Your Complete Relocation Toolkit
Guides, checklists, and calculators for anyone planning to move abroad — wherever you’re from. Free. No signup.
Where are you moving to?
Select a destination to read the full relocation guide
Free Visa & Relocation Tools
Answer a few questions — get a personalized PDF or DOCX instantly. No signup required.
Visa Checklist Generator
Get a personalized document checklist for your specific visa and destination. Saves progress automatically.
Proof of Funds Calculator
See exactly how much income or savings you need and whether you currently qualify for your target visa.
Cost of Living Calculator
Compare your current city to 15 expat destinations. See your exact monthly savings side by side.
Visa Cover Letter Generator
Generate a professional cover letter for your visa application in minutes. Download as a ready-to-submit Word document.
Relocation Timeline Planner
Enter your target move date and visa type — get a reverse-engineered milestone timeline with calendar export.
Canada CRS Score Calculator
Calculate your Comprehensive Ranking System score for Canada Express Entry and see your chances of receiving an ITA.
Most Popular Relocation Guides
Complete guides covering visas, cost of living, banking, healthcare, housing, and step-by-step timelines.
Americans Moving Abroad
Mexico
from United States
Costa Rica
from United States
Spain
from United States
Portugal
from United States
Brits Moving Abroad
Why VISAPrep?
Most sites give you info. We give you the tools to actually move.
Tools, Not Just Info
Every corridor guide includes an eligibility widget, document checklist, and downloadable PDF or DOCX output. AI can't replace a personalized checklist saved to your device.
Always Updated
Visa income thresholds change every January. Our guides are verified annually against official consulate sources, with clear "Last verified" badges on every page.
Free Forever
Every guide, tool, PDF, and checklist is free with no signup required. We earn through contextual affiliate partnerships with services you'll actually need: Wise, SafetyWing, and NordVPN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — most countries require a long-stay visa or residency permit for stays beyond 90 days. The most common options for Americans are passive income visas (like Portugal's D7), digital nomad visas (Spain, Portugal), and retirement visas (Costa Rica, Mexico). Requirements vary by destination and your financial situation.
Use our Proof of Funds Calculator to see which visas you currently qualify for based on your income.
Mexico and Costa Rica are consistently the most affordable options for Americans moving abroad. Monthly budgets in Mexico City or Oaxaca start around $1,500–2,000 for a comfortable lifestyle. Portugal and Spain cost more (€1,800–2,500/month) but offer EU residency pathways.
Cost of living varies significantly by city and lifestyle. Use our Cost of Living Calculator to compare your current city to specific destinations.
Processing times range from 10–30 business days (Mexico, Costa Rica consulate appointments) to 60–120 days (Portugal D7, Spain NLV). EU visas typically take longer due to document apostille requirements and consulate backlogs. Plan at least 3–6 months from starting your application to receiving your visa.
It depends on the visa type. Digital Nomad Visas (Spain, Portugal) are specifically designed for remote workers and allow you to work for clients outside the country. Passive income visas (Portugal D7) allow remote work for foreign employers. Non-lucrative visas (Spain NLV) prohibit working in or for the host country. Always verify the specific work authorization of your visa before applying.
Core documents required for most long-stay visas include: a valid passport (6+ months validity beyond your intended stay), proof of income or savings, health insurance with coverage in the destination country, an apostilled criminal background check, and proof of accommodation.
Use our free Visa Checklist Generator to get a personalized, downloadable document list for your specific visa and destination.