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Ranking the best countries to move from the USА – where to go to live, work, holiday and invest

According to the State Department, there are currently about 9 million American citizens living outside the United States. In addition to military personnel serving at numerous military bases around the world, these may also be ordinary people.

Why do U.S. citizens move to other countries?

Americans are moving overseas in search of:

  • Safety. Unfortunately, the US has one of the highest rates of violent gun crime in the Western world. By moving to Canada, Europe, the UK, or one of the quieter Caribbean jurisdictions, Americans are definitely entering a safer environment.
  • Opportunities to live according to their beliefs. Some American citizens, including some of the world’s celebrities, decided to leave their homeland for political reasons after Donald Trump won the presidential election.
  • Interesting work. Often the reason for moving to another country is an interesting high-paid job, or a promising position in a foreign company with the possibility of career growth, or a vacancy in a country where employees are offered more relaxed working conditions, more days of holiday, additional medical insurance, etc.
    Let’s separately highlight digital nomads – telecommuting programmers, analysts, marketers, copywriters, journalists, designers, etc. Representatives of digital and creative professions are travelling outside the US to get the opportunity to communicate with the best representatives of their profession and to see the world. More and more countries are creating attractive conditions to attract digital nomads from abroad – from creating a separate visa category to building convenient infrastructure for remote work.
  • Business opportunities. American entrepreneurs are not confined to the domestic market and are looking for new business opportunities in countries with a lenient tax regime. There are many convenient jurisdictions in the world for registering an international company that do not charge taxes on profits generated abroad and provide entrepreneurs with a high level of confidentiality.
  • Affordable Health Care. Unfortunately, in the United States, free or discounted health care is not available to all categories of citizens . Many Americans refuse to put up with exorbitant hospital bills, which even the most expensive health insurance cannot cover, and move to states with more lenient social policies when they reach old age.
  • Quality education. A slightly less common reason is the opportunity to give their children a quality, competitive education at the oldest, world-renowned universities that have been accepting students in Europe and the UK since before the discovery of America.
  • Low cost of living. The financial crisis and rising energy prices have raised the already high level of everyday expenses of the residents of the United States. In order not to give up their usual comfort, some Americans move to places where the high standard of living does not lead to huge expenses.
  • Low Taxation. Exploring low-tax jurisdictions (Caribbean countries and others)
    One of the key considerations for entrepreneurs and investors when choosing a country for company formation or second citizenship is the tax regime. Low-tax or tax-neutral jurisdictions are especially attractive because they allow for more efficient international tax planning, higher profit retention, and simplified compliance.
    Caribbean countries such as St. Kitts and NevisAntigua and BarbudaDominica, and Grenada are well-known for their investor-friendly tax policies. Many of them offer no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, and no inheritance tax, making them highly attractive to high-net-worth individuals and global entrepreneurs.

In other words, there may be many reasons to leave the United States for another country. Immigration attorneys of our company take into account all the wishes of the client in order to choose the most suitable location for relocation.

What country can you move to from America?

Not every American has the opportunity to change their country of residence. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Centre, no less than 23% of US residents surveyed said they had never been abroad.

However, even if you can choose where to live, your decision should be the result of careful consideration of the pros and cons of each jurisdiction. Moving abroad is usually accompanied by a deep dive into related issues, whether it is your immigration route, obtaining a work permit, tax obligations, the health care system or a basic quality of life comparison.

Countries for the frugal

Mexico

Its close proximity, similar time zone, mild climate and large American expat community have made Mexico one of the most accessible and attractive countries to relocate to. Important advantages of this jurisdiction include low cost of living, access to good medical care and a laid-back lifestyle, especially in resort areas.

How to move to Mexico?

  • Resident Visa. The Long Term Resident Visa is ideal for United States citizens who plan to stay for up to 4 years. The minimum requirement is that the applicant has sufficient savings or regular income.
  • Obtain permanent residency. This immigration status is available to Americans of Mexican origin (when the permanent residence card leads to family unification in Mexico), as well as to relocants whose length of residence in the country is at least 4 years. The indefinite residence permit is well suited for retired people moving from the U.S., as there are no strict minimum income requirements for the future resident in this immigration category.

Mexican nationality

If you have no family ties in Mexico a second passport can only be obtained through the naturalisation process, which requires at least 5 years of residence, a good knowledge of the Spanish language and Mexican history and culture.

Taxes in Mexico

Mexican income is taxed regardless of where it is earned. An international double tax treaty helps immigrants from the United States to optimise their fiscal costs.

Mexico uses a progressive scale to calculate income tax. Depending on the declared income, the rate increases from 0% to 35%. Preferential tax rates apply to dividends and capital gains.

Ecuador

The Republic of Ecuador attracts older Americans. Retirement in this country is comfortable. This is facilitated by the relatively low cost of living – an American pensioner spends a little more than $ 500 a month on living in this country, excluding rent. For the elderly in Ecuador, there are significant discounts on utility bills and medical care.

Americans also value Ecuador for its mild climate, the U.S. dollar as the main means of payment, and its large English-speaking expat community.

How to move to Ecuador?

  • Pensioner Visa. To obtain a visa in this category, an immigrant from the United States will need to prove that his or her pension or income from a private pension fund is at least $ 800 per month.
  • An investor visa is a residence permit that Ecuadorian authorities grant to wealthy foreigners for buying expensive property or investing in local businesses.
  • Digital Nomad Visa. It is intended for self-employed professionals and remote workers who earn at least $ 1350 per month. The Ecuadorian residence permit for digital nomads is issued for 2 years, renewable.

Taxes in Ecuador

As in Mexico, all income of Ecuadorian tax residents is taxable. To calculate the amount of tax liability, a progressive income tax scale is used, the rate of which can be as high as 35%. Only the portion of income that exceeds $ 11,310 is included in the taxable base. Thus, a significant portion of a U.S. pension will likely not be taxable in Ecuador.

Panama

Panama’s key advantages are its warm climate, relatively low cost of living, dollar economy, modern infrastructure and geographic proximity to the United States. Add to this list of advantages tax benefits, a sizable English-speaking community of US natives, and unique business opportunities in one of the largest financial centres in the world.

How to move to Panama?

  • The Pensionado Program is a Panamanian immigration programme designed specifically for foreign retirees. To obtain a pensioner visa, an American is required to prove pension income from $ 1,000 per month.
  • Visa for citizens of friendly countries. This immigration route is intended for residents of Panama-friendly countries.
  • Panama Gold Visa – issued under the Qualified Investment Immigration (PQII) programme to wealthy foreign nationals for a substantial ($ 300,000 or more) contribution to the national economy.

Taxes in Panama

The country has a territorial tax system. Only amounts received by a resident in Panama are subject to income tax. Thus, older Americans can exclude their pensions from taxable income, as they are accrued from foreign sources.

Thailand

The Kingdom of Thailand is another centre of attraction for expats from America, thanks largely to its warm climate, turquoise sea, friendly locals and low cost of living. Modern Thailand is versatile – it’s convenient for remote work and business, and is suitable for both extreme and relaxing beach holidays.

How to move to Thailand?

  • Senior Citizens Visa. This immigration route is suitable for persons over 50 years of age with a monthly income of at least 65,000 Thai Baht ($ 1,917) or personal savings of at least 800,000 Baht (approx.$ 23,600) in a bank account.
  • Long-term resident visa. This immigration category became available in 2022. It is for 10 years in the territory of Thailand to wealthy foreigners, retirees, skilled professionals and employees with remote work.
  • Taxes in Thailand
    Thailand operates a territorial tax system, meaning that only income earned within the country is subject to taxation. Foreign-sourced income is generally not taxed unless it is brought into Thailand in the same calendar year it is earned. This system can benefit U.S. citizens who continue to earn income from abroad, as long as proper remittance timing is observed.

Countries with high quality of life

Canada

Canada is the United States’ closest neighbour and the country where Americans find it easiest to move to. The most obvious advantages of modern Canada are:

  • high standard of living and economic stability;
  • a friendly environment for immigrants from a neighbouring country;
  • State-funded healthcare system and, as a result, accessibility of healthcare services to residents;
  • the ability to obtain Canadian citizenship relatively quickly through naturalisation.

How do I move to Canada?

An American passport allows you to live in Canada for almost six months without any additional permits. You will only need a Canadian residence permit if you decide to move to a neighbouring country permanently – to get a job, rent or buy a home, or move your relatives.

U.S. residents use the following immigration routes to obtain a Canadian residence permit:

  • Participate in the Express Entry program, which allows for the issuance of a Canadian residence permit to skilled workers with experience in Canada and abroad, as well as immigrants with a Canadian provincial nomination.
  • A family visa. The route is available to family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in America.
  • Residence permit for participating in the investment programme of province of Quebec . High-net-worth entrepreneurs from America with free$ 834 000 can apply for the Quebec programme.

Canadian citizenship

You can get a Canadian passport without a long wait if you were born in Canada or have at least one Canadian parent (in which case you apply for Canadian citizenship by descent).

In all other cases, Canadian citizenship is obtained through the naturalisation process. This means that a U.S. citizen must have spent at least 1,095 days in Canada in the last 5 years before being eligible to apply for citizenship.

Taxes in Canada

Canadians pay taxes on all of their income, including that arising in the United States.

Income tax is calculated according to a complex formula at the federal level (from 0 to 33 per cent) and at the provincial level (it is calculated on a certain amount and can be 11-25.75 per cent). In order to reduce their expenses, tax residents of American origin take advantage of the international double tax treaty.

UK

With a common language, a developed economy, and the presence of many American company headquarters in the UK, it’s no wonder that this country has become one of the most popular destinations for relocating from the United States.

Additional benefits of the British realm:

  • Excellent education. The British are proud of their school and university education system, which combines innovation with centuries of tradition. In the QS World University Rankings 2022, 17 British universities are in the top 100.
  • First-class public health care system. As British residents, Americans have access to the UK medical system, where most services are free of charge.
  • An opportunity to explore from the inside the unique culture and history of the 4 countries of the kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

How do I move to the United Kingdom?

Despite the shared history of the US and UK, US citizens do not have additional advantages over other immigrants when applying for a long-term visa.

The British grant residence permits to Student visa, Skilled workers, Innovator Founder Visa, Global Talent Visa as well as Spouse and Fiancé/Fiancée Visas British subjects. We have listed only the most popular immigration categories for residence in the British kingdom.

Each immigration route involves a number of requirements for the applicant, for example, a skilled worker must have the appropriate specialism and obtain a sponsorship certificate from their UK employer. And a talent visa applicant must provide evidence of their achievements to a UK-authorised organisation in order to obtain a letter of approval for UK immigration.

The principal applicant has the right to include family members in his/her application so that the residence permit is granted to the spouse and children.

Some immigration routes in England do not include the possibility of permanent settlement. Holders of such visas cannot apply for a permanent residence card and their time in the British kingdom cannot be included in their citizenship record.

So, if you have planned a move to the UK but are unsure which visa category is best to apply for, get detailed advice from the experts at Imperial & Legal.

British citizenship

As a rule, after 3-5 years of legal residence in Britain, American immigrants pass the Life In The UK test and apply for a permanent residence permit. In 5-6 years after moving to the United Kingdom, permanent residents are able to apply for citizenship.

Taxes in the UK

The peculiarity of British taxation is not only the floating income tax rate, reaching 39.35-48 per cent, but also:

  • different marginal values of the tax and different principle of rate calculation depending on the region;
  • tax benefits provided for by the legislation;
  • 4 years of their residence in the country.

Ireland

Ireland is another interesting jurisdiction to move to from the United States, with such advantages as: high quality of life, affordable health care, friendly population, most of whom speak English, and the possibility of employment without losing your usual income.

How do I move to Ireland?

Unless you have obvious family or cultural ties to Ireland, you will need to apply for a D visa to relocate, with which a US citizen can stay in the country for more than 90 days.

Another peculiarity of immigration to Ireland is that the visa itself does not usually give you the right to take up employment. The exception is for participants in the Irish immigration programme for aspiring entrepreneurs who plan to start an innovative business and are prepared to invest more than $ 52 000 in their business.

Therefore, you will need a work permit to live fully in Ireland. The grounds for employment of an American may be:

  • authorisation for transfer within the company;
  • permission to work in a speciality that is in demand;
  • general work permit.

The work permit is valid for 2 to 5 years. At the end of this period, most Americans apply for an Irish residence permit.

Taxes in Ireland

All income of tax residents in Ireland is subject to tax, which, depending on the category of taxpayer and their income, is deemed to be at a rate of 20 or 40 per cent.

As in Britain, the Irish tax system takes into account domicile. Americans who are recognised as tax residents can take advantage of remittance basis so that, as non-domiciled persons, they can only pay tax on money earned directly in Ireland.

American retirees will no doubt be pleased to know that in Ireland tax is not charged on the income of those over 65 if they received no more than €18,000 (about $18,717) in the accounting period.

France

Of course, France needs little introduction. From haute cuisine to world-famous works of art, a distinctive lifestyle, bustling metropolises and incredible countryside, here is by no means a complete list of reasons to move from America to the French Republic!

France is also one of the world’s leading economies, ranked 7th in the world. It is a fantastic place to live, work, do business and raise children. France is also among the world leaders in education and home to several leading universities dating back to the Middle Ages.

How to move to France?

It is possible to obtain resident status in the French Republic:

  • getting a job with a French company;
  • by enrolling as a full-time student at one of the many universities;
  • by reuniting with family living in France;
  • in the status of a talented specialist in a number of fields with professional achievements of international level;
  • As a well-off expat with a significant regular income outside of France.

Taxes in France

Tax residents with French domicile pay tax on all their sources of income, including foreign sources. Tax residents without French domicile have a tax liability on income arising domestically.

A progressive scale is used to calculate the amount of income tax – the rate varies from 0 to 45%. Wealthy taxpayers pay additional income tax on a portion of their income, starting from a certain amount.

Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the most prosperous countries in modern Europe. Comfort, high safety standards and quality of life in the Confederation are due to the rather high costs of the Swiss.

How to move to Switzerland?

One of the easiest immigration routes to Switzerland would be the financially independent person visa. In this status, an immigrant from America would have to pay a lump sum tax every year for the renewal of the residence permit. The amount will depend on the country you are going to settle in, and in many cases it will be calculated based on your worldwide financial position.

There are other ways of moving to the Swiss Confederation suitable for American investors. Each Swiss canton independently formulates the conditions for obtaining an investment residence permit.

Countries to move to with your family

Portugal

Portugal’s mild climate, top-notch health care system, and friendly local population are just a few of the advantages that Americans enjoy. Digital nomads and retirees from the United States are particularly fond of the capital Lisbon and the Algarve tourist region in the south of the country.

How to move to Portugal?

Employees, entrepreneurs, students and family members of Portuguese residents can use one of the standard immigration routes. There are 3 other visa categories in the Portuguese Republic with favourable conditions for American expats:

  • The D7 visa is well suited to organising a move to Portugal for retirees as well as wealthy Americans with stable sources of passive income.
  • The Golden Visa is granted to generous foreign investors for investment in the Portuguese economy. The minimum threshold for participation is €250,000 ($ 260,000). In the prestigious investor status, an immigrant from the United States will be able to obtain a permanent residence card and European citizenship after 5 years of residence.
  • Digital Nomad Visa. If you are a freelancer or telecommuting employee with a monthly salary from€ 3 040 ($ 3 166), you have the opportunity to work in Portugal by moving there on a Digital Nomad visa.

Taxes in Portugal

Portugal’s tax regime allows newly minted US tax residents to pay no tax on foreign sources of income such as pensions and investments.

Portuguese income tax is calculated on a progressive scale and, depending on the amount of income, can reach a maximum of 48%.

Portugal NHR2 (Non-Habitual Resident Regime 2.0) is a revised version of the original NHR tax regime, introduced in 2024. It provides attractive tax benefits to new residents of Portugal, particularly high-net-worth individuals, remote workers, retirees, and professionals in high-value activities.

Key features:

  • Flat 20% income tax rate on Portuguese-sourced income from high-value-added activities.
  • 10% tax on foreign pension income.
  • Tax exemptions or reductions on certain foreign-sourced income, depending on applicable tax treaties and anti-abuse rules.
  • The regime is valid for 10 consecutive years.
  • Designed to replace or limit the original NHR scheme, which closed to new applicants at the end of 2023.

NHR2 aims to maintain Portugal’s appeal to skilled professionals and investors, while addressing concerns about tax fairness and housing affordability for locals.

Italy

American family immigrants appreciate Italy because of a number of undeniable advantages:

  • a comfortable climate;
  • low cost of living;
  • a great health care system;
  • the opportunity to give their children a brilliant education;
  • rich cultural heritage of the country – unique architectural monuments and masterpieces of world art;
  • quality food, Mediterranean cuisine and good wine;
  • of the friendly local population.

How to move to Italy?

The most interesting Italian visa categories are:

  • Digital Nomad Visa. Suitable for remotely working and self-employed professionals from the United States. An American can apply for this category if he or she rents or buys a home in Italy, proves a monthly income of more than €2,700 ($ 2,808) per month and personal savings of €30,000 ($ 31,200).
  • Startup Visa. In addition to the innovative business to be launched in Italy, the American entrepreneur must invest at least €250,000 ($ 260,000) in its development.
  • Investor Visa. Only wealthy Americans willing to invest between €500,000 and €2 million in the Italian economy can apply for this immigration category.

Taxes in Italy

Italy has a complex three-tier tax system and several effective tax optimisation mechanisms for new tax residents with possibility to cup taxes in the country on all worldwide come to €200,000 per year. For more information please contact Imperial & Legal advisors.

Greece

Greece, in addition to its warm climate, world-class resorts, ancient cultural and historical heritage, affordable cost of living and government-funded, top-notch health care system, can offer wealthy Americans one of the easiest ways to obtain a residency card.

How to move to Greece?

The easiest immigration route for United States citizens is the Greek investment programme. A Greek Golden Visa can be granted for contributions to the economic development of the country.

Key benefits of the Greek immigration programme for investors:

  • low participation threshold – €250,000 ($260,000) is the minimum investment required;
  • a large number of ways to invest, including the purchase of such profitable assets as holiday properties;
  • residence permit for the investor’s family;
  • minimum requirements for Golden Visa applicants.

Taxes in Greece

All income of permanent residents of the Hellenic Republic is taxable. The rate of income tax in Greece depends on the amount and source and can vary between 9% and 45%.

Wealthy American-born residents enjoy favourable tax treatment for the first 15 years of residency, which reduces their tax payments to$ 104,000.

Malta

Formally, there are no investment programmes in modern Western Europe that allow a wealthy foreigner to obtain a second passport in exchange for investing in the country’s economy. Malta, a small island nation in the Mediterranean Sea, has developed a simplified immigration route for wealthy investors who can be granted citizenship within one year for special services to the state.

However, Malta’s advantages are not limited to immigration opportunities for wealthy foreigners. It is one of the most prosperous and safe European countries with a mild Mediterranean climate, good school and university education, a modern healthcare system and effective tax optimisation mechanisms for businesses.

How to move to Malta?

The easiest routes for wealthy citizens of the United States are:

  • A residence permit is granted to US investors who are willing to spend €30,000 or more ($ 31,250) on their relocation and to buy or rent a home in the country. This minimum includes a minimum rental cost, administrative fees and a minimum amount of tax deductions.
  • A permanent residence permit is granted to an investor under a special immigration programme if he/she acquires or leases residential property in Malta for a long period (at least 5 years). The minimum aggregate investment must be at least€ 182,000 (approx.$ 189,600).
  • To obtain Maltese citizenship on an accelerated basis for exceptional merit. Participants in this programme make a comprehensive investment which includes:
    • gratuitous contribution to the state development fund;
    • a donation to a private charitable organisation;
    • renting or buying Maltese accommodation.

    The total minimum investment required for citizenship is €690,000 ($ 719,000).

Taxes in Malta

All income of Malta domiciled tax residents is subject to tax. New US tax residents must pay tax on income arising in Malta as well as on foreign income brought into Malta. Income and gain not limited to the country stay untaxed.

The rate of income tax can vary between 0 and 35%, depending on the amount declared. For non-sale residents where is the pay only 15% on remitted income. Maltese tax legislation provides for the possibility of significant tax relief for participants in the immigration programme.

Republic of Cyprus

The advantages of Cyprus are: warm Mediterranean climate, comfortable and safe accommodation, quality medical care and widespread use of English (Americans can find schools on the island that teach in English).

How to move to Cyprus?

For wealthy expats from the US, the easiest way to obtain a permanent residency card is to participate in Cyprus’ investment programme. Residency status is granted to an investor for contributing at least €300,000 ($312,500) to the national economy. There are 3 investment options available:

  • property purchase;
  • equity investments in operating Cypriot companies;
  • unit participation in an investment fund in Cyprus.

Taxes in Cyprus

There is no flat rate of income tax in Cyprus. Depending on the declared income it can be from 0 to 35%. Some sources of income of tax residents permanently residing on the island are additionally subject to defence tax. Overseas income of US participants in the Cyprus investment programme is not subject to income tax.

Countries for US investors

The islands of Jersey and Guernsey

Jersey and Guernsey are crown estates of the United Kingdom. Being formally independent from the United Kingdom, these two jurisdictions offer wealthy US investors extremely favourable conditions for business and tax optimisation.

Jersey and Guernsey provide American expats with high standards of living and medical services, good education at more affordable prices than in the metropolis, and a well-developed infrastructure for international business.

How do I become a Jersey resident?

To obtain a residence permit, a US investor will need to buy expensive property on the island (worth more than £1.75m /$ 2.18m), show a stable source of income (at least £725k /$) and pay at least £145k ($ 180k) in taxes.

After 5 years of residence in Jersey, the holder of an investment residence permit can apply for a business licence, which will allow the opening of a new company or the transfer of an existing business abroad to the island. After 6 years of residence, wealthy Americans apply for British citizenship.

How do I become a resident of Guernsey?

It is possible to move to Guernsey from America on the basis of an entrepreneur visa or investor visa.

  • The Entrepreneur visa requires you to set up your own company in Guernsey or to acquire a controlling interest in an existing local company. In the case of incorporating a new business, as in the case of acquiring an established firm, you must invest at least £200,000 ($249,000).
  • Investor Visa. An investor applying for this category must have a minimum of £1m ($1.24m) at their disposal, of which £750k ($ 933k) is invested in the island economy.

Tax advantages of the Channel Islands

Jersey and Guernsey have some of the lowest income tax rates in Europe at just 20 per cent. In addition, there are several favourable tax regimes for wealthy overseas investors.

Corporation tax is levied on all profits earned by companies incorporated on the Islands. However, the rate of this tax may be 0%, 10% or 20%, depending on the type of business carried on by the corporation. Profits from a significant number of commercial activities in Jersey and Guernsey are taxed at a zero rate.

To fully realise the unique tax opportunities of these UK crown estates, seek professional advice from the team at Imperial & Legal.

Caribbean jurisdictions

The key advantage of the 5 small island states of the Caribbean for the American investor is the soft tax regime and unique opportunities of classic offshore zones:

  • high confidentiality;
  • the simplest possible procedure for incorporating an international company;
  • simplified document flow and minimal annual reporting;
  • absence of tax on foreign profits;
  • Fast and reliable programs obtaining second citizenship for investments.

Add to this the developed tourist infrastructure, uni artque nature, summer weather, relaxed lifestyle of a tropical resort, a unique opportunity to obtain a second citizenship and tax residency status for investments in a short period of time to understand why Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia are gaining popularity among enterprising Americans.

Analysis of Caribbean investment programmes

StateMinimum amount for investmentAvailable investment optionsDeadline for obtaining a second passportPassport strength (Number of countries for visa-free travel )
Antigua and Barbuda$230 000
  • a contribution to the state fund;
  • property acquisition;
  • A grant to the university;business investment
6 months153
St Kitts and Nevis$250 000
  • a contribution to the state fund;
  • property acquisition;
  • donation to an approved social project
6 months157
Dominica$200 000
  • a contribution to the state fund;
  • property acquisition
6 months145
Grenada$235 000
  • a contribution to the state fund;
  • property acquisition
6 months148
St Lucia$240 000
  • a contribution to the state fund;
  • property acquisition;
  • buying government bonds;
  • business investment;
  • participation in infrastructure projects
8 months148

Further information on the Caribbean for future participants in investment programmes

  • Personal income in Antigua and Barbuda is not subject to income tax. All Caribbean jurisdictions considered in this review do not impose tax on the foreign income of their residents.
  • All 5 countries are members of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Some educational institutions in the former metropolis offer preferential admission to applicants from these island countries. This advantage also applies to holders of economic citizenship.
  • Caribbean programmes were launched long before similar passport programmes in other countries. Therefore, the process of obtaining investment citizenship in the Caribbean is usually streamlined.
  • You can only interact with the Caribbean jurisdiction’s immigration service through the programme agent. Your agent must be resident in the country and their intermediary activities are fully supervised by the government.
  • Most of the states discussed in this article have unique areas of pristine nature. Most of the states discussed in this article have unique areas of pristine nature, with the exception of St Kitts and Nevis, where large areas are planted with agricultural crops.
  • Almost all Caribbean jurisdictions are quite safe to live in. This is due to the friendliness of the locals, the special rhythm of ocean resort life and the low level of street crime . The exception is again St Kitts and Nevis, where the free carrying of firearms is allowed.
  • A significant number of Caribbean investment programme participants buy a second passport to travel the world without bureaucracy and have no plans to relocate to their new home country.

How to choose the right country to move from the USA?

When choosing a new home, most Americans look to another country for new opportunities or solutions to issues that were difficult or impossible to resolve in the United States.

That is why an individual approach to each person is so important when selecting a country to move to, whatever he or she is looking for – inexpensive living, affordable medical services, quality education for children, low taxes or the opportunity to register an international company.

CountryCost of living relative to the USPopular ways of obtaining a residence permitTime limit for obtaining citizenshipPassport strength / number of jurisdictionsTax incentives for new residents
MexicoBelowResident visa5 years159No
EcuadorBelowPensioner’s visa

Digital Nomad Visa

Investor visa

5 years95No
PanamaBelowResident visa

Pensioner’s visa

5 years148No
ThailandBelowPensioner’s visa

Resident visa

7-10 years old82No
CanadaComparableResident visa

Quebec’s investment programme

3 years188No
UKAboveResident visasAges 5-6190Yes
IrelandAboveCategory D visa5 years191Yes
FranceAboveResident visas5 years192Yes
SwitzerlandAboveResidence permit for investment10 years190No
PortugalBelowD7 visa

Golden Visa

Digital Nomad Visa

5 years190Yes
ItalyBelowVisa startup

Digital Nomad Visa

Investor visa

10 years192Yes
GreeceBelowInvestment programme7 years189Yes
MaltaComparableResidence permit and residence permit for investment1-3 years188Yes
CyprusBelowInvestment programme7-10 years old179Yes
Caribbean countriesAboveInvestment programme6-8 months.145-157Yes

Our lawyers will find you the jurisdiction with the best set of benefits, help you obtain a residence permit and organise your family’s relocation. Whatever the challenges of your move abroad, book a consultation with Imperial & Legal!

FAQs about on choosing a jurisdiction for immigration from the United States

Which state has the most American citizens moved to?

The largest number of Americans moved to neighbouring Mexico. The number of U.S. citizens living in this state in 2023 was estimated at 1.18- 1.2 million people.

Where is the easiest place for a U.S. resident to move to?

Countries where it is fairly easy for a US passport holder to move to, in addition to Mexico, include: Canada, Panama, South America and the Caribbean.

Where in Europe can an American investor get citizenship the fastest?

For a generous investment in Malta’s economy, an eligible U.S. citizen will be able to obtain a European passport within 1-3 years.

What is the best jurisdiction to relocate an American digital nomad?

Perhaps one of the most interesting places for digital nomads remains Portugal, where a special visa category for this category of immigrants is, tax exemptions are provided and even separate infrastructure facilities are being created – from modern co-working centres to entire villages.

Where would it be comfortable to settle down with your family?

If you don’t want to go far away, you can opt for Canada, Ecuador, Panama or some Caribbean jurisdictions.

For those who are not intimidated by distances, such comfortable and safe European countries as Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Malta and Italy are suitable.

If it’s important for you to give your growing children a quality education, consider relocation destinations such as the UK and France.

In which country, along with a second citizenship, will an American get the strongest passport?

Of the jurisdictions we looked at, France, Italy (192 countries each for visa-free travel), Ireland (191 countries), and the UK and Portugal (190 countries) have the strongest passports.

Unlike immigrants from other countries, Americans do not invest in a second citizenship to be able to visit more sovereign territories. The U.S. passport is strong enough in itself and allows you to cross the borders of 188 countries under simplified procedures or without a visa.

Do I need to file a return with the IRS after moving to another country?

Americans with multiple citizenships are not exempt from their tax obligations in their home country. You still need to file your tax returns on time and pay taxes on all of your income. Contact Imperial & Legal’s tax advisors to find out how to optimise your fiscal payments.

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