Moving abroad: a practical checklist for Americans

Who this is for

This page is for U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are moving abroad for any reason — a job assignment, a business opportunity, retirement, family, or a lifestyle choice. It covers the practical and financial items that matter most in the first phase of an international move: the period before departure and the months immediately after arrival.

The focus is on the things Americans are often surprised to learn: that U.S. tax filing continues regardless of where you live, that foreign bank accounts require separate reporting, and that a standard U.S. health insurance plan usually does not work abroad. None of this is reason not to go. It is just the orientation that makes the transition smoother.

Passport, visa, and residency documents

Passport validity. Many countries require that your passport be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned entry date. Check your destination country's specific requirement well before you travel — if your passport expires within that window, renew it before you leave. U.S. passport processing times have varied significantly in recent years; apply early.

Visa and residency permits. The requirements vary entirely by country and by the purpose of your move. A work visa, retirement visa, family reunification permit, investment visa, and a digital nomad visa are all different things with different processes, documentation requirements, and rights. Research your specific destination's immigration authority directly or through an immigration attorney in that country. This is not an area to approach casually.

Residence registration. Many countries require foreigners to register with local authorities within a set number of days of arrival — sometimes 7 days, sometimes 30, sometimes more. This registration is separate from your visa and is often required before you can open a bank account or access local services. Find out what is required in your destination before you arrive.

U.S. tax obligations to set up early

The single most important thing to understand before moving abroad: U.S. tax filing obligations do not stop when you leave the country. The U.S. taxes based on citizenship, not residency. Every U.S. citizen and permanent resident must continue to file a federal tax return reporting worldwide income, regardless of where they live or how long they have been abroad.

This is not as alarming as it sounds. Most Americans abroad end up owing little or no additional U.S. tax — but only because they use the right tools. The two main tools are:

• The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) — allows qualifying Americans abroad to exclude up to $132,900 (2026) of foreign earned income from U.S. federal income tax. See the FEIE complete guide for who qualifies and how it works.
• The Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) — provides a credit for income taxes paid to a foreign government, which can offset U.S. tax on the same income. Often the better strategy in high-tax countries. See the FEIE vs FTC guide to understand when each applies.

You cannot simply assume one of these applies to you — the right strategy depends on your income, the country you are moving to, and how you earn your income. The earlier you understand these tools, the better your first filing year will go.

Filing deadlines shift. Americans living abroad get an automatic two-month extension on the April 15 deadline — pushing it to June 15. A further extension to October 15 is available. See the expat tax deadlines guide for the full picture, including the FBAR deadline (which is separate from your tax return).

Self-employed abroad? Self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare) is a separate obligation from income tax, and the FEIE does not reduce it. Read the self-employment abroad guide before you launch anything as an independent contractor overseas.

Banking, foreign accounts, and FBAR

Opening a local bank account. You will almost certainly need a local bank account in the country where you live — for receiving salary, paying rent, and daily transactions. The process and requirements vary by country. Some countries require a local address before they will open an account, which can create a chicken-and-egg problem for new arrivals. Research the common local banks in your destination and understand the documentation they require.

Keeping a U.S. bank account. Keep at least one U.S. bank account open if at all possible. This simplifies receiving U.S.-sourced income, making IRS payments, and maintaining a U.S. financial footprint. Banks that are friendly to expats (do not automatically close accounts when they detect foreign addresses) include online banks and some of the larger national banks. This varies and can change — ask your bank directly before you move.

The FBAR requirement. Any U.S. person whose combined foreign financial account balances exceed $10,000 at any point during the year must file an FBAR (FinCEN Form 114). This is a separate filing from your tax return, filed electronically with FinCEN. The penalty for willful non-filing is severe — up to $100,000 per account per year or 50% of the account balance, whichever is greater. Most Americans who open a foreign bank account and receive a paycheck will cross the $10,000 threshold immediately.

Use the free FBAR filing checker to confirm whether you are required to file, and read the full FBAR and FATCA guide for thresholds, deadlines, and how to file.

Health and travel insurance planning

Standard U.S. health insurance plans — employer-sponsored or individually purchased — typically do not provide meaningful coverage outside the United States. Before you move, verify exactly what your current plan covers internationally (most cover emergency stabilization only, not routine care), and plan accordingly.

Local public health systems. Many countries have public healthcare that expatriate residents can access, either immediately upon arrival or after a qualifying period. Some countries require private health insurance as part of the visa application. Research your specific destination — access, quality, and cost of local care vary enormously by country.

Employer-provided coverage. If you are moving for a company assignment, your employer may provide international health coverage. Review the terms of that coverage carefully — particularly for coverage during home visits to the U.S., coverage for dependents, and what happens to coverage if you leave the employer while still abroad.

International and travel health insurance options. Several insurance products exist specifically for people living or traveling abroad — from annual international health plans (which work like standard health insurance but with global coverage) to travel health insurance products designed for shorter or less settled periods abroad.

Whatever you choose for health coverage, make sure you understand it before you need it — what is and is not covered, how to make a claim from abroad, and whether your coverage includes evacuation.

Mail, phone, address, and records

U.S. mailing address. You need a valid U.S. mailing address for IRS correspondence, financial statements, and government mail. Options include using a family member's address (make sure they are willing to forward your mail), a commercial mail forwarding service, or a virtual mailbox service. The address you provide to the IRS on your tax return should be reliable — if the IRS sends a notice and it is returned undeliverable, the timeline for responding still runs from the date of the notice.

Updating your address with key institutions. Before you leave, update your address with your bank(s), brokerage accounts, the IRS (Form 8822, Change of Address), Social Security Administration (if applicable), any insurance providers, and your state tax authority if your state has income tax and you need to establish your changed domicile.

U.S. phone number. It is worth keeping a U.S. phone number active — for two-factor authentication on U.S. financial accounts, verifying your identity with the IRS or banks, and general communication. Services like Google Voice (free, works internationally) or an inexpensive U.S. SIM with low-cost data can serve this purpose without maintaining a full U.S. phone plan.

Document copies. Before you leave, scan and store digital copies of every important document: passport (data page and visa pages), driver's license, Social Security card, birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable, property documents, insurance policies, medical records, and vaccination history. Store them in a secure cloud location that you can access from anywhere. Physical copies of your most important documents should travel with you.

State tax considerations. Depending on which U.S. state you lived in, moving abroad may or may not end your state tax filing obligation. Some states — including California, New York, and Virginia — have very aggressive rules about what constitutes domicile and may continue to assert a filing obligation even after you leave. Research your specific state's rules before you go, and consider whether you need to formally establish domicile elsewhere before departing.

Before you leave: a short checklist

• Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned return or residency period
• Visa or residency permit obtained (if required for your destination and move type)
• U.S. mailing address confirmed and mail forwarding set up
• Key institutions notified of address change (bank, brokerage, IRS Form 8822)
• At least one U.S. bank account confirmed to remain open
• U.S. phone number solution in place
• Digital copies of all important documents stored securely in the cloud
• Health insurance coverage for the transition period confirmed (gap between U.S. employer coverage ending and new coverage beginning)
• Understood your U.S. tax filing obligation abroad and the tools available (FEIE, FTC)
• Aware of the FBAR requirement and the $10,000 threshold
• State tax domicile implications reviewed (if you are leaving a high-scrutiny state)
• Enrolled in the State Department STEP program for your destination country

After you arrive: a short checklist

• Complete any mandatory local registration with immigration or municipal authorities within the required timeframe
• Open a local bank account (bring all documentation: passport, visa, proof of address, employer letter if applicable)
• Obtain a local SIM card and confirm your U.S. number is still accessible
• Locate the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate and note their emergency contact information
• Confirm your health coverage is active for your location (and understand how to use it)
• Start tracking your foreign bank account balances — you will need maximum balances for FBAR at year-end
• Begin tracking days outside the U.S. if you plan to qualify via the Physical Presence Test for FEIE
• Find a qualified expat tax preparer or confirm your tax software can handle your situation before next filing season
• If self-employed: set up quarterly estimated tax payments from the start

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Written by

Ken Hoven

U.S. expat with 14+ years of international experience — eight-plus years in Qatar, three-plus years in China, currently based in Hyderabad, India. Has navigated this transition multiple times across three countries. Not a CPA or immigration attorney — a practitioner writing from direct experience.  More about this site →