To Americans wanting to flee
Nov. 13th, 2016 09:54 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mme_hardyBelieve me, I get it. But it's not as easy as just "moving to [insert country name]". Other countries have immigration laws, too, and you may not qualify, especially if you don't have STEM or medical qualifications.
Unless US expatriates are categorized as refugees (highly unlikely) you'll need to apply to the new country, and that process can take months to years.
If you think you'll need to go, get all the paperwork you'll need to file now, and realize that you'll be competing with thousands (at least) of other Americans who have decided to move on. We won't be any more welcome in other countries than we make their citizens. (Hint: not.)
And a side note for transpeople: Currently under Obama's policies you can get a passport showing your correct gender with a physician's statement saying 'you've had appropriate clinical treatment', and there's no requirement to have bottom surgery. This policy will almost certainly be reversed by the Trump administration, so apply for your passport now to get legal documentation of your gender. Many states require bottom surgery.
e: Recessional has an invaluable comment about Canadian immigration.
- Canada has a points system.
- New Zealand has a points system.
- To move anywhere in Europe, you will need a work permit from that country; requirements vary. If your recent ancestors were immigrants, you may have a right of return; again, requirements vary.
Unless US expatriates are categorized as refugees (highly unlikely) you'll need to apply to the new country, and that process can take months to years.
If you think you'll need to go, get all the paperwork you'll need to file now, and realize that you'll be competing with thousands (at least) of other Americans who have decided to move on. We won't be any more welcome in other countries than we make their citizens. (Hint: not.)
And a side note for transpeople: Currently under Obama's policies you can get a passport showing your correct gender with a physician's statement saying 'you've had appropriate clinical treatment', and there's no requirement to have bottom surgery. This policy will almost certainly be reversed by the Trump administration, so apply for your passport now to get legal documentation of your gender. Many states require bottom surgery.
e: Recessional has an invaluable comment about Canadian immigration.
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Date: 2016-11-13 08:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-11-13 08:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-11-13 08:23 pm (UTC)- marrying an Australian to live here is ALSO difficult -- when Dad got married in the mid-2000s, there was a hell of a lot of paperwork, and I had to write several statutory declarations attesting to my belief that his marriage was real. Granted, his wife is a Muslim of Indian descent, but I don't think it's really any easier for white people.
- we do not have marriage equality.
- we WILL allow people's same-sex partners to come here, but only if you've been living together for twelve months, which I guess would involve the Australian partner moving to the US.
Also, Australia has a lot of the same problems as the US, plus a few unique to us. On the upside, our working conditions are better than New Zealand.
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Date: 2016-11-14 11:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-11-14 09:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-11-14 11:51 am (UTC)