By Malta
People just love to look at the Italian countryside. Set any movie there and people will rave that it’s a “breathtakingly beautiful film”. But Italian immigration is too complicated, instead just move to the three islands settled in the Mediterranean below it, Malta! Malta has all the breathtaking beauty, the sand dollar beaches, the houses built into caves, the quaint roads, and the history that Italy has with half the fuss! If you are an EU national, this is the place for you. All you need is a JOB OFFER. Easily visit with any valid passport, stake out your beach front property, talk to a few people, get an offer, and you’re on your way! If you are not a citizen of the EU, it gets a little trickier, but well worth the effort. On top of the basics, you will also need to submit references and a CV. Your employer will have to send a cover letter explaining your professional duties and abilities, as well as apply for your employment license. Basically, like most countries, they want to be sure you will be a plus in their skilled labor division. Then, visit, get your job offer, and enjoy the faux Italian countryside.
Sweden
Most people see Sweden as a Scandinavian paradise of beautiful people living pristine lives, and they are correct. Another draw of Sweden is the continue to exhibit and develop the most progressive politics in the world. Which is why one might be surprised to learn it’s actually one of the easiest places to immigrate to in Europe. In fact if you are an EU citizen, you have something called “right of residence”, which means you can live there and even open a business without ever applying for a residence card. For those outside the EU, it isn’t much more strenuous. As long as you can prove you are related to someone, studying or working in the country, your application will be accepted without strict assessment. Just know once you are inside you will have to deal with the high cost of living and tax rate.
Japan
To be honest, Japan is not the easiest place to immigrate to, but if you are looking for a first world asian location, it is probably your best bet. In fact, Japan used to be infamous to being closed off to foreigners. But the appeal has always been there for migrators. For one, it is one of the safest countries in the world. Culturally, harmony is of the utmost importance, and isn’t that what we all want, to live in harmony? Finally the technology and jobs available are on the cutting edge of civilization. Now, to the benefit of the rest of the world, Japan is aging, there now are more elderly people then children. Due to this development, Japan is opening its doors to skilled individuals who can reinvigorate the workforce. For the most part, they are looking for highly skilled workers, that is to say engineers, humanitarian specialists, international services, etc. Here is your in though, teaching a language. If you can speak your own language in a native tongue, especially english, Japan will fast track your work visa. Once you are inside you can work towards obtaining a more permanent job and residency.
New Zealand
After seeing the green sweeping mountainesque cinematography of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, so many people applied to live in New Zealand that the shy island notoriously closed itself off to expats. 90 mile beaches, the world’s most incredible landscapes, and a delightful offbeat culture, it would be hard to blame them for trying to preserve it. A decade later, the climate has changed. The Auckland has started to accept many more expats due to a skills shortage. The country is now seeking skilled individuals to reinvigorate the work force and keep the place afloat. The New Zealand government has published a list of both immediate and long term skill needs, if you satisfy any of these shortages, they will fast track your residency. If you are unskilled you will have to go the standard and more exclusive route of a basic work visa. If you are an Australian or United Kingdom citizen, you can actually stay in New Zealand for six months without a visa. If your country has a waiver agreement, you can stay 3 months, which is just about enough time to get some networking done.
Panama
Relocation to Panama is skyrocketing through the 2000s. For the explorers out there, Panama offers some of the most diverse geological and biological landscapes in the world. Many see this tropical paradise as an ideal retirement destination. Simply put, it’s beautiful, it’s cheap, and people speak English. Fortunately, there are 8 different ways to obtain permanent visas. Foremost, Panama actually has a retiree visa for those that have a minimum pension of $1,000 a month. This visa also gives you discounts to movie theaters, restaurants, hotels, etc. Second easiest, if you are currently a resident of one of the 48 nations that Panama considers “friendly”, you are securing a job or opening a business away from permanent residency. One of the more interesting visas allows you to invest a minimum of $80,000 in a reforestation project to obtain your visa, a great way to charity your way into a new home.
Roatan
Roatan, one of the Caribbean Islands above Honduras, is technically not a country, but don’t let that stop you from taking permanent residence there. The laws for obtaining a visa are as lenient as the lifestyle here. If you can prove that you bring in at least $2,500 a month or $1,500 on a pension, you’re in! In order to get a work residency, you will need to pass some assessment from the government and be sponsored by your current company, which can’t be a hassle. However! The Roatan Marine Park has an amazing program wherein they will give you residency as long as you train to be a dive master. The 40 mile island is populated with 35 different dive shops that need experienced instructors. You could go from boring grey office job to deep sea diving for money in the Caribbean in 3 months, it doesn’t get much better immigration wise.
Ecuador
From 2014 to 2015 InterNations named Ecuador the top expat destination, citing quality of life, cost of living, and personal finances as features that distinguished it from the pack. Ecuadorian lifestyle is also considered to be as active and healthy as any country on earth. Finally, it is home to a surprising amount of microclimates, so there is something for everyone. The republic of the equator has a pretty standard immigration policy, except that it is significantly more affordable to buy your way in. You are only required a monthly income of $800! Something that almost all pensions and most freelance jobs will cover. Some countries will run you 250k-5m dollars in investment for a residency visa, at $25,000, the Ecuador investment program is a steal. Rounding out the options are entry for people with technical experience, religious workers, journalists, or simply having a recognized college degree and a wish to practice your profession in the country.
Bahrain
This archipelago of 33 islands above Qatar is considered by some to be the original location for the Garden of Eden. It is no wonder InterNations named the lush booming country the number one destination for expats in 2017. Bahrain began as a crucial high traffic port city in the middle ages, and has quietly expanded ever since. Many consider Bahrain to be the friendliest, most welcoming, progressive and diverse of the Arab countries.
