Leaving America After the Election? Here's Where to Go

Now the 2020 presidential election is over, the latest trends indicate that a lot of you want to escape the US.

Maybe you’re a disgruntled Republican, mad about the result. Maybe you’re a Democrat in a stubbornly red area. Maybe you’re just concerned about the direction the country is heading in.

In any case, we’ve got you covered with the best available options for starting your new life as a happy expat, drawn from the list of countries that are currently letting Americans in, which is limited due to the global coronavirus crisis.

We’ve arranged them in order of how many Americans live there.

Mexico

Pachuca’s Las Palmitas neighborhood captures the colorful nature of Mexico

If you’re ready to leave the US in your dust, Mexico is your easiest destination, both in terms of distance and the number of American expats living there.

You can also stay in the country for 180 days before applying for a longer-term visa. You can fill out that application via the Mexican embassy, but the site warns there may be delays.

The land border is closed, so make sure you fly in, and expect to undergo a health screening upon arrival in the country.

Brazil

Brazil is a stunning, exuberant country, with beautiful weather and beaches. Unfortunately, it has dealt poorly with COVID-19, to the extent that it’s the only country apart from the US to have suffered more than 160,000 deaths from the virus so far.

As a result, it’s been labelled “Level 4 Travel Advisory (Do Not Travel) due to COVID-19” by the US government – but if you want to move anyway, Brazil and hundreds of thousands of expats will welcome you.

You don’t need a visa if you’re staying for 90 days or fewer, so feel free to sample life in the country before committing. When you’re ready to move to Brazil, you can apply for the relevant visa on the embassy’s site.

South Korea

As with most nations on this list, you can stay here for 90 days without a visa, before applying here if you’d like to make the move permanent.

South Korea is an economic powerhouse, culturally and gastronomically fascinating, and much more adept at coping with the global pandemic than most countries, with just 476 deaths so far.

You’ll be screened on arrival, and regardless of the results, you’ll have to stay in quarantine for 14 days or potentially face deportation.

Costa Rica

You can trek through countless stunning landscapes like this one

Again, you can get 90 visa-less days to try out Pura Vida, which means “pure life” and encapsulates the Costa Rican way of life: relaxed, happy, and carefree.

Make sure to complete the government’s Health Pass form before you travel to Costa Rica – and if you love life in this paradise of rainforests, coffee, and beaches, you can either apply for a provisional or temporary residence visa.

If you have a relative in Costa Rica, you may even be able to bypass that step and qualify for permanent residence.

Ireland

Maybe you have an ancestral connection to Ireland, or maybe you like the idea of living in a welcoming, English-speaking country that’s part of the European Union.

If you fly across the Atlantic to the Emerald Isle, you can stay for 90 days before applying for a longer term visa.

It may not have the sunny outlook of most countries on this list, but its gorgeous landscapes and friendly inhabitants make moving to Ireland a worthy prospect.

Ecuador

You can visit this South American gem for 90 days without a visa, after which you can apply for a temporary visa, but be warned: as in the country itself, you’ll need to speak some Spanish to get by.

It’s worth learning the language though, if it enables you to see this country. From its beaches to its snow-capped Andes volcanoes, Ecuador has enough wonders to keep you in constant amazement for the rest of your life.

And that’s without even mentioning the Galápagos Islands, which contain animals and plants you can’t see anywhere else in the world.

Turkey

Natural ponds in Pamukkale – and yes, that color is real

You need a visa to stay in Turkey for 90 days, and obviously one for a longer stay too. You can apply for both at this government website.

You’ll have to complete a form on arrival, and allow officials to check you for COVID-19 symptoms. If you show any signs of the virus, you’ll be asked to take a test.

Once you’ve jumped through these simple hoops though, Turkey is uniquely captivating. It has 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including a temple at Göbekli Tepe that was built around 12,000 years ago – before the invention of the wheel or written language.

Egypt

You must have a visa to stay in the country for 30 days, and you can apply for one at Egypt’s useful online visa portal, where you can also request a longer-stay visa.

Upon arrival, you and all visitors over six years old must show authorities a paper copy of a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken at most 96 hours before your flight’s departure time.

There’s something for everyone in Egypt, from the Pyramids, ancient temples, and museums, to the beaches and astounding landscapes. Visit the mind-blowing White Desert National Park, then see if you can will yourself to leave such a beautiful country.

Barbados

You can stay in Barbados for 180 days without a visa, but only if you complete this travel form at least 24 hours before you leave for the island.

To enter the country, you must hand over a negative COVID-19 PCR test that you took within 72 hours of your arrival. You’ll then have to quarantine for free at a government facility, or at a designated hotel or approved villa at your expense.

In either case, you’ll be monitored daily for symptoms, and must produce another negative test before you can move around freely, and enjoy the island’s beaches, rum, and giant Baobab Tree.

Summary

As you can see, there are plenty of destinations around the world for you to choose between, from neighbouring Mexico to nations in every part of the globe.

And now you know the countries which will accept you if you leave the US, you’re ready to take the next step.

You can do just that by filling in this form for free shipping quotes from trusted experts who can move your belongings to your new home.