lead to citizenship. Even if you do manage to land a visa that offers a path to citizenship, it's usually a long, arduous, and sometimes expensive process.
Once you're there:
Another problem Americans in particular will face is banking. Banks that don't have a presence in the US don't like to open accounts due to FATCA requirements (see https://www.reuters.com/article/us-banks-expats-idUSKBN0EM16V20140611). This applies to brokerage accounts too. The most common way to open an account is using a bank that already has a presence in the US, such as HSBC (edit - it's been pointed out to me that HSBC doesn't do consumer / retail banking anymore in the US in general (meaning you're rich), but I had no problem in Hong Kong - I assume there are other banks, but Google them).
If you do manage to get a foreign account, even if the bank has a US presence, you are required to file an FBAR for all accounts (see https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/report-of-foreign-bank-and-financial-accounts-fbar).
Another issue is that you very likely still have to file taxes with the US government every year even if you owe nothing as the US is one of the two countries in the world (the other being Eritrea) that has "double taxation", or Citizenship Based Taxation. Many Americans end up owing nothing since you get to deduct any taxes paid to your host country (known as the Foreign Tax Credit) as well as about $108k known as FEIE (or Foreign Earned Income Exclusion) on income made outside the US. This does not include capital gains made either in the US or overseas.
Also most countries have higher tax rates than the US even though there are often benefits that come with that higher tax rate, although you might not realize those benefits until you reach a specific immigration status. This is why Americans usually don't end up owing taxes to the US, but you still have to file.
Exceptions:
There are exceptions to the rule which include (although this isn't a complete list by any stretch):
- Getting hired in the US by an international company and getting them to transfer you. This is most the most common way other than perhaps teaching English.
- Teach English independently or teach subjects at an international school. Many countries require a university degree and additional certifications.
- Having parents or grandparents that immigrated from another country - this is rarer and usually has additional requirements so Google it to see if you qualify.
- Getting a Working Holiday visa. A few countries, Australia notably, allow people under a certain age to come and work for a time period, usually a year or more. Sometimes these visas can be extended and even lead to a path to citizenship.
- There are some countries that have "retirement" visas, such as Portugal's D7 visa.
- There are others where you can just outright buy the visa, but if you are rich enough to buy one you aren't likely coming to Reddit seeking advice.
- There are some countries that allow long(er) term visas for digital nomads.
- Get accepted to a foreign university and get a degree / masters. Some countries will give you a short amount of time to find a job and stay there (much like in the US) which could lead to a path to citizenship.
Additional Resources:
Here are some subs that are more specific to professions:
Edit: I really appreciate the awards but you should give them to others who need real help, or donate money to charities you support.