# Why do so many Americans assume that they can move to a foreign country on a whim? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 12, 2016, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590 "2016-11-12T04:37:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/1 "2016-11-12T04:37:20Z")
This question predates this election and many more before it. There are always a group of people that threaten to move if they don’t get their desired outcome. It is an embarrassing proclamation in both its arrogance and ignorance. Why do they think that the U.S. is the only country in the world with an immigration policy and why do they think that they can just move anywhere they want on a whim? Believe it or not, Mexico has a very strict immigration policy. You might be able to swing it if you have money but you can’t just waltz right in and be legal at least permanently. A similar thing is true with Canada. They have a points system that many people can’t ever qualify for. Good luck getting into France, Germany or the UK as an American unless you have a highly skilled job lined up and, even then, you can’t just stay there forever without going through a long naturalization procedure. If you want to see really strict, look to Japan, Australia or New Zealand. That probably isn’t going to happen either because they don’t want you at least in the long term. I am seriously looking at living in Costa Rica in a few years just because I like it - it has nothing to do with anything but warm weather and great wildlife. They are very generous in letting Americans live there but I still wouldn’t be a citizen and probably not a permanent resident. One of the drawbacks is that I would have to leave the country and stay overnight somewhere else every 90 days (probably in Nicaragua or Panama). Why do Americans think they can pack, leave and just move wherever they want? I am serious when I say that many of them seem to truly believe that the world has truly open borders (at least for them). ---
**Author:** ![justanothermike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@justanothermike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justanothermike)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/2 "2016-11-12T04:42:48Z")
Because Americans think the world revolves around them. And yes, I’m an American, but it seems that the people at large think that they are free to just do whatever they want, It may be somewhat because they have such freedom here, but there is always an American-centric theme to many statements made. I’m sure that like you said it is rooted in ignorance. I’ll admit to having no idea what it takes to move to any country. I do know that you can’t just go there and say “this is mine” though. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/3 "2016-11-12T04:45:03Z")
The most amusing instance were the right-wingers wanting to move to Canada when Obama was elected. The Canada with “socialist” universal healthcare, stricter gun control and _two_ official languages. ---
**Author:** ![Arcite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/4 "2016-11-12T04:46:21Z")
Maybe because America has such a generous immigration policy, they assume all other countries do. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/5 "2016-11-12T05:00:53Z")
[American exceptionalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_exceptionalism) all the way to the bone. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/6 "2016-11-12T05:17:53Z")
Why do you assume Americans can’t do it illegally? Is that only reserved for other people. I’m pretty sure you just go to another country and then don’t leave. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/7 "2016-11-12T05:29:05Z")
Cause they just assume other countries have their own lax immigration policies. Liberals have ingrained the idea that deporting illegal (A human being cant be illegal!!!111) immigrants is evil. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/8 "2016-11-12T05:33:54Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > Why do you assume Americans can’t do it illegally? Is that only reserved for other people. I’m pretty sure you just go to another country and then don’t leave. You certainly can. I have two books advising how to do it if you ever need to get out of dodge quickly. However, that makes you an ‘illegal alien’ even if you just go to Mexico and isn’t advised unless you are a professional outlaw. It can also cause all kinds of complications. That brings up another question. Why do some Americans think ‘illegal alien’ is a derogatory term? It is just a legal status that can apply to absolutely anyone including you. You are correct though. Any American can gain that status easily themselves just by traveling to another country and refusing to leave. Some countries like Australia are more than willing to send you to one to one of their offshore ‘resorts’ where they house illegal immigrants until they can be sorted out and sent absolutely anywhere else. Other countries are more expedient and just make you buy your own plane ticket to get your sorry ass back home as quickly as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/9 "2016-11-12T05:34:48Z")
> [@](#): > > It is an embarrassing proclamation in both its arrogance and ignorance. You know, it just might be… get this, a joke. I know I was joking when I would say it, or sometimes I’d say it just out of frustration. People say all kinds of things for all kinds of reason. Most don’t really expect you to go to Hell, or to actually fuck your self\*. Anyway Canada, won’t let me because of that thing with the Moose & Squirrel, they still say it was my fault. \*If you CAN fuck yourself, send me a PM. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/10 "2016-11-12T05:37:38Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > Cause they just assume other countries have their own lax immigration policies. > > Liberals have ingrained the idea that deporting illegal (A human being cant be illegal!!!111) immigrants is evil. Which of these is the why? Why is it assumed, for instance? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/11 "2016-11-12T05:39:03Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > Why do they think that the U.S. is the only country in the world with an immigration policy and why do they think that they can just move anywhere they want on a whim? Well, Americans are pretty ignorant of US immigration policy too. In my experience, plenty of people do seem to think that foreigners can just move here on a whim. ---
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/12 "2016-11-12T05:40:48Z")
> [@](#): > > Why do some Americans think ‘illegal alien’ is a derogatory term? Because it is often shorten to just “the illegals” ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/13 "2016-11-12T05:49:33Z")
Well, some of us could move to Israel if we wanted. And have husbands who are ranting pretty loudly about doing it lately. Husbands who have previously stated that relatives who moved to Israel were nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/14 "2016-11-12T06:12:12Z")
I think…it’s because some of us have friends who have moved to Mexico, Sweden, France, and yes, Canada. (And Nepal. And Greece.) Now they are still Americans, I think in all cases they did not renounce their citizenship, but they are living or have lived for extended periods, in other countries, with no problem. So it seems reasonable enough. There are American expat groups all over the place. If they did it why can’t you do it? Note that this is not something I’m considering because of the election. I’m considering it because I’ve just always wanted to go back and live in France for awhile. Or someplace with a nice beach. I mean, being a legal resident is one thing. I guess working there is something else. And we should also note that I am barely competent to move four blocks, let alone to another country. But I have known people who have done it and they didn’t seem to have a lot of barriers. Aside from that one guy who can’t get back into Colombia. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/15 "2016-11-12T07:36:11Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I am seriously looking at living in Costa Rica in a few years just because I like it - it has nothing to do with anything but warm weather and great wildlife. They are very generous in letting Americans live there but I still wouldn’t be a citizen and probably not a permanent resident. One of the drawbacks is that I would have to leave the country and stay overnight somewhere else every 90 days (probably in Nicaragua or Panama). Not necessarily. What you describe is called the “ingenieros Telefónica” method (Telefónica engineers may not have been the first people to use it all over Latin America, but they used it widely); when I was working in CR by that method we looked into inmigration and one of the possibilities was becoming a permanent resident if you could prove foreign income above a pretty low threshold: a decent retirement pension would have done the trick. While there will have been tweaks since, you may want to look into that. What are the drawbacks you see to becoming a permanent resident? All it does it give you a permanent visa and make a lot of paperwork easier. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/16 "2016-11-12T08:00:28Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > Why do you assume Americans can’t do it illegally? Is that only reserved for other people. I’m pretty sure you just go to another country and then don’t leave. Depending on the country concerned, if you’re found to be overstaying, you might find yourself somewhere like this: [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27332370](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27332370) If you leave having overstayed, and then try to come back in, you could well find yourself put on the next plane back out. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/17 "2016-11-12T08:10:28Z")
It’s actually quite easy to move to Thailand and a number of other countries in Southeast Asia. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/18 "2016-11-12T08:12:11Z")
> [@Arcite](#): > > Maybe because America has such a generous immigration policy, they assume all other countries do. Bingo!!! ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/19 "2016-11-12T08:47:45Z")
they don’t, they just like saying they’ll leave any time things don’t go their way. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590/20 "2016-11-12T09:23:28Z")
Because many Americans are “highly skilled” by the metrics by which most immigration policy is judged. Go to any major world city and you find a thriving expat community, packed with Americans on a spectrum from tourist visa/here illegally to having a spouse and multiple children born in that country. Attrition in the expat community is high, but mostly for more mundane reasons like loneliness, homesickness and language barriers. Very few expats comparatively end up leaving due to difficulties with status. If you’re American, young, college educated, pleasant and have a healthy bank balance, there’s very few countries where you couldn’t achieve some kind of permanent residency status with a bit of determination and hard work. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-assume-that-they-can-move-to-a-foreign-country-on-a-whim/771590.md?page=2)