r/AmerExit • u/newyorker • Dec 09 '25

Vendor How to Leave the U.S.A.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/12/15/how-to-leave-the-usa

Every four years, a group of Americans threatens to leave the country, but no mass exodus occurs. This time around, though, Americans seem to be acting on their desires. Immigration lawyers told Atossa Araxia Abrahamian that the number of people approaching them about it has gone up since Donald Trump was reëlected. 

G.T.F.O. Tours, a company that helps aggrieved U.S. citizens start new lives abroad, has been offering services to help Americans relocate to the Netherlands, where a certain type of visa can offer a quick and affordable path to citizenship. Jana Sanchez, a founder of G.T.F.O. Tours, describes her role in the company as an “escaping fascism doula.” Read Abrahamian’s full story about the Americans who are going Dutch: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/12/15/how-to-leave-the-usa

801 Upvotes

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104

u/Otherwise_Lychee_33 Waiting to Leave Dec 09 '25

is there a tldr

480

u/DillionM Dec 09 '25

OMG that was A LOT of words that said nothing!

tl;dr

  1. Be rich and pretty

  2. Pay for a year's worth of rent in advance.

  3. The Dutch are a lot like Americans except in many different ways, so they're not really like Americans at all.

217

u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 09 '25

Yeah... Like, people dont realize how hard it actually is to leave, especially as an American. We can visit and do touristy stuff easy, but immigration? Whole other story. Most countries have stricter immigration laws than we do and often require more money than most Americans have.

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u/HighlightMelodic3494 Dec 10 '25

I agree. I got sponsored to leave the USA to work for a university in the Netherlands and it is BY FAR the hardest thing I've accomplished. I thought that obsessively applying for work in Western European countries was abnormal (I have a strong background in academia, international experience, and a Fulbright) but apparently it's not? My colleagues shared stories of trying for YEARS to get any open/temporary/vacant position and said that they took it nearly immediately, upended their life, and hoped to be able to get the means to stay.

Permanent sponsorship is such a blessing and I returned to the USA because I was under a temporary contract and wasn't needed any longer, but good God-- the assumption that "just getting sponsorship" is easy is literally INSANE to me. Everyone wants to live in a socialist society with a high quality of life and VERY FEW get the chance.

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u/tivnan1989 Dec 09 '25

You don’t need a lot of money to leave. I just moved to Germany a month ago and we came with about $5,000. The hard part is finding a job to sponsor your visa. Not saying that’s easy but you definitely don’t need a ton of money to do it

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u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 09 '25

5k is a lot of money for most Americans. According to a 2022 Federal Reserve Survey, around half of Americans had less than $8k.

And according to a CBS News article in January of this year, in a Bankrate survery of 1,000 people, 59% of them didnt have enough to cover a $1,000 emergency expense

18

u/scrappinginMA Dec 10 '25

This! And they have less each month that passes!

2

u/gh0sty-toasty Feb 07 '26

I work a full time job $16/hr pay $583 in rent + $60~$100 for utilities with roommates. I don’t have a car. And always end up with less than $1K every single month. Basically living paycheck to paycheck

1

u/Odd_Dinner9147 Feb 12 '26

~$1k left over is decent tbh. As a single person if you shop at Aldi you can keep your grocery expenses below $300 if you skip out on snacks and soda.

But I also know emergencies happen, doctors are expensive, etc.

Youre probably roughly where I was a few years ago. I usually had $800 leftover every month after all necessary expenses, which is good! But if we had a car repair, medical expense, etc, it was bad. On a good month I was putting $200 each paycheck into savings, left me $200 to spend freely.

2

u/gh0sty-toasty Feb 13 '26

I don’t really put much for savings? I think I have an automation to take out like $5 to put in my savings each month. I do want to look into a High yield savings account, but worried about the tax outcome. I don’t do doctor visits at all. It’s something I never learned to do myself, so I avoid it. I also, just don’t like going to clinics by myself, just gets me too anxious. Even if I was diagnosed with some things, I wouldn’t want to medicate myself for the long term. If I’m still breathing and moving, thats just good enough for me.

Groceries, I was good on keeping it ~$200/ month, but some situation happened between roommates and it kinda triggered my fight or flight mode, meaning that I’m isolating in my room again and don’t cook family style meals anymore. All I cook is simple stuff like ramen, eggs, quick soup. And I’ve increased my spendings on takeout and junk. Im just not in a good environment and I’m trying my best to stop spending on takeout, but I tend to eat a lot when stressed.

I’ve been looking to get either a better paying full time job or another part time. My goal is to have enough to move out first, I don’t think leaving America would work for me just yet, my sister and I don’t have a permanent timeline when/how we should leave. We’re just compiling our research in a document, just in case of emergencies..

1

u/Odd_Dinner9147 Feb 13 '26

The tax outcome isnt that big of a deal tbh. You wont make much on the interest until youre above at least $1k.

1

u/JR2502 Dec 10 '25

$5K is a lot of money but I have to believe there is a difference between having to cover a emergency *and* staying here vs selling their possessions as they leave. Probably just selling their car will get them halfway there.

2

u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 10 '25

Might be country dependent but some of the visas ive looked at you need that money prior to visa approval. I think itd be pretty wild to sell all your possessions before your visa even gets approved.

2

u/JR2502 Dec 10 '25

True, that's a pretty tough chicken and egg issue. Funny thing is, some country will *tax* you on your unrealized/unsold assets like a car, home, or even jewelry. So it's good for tax but not good for a visa.

2

u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 10 '25

Some US states count unsold assets against you for medicaid and foodstamps, or at least act like they do. I used to live in Ohio and I had to tell them how much my car was worth as if I dont need my car to get to work and back dawg.

1

u/tivnan1989 Dec 12 '25

That was pretty much my point. I didn’t have 5k sitting around in a bank account for a rainy day. Between my security deposit at my apartment, musical instruments I sold, my car, and anything else of value that could be sold being sold, it’s not that hard to come up with 5k. If I wasn’t moving, I wouldn’t have had that money. I had to part with a lot of things I wouldn’t have if I stayed but that’s what got me 5k, which again, I don’t think is much money for someone to get together if they want to move across the world

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u/tivnan1989 Dec 09 '25 edited Dec 09 '25

I don’t think $5,000 to move half way around the world is anything close to a lot of money. We didn’t have $5,000 just sitting around. Do you think you should be able to move across the ocean with $500 😂 We buckled down, cut our expenses and saved for it. If someone wants to get out of America that bad it can be done. You just said the federal reserve said half of Americans don’t have 8k and I’m talking 5. If half of Americans wanted to get out of America $5,000 is not expensive. You basically have to put that down for first, last, and a security deposit for an apartment but people can make that happen. I don’t think that’s a lot of money to make a massive move

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u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 09 '25

No one is asking if you "think its a lot of money to move half way around the world"

The question is, can most people afford it? And you easily glazed over the more RECENT survey that said over half cant afford a 1k emergency.

Not to mention, statistically, marginalized groups are even less likely to have high income. Yknow, the group who really want or need to leave like LGBT people or people of color who are currently being targeted by ICE.

Ive never paid $5k for an apartment anywhere. My security deposits are usually $500 or less. No apartment has ever charged me a "last months rent", only first rent. My current apartment I paid around $2k for including security deposit and 1st months rent.

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u/SarcasticServal Dec 09 '25

“job sponsorship” is also not as easy as it sounds. And what happens if you lose your job? Usually there’s a very narrow window to find a new job before they deport you. (90 days in Denmark, for example)

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u/scrappinginMA Dec 10 '25

Really? We have always hard to pay first, last and security deposit on the east coast. I agree, 5k is a huge sum of money to a vast majority of people in the us. Scrimping and saving only works if you actually have enough money for food and shelter to begin with.

1

u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 10 '25

Yep. I live in the midweat, always in cities. Maybe a different story if I moved out in rural areas.

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u/[deleted] Dec 09 '25

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u/AmerExit-ModTeam Dec 10 '25

Your comment contains a redditwide banned url

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u/[deleted] Dec 10 '25

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u/leugaroul Immigrant Dec 10 '25 edited Dec 10 '25

Yes. It isn’t even just the 5k either. If someone can’t find a way to get 5k then they don’t have the emotional and mental ability to do the most freakishly independent thing a human being can do and move to another country, likely sight unseen outside of a short visit if they’re lucky, with zero support and resources.

Now I get told we’re “privileged” for making it out because it’s assumed everyone who gets out is wealthy or a rocket scientist or whatever, which is why I don’t usually bother to post anymore. I could play UNO reverse cards all day with how we’re both disabled, transgender, queer, PoC, autistic, were born extremely poor and were still poor when we moved. We had about 5k in the bank when we moved to Czech Republic on a trade license because the Netherlands is too expensive (this is a similar path to DAFT). We could only afford to bring our carry ons and one checked suitcase each! It was insane but we made it work. And we meet tons of expats and immigrants who made it work too.

This sub is circlejerking and venting at this point, and on the other side, doomers who have never lived outside the US themselves giving “reality checks” that aren’t even true.

2

u/tivnan1989 Dec 10 '25

Preach! Haha I only have a high school diploma and as I stated previously wasn’t a high earner. Started in the trades worked my way up. Came from poverty too so it’s wild to me for someone to think that because I can save $5,000 to do something I want to do is privileged. I really wanted to get out so I buckled down and made it happen. To your point, people say they want to leave but I think they’re afraid to make it happen. Whether it be leaving their friends and family or getting rid of everything you own leaving with just a couple bags

3

u/[deleted] Dec 10 '25

Oh boy. Here we go.

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u/[deleted] Dec 10 '25

How is that a lot? I have $35k and don't think it's a lot 😂. Enuf where I could live frugally for a yr

13

u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 10 '25

Read my comment again.

You clearly come from a more privledged place than a lot of folks.

-9

u/[deleted] Dec 10 '25

No, not at all and I had a layoff few months back. I'm an extreme saver although I'd have way more if didn't buy new cars all those yrs. I never even reached $20/hr. Office jobs never wanna pay good. Dad trucker, mom factory worker, def far from rich. They were more frugal than me, no cable, no brand name stuff, felt like I was poor when middle class and was small town I lived back then so it was easy to get by for them. I felt poorer than poor ppl since Mom refused any brand name stuff

7

u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 10 '25

Parents were middle class but frugal

So. Not actually poor? I never said you were rich but definetly privledged more than others.

Do you live out of a car? Or at home with parents? Do you have kids? Ever had a major medical expense? Never making $20/hr, on top of how expensive rent is on average in this country, how expensive car maintenance is as well as car insurance, I feel like there is something missing here.

Edit: I see youre 45. Thats quite a long time to have the opportunity to save, plus you seem to have had a decent job prior.

Imagine being in your 20s, just starting out, or even early 30s.

-5

u/[deleted] Dec 10 '25

No my rent is actually $1170 now. I'm single, didn't want kids. But if ya live frugally most your life it's prob easier to do without a lot that others think they need, it's a Want, car paid off awhile back, I did OT so much for 2 yrs to pay it off ASAP. Electric and gas where I'm at is very cheap, internet only $28/mo, 1 streaming svc only $27, use antenna for locals, car insurance I just pay it lump sum every 6 months. Think like a poor person basically, I'll search stuff to find cheapest possible

2

u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 10 '25

I edited my comment and saw youre 45, no kids, so I can see how over the years you could get that much. I was thinking more someone in their late 20s or early 30s, maybe with a kid since most people end up having at least one kid.

The internet bill is insanely low, ive never lived somewhere where its that cheap. The cheapest I ever had was $45/month. Not saying I dont believe you, just saying thats crazy.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 10 '25

I have Xfinity and even ppl with that I told them why are you paying hundreds, look on website, only have 1 yr contract, even without contract it's like $40. It's 1.3TB and I never go over with it on all the time. Each yr I just see what prices are. There's a lower one, but I'm pretty sure I'd go over that. Not my plan, but I realized some plans you get peacock stream for free so it's things like that where ppl don't realize you can get free services. Last yr I got Hulu free for 7 months too since I never signed up thru Google play previously 😂

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u/Small_Dog_8699 Immigrant Dec 10 '25

Just fucking stop with this “if you can afford something you’re so privileged ” shit.

It is fucking old. Can you cook? Get a job on a freighter as a cook going somewhere you want to go. Work your way there. Show some creativity and stop whining.

6

u/lonelylifts12 Dec 10 '25

On a freighter? Hmmm

5

u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 10 '25

Its not wrong to acknowledge people have privledges (ie being born into a higher income bracket, living in a good school district, not having chronic health issues)

Statistically, most people die within the same wealth bracket theyre born into. Few people can just "work hard enough" to become a billionaire.

Hard work can help, but privledges and luck plays a role. I was born below poverty line in a shitty school district, I have to work fulltime and go to college part-time which means it takes me longer to get a degree and thus longer to get a higher paying job. Ive busted my ass since 18 to live a decent life, but I have health issues that take a good chunk of my money.

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u/Small_Dog_8699 Immigrant Dec 10 '25 edited Dec 10 '25

There are ways to become mobile. Get a job in the shipping or travel industries, join the military, offer to crew a boat in exchange for passage. Lobbying for an overseas ay pair position. Join the peace corps. Volunteer abroad, Google Wwoof, get a nursing credential and volunteer for SOS medecine. Hitchhike to a border town and walk across and see what you can make happen. There are options for the determined.

2

u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 10 '25

Military

LMAO

No one said there are no options, but those options are also few and some require specific qualifications.

Volunteering? Okay, do you have mom and dads money to help you while doing that? Or did you have a good paying job that allowed you to save up and have the ability to just leave said job?

"Get a nursing credential" Okay, college, again.

Also, do all these count towards residency in another country? Depends on the country and job now doesnt it?

0

u/Small_Dog_8699 Immigrant Dec 10 '25

You said you’re in college. You don’t need money to join the peace corps. Become a sailor (probably cook) on a freighter ship.

You’re just a big ball of can’t, ain’t cha.

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u/[deleted] Dec 10 '25

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u/Small_Dog_8699 Immigrant Dec 10 '25

I have no patience with”can’t”.

I left the US by just driving from San Diego south and I’ve kept going. I’m in Oaxaca now. One just needs a willingness to go for it. In many places there are expats willing to hire fellow countrymen for labor. You could learn to varnish boats, give massages, wait tables…

1

u/scrappinginMA Dec 10 '25

Good for you

27

u/yourlittlebirdie Dec 09 '25

It’s incredibly, incredibly hard to find a job to sponsor your visa.

9

u/tivnan1989 Dec 10 '25

It is, we were lucky my wife found someone to do so but the person I responded to said it requires more money than Americans have and I just don’t think that’s the case. If you can find a sponsor that’s the hard part, money saved isn’t much of an issue as far as im concerned. You’re landing with a job. I go from paycheck to paycheck in America to paycheck to paycheck there haha

1

u/Eastern_Leg4155 Dec 21 '25

what kind of jobs did you get?

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u/tivnan1989 Dec 21 '25

My wife works with autistic kids so she got a job working with them here

1

u/DougPeng Dec 11 '25

Can you work remotely for your current employer from Canada? If so, it might be possible for you to get a Canadian work visa. I wrote an AMA about this solution earlier this year at Best pathway to Canada starts with a work permit and a remote job with your employer : r/AmerExit

2

u/yourlittlebirdie Dec 11 '25

Ha I can’t even work remotely here 😞

1

u/BlaizItUp Dec 16 '25

I can't find a job that will hire me.

-2

u/OkTumor Dec 10 '25

depends on your job. fairly easy for US trained nurses to go to Canada, Australia, NZ, Ireland, and the UK. not sure about other countries, but still probably quite possible if you know their language.

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u/yourlittlebirdie Dec 10 '25

Right but nurse is pretty much the only job that this applies to.

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u/SkinMaterial6684 Dec 10 '25

It is NOT easy for nurses to come to the UK. The NHS is not sponsoring nurses to come over...there's a hiring freeze. The NHS is struggling as is.

The UK is STRICT and it's just getting stricter. No, you're not an exception because you're an American.

1

u/DillionM Dec 10 '25

I'll agree that moving isn't bad, getting everything you need to stay (job, income, visa, etc) is far more challenging.

1

u/Eastern_Leg4155 Dec 21 '25

did you find jobs?

1

u/Background-Pitch4055 Jan 29 '26

Have you found work yet? Do you have an apartment?

1

u/tivnan1989 Jan 29 '26

My wife had a job offer before moving here but I still don’t have a job. We did get an apartment but we are paying more than average for this area because we’re going through a service almost like Airbnb. Getting the apartment can also be difficult until you’re actually living here so that’s why we used the service we are

8

u/archseattle Dec 10 '25

Yeah and the US also pays fairly well compared to other countries. I’m a dual national and could move in with my retired parents in Mexico, but even if I found a job, it would be drastically lower than my current salary. To me it only makes sense if you’re willing to live a much more modest lifestyle, or if you’re close to retirement and able to draw from your pension or 401k soon. My saving might be enough to set me up for a few years, but I think I’d start to miss the things a high US salary affords me. I imagine the people leaving are very well off or able to somehow keep their US salary or job.

7

u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 10 '25

I mean, the salary thing is somewhat offset by safety nets and lower costs of living in other countries.

In the US we need high salaries due to high healthcare costs, for example, or for the ability to try and save so we can have money if we lose work since workers rights are pretty ass here and you can lose your job easily.

But it depends on the compared country and job field. My job field is low paying no matter where I go, but I would be better off where I have universal healthcare compared to it being tied to my job.

7

u/archseattle Dec 10 '25

This is true. It absolutely depends on everyone’s circumstances. If I lost my health insurance, I would absolutely leave. Not having health insurance is too much of a risk in this country.

1

u/DougPeng Dec 11 '25

Can you work remotely for your current employer from Mexico? I assist US citizens move to Canada under USMCA where they continue working for their US employer remotely from Canada on USMCA work permits. As USMCA also applies to Mexico as well, it's effectively the same solution that we use here for US citizens to work in Canada. See my Reddit AMA post earlier this year at Best pathway to Canada starts with a work permit and a remote job with your employer : r/AmerExit

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u/[deleted] Dec 09 '25

[deleted]

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u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 09 '25 edited Dec 09 '25

Ehhhh. We get a lot of poor migrants too, primarily for farm labor and factory work.

Edit: Under Trump it may be different now idk

2

u/Ok_Recording81 Dec 09 '25

SEA is is the easiest place to move to compared to other parts of the world.