What are my options?

One does not simply move to another country. Due to millennia of policies restricting foreigners that evolved into our current global capitalist surveillance states, every nation has rules about who can enter, for how long, and under what conditions. The following is a general overview of your options.

In addition to this guide, see the Country list for the raw list of each country's visa options. Once you decide on a visa type and a country, see Getting_Started_with_Visas_and_Immigration to start your visa process.

Claiming Asylum

There is currently no known case of a US citizen that has successfully claimed asylum based on LGBTQ+ status anywhere in the world. As of now, no government of any country has publicly stated that they would grant asylum to a US citizen on the basis of their LGBTQ+ status.

That said, for those who have no other options, claiming asylum in a country like Canada may be the least worst option. If you would feel safer leaving the US now and living in a foreign country while waiting for your asylum decision to be processed, and understanding the chance that your claim could be rejected and you would be forced to leave, then it is an option worth considering.

Internationally, the US is still regarded as having a functional legal system that theoretically gives us recourse to discrimination and violence. It's also assumed persecuted minorities can simply flee internally to a "blue state." But this is changing as events develop and other governments' attitudes toward US refugee acceptability may change by the time an asylum application is fully processed.

We will continue to share updates on this topic as they develop.

Work Permit

You can apply for a job with a company in your desired country. Certain qualifications in tech are very sought after. Typically there is an extra process/registration the company has to complete that will allow you to obtain a work permit and immigrate to that country. Most work permits are for 1-3 years and can be renewed.

Some countries like Canada have special agreements (CUSMA) that allow employers to skip some of the paperwork for US candidates, such as having to justify that they couldn't find anyone else in-country for the job.

If you work for a company with international offices, you may be able to obtain a work permit via an intra-company transfer, as well.

University or Student Visa

Obtaining a student visa is another path you might consider. Many countries have programs for international students and provide long-term visas that allow individuals to live, study, and sometimes even work part-time during their stay. Tuition fees are generally lower than in the United States. Depending on the country, enrolling in a university program, language course, vocational school, or even performing volunteer service may be a viable way to obtain a student visa.

Some countries like Spain offer a student visa with an Au Pair option for those who are willing to do house work/childcare while studying that pays for room and board.

Remote Worker / Digital Nomad

Some countries offer "digital nomad" visas that allow you to work remotely for a job based outside of the country you're staying in. These visas are typically valid for stays up to 180 days to one or two years. Some are renewable. Many countries will want to see proof of employment and that the employer specifically allows you to work remotely.

In many cases, these can be limited with respect to access to healthcare, pathways to permanent residency/citizenship or have other limitations. But they can offer a comparatively quick exit-strategy to buy some time, depending on the country.

Here's a summary of countries with digital nomad options:

Country	Term Length	Income Required	Employer Letter Needed
Argentina	180 days, renewable		Yes (references)
Brazil	1 year, renewable for 1 more	$1,500/mo or $18,000 saved	Yes (contract)
Canada	180 days, it's actually just a tourist visa	N/A	Border control may ask
Costa Rica	1 year, renewable for 1 more	$3,000/mo
Estonia	1 year, renewable for 1 more	€4,500 net/mo
Iceland	180 days	ISK 1mil
Japan	6 months, non-renewable	¥10mil yen (~$70,000)
Malta	1 year, renewable	€42,000/yr
Mexico	1 year, renewable indefinitely	$4,200/mo or $73,235.29 saved	Yes
New Zealand	1 year
Portugal	1 to 5 years	€3,480/mo plus €10,440 in savings
Romania	90 days	RON 8,355
Spain	1 year, renew up to 5	€2,368	Yes
Taiwan
Uruguay	180 days, renewable once	None

Family Reunification

Many countries offer a way to obtain a residence permit by proving you have an immediate relative legally living in the country. This includes spouses and sometimes parents or children or other relatives.

Citizenship by Descent

Some countries (especially in Europe) allow you to gain citizenship if you can prove you're a direct descendant of a citizen. Typically you must have a parent or grandparent who was a citizen but some countries have byzantine rules and exceptions that can allow access if you are linked to more distant relatives. This requires legal help. This process also takes time.

Wandering Nomad

This option is very risky as you will be continually moving and subject to the whims of border agents who may question whether you are truly a "tourist" visiting their country.

In theory you can wander from country to country as a tourist and will have a limited time to stay in each country. Some countries offer US citizens up to 180-day stays, but many offer only up to 90 days.

Note that when you enter a country as a tourist, border agents may want to see round-trip tickets in/out of the country as well as reservations for lodging.

Also note that performing work while in the country typically will require a visa that specifically allows for that.

Independent Means / Retiree / "Rentista"

Some countries like Mexico, Costa Rica, and Portugal offer temporary residence visas (that can be renewed indefinitely) for those who can prove they have a certain amount of money in the bank or earn a certain level of passive monthly income. You may or may not be allowed to work for local companies on these types of permits, so check the rules for whatever country you are considering if obtaining local work is important to you.

Country	Term Length	Income or Savings Required
Costa Rica	2 years	Pension: $1,000/mo Rentista: $2,500/mo or $60,000 in special account
Cyprus	1 year, renewable	€24,000
Mexico	1 year, renewable	$4,200/mo or $73,235.29 saved
Portugal	1 to 5 years	€3,480/mo plus €10,440 in savings
Spain	1 year, renew up to 5	€2,400/mo or €28,800 saved

Golden Visa

More formally known as "Immigrant Investor Programs," These visas allow you instant permanent residence or citizenship if you make a cultural, business, or real estate investment in-country. The EU is trying to phase this out among its member states.

Citizenship by Investment

Country	Price
Dominica	$100,000 economic diversification investment, or $200,000 real estate investment
Malta	$870,000 business investment (ruled illegal by the EU May 2025)
Nauru	$105,000 climate action contribution
Saint Kitts and Nevis	$250,000 economic contribution, or $400,000 approved real estate investment
Saint Lucia	$240,000 economic contribution, or $300,000 approved real estate investment
Vanuatu	$130,000 economic development contribution

Residence by Investment

Country	Price	Type of Residency
Cyprus	€300,000	Permanent residence
Greece	€250,000 real estate investment, or €400,000 in securities or bank deposit	Permanent residence
Hungary	€155,000 real estate investment	Temporary residence, can get PR after 3 years
Italy	€250,000 startup investment gives 2yr residence permit	Temporary 2 year residence
Latvia	€50,000 to a Latvian company that pays at least €40k in taxes	Temporary, renewable
Portugal	€250,000 cultural donation, or €500,000 business investment	Temporary 5 year residency, PR after those 5 years
Spain	€500,000 investment	Temporary 1 year residence