The 12-Month Pre-Move Checklist for Americans Moving Abroad
A sensible order for the year before you go.
A move abroad touches almost every part of your financial and personal life at once. Working through it in a sensible order — rather than all at once — keeps it manageable.
A starting sequence
- Clarify your goals and rough timeline (often 6–24 months out).
- Understand the visa pathways that fit your situation.
- Map how U.S. and host-country tax obligations may interact.
- Review investments, banking, and currency before you move.
- Plan healthcare, housing, and the practical logistics.
- Line up trusted professionals for the steps that need them.
Educational information only
The information provided by US Expat is for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be treated as personalized tax, legal, immigration, investment, insurance, or financial advice. U.S. citizens abroad should consult qualified professionals who understand their specific facts and circumstances. US Expat is not a law firm, tax filing firm, or immigration law firm.
Rules and thresholds for U.S. citizens abroad change. Pages are reviewed periodically; confirm current details with a qualified professional before acting.
