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11 min read

US-Friendly Visas For US Citizens to Live Overseas

Immigration

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Author

Jemima Owen-Jones

Published

December 18, 2024

Last Update

January 31, 2025

Table of Contents

A quick look at the most US-friendly visas

Canada

Mexico

Ireland

United Kingdom

Portugal

Japan

New Zealand

How to choose the right visa for your situation

Fast-track your relocation with Deel Immigration

Key takeaways
  1. If you’re planning to move away from the US, it’s essential to understand all of your immigration options to make the right choice.
  2. Many governments offer US-friendly visas, which offer streamlined pathways into the country and the right to live and work.
  3. Getting support from an immigration service like Deel can help you avoid any complications like delays and unexpected costs.

Google searches for “how to move to another country” increased in November 2024.

Moving abroad is a big decision, whether for new professional opportunities, personal exploration, or a change in lifestyle.

Taking the first step is often the hardest. Without clear information, you may be unsure which countries you can move to and how to kickstart the visa process. Concerns about visa rejections and high processing costs may be holding you back.

The good news? There are plenty of relocation options if you just know where to look. Let us point you in the right direction with our guide to US-friendly visas, complete with insights on choosing the best one for you.

A quick look at the most US-friendly visas

Here’s an overview of the best visas for US citizens for a quick comparison:

Country Visa options Validity Typical processing time
Canada 🇨🇦 Global Talent Stream LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Spousal Open Work Permit Digital Nomad Visa 2 to 3 years 2 to 4 months
Mexico 🇲🇽 Work permit Residence permit 4 years 2 to 3 months
Ireland 🇮🇪 Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) General Employment Permit Family Dependent Permit 2 years 3 to 6 months
UK 🇬🇧 Skilled Worker Visa Dependent Visa Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) 3 to 5 years Indefinitely with the ILR 2 to 5 years
Portugal 🇵🇹 D1 Work Visa D3 Work Visa Dependent Visa Digital Nomad Visa 1 to 2 years 3 to 8 months
Japan 🇯🇵 Engineer/Specialist Visa Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Dependent Visa Digital Nomad Visa 5 years 2 to 5 months
New Zealand 🇳🇿 Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa Digital Nomad Visa 5 years 4 to 7 weeks
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Whether you want to live in Spain for 6 months or relocate permanently to the US, we manage everything—from your application to consulate appointments—so you can focus on your project, not the paperwork.

Canada

Data suggests that over a million Americans are already living in Canada. The country is a popular choice due to its proximity and special accommodations for US nationals.

If Canada is top of your list, make the LMIA-Exempt Work Permit your top consideration. Due to the North American Fair Trade Agreement (NAFTA), many professions don’t have to undergo the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to prove there were no suitable candidates already in the country. This simplifies the application process and significantly increases your chances of approval.

The agreement covers 63 professions across a broad range of industries. Note that the job you relocate for must match your current qualifications and experience.

If you’re ineligible for LMIA, the Global Talent Stream provides an alternative route to working in Canada. This work permit covers a range of sectors, especially those with high demand and a shortage of skilled professionals. You must have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer to apply.

Mexico

Mexico is home to over a million US citizens, and that number continues to grow. Many major cities are close to the US but offer a lower cost of living than Canada.

As another member of the NAFTA, Mexico offers preferential treatment to US citizens. You can obtain a four-year residence permit instead of the standard one-year version. However, you still need either a job offer or an employment contract from a Mexican employer.

After those four years have passed, you may apply for a permanent residence permit. This grants you the right to live and work in Mexico indefinitely.

You can include your spouse and any children under 18 on your visa. Note that they won’t have the right to work, so they’ll have to apply for a separate visa before they accept a job offer.

Ireland

Census data shows the number of US citizens living in Ireland is increasing year-on-year. People come for the job opportunities, strong social infrastructure, and overall high quality of life.

Ireland has great visa options for US citizens. Both the Critical Skills Employment Permit (CESP) and the General Employment Permit (GEP) are open to skilled workers from outside the EEA.

Opt for the CSEP if you work in a high-demand specialty, as it has lower barriers than many alternatives. You only need a relevant degree, two years in the field, and a job offer with a minimum annual income of €38,000. Most employment-based visas ask for three to five years of experience, making them less accessible to recent graduates.

Irish immigration publishes a list of eligible professions across different industries. It regularly updates this list to account for emerging skills or labor shortages.

If you can’t see your profession on the list, consider the CSEP 64K instead. This is open to anyone earning more than €64,000 per year and waives the need for a degree if you have sufficient experience in your field.

United Kingdom

The UK has the highest share of US citizens outside of North America. That’s unsurprising given the significant overlap in the two countries’ culture, trade, and job markets.

Many people choose the Skilled Worker Visa, which allows you to stay in the UK for up to five years with the option for renewal.

Skilled Worker Visa eligibility varies across industries, but you must generally:

  • Work in one of the UK’s eligible professions
  • Earn a minimum of £38,700 per year OR the “going rate” for your job if it’s higher
  • Have a valid employment offer from an approved UK employer
  • Speak proficient English

There are many exceptions to the earning requirement, such as healthcare workers and educational specialists. Check whether you’re eligible if you’re struggling to meet the threshold. You might find your role or employment status entitles you to earn up to 70% less.

After three to five years, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, which grants you permanent residency status in the UK. You can live, work, and study in the country for as long as you like. However, you lose your status if you leave the country for longer than two consecutive years.

Portugal

Portugal is fast becoming one of the most popular destinations in the world. The country has experienced a surge in visitors due to its low cost of living, great quality of life, and accessible visa options.

The new Digital Nomad Visa has sparked a lot of interest. Now, you can work remotely from Portugal for up to a year, provided you earn four times the national minimum wage. As the minimum wage is currently set at €870 per month, that’s €3480 for visa holders.

For those looking to stay more permanently, look at the D3 visa for highly qualified workers. You need to work in a specialized role and either have a relevant university degree or sufficient experience.

The D3 only allows you to stay in Portugal for up to two years. While this is shorter than some alternatives, you can renew three times and then apply for permanent residency.

Japan

Consider Japan if you’re looking to progress in your career. There’s a strong demand for US professionals in industries like tech, engineering, and science due to trade agreements between the countries.

Japan’s HSP is also good news for US citizens. Instead of giving you a list of criteria, you get points based on your qualifications, experience, and typical salary — areas where you’re likely to score highly. You need a total of 70 points to be considered a highly skilled professional. All this means you’re less likely to get ruled out of contention for missing just one visa requirement.

If you’d prefer to travel around, Japan offers a digital nomad visa. You can only stay for up to six months, but you can include your immediate family members.

New Zealand

If you’re moving specifically for a better quality of life, New Zealand is the ideal destination. The country has high standards of housing, education, and healthcare while boasting some of the lowest crime and unemployment rates in the world.

Like Japan, New Zealand has a point-based system, but it’s much simpler. You only need six points to qualify for the Skilled Migrant Visa and gain residency status.

Points are based on your academic qualifications or years of experience. Although you can’t combine them, it’s easy to reach the total as degrees are worth three to six points already. You must also have a job offer or already be employed by a New Zealand company.

The best part of the Skilled Migrant Visa is the support for dependents. You can include children up to the age of 25, meaning you can give college-aged family members the choice to come with you.

How to choose the right visa for your situation

While these visas are all great options for US citizens, the right one for you depends on your unique circumstances. Here are the factors to consider when researching and comparing:

Nationality and ancestry

Your family history could unlock opportunities for visas or citizenship, making some countries more accessible than others. Check whether you or your spouse has ancestry anywhere. For example, Greece, Italy, and Ireland give you the right to citizenship through your grandparents.

However, countries usually require proof of your familial ties to the country to process the application. You may need extensive documentation such as birth certificates and family records.

Also, make sure you understand what citizenship entails. Some countries have mandatory conscription for people of a certain age, and others may ask you to denounce your US citizenship in exchange.

Income

Finances are a key factor in deciding where to live. Most countries determine your eligibility based on your ability to support yourself through employment, savings, or family assistance.

Consider how you’ll earn income while living abroad. Can you keep working for your current employer, or will you need to seek new employment? US salaries might easily meet the earning requirements in some countries but fall short in others, making it harder to secure a visa.

Tax considerations

Understanding how your relocation impacts taxes may influence your choice. Check the rates for your specific profession, income level, and employment status to see whether they’re favorable.

Double taxation is a major concern. While the US has treaties with many governments, some of them are more beneficial to emigrants than others. For example, the UK and Canada have a totalization agreement with the US meaning you only make social security contributions to your country of residence.

Getting paid through Deel? Our payroll specialists can help you navigate local and international tax regulations. If you don’t plan to stay put, we can adjust the process everywhere you travel.

Check out all the countries Deel Global Payroll covers.

Length of stay

Are you planning to move abroad temporarily or permanently relocate? Immigration categories are often based on length of stay, and the longer you want to live in the country, the more challenging the process tends to be.

If you’re planning to travel around, for example, research the visa options for digital nomads. Many countries have specialized categories that waive the need for a job offer or a labor market assessment. Greece and Spain have even introduced tax relief for digital nomads to incentivize them to settle for a time.

Leading immigration services like Deel support digital nomad visas. We take care of the checks, paperwork, and progress updates, just like with any other application.

Credentials

Most countries streamline visa applications for those who can fill gaps in their labor market. Matching your skills or profession to requirements can help you find a good match.

For instance, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) actively recruits healthcare workers from abroad. Around one in five of their employees are foreign nationals. As a result, the UK has a dedicated Health and Care Worker visa with faster processing times and lower income requirements.

US qualifications don’t always align with foreign education systems, making it harder to prove your eligibility. You may need to undergo extra checks or provide more evidence. Services like Deel can help you collect documents and arrange notarization and translation so you don’t miss out on a potential opportunity to relocate.

Dependents

Traveling with family members can make the visa process more complicated. Many countries raise the income requirements when you include dependents or require your spouse and children to file a separate application.

If you have adult children, you may find you can’t bring them to your desired location. Lots of places make 18 or 21 the cutoff age, even if they’re still financially dependent on you.

The good news is that most skilled worker visas allow you to include dependents. Governments recognize that they’re more likely to attract top talent if they give applicants easy ways to bring their families into the country.

The even better news is that immigration services like Deel also support dependents. Whether you can include your family or the visa or not, we can offer them full support during the process.

Sponsorship

Some work visas require an employer sponsor, tying you to a specific company. While you can switch jobs, the process usually requires you to resubmit a lot of forms.

If you prefer to have some flexibility, opt for visas and permits that allow you to self-petition. Many highly skilled visas waive the need for a sponsor, though they might still call for a job offer or letters of recommendation. Alternatively, freelance and digital nomad visas just need evidence of financial means.

Your US employer could sponsor you abroad, but they must have a legal entity established within the country. If that’s not feasible, see if they’ll consider an Employer of Record (EOR) service like Deel. For a fixed monthly fee, we hire you on behalf of your company and sponsor your work visa.

Fast-track your relocation with Deel Immigration

Regardless of your reasons for moving or your preferred destination, the trick to moving abroad is to find the right visa and get support throughout the relocation process. Services like Deel Immigration can break down what seems like an insurmountable challenge into easy steps. Our team of experts guides you through each stage, from researching visas and checking eligibility to completing all the application forms.

Deel Immigration also provides support in over 30 popular locations, including the UK, Canada, and Mexico. Whether you’re moving temporarily or looking to relocate permanently, we can help you and your family navigate the visa process.

Want to start planning your new life abroad? Book your free consultation with Deel Immigration now.

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About the author

Jemima is a nomadic writer, journalist, and digital marketer with a decade of experience crafting compelling B2B content for a global audience. She is a strong advocate for equal opportunities and is dedicated to shaping the future of work. At Deel, she specializes in thought-leadership content covering global mobility, cross-border compliance, and workplace culture topics.

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