How Long Does It Actually Take to Move Abroad? A Realistic American's Timeline

The Short Answer: Six to Twelve Months for Most People

The question we get more than any other is some variation of 'how long will this take?' The honest answer is six to twelve months for a well-planned first international move, though we have watched clients execute it in ninety days when circumstances demanded speed, and we have watched others take two years because they kept adding 'just one more thing' to research before committing. The timeline is largely a function of three variables: which visa pathway you are pursuing, how complicated your US-side untangling is, and how decisive you are willing to be once the research phase ends.

Twelve Months Out: Destination and Visa Research

Begin by narrowing your destination from a list to two or three serious contenders, then map the visa landscape for each. The U.S. State Department's travel.state.gov maintains country-specific pages that outline entry requirements, and most embassies publish current visa income thresholds on their official sites. As of 2026, digital nomad visa income requirements range from roughly $1,100 per month in Colombia to approximately $37,000 per year in South Africa. Retirement-focused visas (Colombia's Pensionado, Panama's Friendly Nations, Costa Rica's Rentista) generally require $750–$1,500 per month in passive income.

Consult an expat-focused CPA at this stage. US citizens are taxed on worldwide income regardless of residency, and understanding the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE), the Foreign Tax Credit, and FBAR reporting obligations before you move avoids expensive surprises. The IRS publishes Publication 54, 'Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad,' at irs.gov as a starting reference.

Six Months Out: Applications and Financial Infrastructure

Submit your visa application. Most digital nomad and pensionado visas process in two to eight weeks officially; experienced expats recommend applying three months before your intended departure to absorb delays. Open an international-friendly US bank account (Charles Schwab Bank and Fidelity Cash Management both offer zero foreign transaction fees and ATM fee reimbursements globally), which can save hundreds of dollars annually compared with standard accounts. Set up international wire transfer capability before you leave.

Notify your employer if you are keeping remote work. Many post-pandemic employers who already permit fully remote work will agree to international arrangements when asked clearly, but tax implications for the employer vary by country, so bring that conversation with specifics, not just a request.

Three Months Out: Housing, Health, and Household

Secure furnished temporary housing for your first sixty to ninety days. In every BTM destination, furnished monthly rentals are widely available and allow you to find your preferred neighborhood before signing a longer lease. Purchase international health insurance before departure (Cigna Global, AXA International, and GeoBlue are among the most-used providers among American expats). Add medical evacuation coverage separately; SkyMed, Medjet, and Global Rescue all offer plans in the $300–$600/year range. These are not optional expenses.

Establish a virtual mailbox for US correspondence (PostScan Mail and Earth Class Mail are the most commonly used). If you are keeping a US mobile number for banking verification, Google Voice provides a free US number that forwards over wifi. Set up moving logistics with a moving company (we have vetted referrals we can give you).

Move Date: What Nobody Tells You

Almost every person we have worked with reports the same thing after moving: 'I was more ready than I thought, and I wish I had done it sooner.' The research phase is valuable and real. It also has a point of diminishing returns, and the only information you cannot get from research is what the actual life feels like. That part requires going.