Due to current events, a lot of people have been talking about leaving the United States. Just pulling up sticks and going somewhere else. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. It’s the classic fantasy — there’s a reason why THE HOBBIT is subtitled There and Back Again. But let me offer some practical thoughts, if you’re hoping to do more than dream.
The first thing that has to happen is that humanity at least has to get a grip on the covid virus. Until that time, travel is going to be fraught with difficulty. As I write this, most of the world is not allowing travelers from the USA. None of us are going anywhere until these bans are lifted.
Sooner or later, however, you’ll be able to buy an airplane ticket and go! Almost every polity planetwide welcomes tourists. To go many places you don’t even need a visa, just your passport. But that’s for tourism — a short-term stay. If you plan to move there, start looking into the paperwork now. Becoming a permanent resident of another country means having your documents in order. You will wish to be able to rent someplace to live, rent or buy a car, open a bank account. To do this you must be able to prove that the authorities are cool with you. There’s enough terrorism in the world that, at least in First World countries, being an illegal is asking for deportation or jail. Continue reading →