Operator, I need an exit.
Welcome
Take a deep breath. You are here and you're not alone. Remember you don't need to be extra rich/able-bodied/etc to flee the US. Don't despair. have a look at the following resources and reach out if you have more questions
Country List
TL;DR: Here's a list of countries with some comparisons links to individual country pages. For more tips and a step by step guide to leaving, keep reading!
Trans World Express
Mission
Assist people under threat from fascism to migrate to safer communities by connecting people with resources to people in need.
Vision
We ensure the freedom, safety and well-being of everyone having to flee and everyone helping them. Our solidarity transcends borders. We are one people.
Scope
We can't help all the people who need help from the get go. We need to focus on the people that we actually can help with the resources we have in the current situation. Right now, this is trans people in the US with the means to relocate to a different country and a chance to qualify for residency, by providing them with the information they need, including contacts to support groups and job networks. This scope will grow as our resources, capabilities and networks grow.
Step-by-step: How to plan your exit
Finding a new place to settle in is not trivial and requires some careful (emergency) planning as well as doing some important logistical steps. The steps below are aimed at giving you some guidance/idea of how to break things down into hopefully more manageable tasks:
What are my options?
You generally can't just (legally) drop in to any country and live there forever. See What are my options? for overall paths to legal residency.
How can I prepare? General tips
Regardless of the specific exit route you plan to take (or have to take), you should get started with some general preparations that will be useful:
- The Emergency Preparedness page gives you an idea of how to pack a go-bag, but also and importantly: How to prepare your documents. Most immigration routes require not only passport, but also having other documents such as birth certificates, criminal records, diplomas etc. that are apostilled (i.e. certified for international use).
- The Birth Certificates & Vital Records page has more information about the paperwork too.
- To prepare for more acute/immediate evacuation plans, check the Evacuation Checklist.
How to decide where to go?
The best option of where to go will depend on a wide range of personal factors. This includes how easy it will be to get an immigration pathway (e.g. due to work options, option of getting a second citizenship due to ancestry, …), social connections (family/friends in a place), intersecting identities (e.g. forms of racism in different places) or healthcare needs.
Check the list of countries and their immigration rules
We have started a table that compares countries depending on the types of visas and residency pathways they offer (including if they offer work visas, citizenship by ancestry and digital nomad visas). This is a good place to narrow down the list of countries, depending on your situation!
Moving forward once you decide on a place
Once you've narrowed down your options or decided on a place through a visa route, it's time to prepare your next steps:
- Getting started with Visas and Immigration gives you an idea of how to get started, different visa types and reiterates the paperwork you are likely to need. The specific country pages furthermore might offer more details on a country's visa processes.
- If you have pets, this is also a good time to read up on the country-specific regulations for bringing a pet with you, as this will likely include paperwork too.
- You should consider how to transfer/take your money internationally, and the corresponding tax implications as a US citizen.
- Now is also a good time to get started with your cultural adaptation to what will be your new home.
How you Can Help
If you want to help, as a resident in a destination country or in the United States, for now, reach out to us via the contacts listed below.