Best country to move to from USA with family

There are numerous factors to consider when moving overseas with your kids.

These include cultural compatibility, local language, quality of education and the healthcare system, cost of health insurance, and travel connections to your country of origin.

For many parents looking to move overseas with their children, the educational ranking of the country in question is a top priority.

According to the World Population Review’s 2025 index, the following 10 countries rank highest for education:

1. Australia
2. Iceland
3. New Zealand
4. Germany
5. Denmark
6. Finland
7. Norway
8. United Kingdom
9. Netherlands
10. Belgium

For universities in particular, the following 10 countries take the top spots, according to US News:

1. United States
2. United Kingdom
3. Spain
4. France
5. Italy
6. Japan
7. Australia
8. Brazil
9. Canada
10. Turkey

U.S. News calculates its index rankings using respondents’ opinions on a range of factors, including cultural accessibility, reputation for being fun, cultural attractions, and whether respondents believe the universities in that country are of high quality.

In general, it is possible to receive a high-quality education in any global region, although especially popular countries include the UK, Canada, Australia, and Japan.

When first moving to a new country, you should also consider international health insurance options for your family, which are likely to vary significantly by country and healthcare system.

Canada

Canada is a popular choice amongst US citizens looking to move abroad. It offers a number of benefits, including close proximity to the US, a friendly and welcoming culture, numerous areas of natural beauty, and affordable healthcare. It is also popular with families, boasting excellent schools and a safe and stable environment.

Visa requirements

The specific requirements for a Canadian visa vary depending on the visa route in question. However, applicants will generally need to satisfy the following criteria:

• Possess a valid passport
• Have a clean criminal record
• Have no history of immigration offences
• Have good health
• Have sufficient financial means to support themselves for the duration of their stay in the country

In addition, if you have a history of criminal activity, human rights violations, or organised crime, you will not be allowed to enter Canada.

Citizenship

Canada provides a route to citizenship for US citizens in the country via an eligible route.
In order to be eligible for Canadian citizenship, you will generally need to satisfy the following criteria:

• Have permanent residence status in Canada
• Have been living in Canada for at least 3 of the last 5 years
• Have satisfied any Canadian tax obligations which you have
• Demonstrate sufficient language proficiency in either English or French (if you are between 18-54 years of age)
• Pass the Canadian citizenship test (if you are between 18-54 years of age) which will test you on the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens and on facts about Canada’s culture, history, geography, and laws

Mexico

Mexico is another popular choice amongst US citizens looking to move overseas, owing to its North American location, rich and thriving culture, work life balance, strong medical services, and choice of climates. It has numerous appealing neighbourhoods for your next stage of family life and many excellent universities.

Visa requirements

The specific visa requirements will vary depending on your visa route and reason for entry. In general, however, you will need to satisfy the following:

• Valid passport
• Proof of Mexican employment (if applicable)
• Proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself for the duration of your visit
• Proof of residence

Citizenship

Mexico provides a route to citizenship for US citizens who satisfy the eligibility criteria. In general, you will need to satisfy the following criteria:

• Have legally resided in Mexico for 2-5 years, depending on your particular visa route
• Have sufficient proficiency in the Spanish language
• Pass a citizenship test, in which you will be tested on Mexican history and culture
• In some cases, demonstrate sufficient Mexican community connections

United Kingdom

The UK is an increasingly popular choice for US citizens looking to move overseas. It offers a similar culture, language compatibility, numerous areas of natural beauty, a rich history and cultural heritage, and world-class universities. It is a great place to raise a family and offers a selection of appealing country and city locations.

Visa requirements

While the exact visa requirements vary between routes, there are some general visa requirements which you will usually need to satisfy, such as:

• Have a valid passport
• Have an offer of work from a licensed UK employer (if applicable)
• Have a clean criminal record
• Demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of your stay

Citizenship

In order to obtain UK citizenship, you will generally need to satisfy the following criteria:

• Have had permanent residence status for at least a year (you generally need to have lived in the UK for at least 5 years in order to be eligible)
• Be of ‘good character’
• Demonstrate sufficient proficiency in the English language
• Pass the ‘Life in the UK’ test

Australia

Australia is a country to which many US citizens choose to relocate. It offers excellent schools, an enviable work life balance, a warm climate, major cities like Sydney, a friendly culture, and numerous outdoor activities, making it an excellent place to raise a family.

Visa requirements

While the exact requirements depend on your chosen route, you will generally need to satisfy the following criteria:

• Valid passport
• Proof of employment by an Australian company (if applicable)
• Clean criminal record
• Proof of the financial means to support yourself for the duration of your stay

Citizenship

In general, in order to become an Australian citizen through naturalization, you will need to satisfy the following criteria:

• Have permanent residence status
• In most cases, have lived in Australia for at least 4 years, and have spent at least 1 of these years as a permanent resident
• Satisfy the ‘good character requirement’
• Pass the Australian citizenship test, which assesses your knowledge of Australian culture and norms
• Demonstrate sufficient proficiency in the English language
• Demonstrate a close and continuing link to Australia

Ireland

Ireland is another popular choice amongst US citizens looking to move overseas with their families. Many Americans have strong cultural ties with Ireland, which boasts numerous areas of natural beauty, close travel connections to the rest of the EU, and excellent schools.

Visa requirements

In general, in order to obtain an Irish visa, you will need to satisfy the following criteria:

• Valid passport
• Proof of sufficient funds to support you for the duration of your stay
• Proof of employment offer (if applicable)

Citizenship

In order to obtain Irish citizenship through naturalization, you will generally need to satisfy the following criteria:

• Have lived in Ireland for the past 5 years and have spent the last 1-year period living in Ireland continuously
• Intend to remain in Ireland after obtaining citizenship
• Satisfy the ‘good character’ requirement
• Have proof of Irish residency for the years which contribute to meeting the residency requirement

Portugal

Portugal has historically been a popular immigration destination for US citizens due to its Golden visa programme, through which Americans could move to Portugal on the basis of a sufficient investment.

Even now that the investment options have been reduced, Portugal remains a popular choice, boasting a warm climate, vibrant culture, and safe environment in which to raise a family. It also provides easy access to other European countries in the European Union, especially if you eventually obtain Portuguese citizenship.

Visa requirements

In general, you will need to satisfy the following criteria in order to obtain a Portuguese visa:

• Valid passport
• Clean criminal record
• Proof of employment offer (if applicable)
• Proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself

Citizenship

In order to obtain Portuguese citizenship via naturalization, you will generally need to satisfy the following criteria:

• Have lived in Portugal for at least 5 years
• Demonstrate sufficient proficiency in the Portuguese language
• Demonstrate sufficient integration into Portuguese life
• Have a clean criminal record

Canada

If you are looking to move to Canada with your family, there are a number of Work visas which you can pursue.

Visas

The Canadian Employer-Specific Work permit is the main Canadian Work visa, which you can apply for if you have an offer of employment from a Canadian employer. In this case, you will be limited to working for the employer who sponsored your original application.

However, Canada also offers an Open Work permit, which allows workers from overseas to work for any Canadian employer and, generally, to apply without already having a job offer. If you fall into one of the following categories, for example, you may be eligible:

• If you are a non-Canadian citizen living in Canada on humanitarian grounds
• If you are a professional athlete
• If you are the spouse of Work visa holder or international student
• If you have a Work permit which is about to expire and have submitted a application for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC0, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

If you obtain a Canadian Work visa, your immediate family should generally be able to join you in Canada.

Retirement

Canada doesn’t offer a specific Retirement visa, but it offers a number of routes which you could take. One main route is family sponsorship if you are married to a Canadian citizen. Another is obtaining Canadian permanent residence, allowing you to live in Canada indefinitely.

Alternatively, if you only plan on spending part of your year in Canada, you will generally be authorized to remain in Canada for 6 months as an American citizen.

Mexico

Mexico also offers a number of visa routes for overseas citizens looking to move to the country with their families.

Visas

Mexico offers both a Temporary Resident visa and a Permanent Resident visa. The Temporary Resident visa allows stays of 180 days to 4 years. In general, you will need a job offer from a Mexican company in order to obtain this visa.

The Permanent Resident visa, on the other hand, allows overseas workers to remain indefinitely and does not generally require a specific job offer.

Family

In the case of both of the above visa types, the immediate family members of the visa holder should be able to join them in Mexico.

Retirement

The Permanent Resident visa is one of the main retirement routes if you are looking to retire in Mexico. This allows you to remain in the country long-term and also provides a route to citizenship. If you have American ancestry or a Mexican spouse, you may also be eligible for Mexican citizenship, making it easier to retire in the country.

United Kingdom

The UK offers a number of Work visas which are often options for US citizens looking to relocate.

Visas

One of the main visa routes for US citizens moving to the UK is the Skilled Worker visa. This visa allows workers with a UK job offer and whose role is on the list of eligible occupations to live and work in the UK.

The UK also offers a number of Global Business Mobility visas, such as the Senior or Specialist Worker visa. These visa types are generally intended for workers of overseas companies wishing to complete work for, or related to, that company, within the UK.

Family

Many UK Work visas are eligible for family sponsorship, such as the Skilled Worker visa and the Global Business Mobility visas. However, if you are in the UK on a Temporary Work visa, it is unlikely that your family will be able to join you.

Retirement

The UK does not have a specific Retirement visa. In general, if you are looking to retire in the UK, it is best to first obtain permanent residence via an eligible visa route or, if you have a British spouse, to pursue citizenship via this route.

The UK is a strong retirement candidate insofar as it offers free healthcare to its permanent residents, making it a strong choice amongst many Americans.

Australia

Australia also offers a number of visa options for US citizens.

Visas

One of the main Australian visa options is the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa, which allows stays of up to 5 years and provides a route to permanent settlement. In some cases, you may only be eligible to work in specified areas of Australia under this visa route, as determined by the role in question.

Family

You can generally be joined by your family when in Australia on a Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa.

Retirement

In most cases, the most effective way of retiring in Australia is via obtaining permanent settlement, allowing you to remain in the country indefinitely. While Australia previously had an Investment visa route which was a popular retirement option, this path was closed to new applicants in March 2025 (although existing applications are still being processed).

Ireland

Ireland offers a range of visa options which may be good fits for American citizens.

Visas

Ireland offers Work visas for individuals who have an offer of employment from an Irish company. This is a popular choice with many individuals looking to relocate to Ireland.

Family

If you enter Ireland on a Work visa, your immediate family members will generally be eligible to join you, depending on the specific nature of your Work visa.

Retirement

Ireland offers a dedicated Retirement visa options for individuals who have sufficient annual means to support themselves when in the country, provided they also have a lump sum for covering any unexpected expenses. Ireland is thus a popular choice for US citizens looking to retire overseas, even when they do not have Irish ancestry or permanent settlement status in Ireland.

Portugal

Portugal offers a range of Work visas which may be of interest to US citizens.

Visas

Portugal offers a Digital Nomad visa which is very popular with US citizens who work remotely for an American company. It also offers Work visas for individuals with an offer of employment from a Portuguese company.

Family

In general, you should be able to bring your family with you when in Portugal on an eligible Work visa.

Retirement

Portugal offers a Passive Income visa which is a popular retirement route. This means that, if you have sufficient passive monthly income, you will be able to live in Portugal. This visa also provides a route to eventual permanent settlement and citizenship.

Dual citizenship is an appealing route which allows you to gain the citizenship benefits of your new country of residence whilst retaining citizenship of your old one. This generally means being able to obtain the passports of both countries, vote in both countries’ elections, and maintain a strong practical connection to both your new and original country of citizenship.

As the US does allow dual citizenship, it is often possible for US citizens to obtain citizenship status in a new country while preserving their US citizenship benefits. However, not all countries allow dual citizenship and so you should make sure to check the immigration rules in your country of choice.

Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and Portugal all allow dual citizenship. This means that, if you obtain citizenship of any of these countries, you will generally be allowed to retain your US citizenship status once the new citizenship has been conferred.

A number of countries do not generally allow dual citizenship, however, such as China, Japan, India, Kuwait, and Singapore.

Note that, for as long as you have US citizenship, you will be expected to pay taxes in the US, regardless of your country of residence or whether you have also obtained citizenship of a second country. If you renounce your US citizenship then you will no longer have a US tax obligation, however.