This article looks at the easiest countries to immigrate to, whether you want to work in your favorite country or operate a location-independent business.
It’s simpler than ever to start a new life in a foreign country – but it all depends on what you’re looking for.
Are you tired of work or life in general? Maybe you’re suffering from the post-Brexit blues? Maybe you just need a change of scenery. It’s never been easier to break free from the grind and start again. You may soon begin on a magnificent journey in an altogether other setting, working from home (or anywhere, really) as long as you have a roof over your head, with a little cash, a smidgeon of confidence, and a truckload of patience. So, where can you immigrate without spending a lot of money on a golden visa or moving to an offshore tax haven, and where can you live inexpensively and comfortably?
Pour yourself a cup of coffee and relax as this article walks you through your alternatives for your next major move. First, a few suppositions. By examining a wide range of ethnicities, we’ve balanced the playing field. Second, we’ve assumed you’re not searching for citizenship, but rather a somewhere to live for a few years to get a taste of the expat lifestyle. Finally, this isn’t a ranking of the most affordable nations to relocate to; it considers the demands of the temporary expat.
1. Paraguay
South America’s landlocked, subtropical heart commonly appears on lists for retirees wishing to extend their pensions. The stable economy, cheap taxes, and low cost of living all entice expats to relocate to Paraguay. It deserves to be in the list of easiest countries to immigrate to. However, living in this country, like many others in poor countries, has its drawbacks, including corruption.
You just need to deposit an amount of at least US$5,000 into a local bank to gain permanent residency. The cost of an investor visa is almost double that of a tourist visa. Your residency papers may be revoked if you do not visit Paraguay at least once every three years.
Permanent residents have three years to petition for citizenship in Paraguay. However, foreigners must establish considerable local links before they can claim ownership of the world’s 24th most powerful passport. Marriage, ownership of property or a corporation, continuous fiscal residency, or a local work are all necessary, as well as a basic understanding of Spanish and the country’s history, geography, and politics. It might take a lot longer in practice.
Jobs for foreigners are few outside of regular teaching positions. If you really want to live in Paraguay, you’ll need a career that allows you to work from anywhere.
In Paraguay, how much does it cost to live? Renting a place in Asunción’s downtown area costs PYG8 million.
2. Ecuador
Ecuador, which is smaller than the Philippines but bigger than the United Kingdom, frequently appears on lists of retirement destinations and easiest countries to immigrate to. The Amazon jungle, the Andean mountains, and over 2,200 kilometers of shoreline, including the wildlife-rich Galápagos Islands, give this oil producer a romantic picture-postcard appeal. Paraguay is also a country with a history that includes the Inca and Spanish empires. It’s also a fantastic base for exploring the entire continent, thanks to its placement at the top of the continent.
It’s simple to go to Ecuador on a retirement visa; simply show proof of a monthly income of US$800 with a certificate from a pension authority, employment, or other source of income. After 21 months on a temporary residence visa, you can apply for permanent residency. Residency through investment, on the other hand, simply necessitates a deposit of $27,000 in Ecuadorian real estate or a bank account. The virtual consulate of the nation provides information on the many types of visas available.
A foreigner may obtain a naturalization letter after three years of authorized temporary/permanent residency. In practice, though, they will be required to show links to the nation, such as long-term residence or marriage.
With low consumer prices, low rent, and free healthcare, life is affordable here. A single person’s monthly expenditures in Quito, the capital, are projected to be around US$1,000, including rent.
3. Panama
Panama’s appeal as an expatriate destination hasn’t been harmed by its image as an offshore tax haven – or the accompanying raids. Panama makes it simple for expats to settle in Central America’s most cosmopolitan metropolis; a tropical environment, low cost of living, and high safety credentials make Panama an excellent choice. These are the reasons for Panama being one of the easiest countries to immigrate to.
The procedure is made easier by two visa schemes. Citizens of 50 countries, including the United States, most European Union countries, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico, can apply for fast-track permanent citizenship under the Friendly Nations visa, which was introduced in 2012. If this describes you, you’ll need to deposit $5,000 in a Panamanian bank and form a local corporation. After five years, you are eligible for a passport; nevertheless, you must establish links to the nation, preferably by spending the most of your time there.
The pensionado visa program is available to retirees. It was established in 1987 and is accessible to anybody with a lifetime pension monthly income of at least US$1,000; however, if you acquire property worth at least US$100,000, the amount drops to US$750 per month. There are no age limitations, and elderly folks receive discounts on everything from hotel stays to flights to entertainment.
Expats who do not speak Spanish will find it difficult to get work. Foreigners are also prohibited from working in some fields, such as medicine, engineering, accountancy, and media. Salaries may be lower than elsewhere depending on the occupation, although this is offset by a cheap cost of living. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center can cost up to $1,268 per month. Isn’t it enough to persuade you to come over?
4. Mexico
If the thought of eating tacos makes you salivate, Mexico might be the place to visit next. This westernmost birthplace of civilisation is home to between 1.2 million (UN estimates) and 4 million (unofficial estimates) foreign-born individuals thanks to its great quality of life, exceptional healthcare system, and thriving culture.
Those wishing to relocate to Mexico can apply for a number of visas and permits; your first stop should be at the country’s Instituto Nacional de Migración (in Spanish). West Europeans, Americans,, and citizens of Latin America can visit for up to 180 days without a visa; others can pay MX$332 for a visa.
While this is ideal for people who run a remote business, if you really want to work for a Mexican corporation, you’ll need a $155 work permit, which you may apply for after you arrive. For individuals who desire to remain longer than six months, temporary (four-year) and permanent residence visas are also available for $40, subject to bank balance restrictions, however these visas do not enable you to work. Before entering the country, you must apply for a residency visa. Mexico has implemented a point system for immigrants, but the specifics have yet to be revealed. Consider this one of the easiest countries to immigrate to when you think of relocating to a new country.
Finding job in Mexico
Local recruiting firms will take you more seriously after you have a work visa; in general, global corporations will serve as a sponsor when needed. Because of tighter labor restrictions, it’s becoming more typical for Mexican businesses to recruit workers as independent contractors or through job agencies.
Mexican citizenship needs 5 years of residency prior to the application date, and the passport is the 17th most powerful in the world, providing visa-free travel to 145 countries. You can seek for naturalization after two years if you are from a Spanish-speaking nation; however, Americans, Britons, Americans, and Australians can apply for dual citizenship right immediately.
Mexico is significantly less expensive than the rest of North America. Monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is MX$24,207.
5. Montenegro
Montenegro is Instagrammers’ delight, with its beautiful medieval villages, stunning natural contrasts, yachting appeal, and unusual role as an extreme sports center. Its cheap taxes and company start-up expenses, as well as its multicultural population, only add to its allure. It’s been dubbed the “new French Riviera,” and it’s home to 64 multimillionaires.
Montenegro’s economy has been service-driven since its independence in 2006, with some reliance on tourism and renewable energy. Montenegro is a candidate nation for membership in the European Union, with a solid credit rating and a 4.1 percent annual growth rate.
On the basis of job, education, hospital attention, or family reunion, anybody may apply for a one-year resident visa in what looks to be one of the simplest nations to come to. Non-residents can get residency through work by forming a firm and designating themselves as employees. The government has also introduced a new scheme for obtaining citizenship by investing money; this is a speedier (albeit substantially more expensive) alternative that requires a minimum investment of €350,000. This scheme makes Montenegro as one of the easiest countries to immigrate to.
For further information, see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Montenegro has a very low cost of living. In the 10th-century capital city of Podgorica, a single individual may live for €451 per month; for an extra €300, a one-bedroom apartment in the heart of town is available.
6. Czechia
Czechia’s economy has substantially diversified since entering the European Union in 2004. Czechia is no longer just focused on manufacturing; it is now expanding into high-tech, knowledge-based services. Czechia presently has the highest rate of job openings in the European Union, at 6%, roughly twice that of Belgium and Germany, thanks to the country’s robust labor market.
According to Ministry of Interior data, foreigners account for little under 5% of the country’s population and 11% of the employment. Despite the fact that expats earn more than locals, sentiments toward foreigners are generally favourable, with more than half of the public welcoming immigrants with a business motive to settle in the country. The majority of expats are nationals of other EU nations who have relocated on the basis of a job offer. The country’s attraction to those outside of Europe stems from its ranking as the seventh safest country in the world, according to the Global Peace Index.
Finding job in the Czech Republic
Non-EEA citizens can apply to migrate to Czechia as self-employed individuals, with an EU employment Blue Card, on a family visa, or as part of a working vacation program. Citizenship is available to anyone who have lived in the Czech Republic for five years and have passed a Czech language exam. According to the United States Department of Education, a native English speaker needs 1,100 class hours to become fluent in Czech. The State Department is in charge of foreign affairs.
Despite its central location in Europe, starting a business in Czechia is more difficult than in other EU nations; the country is ranked 35th in the current World Bank ranking. It is, nevertheless, still a fairly affordable area to live. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around CZK29,314.
7. United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, which was formerly nothing more than a sleepy backwater, has rebuilt itself as a worldwide hub for trade and business, using its hydrocarbon deposits and geo-strategic position at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe. The federation, which is home to the world’s tallest structure and the world’s largest mall, attracts more than 20 million tourists each year.
The UAE has become a magnet for millionaires looking for security, safety, better healthcare and education, and a higher quality of life. The country ranks 11th on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index. It’s ranking is just behind the United Kingdom and the United States, but far above Germany and the Netherlands). Women’s rights in the United Arab Emirates are a model for the conservative Middle East in a region rife with authoritarian governments and restricted freedom of expression.
Being an expat in the United Arab Emirates
Expatriates make up 89 percent of the population, and the country boasts a thriving, cosmopolitan culture set against a backdrop of dazzling beaches. Despite recent adjustments favoring local talent, getting job in the UAE from outside remains very simple. Financial and legal expertise, as well as network engineers, are in high demand in the UAE. In the run-up to Expo 2020, the economy has lately resumed development; the world fair is estimated to produce 277,000 new employment, pump roughly AED146 billion into the economy, and attract 25 million tourists.
The procedure of obtaining residence makes it one of the easiest countries to immigrate to, although it’s not the cheapest country. Anyone wishing to relocate to the United Arab Emirates must be employed or own a business unless they are a national of one of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. GoFreelance, the UAE’s lowest freelance work visa, and a single related residence visa can cost up to AED25,800 for three years. Emiratis believe that a large influx of expats may lead to a loss of national identity, hence obtaining citizenship is famously difficult.
The cost of living in the UAE isn’t inexpensive, but your earnings will more than make up for it. In Dubai, the commercial hub, a one-bedroom city-center apartment costs around AED6,200 per month. An additional AED3,400 is spent on a monthly basis.
8. Qatar
Do you wish to live in one of the world’s wealthiest countries? Qatar’s resource-rich country gives expats a high quality of life that is reasonably easy to obtain, with an average per capita income of around QAR$490,000. As the country prepares to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a slew of new construction projects are in the works, promising to improve the country’s quality of life while potentially raising living expenses.
Looking for a place to rent in Qatar? A one-bedroom apartment in the city center is anticipated to cost QAR4,615 per month. However, the cost of living in Qatar is not quite as exorbitant as in other parts of the area, which is a welcome respite.
Finding job in Qatar
As an English-speaking expat, finding job in Qatar is easier than in numerous other nations. Jobs are available in a variety of areas, from banking and manufacturing to media and marketing, as the economy grows. Another option is to start a business in Qatar, but only in specified free zones or in collaboration with local sponsors.
The procedure of obtaining a Qatar resident visa is rather straightforward, and the country is one of the few in the Middle East to provide a road to permanent residency. Foreign nationals must, however, be married to a Qatari or have resided in the country for at least 20 years.
9. Singapore
Singapore has long been a popular attraction for expats, thanks to its political stability, strong economy, and family-friendly lifestyle (they claim you can eat off the highways, but we wouldn’t chance the punishment). With Chinese and English as the primary business languages, it attracts to both Western and Chinese expats. However, rising prices and tightening visa requirements have reduced its allure in recent years.
Despite this, the Lion City routinely ranks among the best expat destinations, topping the HSBC list for the fourth consecutive year in 2018. According to the Department of Statistics, nearly a quarter of the city-5.6 state’s million people are expats. The most important industries are technology, finance, manufacturing, and healthcare, with one out of every three highly qualified positions staying unfilled for at least six months.
Finding job in Singapre
To make a living in Singapore, you’ll need to find a job that pays more than SGD3,300 per month, apply for one of the country’s EntrePass entrepreneur visas, or invest SGD2.5 million in a firm through the Global Investor Program. It’s simple to apply for permanent residency after you’ve found work, and you’ll be eligible for citizenship in two years. Singapore is the world’s second-easiest location to do business (after New Zealand), with a number of financial subsidies available to new businesses, including those managed by foreigners.
However, life on the Red Dot continues to be costly, resulting in higher consumer expenses. Rent for a city-center apartment can be as much as SGD1,745 per month.
10. Thailand
For many expats, the expat experience is being able to completely immerse themselves in a another culture. If this describes you and you want to live in Asia, Thailand could be the place for you. Thailand is an interesting destination to call home, with its delicious street cuisine, endless massages, and beach parties.
Thailand is more cheap than many other countries since it is still developing. A monthly rent for a one-bedroom flat in the city center is estimated to cost THB40,500.
Unlike neighbouring Bali, where obtaining a work permit is required, Thailand’s Elite Easy Access visa provides a renewable, multi-entry five-year residency visa for THB500,000. Thailand is one of the simplest nations to move to, despite the fact that the procedure takes roughly four months. The one-of-a-kind visa is geared for high-net-worth individuals and includes retail discounts as well as golf, spa, and private jet privileges, depending on the tier you pick. Non-immigrant ‘A’ visas are a shorter-term alternative for those over 50 who can deposit THB800,000 in a local bank or prove a monthly income of at least THB65,000. Both sorts of visas, however, prevent you from working.
Finding job in Thailand
If you wish to work in Thailand or start a business, you’ll need to apply for a non-immigrant ‘B’ visa, which costs THB5,000 and has a one-year validity period. In most cases, your company will be required to furnish a variety of financial papers, as in other expat markets.
You must live in Thailand for five years, present proof of income, and renounce your nationality in order to obtain a Thai passport. You cannot apply for citizenship if you have a tourist or non-immigrant work permit.
Foreigners can work in a variety of fields, including teaching languages, scuba diving, and information technology – as well as start their own business. Thailand is a difficult location to find work now, with a population of 69 million people and a history of homeless Westerners. There are few more interesting locations to live if you’re self-sufficiently affluent – or can afford to take a few years off.
