Moving to another country is thrilling but requires careful planning, especially when managing essential documents. A digital family vault like Trustworthy keeps everything secure and accessible, ensuring a seamless relocation. 

This guide covers the key documents you’ll need, how to organize them, and why they matter.

Key Takeaways 

• You will need a passport with a validity of at least six months and a visa to move abroad.

• The visa application generally requires proof of identity, citizenship, financial stability, language proficiency, and a background check.

• Countries easier for Americans to move to include Canada, Mexico, Panama, Spain, Costa Rica, and Germany. 

General Requirements for Moving Abroad

The specific requirements for moving abroad will depend on the destination location, but there are some general guidelines to be aware of. 

Proof of Identity and Citizenship

You will need proof of identity and citizenship regardless of where you move. The most common form of identification is a valid passport. Most countries require a six-month validity period at the time of the visa application. You won’t be allowed into another country with an expired passport. 

To apply for a passport, you must visit your nearest passport acceptance facility, which could be at the post office or library. Passports cannot be applied online or via the mail. To apply for a passport, you will need: 

• Form DS-11

• Original proof of citizenship (birth certificate)

• Photo ID

• Passport photo 

• Passport fee, which starts from $65 

The processing usually takes six to eight weeks, while expedited passports can take up to three weeks. 

Other proof of IDs you might need include birth certificates and Social Security numbers. You can request copies of your birth certificate and Social Security cards from the Vital Records office in your state. 

Proof of Financial Stability

Accepted proof includes: 

• Bank statements for proof of income  

• Proof of income (remote work salaries, pay stubs, savings, or pension statements) 

• IRS Income Verification Express Service 

• Sponsorship letters (if someone else is supporting your move, they will need to write a letter of motivation outlining their responsibilities)  

Background Checks

Countries like Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom require a criminal background check for visa applications. You can apply for a background check through your local police and the FBI records by taking your fingerprints.

While there is no official expiration date, many visa applications require a background check that is no more than six months old. Keep this in mind when timing your visa application.    

Language Proficiency

Your language proficiency plays a crucial role in visa applications in some countries like Austria, New Zealand, and Switzerland. To gain entry into the country, you may be required to provide proof of language skills with certifications like TOEFL, IELTS, DELF, or country-specific tests. 

Remember to factor in the time it takes to study and complete the test during your visa application process. 

Employment or Education Documentation

How are you planning on supporting yourself and your family abroad? You must prove your employment status through job offer letters or work contracts. If you’re applying for a work visa, you must provide copies of your degree certificates and academic transcripts. 

Travel Documentation

Your travel documents must be kept safe, as you won’t get very far without them. 

Passport and Visa

If your passport has expired or will soon, you must renew it. Luckily, you can renew your passport online, starting at $30. 

Your visa is another critical document you need to gain entry into your destination country, so it is important to keep a digital backup stored with Trustworthy. Trustworthy’s unique Family Operating System® makes it easy to store, access, and share important documents easily from your computer or phone.

International Vaccination Certificates

You must present vaccination certificates that comply with visa entry, depending on where you're moving. Some common international vaccinations include: 

• Yellow fever 

• Chickenpox 

• MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)

• Hepatitis A and B 

You can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's destination pages to determine your necessary vaccinations.  

Residency and Legal Documentation

Your residency and legal documents, like work permits, are crucial for long-term stays in a new country. These documents allow you to rent or purchase property, provide access to public services, make travel easy, and are a stepping stone to citizenship.

Streamline your interactions with local authorities and store your documents with Trustworthy, which allows you to access them with the swipe of a finger. 

Financial Documents

Banking Information

For your visa, you’ll need bank statements and proof of funds. To transfer money abroad, open an account with a bank offering international services. This requires proof of identity, address, income, and possibly immigration documents, depending on the bank’s requirements.

Tax Documentation

Some countries will require proof of tax compliance from your home country via a tax compliance report called Letter 6201. 

You should also understand the obligations of the FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) and FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report), which are designed to prevent tax evasion. Stay ahead of tax deadlines by keeping your documents organized and readily available with Trustworthy. 

Countries That Are Easier for Americans to Move To

Take some of the stress out of moving abroad by choosing a country easier for Americans to move to. 

1. Portugal: "Portugal is one of the best choices for Americans looking to relocate," says Dean Rotchin, CEO of Blackjet, which organizes travel for wealthy individuals. He explains:
   
   "The country actively encourages expatriates through its D7 visa program, which has low income requirements and an easy transition thanks to a large American community and widespread English use."

   
   

2. Canada: The proximity and easy requirements for work permits, family sponsorship, and express entry make this move easier. 

   
   

3. Mexico: Offers a straightforward temporary and permanent residency process with a large expat community of English speakers. "For many, Mexico is a natural choice," Rotchin explains. "It offers a much lower cost of living while keeping you close to family."

   
   

4. Costa Rica: The "Pensionado" program allows retirees to settle easily with an income of $1,000. Foreign income is also not taxed. "Costa Rica provides a high quality of life at a fraction of U.S. costs," says Rotchin.

   
   

5. New Zealand: Attractive to skilled workers and those who can make a significant financial investment.

   
   

6. Germany: The Blue Card program fast-tracks residency for skilled professionals. The job seeker visa allows qualified professionals to look for employment for six months while in the country.

   
   

7. Spain: A Non-Lucrative Visa allows self-funded individuals to live and retire in Spain. According to Statista, around 41,000 Americans live there.  

   
   

8. Georgia: "Georgia’s Remote Worker Program lets Americans stay for up to a year without complicated visa requirements," Rotchin points out. "It’s also incredibly affordable, which is why more digital nomads and entrepreneurs are making the move."

Health and Insurance Documents

To travel internationally, you must have health and travel insurance and proof. 

Health Insurance

Health and travel insurance is important in emergencies and prevents delays in getting assistance. You can get proof of your insurance coverage by requesting copies from your insurance provider. Keep these policies on hand by storing digital backups on your Trustworthy account. 

Some popular health insurance and travel insurance providers are AIG Travel Guard®, Travelex, GeoBlue, and Cigna Global.   

Medical Records

If you or a family member suffers from a chronic condition, keeping copies of key medical records, prescriptions, and vaccination records is crucial. Having these records on you at all times can prevent delays in treatment. 

You can request copies of your medical records from your primary care provider. 

Personal Identification and Family Documents

Birth Certificates and Marriage Certificates

Certain scenarios will require copies of birth and marriage certificates, like a spousal visa, enrolling your child in school, and accessing child-related services. These documents can also be used for tax purposes, such as opening bank accounts and registering for local services.   

Children’s Records

Your children’s records will be used for medical and educational reasons like enrolling in a new school. These records will include: 

• School transcripts 

• Vaccination records

• Relevant medical records  

• Guardianship documents in the event of shared custody    

Housing and Utilities

Countries may have different requirements for purchasing or renting property, but generally, you will be required to provide the following: 

Lease or Property Ownership Papers

Some landlords or government agencies might require copies of property ownership documents and lease agreements to purchase or rent property. 

Proof of Address

You’ll first need to set up an account with local authorities to pay your monthly utilities. During registration, you may need to provide proof of address. 

Transportation Documentation

While you may have your driver’s license in the U.S., this doesn’t automatically mean you can drive in other countries. You’ll need to apply for new licenses and more paperwork. 

Driver’s License and Vehicle Records

If you plan to drive abroad, you must apply for an international driving permit from the destination country or convert your license according to the individual country's requirements. 

If you take your car abroad, you will need the vehicle registration documents (title and registration.)   

Emergency Preparedness

Organizing your critical documents is only part of being prepared to move to another country. The other part is being prepared for any kind of emergency.  

Emergency Contacts

Create a list of emergency contacts with full names, key phone numbers, and addresses. Ensure all family members know where and how to access this list during an emergency. 

Copies of Documents

Avoid the stress of losing critical documents abroad by storing secure copies with Trustworthy. Access key documents and emergency contacts anytime, anywhere.

Why Trustworthy is the Smart Choice for Moving Abroad

Trustworthy is your number-one solution to preparing documents when moving to another country. 

The AI-powered Autopilot features a range of tools designed to make getting and staying organized hassle-free. Features like smart insights, summaries, storage location suggestions, filename suggestions, and predefined categories mean you don’t have to create a filing system from scratch. 

Trustworthy’s smart search and cloud access make finding documents instant, reducing stress in emergencies. Easily share travel, medical, or financial files with trusted collaborators like financial advisors. Control access levels and duration, and securely share outside your network using SecureLinks™ with time-limited access.

Automated reminders help you track travel documents and deadlines, alerting you when to renew passports, visas, and insurance. Trustworthy employs bank-level security to keep your documents safe, such as AES 256-bit encryption, multi-factor authentication, biometric authentication, and tokenization. 

Trustworthy makes planning for your international move a stress-free way to get and stay organized. Try out Trustworthy for yourself with a free plan and stay as long as you like.   

Frequently Asked Questions 

How far in advance should I start preparing my documents for an international move?

Gather your travel documents at least six months in advance, especially if you’re applying for or renewing passports, getting background checks, or completing a language test.

What are some common tax obligations I might face after moving abroad?

You must file U.S. taxes regardless of living abroad and may also have to pay local taxes.  

What financial planning should I do before my move?

First, you should notify your bank of your intentions, open an international bank account, and start an emergency fund in your country.