To Americans wanting to flee

[mme_hardy]

Believe 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.

• 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.

Comments

[rydra_wong]

And obviously that will no longer work as a route to the UK if Brexit does in fact involve closing the doors to free movement, which is what the delightful crew of crack-addled right-wing loons in charge of us currently seem to be insisting on.

On the other hand, Scotland is strongly pro-immigrant and pro-refugee, and their demographics mean that they'd actually love to take more people to boost population in various areas, but have their hands tied by overall UK immigration policy; if they become independent, that could well change (also they really, REALLY hate Donald Trump).

[ckd]

Irish citizens have some additional rights in the UK that are not dependent on EU/EEA membership, though if Ireland loses their Schengen opt-out and therefore has to exit the Common Travel Area that could change (since under Home Office guidance certain of those rights depend on the CTA agreements).