The idea of moving abroad appeals to many U.S. residents, and with good reason. Countries around the world offer attractive benefits, from lower living costs to high-quality healthcare, accessible public transportation, and low crime rates. However, the immigration process can be complex and varies significantly from one country to another. Fortunately, Urban Thier & Federer (UTF), an international law firm with extensive experience in cross-border legal matters, specializes in helping U.S. residents explore their options for moving abroad. The firm maintains offices in the US as well as in Dubai, Spain, Great Britain and Ecuador. We maintain liaisons with local attorneys in Ireland, Portugal, Costa Rica, Colombia, Costa Rica and Greece.
Whether you’re interested in living in Dubai, Great Britain, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Italy, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, or other popular destinations, UTF provides tailored legal guidance to navigate each country’s unique immigration requirements. Of course, we offer guidance regarding other possible emigration location as well.
Why Move Abroad? The Benefits of Popular Destinations
Countries across Europe, Latin America, and beyond offer lifestyles that appeal to U.S. residents for various reasons:
- Lower Cost of Living: Many countries, such as Portugal, Colombia, and Ecuador, provide a lower cost of living, which allows retirees and remote workers to stretch their budgets further while enjoying a high standard of life.
- Quality Healthcare: Nations like Spain, Italy, and Costa Rica offer excellent public healthcare systems, often at a fraction of the cost of U.S. healthcare. For retirees, having access to affordable healthcare is a major draw.
- Efficient Public Transportation: Countries like Ireland, Great Britain, Spain, Italy, and Greece have well-established public transportation networks, which make it easy and affordable to get around without needing a car.
- Safety and Low Crime: Many popular destinations, such as Dubai, Spain, Portugal and Costa Rica, rank high in terms of safety and have relatively low crime rates, which contributes to a peaceful and secure living environment.
Immigration Requirements: What to Expect in Each Destination
When considering a move, it’s essential to understand each country’s specific immigration requirements. Some countries make it easy for retirees, while others cater more to investors or skilled workers. Here’s a closer look at what’s required in some of the most popular destinations.
Dubai
Dubai has become a highly attractive destination for U.S. residents looking to relocate due to its modern infrastructure, luxurious lifestyle, and advantageous tax policies. Dubai offers a high standard of living, robust public safety, and a dynamic international community/United Arab Emirates. It offers various choices, such as the Golden Visa, a Business/Entrepreneur Visa as well as a retiree visa
Ireland
Ireland offers a friendly, English speaking environment in proximity to Europe. It offers investor and entrepreneur visas.
United Kingdom/Great Britain
Great Britain is a classic choice for American expatriates. An English speaking country with a rich culture, and an excellent education system. Great Britain offers ancestry visas as well as investor and innovator visas. In addition, the country offers skilled worker visas for certain qualifications.
Portugal
Portugal attracts with is excellent weather, a good health care system, and low cost of living. It has been a top choice for U.S. residents since years, especially retirees, thanks to its “Golden Visa” program. This program allows non-EU citizens to gain residency in Portugal by making a qualifying investment, such as purchasing property or creating jobs. Additionally, the D7 Visa allows applicants to qualify based on proof of passive income or savings, making it ideal for retirees or remote workers.
Spain
Spain offers similar features as Portugal, and a similar “Golden Visa” program for those able to make a significant investment in the country, such as real estate. Alternatively, the Non-Lucrative Visa is popular among retirees, as it allows residency for those who can demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves without requiring a job in Spain.
Greece
Greece is one of the most popular travel destination in the world, and also very popular destination for US expatriates. Greece’s Golden Visa program is one of the most affordable in Europe, requiring a minimum real estate investment of €250,000. This visa provides residency for the applicant and their family members, with no requirement to live in Greece full-time, making it a flexible option for those who want to split their time between Greece and the U.S.
Italy
Italy’s Elective Residence Visa caters to retirees and individuals with independent financial means who wish to live in Italy without working. Italy also offers a Startup Visa for entrepreneurs looking to start a business and contribute to the Italian economy.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s beautiful nature and stable political environment attracts many North Americans every year. The country has interesting visa programs for expats. For example, Costa Rica’s Pensionado and Rentista visas are designed for retirees and individuals with steady income streams. The Pensionado visa requires a monthly pension of at least $1,000, while the Rentista visa is available to those with a guaranteed monthly income of $2,500 for at least two years.
Colombia
Colombia boasts beautiful nature as well as affordable living for expats. The country offers several visa options for foreigners, including a Pensionado Visa for retirees and an Investment Visa for those interested in making a financial investment in the country. The cost of living is low, and the country’s medical facilities and quality of life make it a popular choice among U.S. expats.
Ecuador
Ecuador is a country of high mountains, rain forest and beaches. Its low cost of living, high-quality public healthcare and a sizeable American expat community makes the country an attractive relocation option for Americans since many years. It offers the Pensioner Visa (for retirees with a guaranteed monthly income, often from Social Security) and the Investor Visa for those who make a bank deposit or real estate investment.
Common Requirements Across Destinations
Regardless of the country, some general requirements are common across most immigration programs:
- Proof of Financial Stability: Each country will require proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and will not become a public financial burden. This could include proof of savings, pensions, or investment income.
- Health Insurance: Many countries require expats to have health insurance, either through a private plan or by contributing to the country’s public health system.
- Background Check: A clean criminal record is typically necessary, so most countries require an official background check from your home country.
- Residence Requirement: Some visas, particularly those tied to investment, may require a minimum stay period in the country to maintain your residency status.
How Urban Thier & Federer Can Help
Navigating these various immigration requirements can be daunting, especially if you’re unfamiliar with local laws and regulations. Urban Thier & Federer has a team of experts well-versed in international immigration law who can help streamline the process and ensure compliance with each country’s unique requirements. Here’s how UTF can assist you:
- Country-Specific Legal Advice: UTF provides detailed information on the legal requirements for each country, helping you understand exactly what’s needed to secure residency. The most marketed and discussed visa option is not always the most suited one.
- Visa and Residency Application Support: The firm can guide you through the entire application process, from gathering the required documents to submitting your application and attending an interview where necessary.
- Investment Guidance: If your chosen country requires a financial investment, UTF can advise on approved investment types, ensuring you meet the eligibility criteria but also assist with the selection of the investment to avoid losses or liability. .
- Tax Planning and Compliance: Moving abroad can have tax implications in both the U.S. and your new home country. UTF helps clients understand and plan for these obligations, ensuring they remain compliant with tax laws.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Relocating to a new country is an exciting opportunity, but it requires careful planning and adherence to legal processes. Urban Thier & Federer’s team of experienced attorneys is dedicated to helping U.S. residents make informed decisions and successfully navigate the complexities of international immigration law. If you’re considering a move to Dubai, Great Britain, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Italy, Costa Rica, Colombia, or Ecuador, or another popular destination, reach out to UTF to get started on your journey with expert guidance and support, [email protected].