Consulate

• The U.S. Department of State will offer a list of embassies and consulates to U.S. citizens seeking a visa to live abroad. A citizen of the United States of America needs to have a reasonable plan for living abroad. Deciding which country to live in is the first consideration for a U.S. citizen seeking a visa. A citizen of the U.S. will contact the consulate for the country in consideration. Consulates will advise a citizen of the necessary documents for acquiring a visa. A passport is required, along with any paperwork necessary for living in the country of choice. It may also be requested or required to show proof of salary or work history to the consulate administration.
  
  

Work permits

• A company overseas can provide a working visa for a U.S. citizen to work abroad. This is usually done directly through the company. Still, the U.S. citizen must provide proof of identity to the company and the country upon entry. A U.S. citizen must get their passport stamped in the United States at one of the consulates or embassies prior to entering the foreign country. Most foreign countries have a limitation on the length of stay for working visas. Few countries have an extension for permanent residence status. A permanent residence status visa allows a U.S. citizen to live in the country of choice for an unlimited length of stay. Most companies supplying a working visa wish to save money, and will limit a working visa to 18 months, with extensions for the most productive employees.
  
  

Spouse visas

• A U.S. citizen married to a spouse who is a national of another country can live overseas in the home country of their spouse. It is common that the spouse of a foreign country will have to ask relatives in that country to provide an affidavit of support. An affidavit of support is a legal document stating that the spouse's family takes responsibility for the U.S. citizen when living in the spouse's home country. Even though a U.S. citizen can freely live in the country of the foreign national spouse, governments may inquire about the U.S. citizen's work status or intention to work abroad.
  
  

Teaching abroad

• There are special programs available for teaching abroad. Japan is a popular country for English teachers to find short and long term assignments. ESL teacher organizations help U.S. citizens with the necessary paperwork for entering a country for work. Teaching abroad is one of the easiest ways for a U.S. citizen to live overseas. Usually, a teaching abroad program will require the U.S. citizen to take an exam for teaching ESL. Most assignments do not require the U.S. citizen to speak a foreign language, save for higher up positions at some universities. Fluency or strong proficiency in the target language can improve the chances of extending an assignment overseas, or even landing a permanent position teaching abroad at a reputable institution or private organization.