Leaving the US — residency guide for American expats
Procedural information for people moving from the US to other countries: residency visa requirements, costs, and IRS obligations as a US expat.
Leaving the US — expat guide
Considering moving from the United States to another country? MigrantUSA covers both directions of US-related migration. This section is for people living in the US (citizens, residents, or immigrants looking to relocate) exploring residency options abroad.
Destinations covered
The most popular destinations for Spanish-speaking US expats:
Latin America
- Mexico — Temporary and Permanent Resident, established expat community, US proximity
- Costa Rica — Pensionado, Rentista, DNT, bilingual healthcare system
Europe (Spanish-speaking or accessible)
- Spain — Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, public healthcare
Coming soon
- Portugal (D7, D8 Digital Nomad)
- Panama (Pensionado, Friendly Nations)
- Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador
Obligations that DON’T disappear when leaving the US
If you’re a US citizen or permanent resident, your tax and administrative obligations to the US continue even living in another country:
- Annual federal tax return to IRS (based on citizenship/residency, not domicile)
- FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report) if foreign accounts > $10,000
- FATCA reporting (Form 8938)
- Voting from abroad (annual FVAP registration)
- Passport renewal at the US consulate in your new country
Last verified: 2026-05-25.
General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.
All states
- Argentina-Rentista-Pensioner-Residency
- Belize-Qrp-Retirement-Residency
- Chile-Investor-Residency-Program
- Colombia
- Costa-Rica
- Ecuador-Pensionista-Visa-Retirement
- Espana
- Georgia-Temporary-Residency-No-Visa
- Germany-Freelancer-Self-Employed-Visa
- Greece-Golden-Visa-Retirement-Residency
- Guatemala
- Ireland-Stamp-0-Retirement-Stay
- Italy-Elective-Residency-Visa
- Japan-Engineer-Instructor-Visa
- Malaysia-Mm2H-Residency-Program
- Mexico
- Panama
- Philippines-Srrv-Retirement-Residency
- Portugal
- Thailand-Non-Immigrant-Visa-Retirement
- Uruguay-Residency-Rentista-Permanent
- Us-Obligations
Related procedural information
- USCIS Form I-407 — abandonment of LPR status — formal renunciation procedure
- IRS tax obligations as a US citizen abroad — citizens file regardless of residence
- Social Security totalization agreements — avoiding double SS coverage
- Find an international tax attorney — for renunciation and exit-tax cases
- Consulate of your destination country — pre-departure documentation
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Argentina Rentista/Pensioner Residency for US Citizens
Argentina Rentista Visa for passive income ($2K+/month) or Pensionado for retirees with foreign pension. 2-year temporary then permanent.
Belize QRP Retirement Residency (45+, $2,000/month income)
Belize Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) program for US citizens 45+. Requires $2,000/month income proof, full tax exemption in Belize, retains US passport.
Chile Temporary Investor Residency for US Citizens
Chile Investor/Retiree Visa. Investment proof or retirement pension. Path to permanent residency after 1 year + Chilean citizenship after 5 years total.
Ecuador Pensionista Visa for US Retirees
Ecuador Pensionista Visa for US citizens with pension income. $1,275/month required, no minimum age, popular with cost-of-living considerations. Path to citizenship after 3 years residency.
Georgia (Caucasus) Temporary Residency Visa-Free for US Citizens
Georgia (country) allows US citizens visa-free for 1 YEAR. Temporary residency $200/year for $5K investment. Path to PR after 6 years.
Germany Freelancer Visa (Freiberufler) for US Citizens
Germany Freelancer Visa for US citizens with freelance skills. EU residency path. Schengen access. Tax obligations both US + Germany.
Greece Golden Visa + FIP/D7 retirement residency
Greek Golden Visa ($250K+ property) and FIP retirement residency ($3,500/month income). Path to EU citizenship after 7 years.
Ireland Stamp 0 Long-Stay for US Retirees
Irish Stamp 0 visa for US citizens with retirement income. €50K+/year required. Path to PR after 5 years. Common-Travel-Area access to UK.
Italy Elective Residency Visa for US Citizens
Italy's Elective Residency Visa for retirees with passive income ($31K+/year), no working in Italy. Path to permanent residency after 5 years.
Japan Engineer / Specialist Visa for US Citizens
Japan Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa for US citizens with bachelor's + employer. Path to PR after 10 years (3 if highly-skilled).
Malaysia MM2H (My Second Home) Program
Malaysia My Second Home Program for US citizens. Tier-based investment (M150K-M1M). 5-10 year renewable visa. Includes family.
Philippines Special Resident Retiree Visa (SRRV)
Philippines SRRV for US citizens 35+ (single) or 50+ (married). $20K-$50K deposit, multi-entry, indefinite stay, includes spouse + 2 children.
Thailand O-A Retirement Visa for US Citizens (50+)
Thailand O-A Long-Stay Visa for US citizens 50+. Required $25K bank deposit or $2K/month income. Health insurance required. 1-year renewable.
Uruguay Permanent Residency (Rentista, Pensionado, Investor)
Uruguay's no-income-floor residency. Just demonstrate stable income (recommended $1,500/month). Path to citizenship after 3 years (married) or 5 years (single).
Moving to Colombia from the US — residency guide
How to obtain legal residency in Colombia: M-11 (Rentista), M-3 (Pensionado), M-5 (Worker). Requirements, costs, and process via Colombian consulate in US.
Moving to Costa Rica from the US — complete residency guide
How to obtain legal residency in Costa Rica if living in the US: visa types, requirements, costs, rights, and step-by-step process via Costa Rica consulate in US.
Moving to Guatemala from the US — complete residency guide
How to obtain legal residency in Guatemala if living in the US: visa types, requirements, costs, rights, and step-by-step process.
Moving to Mexico from the US — complete residency guide
How to obtain legal residency in Mexico if living in the US: visa types, requirements, costs, rights, and step-by-step process via Mexico consulate in US.
Moving to Panama from the US — complete residency guide
How to obtain legal residency in Panama if living in the US: visa types, requirements, costs, rights, and step-by-step process.
Moving to Portugal from the US — complete residency guide
How to obtain legal residency in Portugal if living in the US: visa types, requirements, costs, rights, and step-by-step process.
Moving to Spain from the US — complete residency guide
How to obtain legal residency in Spain if living in the US: visa types, requirements, costs, rights, and step-by-step process via Spain consulate in US.
US obligations while living abroad
As a US citizen or permanent resident, your obligations to the US continue even living in another country. We cover: passport, FBAR, FATCA, FEIE, and voting from abroad.
General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.