Living abroad
Building a good life once you land
Getting the visa is the start. These guides cover what makes a move work over the long run: healthcare, a home, income, schooling, language, community, and staying connected to the US.
Retiring Abroad: A Practical Guide for Americans
The big decisions for retirees moving overseas: income, residency, healthcare and Medicare, estate planning across borders, and staying close to family.
Healthcare Abroad: How Medical Care Works When You Move Overseas
Public systems, private hospitals, what Medicare will and won't pay overseas, and how veterans can use VA benefits abroad.
International Health Insurance: How Expat Coverage Works
Travel medical and expat insurance are not the same product. Here's how each works, how insurers price you, and what a visa officer will want to see.
Housing Abroad: Renting, Buying and Avoiding Costly Mistakes
Why renting first is the smart default, how to find a place without getting scammed, and what to know before buying property in another country.
Working Remotely Abroad: Visas, Employers, Taxes and Logistics
Your laptop works anywhere. Your immigration status, your employer's payroll and your tax return don't. Here's how to line them up.
Moving Abroad With Kids: Schools, Paperwork and Settling In
How to choose a school, keep records in order, handle passports and citizenship paperwork, and help your children adjust, with US college options still open.
Culture Shock and Language: Adjusting to Life Abroad
The adjustment curve is real. Here's what to expect, how to learn the language without burning out, and how to build a life that doesn't feel lonely.
Voting From Abroad: How Americans Overseas Register and Vote
Moving overseas doesn't end your right to vote in federal elections. Here's how registration, ballots and deadlines work, and what voting does and doesn't mean for state taxes.
Common questions
Is healthcare cheaper abroad?
In many popular destinations, private care and insurance cost less than in the US, and legal residents may be able to join the public system. Quality and access vary widely by country and by city, so research the specifics for where you'll live. See healthcare abroad.
Can I work remotely for a US company while living abroad?
Often, but only with the right visa, and your employer has to agree. Tourist status usually doesn't permit work, and remote work can create tax and payroll issues for your employer. See working remotely abroad.