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Though determining the easiest country to immigrate to largely depends on your passport, some offer less restrictive visa requirements and immigration programs for all wanderers in general. This is the result of many factors. For instance, due to the economy’s ups and downs or the low birthrate, many countries need more residents to help them with labor. In comparison, others want to boost their growth by bringing in foreign money. It would help if you learned that before choosing the easiest country to move to and planning your future. And our article is here to help with travel, visa, and citizenship information.
Many of us experience a serious case of wanderlust and love exploring this big wide world. As travel broadens the mind and introduces you to new cultures, you may often feel you would like to live in a different country. Perhaps, it’s because you put down roots in foreign climes, learn the local lingo, enjoy the traditional cuisine, and make new friends. In many cases, getting the necessary paperwork together can be a daunting task. Conforming to other countries’ rules, regulations, and bureaucracy sometimes takes considerable time. However, some countries make it more convenient than others, as seen from this list of the 13 easy countries to immigrate to for new citizenship. Happy travels!
Costa Rica
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Costa Rica is an ideal choice for those in the mood to save our planet in this time of Global Warming and Climate Change. Costa Rica is among the most environmentally friendly places and offers true Pura Vida (the pure or good life).
When it comes to travel, Costa Rica is a place where the only limit is your return date! Whether you want to zipline, climb volcanic peaks, descend into caves or enjoy the turquoise sea waters, Costa Rica has it all. Not only that, but Costa Rica is truly scenic with gorgeous beaches, fascinating rainforests with a wide variety of flora and fauna, and much more. The Central American country is known to be family-friendly and is one of the ideal places to raise children.
Costa Rica welcomes new residents for citizenship and only requires you to prove sufficient resources. In other words, they won’t accept you if you need state assistance or welfare. A deposit of $60,000 to guarantee your resources returns to you monthly over two years. It won’t hurt to pick a few travel guide books on Costa Rica before to see if it’s actually the easier country to immigrate to.
Finland
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If you don’t mind cold weather and long winter nights, Finland is one of the world’s most peaceful, happy, and safe places to live. Finland is one of several countries where the famous Northern Lights can be enjoyed, which is a definite bonus. Although the long winters may seem a bit dreary, the season has its own charm. While the slopes have become the sought-after destination for skiers, other popular activities include sledding, ice fishing, chartering a posse of reindeer, or controlling a team of huskies.
On top of this, Helsinki, Finland’s capital, is considered to be one of the most livable cities globally, where you’ll find the 11 Best Hotels in Helsinki. EU and Nordic citizens need not apply for residency or citizenship, but everyone else must. To start a business, non-EU members often qualify for the entrepreneur’s residency permit. However, you need to run the business in Finland and reside there.
While it can be expensive to live there, salaries are excellent and social benefits relating to health and pensions are among the best in the world, placing it on the list of easy countries to immigrate to.
Iceland
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While this country is ditto on the cold and long winter nights, Iceland is a truly unique and beautiful place to live. Everywhere you look is a picture postcard view, whether it’s the mountains, springs, or glaciers. Naturally, Iceland is another place to experience the Northern Lights, something 11 Best Hotels In Reykjavik have to offer.
On top of its sheer beauty, according to the Global Peace Index for 2019, Iceland is the most peaceful country and has been since 2008. Besides being one of the easy countries to immigrate to, like most Nordic countries, security risks are considered “insignificant.”
Iceland’s real treasure lies in its people, who are renowned for their warmth, hospitality, and literature. There are more poets and writers in this part of the world than in any other part of the planet. This is hardly surprising given the breathtaking inspiration they are surrounded by.
Moving there requires an application before arrival. Apply for your residency permit from the Directorate of Immigration in Iceland. That applies to anyone wishing for a stay of over three months. After the application receives approval, you must apply for the Kennitala upon arrival.
Argentina
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Vast and beautiful landscapes, modern cities, and some of the best beef make Argentina a great place to live. From the bustling tree-lined city of Mendoza to the world’s southernmost city of Ushuaia, Argentina offers many opportunities to improve your life.
Argentina offers a low living cost and excellent employment and education opportunities, making it ideal for singles, couples, or families. It’s also relatively easy to get residency or citizenship here, as long as you meet the minimum monthly income criteria for immigrants. However, getting basic Spanish knowledge under your belt is a good idea before moving here.
Note that if you stay for more than 90 days, you should apply for a visa for temporary residency. All applications require copies of your passport, proof of paid accommodation, and a return ticket to your home country. To apply for a work visa, your contract of offer should be valid for a year, minimum.
Norway
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Norway offers a good standard of living, along with excellent free education. On top of this, Norway has been rated as one of the happiest places in the world. It’s also known for people’s good health and healthy longevity. Norway is considered safe and ideal for bringing up a family.
Like most Scandinavian countries, Norway is also big on photographic locales. You’ll never tire of pointing your camera at the stunning landscapes that are in abundance here. Norway’s fjords, picture-perfect villages, jagged islands, thunderous waterfalls, and coastline, all enwrapped in the Northern Lights, will stir your creative genius like no other.
Also, Norway’s immigration rules tend not to be very strict, making the process relatively easy. In fact, some would say they have the easiest immigration. However, there are limited categories that exist for immigrants. These include work offers or work visas, education permits, and family reunification. The top priority goes to family reunification.
Mexico
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For those who love Mexican food, there is no better place to enjoy it than at its source. However, besides the delicious cuisine, Mexico offers a great standard of living, an excellent healthcare system, and wonderful coastal resorts. And don’t get us started on those fantastic party hotels in Cancun.
White-sand beaches and an endless stretch of turquoise waters are what make Cancun a great destination. The Mexican city sits at the edge of the Yucatan peninsula and overlooks the gorgeous Caribbean Sea. Given that it’s Mexico’s most popular beach destination, it’s no surprise that the city has something for everyone. Party monsters, beach bums, and even culture buffs have a lot to explore in the city.
Mexico offers a variety of visas and permits, depending on where you are moving from. However, if you hail from the USA, Western Europe, or other areas of Latin America, you can stay visa-free for up to 180 days. This gives an excellent chance to sort out all the necessary paperwork to live and work in Mexico.
A person wishing to reside longer than 180 days must apply for an Immigrant Visa. It might be easiest to first apply for a Temporary Residence Visa. These apply to people staying there for more than six months but less than four years.
USA
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The USA, also known as the “land of the free,” attracts countless people. With a strong economy and education system, this is an excellent place for singles, couples, or families to move to. The range of states to choose from covers every kind of landscape, whether it’s stark deserts, green and forested areas, or coastal cities.
However, it can take time to organize the coveted green card – or even a preliminary visa – to live in the USA, and one way to gain one is via sponsorship by a family member or green cardholder. The USA also runs a “green card lottery” to help immigrants attain residency.
The best way into the USA involves sponsoring. An employer or family member agrees to support you for an initial period. Only US citizens, employers, or an immediate family member qualify as sponsors.
“A Green Card is a Permanent Residence Visa for the United States. The residence card will give you the legal right to study, work, and live permanently in the United States. Green Card holders receive health, education, and several other benefits. If you are selected to receive a Permanent Residence Card, you can apply for United States Citizenship later if you wish. The Green Card does not affect your present citizenship. You and your family could be lucky Green Card holders if you act now and apply for the Green Card Program today!”
– US Green Card Office
Try your luck – Apply for a green card at the US Green Card Office website
New Zealand
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New Zealand is a great yet the easiest country to immigrate to with its forward-thinking government. It has plenty to offer besides its coveted Lord of the Rings universe legacy. There are two islands to choose from – North and South Island – which have great cities, quaint towns, and stunning surrounding scenery.
New Zealand seems to be one of the easiest places to do business, so it is ideal for entrepreneurs. It also has an excellent public healthcare system, offering free or heavily-subsidized medical care, making it popular for families and placing it among the easy countries to immigrate to.
Often, a work permit or visa applied for in hard-to-fill farming positions makes for your best option if you don’t qualify as self-reliant or on an independent income. Note, though, that some University degrees in New Zealand require an additional course within the country for your papers to be recognized. This applies to professional people like doctors as well.
Planning to visit? Make sure to only stay at one of the 11 Best Hotels in Wellington or the 11 Best Hotels in Christchurch.
Singapore
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Singapore is such a tiny dot on the world map that people often wonder if it’s a country or another big city. It’s not only the most expensive city in the world but has consistently ranked at the top of the cleanest cities too. Despite all the weird things you can get fined in Singapore, this country is great for entrepreneurs and the second-easiest country to do work business travel. However, you must first find a job to apply for permanent residency. Once there and gainfully employed, cash grants are available for start-up companies to make a go on your own.
This island city-state has plenty to choose from for those who love shopping, including the top designer brands. It’s also a foodie haven where street food is as tempting as the Michelin-starred restaurants. Indeed, it’s among the most developed countries in Asia and offers reasonably liberal immigration and citizenship rules.
Unless you qualify as an unmarried child of a resident or a spouse of a citizen, you must apply for permanent residency. Qualified people who expect to earn more than $4000 a month are more likely to get a permit or a visa. Note that Singapore is not keen on employing unskilled workers.
Paraguay
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Paraguay is one of the hidden gems in South America. Despite being enviously situated at the heart of one of the most thrilling continents on the planet, it is ignored by most travelers. Paraguay is a country that exhibits some of the greatest examples of architecture with modern cities and vast exotic natural reserves with a total of 34 government-protected wildlife areas. It is home to matchless biodiversity, including 500 species of birds, 200 species of reptiles and amphibians, crocodilians, jaguars, and pumas.
Paraguay attracts retirees and expats to South America. The low cost of living, low taxes, and the land-locked country’s stable economy stretch their pensions and let them live in relative comfort. Paraguay is also a sub-tropical region with beautiful scenery and landscapes.
What makes getting permanent residency relatively easy is that you only need to have $5,000 in the bank to move there. The cash gets deposited in the Paraguayan Central Bank. The best way into Paraguay is to establish a company or purchase agricultural land for business. If your application is granted, you may not remain outside Paraguay for more than three years.
Canada
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Canada is among the friendliest countries in the world, one of the easy countries to immigrate to, and one of the safest to live in. The scenery is stunning throughout, with great outdoor-living opportunities.
Canada also offers superb healthcare and education, making it ideal for families on the move. Three of Canada’s major cities rank among the most liveable cities, namely Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary; they are also among the most visited cities in Canada. Also, if you are fond of maple syrup, you have moved to the right place!
The best way to get started with your application begins by using an Immigration agent. The good news is that there’s a special program for those immigrating to Canada, including home relocation visas. Skilled workers get priority. The authorities look at four categories for qualification. These include a qualification in your field of expertise. Plus, working knowledge of English and French, at least one year of complete employment records, a job offer in Canada, and an ability to adapt to the ways of the country.
Germany
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Germany’s rich and varied history is best experienced in its small towns with well-laid out cobbled streets, half-timbered homes, and looming castles. History is everywhere you look in this country of spectacular scenery and architectural masterpieces. For a break from the urban wonders, an escape to the countryside is as intoxicating. The breathtakingly beautiful Alps form the perfect backdrop to sprawling vineyards, while the beautiful shores of the North and Baltic Seas have strategically placed resorts and spas to keep you transfixed.
Germany has a strong economy and boasts the lowest levels of unemployment in the EU. The first-world country offers an excellent level of education, and its universities are among the best. With a choice of great cities, like Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich, as well as beautiful scenery and fairy-tale castles, Germany has a strong draw for immigrants. Don’t forget the great food and some of the best beer in the world! Oktoberfest, anyone?
Commonly approved visas are for family reunification, business investment, employment offers, and study. In all cases, financial stability proof is required. Once again, skilled workers are preferred.
Australia
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This vast island country is a favorite, with many people wishing to immigrate. This is due to its great weather, friendly people, quality of life, and chilled-out lifestyle. Adelaide, Melbourne, and Perth are three of the world’s most livable cities, but Australia is also famous for its wide-open spaces, great weather, and remarkable beaches.
Australia offers an excellent standard of healthcare and education, and it is relatively easy to get permanent residency there. The average salary makes up for this despite being a rather expensive place to live. All this combined makes Australia the best and the easiest country to immigrate to.
Note that Australia seldom issues residency visas for people over 45. Plus, fluency in English helps a lot. Skilled applicants likely get preferential acceptance. However, much like in New Zealand, another way in is via job offers – which come with a work visa – in hard-to-fill positions in the agricultural sector. You won’t start on the top of the rungs, but it’s a good way in if you don’t mind manual labor.
Facts about the easiest countries to immigrate to
- Some countries don’t allow dual citizenship. This means you must renounce your citizenship to be a citizen of the new designated country.
- Consider moving to countries within your continent first. They’re usually more accepting and require less hassle in terms of paperwork.
- Honorary mentions among the easiest countries to migrate to: Uruguay and Ecuador also offer relatively easy residency transfer processes for those earning roughly $1,500 a month. The United Arab Emirates has been known as the easiest country to move to if you get a job offer that is likely to pay well. More and more countries like Thailand and Indonesia are planning to make it easier for digital nomads to stay longer – and tax-free – in their territory.