How To Become an Expat

Ever since Trump has gotten elected, people searching for advice on how to become an expat has skyrocketed. For most of us, the idea of becoming a former US citizen is alluring—but not quite doable. But, if you really do want to leave your country, it's possible to become an expat in the right circumstances.

Wondering what it takes to join the expat community? Here's how to become an expat.

First, really think about whether you're serious about this.

In most cases, leaving the country means that you will have to leave everything behind. You will have to sell your home and most of your goods because it will cost a lot in order to actually take them with you. If you don't have a job that allows you to work remotely, you will have to quit your job.

Also, you might want to think about your friends and family. Are you really willing to leave them behind? In many cases, you might have a hard time re-entering the country in the case of an emergency. If you can't bear to walk away from everyone, then don't go.

If you go to a foreign country where you don't speak the language, you will likely have to go back to school to learn it. Moreover, many countries may not accept American schooling or certification. So, you might need to go to school again. Are you willing to do that?

Choose a country to expatriate to.

Most people who expatriate choose to go to a country where English is still the most commonly spoken language. This is because it's generally easier to get along when you don't have to gesture to people to be understood. Good English-speaking countries to consider include Canada, England, New Zealand, Belize, and Australia.

If you choose to go to a country that doesn't speak English, you may want to take into account current laws, how open they are to American expats, as well as the overall political climate. That being said, many top choices for expats include China, Mexico, Brazil, Thailand, and India. If your serious about making the leap, make sure to read the guide on the top countries for American expats.

People who want to leave the country but are homesick may want to look into countries that directly border the US. This way, seeing family will be doable—and a lot less expensive. Living in a country far away from everyone you know can be painful on a number of levels, so this may be a good option for those new to the expat life.

Once you choose a country, you will need to do your research.

Find out as much as you can about the country you want to move to. What are the most commonly spoken local languages? Where are all the expats moving to in that country? How much is the cost of living? What's the climate like? How friendly are they towards Americans?

You also need to think about your demographic, too. If you're LGBTQ, you might also want to know how open they are to gay rights. Some countries even offer LGBTQ resorts, which is a great way to dip your toes into the culture. If you're female, find out what rights women have. Some countries are hostile to certain religions, so make sure that your religion won't be an issue.

These things will give you a good idea of whether you really could live in this country without going crazy. If all seems good, you will need to look into what rules govern expats moving into your new country of choice. After all, every country will have different rules about how to become an expat in their land.

Before you start gathering things up, find out the FULL details on all these questions:

• Do they offer citizenship to those who aren't born there?
• Do they have citizenship offers to people who have relatives born there?
• How long do you have to be there before you're a permanent resident?
• Are there any laws that could bar you from being a citizen there?
• Do you need a visa to go there?
• How do you pay taxes there? (Americans are still required to pay taxes to the IRS when abroad, unless they renounce citizenship.)
• Do they offer any special programs for people who want to become citizens there? Canada will allow people to immigrate there if they have high-demand skills and a job lined up. Most countries will let you live there for long amounts of time if you have work there. Some countries, such as Malta or Cyprus, will give you instant citizenship if you invest money there.

Start applying for jobs abroad.

You will need to start branching out to find a job abroad—at least, in many cases. Most people can't get to another country by the seat of their pants, so it's often better to just get into a program that offers expats living abroad support, better wages, and more.

Some of the more common ways to get jobs abroad include:

• English teaching programs. These are popular in Korea, China, Japan, and elsewhere.
• Networking. Many expats who were hellbent on moving countries found jobs by networking with other expats or leaders in their field that lived abroad.
• Au pair programs. If you're okay with doing childcare, then au pair work is excellent. There are plenty of sites that will pair you with the right family—and there's a need all over the place.
• Actually visiting the country to find a job. There are quite a few who showed up in the country before they even had a job. This isn't advisable, but if it works for you, it works. I've seen a couple of guides on how to become an expat suggest this route, but it's risky. If you do this, make sure to have savings to get back home after a while—just in case.
• Transfer. If you work for a multinational corporation, you might be able to get your expat journey started by transferring to a job in a different country.
• Consider government jobs. The US government actually provides expats moving options—as long as they work for Uncle Sam. Soldiers, navy personnel, and even embassy employees can get hired and live abroad. That being said, more "glamorous" jobs like journalist positions tend to remain stateside, so make sure you're okay with harder work.

Much like with any job you'd have in your home country, having a stellar résumé, a good attitude, and a smart look will go far. If you are student-age, you might just want to apply to colleges abroad as a way to get your expat on.

Move when you're ready.

As long as you have the right paperwork and budget, you can set up temporary (or permanent) residency in a different country fairly quickly. It all depends on how "ready" you are to actually do it, and how willing you are to do it ASAP.

Being an expat is a lot more than just mulling over leaving your home country and reading articles about how to become an expat. It's actually about doing it. Doing it takes a lot of mental fortitude, and it's not always the easiest to cope with. So, if you aren't ready quite yet, don't panic. Move when you feel it's time to move.