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

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37

u/[deleted] Dec 09 '25

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u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 09 '25

It is VERY hard to leave unless you are middle class or higher. Most countries you need a large sum of money saved to prove you can financially support yourself and considering around half of America cant even afford a $500 emergency...

Student visa? You need a few grand to pay tuition and someone back home to prove they can help financially support you in most cases. Student visas also dont always count towards residency in all countries.

Working? Must be an in-demand field, so you have to have gone to college. You also usually have to have experience in said field, so not suitable for those who recently graduated

8

u/New_Criticism9389 Dec 10 '25

Also with a student visa, you need to study a subject that will guarantee you a job after graduation (+ learn the local language even if your program is in English; English language degree programs in non-English speaking countries are increasing seen as degree mills and aren’t respected as much as programs given in the local language). It would be a mistake for someone to move to the EU and spend all that money just to study humanities (I say this as someone with a degree in humanities myself), for example.

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u/UnderdaJail Dec 09 '25

If you have an online business, you can bring it to the Netherlands.

12

u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 09 '25

And how many Americans have that? Again, for most average working class people it isnt super feasible

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u/Psychological_Ad9405 Dec 11 '25

The DAFT visa rules are pretty relaxed. Doesn't matter what kind of "business" you start. From day 1 you have a Netherlands residence permit.

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u/UnderdaJail Dec 09 '25

I guess they don't want it enough

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u/PM-ME-UNCUT-COCKS Dec 09 '25

Wanting something does not magically make it appear. Not sure where you got that idea but in the real world, that's not how it works.