People immigrate for various reasons, but it is often to the end that they improve the quality of their lives. Immigration is the process of moving to live permanently in a foreign country. Every country in the world has their modus operandi for accepting immigrants to live in their home country. The process could range from paying certain fees, taking relevant tests, interviews, learning the native language of the country and so on. Some countries are known to have fewer and more straightforward policies that make it easier to live in their country. Others have very arduous policies that make it somewhat impossible for immigrants.
So which countries have effortless immigration policies in comparison with others? Today, we delve into the top 10 easiest countries to immigrate to. This post is brought to you by After School Africa. If you are new to this channel, welcome. Consider subscribing to continue exploring opportunities.
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Table of Contents
BELIZE
This is the only Central American country where the official/native language is English. This amazing country has so many fabulous sites and scenery like beaches, resorts and others. One of the many beautiful things about Belize is that it is sparsely populated and has easy immigration policies.
It should be noted that any Belizean Consulate or Embassy can issue a visa at the cost of U.S. $100.00 for single entry and $150.00 for multiple entry. In cases where there is no resident Belizean Consulate or Embassy in your country, a visa can be obtained through the nearest British Embassy.
Also, an individual can apply for permanent residence after legally residing in Belize for a minimum of one year. The fee for residency starts from USD$1,000.00 depending on the nationality of the applicant. According to the Belize Nationality Act of 1981, to obtain Belizean citizenship, the applicant must possess a permanent residence certificate or must have resided in Belize for five years.
PANAMA
Panama is a good country to immigrate to when considering countries with easy immigration policies. It is a great choice, especially for individuals who already have American Citizenship. Panama uses the US Dollar for transactions within the country. You can get their long-term retiree visa as long as your monthly income is within the range of $1,000. For those within the younger age range, all you need to do is to deposit $5,000 in a Panamanian bank account. This qualifies you for the initial process of applying for a friendly nation visa.
In addition, the process of applying for Panamanian citizenship is also quite easy. You need to have lived for 5 years as a resident. Keep in mind that Panama does not accept dual citizenship. As such you will need to denounce your home country’s citizenship.
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SVALBARD
Svalbard is a nation that is officially part of Norway. It is a collection of islands located in the north of Norway. It comprises individuals from countries like South Africa, Japan, Canada, and India. The location it occupies around the Arctic Circle makes it one of the most sparsely populated remote countries in the world. Its climate is also not too friendly. Sun does not rise in Svalbard for four months consecutively in both summer and winter.
The borders of Svalbard are open to anyone who wishes to immigrate to the region as there is no need for any form of Visa or permit. The only issue is that life is very expensive, and for you to be granted permission to live there, you will need to prove that you can take care of yourself.
BRAZIL
This is one of the largest countries in South America. It is a rich country with sweet cultural diversity. There are super amazing and breathtaking sights in Brazil like the Amazon Rainforest and Golden beaches. The country is notable for its kind and hospitable treatment of foreigners. Moreover, one of the quickest and easiest ways of obtaining residency in Brazil is marrying a Brazilian citizen, having at least one child with a Brazilian citizen, and being a top-notch scientist or researcher with proof of your fixed monetary income. Investing $126,000 into any Brazilian company fast tracks your opportunity of getting a residency or citizenship. Ordinarily, to obtain Brazilian citizenship, you must have lived there for 15 years. This can be reduced to 4 years if you have a job that pays well and have a sufficient understanding of the Portuguese language.
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ARGENTINA
This is another beautiful country in South America. It has a vast expanse of land with a small population with a population density of 15 people per kilometer square. The standard of living in Argentina is also high. It is a sweet country for immigrants. You need to show proof of a stable monthly income of about $850 to qualify to settle down there. An investor visa may also be issued to anyone willing to invest USD 1,864.14. The process of having a permanent residency or being a citizen requires some extra steps. You need to have lived for at least two years to apply and complete the necessary paperwork.
ECUADOR
Ecuador is a beautiful and amazing country located right in the middle of the equator. It is one of the most romantic countries in South America. To qualify as an immigrant, you need to show proof of your sustained monthly income of about $1,000 for yourself and another $100 for each dependent living with you. This is within the range of a Pensioner’s visa. If you are not yet a pensioner, all you need to do is invest or have a fixed deposit that generates consistent cash flow for you. After obtaining your pension visa, the next line of action is to get your residency permit. You qualify for obtaining citizenship after having lived for three years.
URUGUAY
This is one of the smallest countries in South America with a sparse population. It is known to have some of the best healthcare facilities in the entire South American region. One of the benefits of immigrating here is that it has low pollution from industries. It is generally referred to as one of the cleanest countries in South America. Obtaining a residency in Uruguay is relatively easy. First, you will need to declare your intentions to the government in writing, stating your intentions of wanting to reside in the country. In addition, you need to also provide proofs that you have a reliable and steady source of income, and also proof that you have a legitimate address in Uruguay.
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MEXICO
Most people are scared of staying in Mexico because of the news and movies about shady drug deals. But the truth is that there are amazing places to stay in Mexico. The country is full of beautiful beaches and mountains. A great way to start your life in Mexico is with an FMM visa which costs $21.99. The visa expires after 6 months and you have the liberty of renewing it over and over again without limits. The only drawback is that you cannot work with an FMM visa. If you wish to work, you will have to upgrade to a temporary residency. You may be forced to leave the country temporarily to apply.
PARAGUAY
Residency in Paraguay is easy to achieve, largely because the landlocked South American country is so obscure. Bordered by Argentina to the south and Brazil to the east, the history of Paraguay is bloody, to say the least. But nowadays, the fully independent country can be enjoyed for its friendly people, open scenic vistas, and low cost of living.
In addition, because the demand for immigration is pretty low, it’s easy to gain entry. You have to deposit an amount of money into a Paraguayan bank that equals roughly 35x the monthly minimum wage. That’s just about USD 4,500. After that, you will be allowed to move to and live in Paraguay, but you can’t apply for citizenship until you’ve lived there for three years. The bureaucratic wheels in Paraguay turn extremely slowly, too. So be prepared to wait for final approval.
CANADA
Canada is our top friendliest country to immigrate to. The country consists of a beachy region that has the longest coastline (over 202, 000km). Canada is recognized to be one of the easiest countries to migrate to. The borders of the country are open to immigrants from war-affected countries. It is even much easier to migrate to the country if you have some sort of professional skills. It has express entry policies for potential residents. But, you will need to prove that you are worthy of being granted access. Having passed through all the necessary protocols, you will then make a payment of about $1,365.
In conclusion, immigration is not exactly easy, but it may not be as hard as you think with proper preparation and the spirit of adventure. So which of these countries do you find most interesting? Tell us in the comment section. If you are yet to subscribe to After School Africa, now is a good time to subscribe. Until next time, YOUR SUCCESS MATTERS!
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