- Over the past 12 months, the number of Americans considering moving to Canada, Mexico and Europe has increased.
- Some people are interested in moving abroad for reasons such as a better quality of life, healthcare, or more affordable retirement benefits.
- Depending on your profile and the appropriate visa, there are several ways to immigrate to Canada, Mexico or Europe.
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A presidential debate, a Supreme Court decision or just political disagreement may cause some Americans to consider or reconsider the idea of moving abroad.
Jean-Francois Harvey, an attorney at the Harvey Law Group, a Miami-based law firm that provides immigration services to U.S. clients, said his firm has seen an increase in demand over the past 12 months.
“Certainly there are a lot of people in the United States who are wondering what’s going on, and most of them are hoping for a Plan B,” Harvey told USA Today. “As we get closer to the election, I think more and more people will say this is more than a Plan B.”
But not all migration is due to political instability, Harvey said, with people also interested in moving abroad for a better quality of life, healthcare and reduced retirement costs.
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While many people are interested in moving to Mexico or Canada because of their proximity to the U.S., Harvey said Europe, particularly Spain and France, is actually the most in demand among his clients. He believes that’s because many Americans are comfortable speaking Spanish and because the visa process in Spain and France is very fast, perhaps around a month.
Here’s what you need to know about moving to Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
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Can I move to Canada? Can I move to Mexico? Can I move to Europe?
Yes, you can immigrate to Canada, Mexico or anywhere in Europe. It all depends on how you meet the requirements for that country and which visa is appropriate for you.
“What’s the best way for them to enter and stay in Canada?” Harvey says. “It all depends on your profile – your age, your qualifications. For example, depending on your profession, you could start a business in Canada, immigrate relatively quickly to start your business and process your visa later.
Harvey said another important factor to consider is taxes: Many European countries, Mexico and Canada have double taxation agreements with the US, so they don’t pay the same taxes twice.
Also consider how easy it will be to get back home to see family and friends. Some parts of Europe have lots of flights between the US and Mexico. Mexico and Canada might be just a short flight across the border or an easy drive away.
How do I immigrate to Canada as an American?
According to the Canadian government’s website, the easiest way for Americans to immigrate to Canada is through the Express Entry system, which is aimed at three types of skilled immigrants who want to settle in Canada. Depending on the program, applicants must provide proof of at least one to two years of work experience, as well as other documents such as educational evaluations and language tests. Once the necessary documents are in place, applicants receive a score that determines whether they can apply for residency. Unfortunately, the process is slow and can take up to two years, Harvey said.
If you have a close relative in Canada to sponsor, such as a child or parent, you may be in luck. Applicants can also apply for a work permit if they work in one of the professional fields (such as accounting) covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Work permits are usually issued for two to three years and can be renewed.
How do I move to Mexico as an American?
One of the easiest ways to move to Mexico is through the retirement system, Harvey says. To apply for permanent residency in Mexico, you need to prove you have at least $292,858 in investments or a bank account over the past 12 months, or at least $7,321.47 in after-tax monthly income from a job or pension.
Another way to move to Mexico is to buy real estate, which is technically illegal for non-Mexican nationals, but can be done through a registered organization, in which case you would use the organization’s name on the purchase.
How do I move to Europe as an American?
According to Harvey, there are two easy ways to move to Europe as an American. The first is if you have ancestral ties to the country. Dozens of countries, including Portugal, Spain, and France, recognize citizenship by blood, but it depends on how many generations back.
“There are lots of ancestry-based programs out there. Just having a great-grandfather who was Spanish is enough to get you full Spanish citizenship,” he said.
Nationality by Italian descent: Bloodline Principle According to the Italian Consulate in London, “anyone who has Italian nationality is considered to have Italian nationality (right of descent).” You simply need to prove that you have an Italian ancestor who emigrated abroad and was born in Italy, even if that dated back more than a century.
In France, all applicants for citizenship must have French grandparents and parents, and they do not need to be able to speak French.
Many European countries also offer digital nomad visas that allow you to live abroad and work remotely for companies in other locations, provided you meet a few requirements. Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal are just a few of the countries that offer this type of visa.
According to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of European Union and Cooperation, to obtain a Spanish digital nomad visa, applicants must provide proof of at least three months of work, proof of residence in Spain, and demonstrate financial resources equivalent to at least 200% of the Spanish minimum wage of 1,134 euros (about $1,217) per month. Applicants’ children and spouses can also apply for the visa.
Kathleen Wong is a Hawaii-based travel writer for USA Today. She can be reached at kwong@usatoday.com..
