Living Overseas as an Expat
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It is no secret that moving to a different country can result in your US dollars going an extra mile or two. Because of this economic boast, you may have thought it a good idea to pull up stakes and live overseas. Though you of course may have other motivating factors for getting out of Dodge.

Here are a list of things to consider before you pack it all up and leave it all behind.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

  • This CANNOT be a quick decision as you will need to do research!

Things to Consider

Here are some major things to consider/look into:

  1. Immigration/Visa Requirements

  2. Cost of Living/Financials

  3. Culture and Customs

  4. Weather/Climate

  5. Crime and Safety

  6. Health care

  7. Education

1. Immigration/Visa Requirements

Countries have various different requirements to legally immigrate/obtain a visa.

They may require you have $XXX,XXX amount of income/assets, clean criminal records, that you CANNOT work/MUST work, etc.

You may also find that the country will NOT allow you to purchase land/real estate as an expat.

2. Cost of Living/Financials

Depending where you go could stretch or shrink a dollar. Common factors include:

  • Fluctuations in the exchange rates; and

  • Local economic factors such as market price for foods.

These factors are of course outside of your control and depending on where you go could change dramatically day by day.

Things to also consider are: does the country tax your VA disability, retirement pays, etc?

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • The VA ONLY pays in US dollars; which a foreign bank will likely convert to local currency and take a fee.

  • Do NOT forget, you are still required to file US taxes while you remain a US citizenship, even on income earned only in your new country.

    • Do know IF you revoke your US citizenship you will very likely have to give up your military retirement.

      • Social Security benefits DO continue.

      • VA payments DO continue.

  • The US Treasury will NOT send or allow US banks to send payments to countries with certain financial sanctions.

    • For a list of currently impacted countries click HERE.

3. Culture and Customs

What language do people speak? English, Espanol, Nederlands, Deutsch?

What do they think or foreigners… what do they think about Americans? Some countries that are exceptionally friendly to tourists, may not be keen on an outsider living for the long haul.

What you may find as being a regular way of doing things can be taken as a sign of disrespect, so take the time to research! Did you just take change/receipt/item with only ONE hand!? Eating food on PUBLIC transportation!? Gonna need to ready the ceremonial caning cane for these yanks!

4. Weather/Climate

We talking seasonal monsoons, hurricanes, typhoons, flooding, high humidiy, dry as a bone, all it does is rain, what is rain, etc?

5. Crime and Safety

Is your dream location in and out of civil wars? Gang/street violence? Do people just not lock their doors?

Be sure to also look at the State Department’s travel advisories:

  • State Department Website HERE.

6. Health Care

Are there facilities that can treat your condition(s)? How would getting/paying for care work for you and your family?

IMPORTANT NOTE:

  • Service-connected conditions are eligible for coverage under the Foreign Medical Program (FMP).

    • Click HERE for more details.

7. Education

If you are bringing children with you, will the education system meet their needs/accommodate them? If no, would a “home schooling” situation be suitable?

IMPORTANT NOTE:

  • Both you and your dependents CAN use VA Education benefits overseas.

Frequently Asked Questions

    • Yes.

    • No.

    • This is a very personal decision and as with life will be what you make of things. If you are having personal issues, changing locations will likely not change your issues. So in that case, it would be fair cheaper and easier to seek Care where you are now.