What are some of the easiest countries to immigrate to?

Moving abroad can be a fun but stressful experience, whether you’re immigrating to Mexico or relocating to Europe.

However, there are a few ways to make the immigration process a little easier. Make sure to research and prepare for your move – and understand how to best settle into your new home.

We’ll take a look at some of the easiest countries to immigrate to from the US, including everything you need to know to make the immigration process as smooth as possible.

What makes a country easy to immigrate to?

As an American, some countries are easier to immigrate to than others. You may have family links to a country or you may already speak the language.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes a country easy to immigrate to.

Visa policies

If you want to move abroad, you’ll need to carefully research your visa options before relocating.

There are a few different kinds of visas. Getting a work visa indicates that you have a job offer in your new country. You can also get a student visa if you’re studying abroad or a family visa if you have family in the country.

Some places have a quota of immigrants allowed into the country during a certain period of time, whereas other countries use income thresholds to accept those with suitable funds.

A country that sets smaller quotas or higher thresholds may be harder to immigrate to.

Job opportunities

Many Americans relocate abroad on work visas. This means you’ve already found a job in your new country, and it may be easier to get residency.

It’s important to choose a country with plenty of job opportunities. Look into the state of the economy in your chosen country and research job openings in your industry.

Quality of life

Countries with a good quality of life can ease the immigration process and help you settle into your new home.

For example, countries like Denmark and Australia are known for their excellent healthcare and government systems, all contributing to a good standard of living.

There are some things to look out for when assessing the quality of life in your chosen country, such as healthcare, education, and crime rates.

Language

Countries that speak English may be easier to immigrate to, such as Australia, Canada, or the UK.

If you’re moving to a country that speaks a different language, it may help to look into language lessons before you relocate.

This will make it easier to fill out forms, start your new job, or socialize with locals.

Cultural integration

Every country has a different culture – and part of the immigration process is embracing a new way of doing things.

However, it’s important to immigrate to a country that’s compatible with you and your family. For example, some countries may be less inclusive or tolerant than others – and you’ll need to choose a country that’s accepting of foreigners.

Cost of living

Every country has a different cost of living – and within that country, some cities or towns will be more expensive than others.

Moving abroad can be expensive, so choosing a country with a lower cost of living could make the immigration process easier.

Portugal is known for budget-friendly living. Even in major cities like Lisbon, you can access affordable accommodation and social opportunities.¹

Easiest countries to immigrate to from the US

From Canada to Portugal, there are lots of popular immigration spots for Americans wanting to relocate abroad.

Let’s take a look at the easiest countries to immigrate to from the US, including what makes these countries so easy to move to.

Canada

Canada is close to the US in terms of proximity, but also language and culture. The country is known for its good quality of life, with an excellent healthcare system.

The Express Entry System® lets skilled workers immigrate to Canada – and there are plenty of job opportunities for foreigners coming into the country.² You can also apply for the Family Class program if you already have family living in Canada.³

Canada can be expensive, depending on where you live. The average cost of living in Canada is 2,611 CAD per month, so you’ll need to make sure your income can cover your Canadian relocation.⁴

Mexico

Many Americans choose to relocate to Mexico, as it’s easy to travel between Mexico and the US if you have family in both countries.

You can get a Temporary Resident Visa if you want to spend up to 4 years in Mexico, or a Permanent Resident Visa if you’re planning on relocating long-term.⁵

With a large Spanish population in the US, you may already have adequate language skills to move to Mexico – and many healthcare professionals will speak English if you need extra support.

There may be some culture shock when you first move, but Mexico’s culture has a lot to offer, including delicious food and ancient history.

You can also enroll your kids in free education from kindergarten to high school, with job opportunities for US citizens who want to relocate.⁶

New Zealand

New Zealand is a popular choice for American immigrants, with a positive attitude toward foreigners coming into the country.

You can access a few different visas as a US immigrant, but you may need a job to qualify for your visa.

Accredited employer work visas or work-to-residence visas, for example, are only available to those who have full-time employment in the country. However, there are additional options for those with family in New Zealand.⁷

New Zealand is perfect if you’re looking for beautiful wilderness, great weather, and a world-renowned education system. As a permanent resident in New Zealand, you’ll have similar rights to a citizen. You can access healthcare benefits and even vote in elections.⁸

Portugal

Portugal is known for its welcoming attitude toward foreigners, and there are a few ways to access residency in Portugal as an American citizen.

The Portugal Golden Visa is a common choice for those who want to invest in the country’s economy, or you can get a Digital Nomad Visa as a salaried remote worker.⁵

Portugal is an affordable place to live, with a vibrant local culture. You may want to learn some Portuguese before your relocation, but English is the second most widely spoken language in the country – so you shouldn’t have trouble settling into your new life.¹²

Australia

Immigration to Australia from the US is very popular, with a diverse culture and large English-speaking population – a plus for American immigrants.

You’ll need to show the Australian government why you should be able to move there. Typically, this involves finding a job – and there are many different Australian work visas for US citizens.

It can help if you line up a job on Australia’s Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List. This includes jobs in sectors like healthcare, engineering, and social work.⁹

Although it can be tricky to find the right visa for your Australian relocation, the culture makes it easy for Americans to settle in, with some similarities to the US.

However, you may find that the cost of living in Australia is more expensive than in other countries. For example, a family’s average monthly cost is 9,126 AUD.¹⁰

The Netherlands

The Netherlands is known for its excellent standard of living, including good healthcare systems and inclusive attitudes. It’s an easy place to look for work opportunities, with many international and national companies across the country.

Getting residency in the Netherlands is relatively simple for US citizens. You can apply for a program called the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) if you want to immigrate to the Netherlands. You’ll need to invest at least 4,500 EUR to qualify.⁵

You may also need to learn Dutch before relocating to the Netherlands, but English is spoken widely across the country, too.

Spain

Spain is a popular choice for American immigrants looking for history, culture, and a bit of sun!

It’s easy to find other US expats across the country – and it’s simple to apply for your visa as an American, too. You can invest in Spain’s economy in exchange for residency with a Spain Golden Visa or get a Spanish Digital Nomad Visa if you’re a salaried remote worker.⁵

Spain is an affordable country, known for its good healthcare system and safe places to live.¹¹

If you want to eventually apply for citizenship in Spain, it’s important to note that you may not qualify for dual citizenship. This means you might need to give up your American citizenship to get an EU passport.⁵

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Immigration 101: steps before you take flight

If you’re thinking of immigrating from the US, there are some things to consider before taking flight. Let’s take a look at how to properly prepare for your relocation.

Research and preparation

The immigration process requires research and preparation.

You’ll need to look into:
The best visa for your relocation Any documents you’ll need for your journey Where you’re going to live Where you’re going to work Learning the language The best local schools and healthcare facilities

Make your immigration journey as simple as possible by preparing for every eventuality.

Application and documentation

There are lots of applications to sort out before you immigrate. You can make the process easier by understanding your visa options – and you’ll need to choose the right visa application for your move.

Some supporting documents you may need for your relocation include:
An immigrant visa Confirmation of permanent residence for you and your family Important documents like your birth certificate or driver’s license A valid passport for you and your family members Health documentation, such as your immunization record¹³

Make sure to keep on top of any applications once you’ve relocated, as you may need to renew your visa, particularly if you’re on a temporary visa or your employment status changes.

For example, you can apply for a Mexican Permanent Resident Visa if you’re currently on a Temporary Resident Visa and you want to stay in the country.

You may also want to apply for citizenship in your chosen country further down the line.

Moving and settling in

Before moving to a new country, you’ll need to look into where you’re going to live. This includes any neighborhood facilities, such as your local school or healthcare center – and it can make your immigration as stress-free as possible.

You can help kids settle in by enrolling them in a local school and helping them understand the language and culture of their new home.

Taking language lessons if you’re moving to a non-English-speaking country can also make your relocation a little easier.

Common challenges and solutions

Immigrating to another country can be a tricky process. If you’re worried about facing intolerant attitudes, moving to a multicultural place that’s accepting of immigrants can help you feel welcome.

You can solve culture shock by finding communities of foreigners abroad, as this can help you feel closer to your own culture.

You may find it hard to help your kids settle into the country, especially if their schooling is in a different language. Finding places that offer extra language support or teaching in English could help.

Immigration FAQs

What is the cheapest country to immigrate to?

Germany is an affordable country to immigrate to. The cost of living is reasonable and it’s relatively easy to get permanent residency in the country.¹⁴

The Portugal Golden Visa is also an affordable residency by investment option, as you can live in the country by investing at least 250,000 EUR in the economy.¹⁵

Which country is the most welcoming to immigrants?

Many countries are welcoming to immigrants. New Zealand and Australia are known for their inclusive attitudes toward different cultures.

European countries like the Netherlands and Spain are also very tolerant toward foreigners.

How to decide which country is right to immigrate to?

Deciding on the right country for you will depend on your own requirements. You may be looking for new job opportunities or you might want to be closer to family.

Consider factors such as cost of living and how easy it is to get temporary or permanent residency. You’ll also need to find places with a good quality of life for you and your family.

Can you immigrate to a country without a job offer?

You may need a job offer to qualify for residency in a different country. However, that’s not always the case.

In Denmark, you can get a job-seeking permit to look for work. However, you may need to swap to a work visa once you’ve found a position.¹⁶

You can also invest in your country’s economy to gain residency. For example, a Spain Golden Visa gives you residency if you invest at least 500,000 EUR in Spanish real estate.¹⁷

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Immigrating to another country can bring exciting job or education opportunities.

Whether you want to be closer to family or you’re looking for a better quality of life, countries like Canada and Spain are some of the easiest places to immigrate to from the US.

It’s important to effectively plan for your relocation – and you should look out for countries with culture and language compatibility for you and your family.

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Sources

1. My Global Viewpoint
2. Global Citizen Solutions
3. Kick Resume
4. Savvy New Canadians
5. Digital Emigre
6. Expat Den
7. Move Buddha
8. Vittana
9. International Citizens
10. Expatistan
11. OECD
12. World Atlas
13. Canada.ca
14. Yahoo Finance
15. Digital Emigre
16. CN Traveller
17. Digital Emigre

Sources checked on 05.09.2024