Where to Move in 2026: 8 Countries for Expats

The best countries to move to in 2026 have updated their visa and investment program requirements. Find out the current requirements for expats in 8 destinations

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Every year, more people leave their home country in search of a fresh start. Some are chasing a more stable economy, others want more accessible healthcare, and some simply want to try living in a different climate and culture. In response, governments keep revising their immigration rules: some are making things easier for foreigners, others are tightening control.

This roundup covers eight destinations that offer real, not just declarative, pathways to relocation in 2026 – specific visa categories, current financial thresholds, and processing timelines.

Before diving into paperwork, it helps to understand the terms. A temporary or permanent residence permit and citizenship are three distinct statuses, each with its own requirements, benefits, and application process. We'll cover which documents each one requires in a given country below.

Moving to a new country inevitably comes with red tape: residence permits, proof of income, document translations – the list seems endless. To keep you from getting lost in the requirements of a specific country, the Visit World team has prepared practical immigration guides with step-by-step instructions for each country. In PDF format, you'll get the document checklist, processing costs, and application timelines within minutes of payment.

Choose the destination you need and start preparing for your move today with Visit World. 

Canada: Fewer Quotas, Higher Bar

Canada remains one of the most comfortable countries to live in, but since 2026 its immigration policy has grown more cautious. The government's 2026–2028 plan sets annual permanent resident admissions at 380,000 – lower than in previous years – while the number of new students and temporary workers is being cut nearly in half compared to 2025. The goal is to bring the share of temporary residents below 5% of the population by the end of 2027.

Even so, economic immigration remains the priority: roughly 64% of all quotas go to skilled professionals through federal programs and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). In other words, the opportunity is still there, but competition for spots has increased, and applicants should budget more time for processing.

Check out our roundup of Canada's best cities for expat life, linked here.

France: The "Talent" Card Replaces the Talent Passport

For years, France attracted foreigners with the "Talent Passport" – a streamlined residence permit for tech professionals, researchers, and entrepreneurs. Following the 2024–2025 immigration reform, that name officially disappeared: the document is now called the carte de séjour «talent», or Talent Card.

The substance hasn't changed: the permit is issued for up to four years, allows family members to come on their own cards, and doesn't require a prior work authorization from the employer. Within this category, the French Tech Visa still exists as a dedicated track for startup founders and innovation entrepreneurs looking to launch a business in France.

The Caribbean: Island Living with a Financial Threshold

Life by the ocean remains the main reason foreigners choose Caribbean countries. Barbados, for instance, offers the Welcome Stamp – a one-year visa for remote workers earning at least $50,000 a year. The fee is $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a family bundle, and decisions typically come within a few business days. The visa can be renewed indefinitely – the government has approved extending the programme through the end of 2026, so it's worth checking for official updates before planning a long-term move.

Neighbouring islands offer similar options with different income and duration requirements, so it's worth comparing conditions directly on government sites before choosing a specific jurisdiction.

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Turkey: Citizenship for $400,000

Turkey continues to attract foreigners through its citizenship-by-investment programme, and the threshold hasn't changed since 2022 – $400,000. The most popular route is real estate (which can be split across several properties, as long as the total reaches the minimum), with a mandatory three-year holding period. Alternatives include a bank deposit, government bonds, or fixed-capital investment starting at $500,000.

The process usually takes three to twelve months and doesn't require permanent residence in the country or language exams.

A detailed guide to help you start a business in Turkey in 2026 is here.

Spain: The Digital Nomad Visa Got More Expensive

The minimum income for Spain's "remote work visa" is tied to the country's minimum wage (SMI), which rises every year. In 2026, the official threshold for a single applicant is roughly €2,442 a month (200% of the SMI), plus about €916 for each accompanying family member. The permit is issued for three years, renewable for two more – together offering a path to permanent residency.

One important detail: no more than 20% of total income can come from Spanish clients – exceed 30%, and renewal is likely to be denied.

Mexico: No Investment Required, But Proof of Income Is

Mexico continues to attract people mainly through accessibility: the temporary resident visa is issued for one to four years and doesn't require buying property or starting a business. It's enough to show a stable income of about $4,300–4,500 a month over the past six months, or savings of roughly $73,000 over a year.

After four years on temporary status, applicants automatically qualify for permanent residency. The visa itself doesn't authorize working for a Mexican employer – that requires a separate permit.

Read also: Moving to Georgia in 2026 – which residence permits are available to foreigners

Croatia: Up to 18 Months Instead of One Year

Croatia remains one of the first European countries to introduce a dedicated digital nomad category, and since March 2025 the terms have improved: the maximum stay grew from 12 to 18 months per application. A single applicant needs an income of at least €3,622.50 a month (or savings starting from €43,470 for 12 months, or €65,205 for the full 18). Foreign-sourced income is exempt from Croatian tax.

Processing takes about a month after documents are submitted, and applicants can bring a partner and children for an extra 10% of the average Croatian salary per person.

Indonesia: A 5–10 Year Residency Instead of a Short-Term Visa

Indonesia still doesn't have a dedicated "digital nomad visa," despite past announcements. The real tool is the Second Home Visa, introduced back in 2022: it grants residency for 5 to 10 years without requiring employment with an Indonesian company. The condition is holding at least IDR 2 billion (about $130,000) in a state bank account, or owning property worth at least IDR 5 billion. Fees and thresholds were partly updated as of August 1, 2026, so it's worth checking current figures on the official immigration portal before applying.

Those who just want to work from Bali for a few months typically use the B211A social-cultural visa, valid for 60 days with the option to extend up to 180.

Indonesia has launched the Global Citizenship programme: a new quasi-citizenship format for foreigners

Each of the eight countries in this article has its own registration logic – from Turkey's investment citizenship to Croatia's digital nomad visa – and it's easy to miss the details if you prepare on your own. 

The immigration guide from Visit World collects up-to-date information on the procedure for obtaining a residence permit or citizenship in a specific chosen country: contacts for the relevant authority, the full document checklist, cost and processing timelines, and applicant requirements. The guide also has a separate section with life hacks for those facing local bureaucracy for the first time, plus a description of the benefits citizenship provides. All the information arrives by email as a PDF within minutes of purchase. 

Choose a country from the list in this article and get your step-by-step instructions today. 

A reminder! Obtaining a second citizenship became more accessible in 2026 for students, workers, and investors. We've already covered which countries offer the fastest paths to a passport, what requirements are in effect today, and how to choose the best option for your move.

Photo – generated by Gemini

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