People are coming to the United States at older ages than in the past, according to the Census Bureau’s American Community Surve, sometimes with the hope of a U.S. retirement visa. From the vast natural wonders to the potential for adventure in a diverse country — not to mention quality healthcare options, there are numerous ways that one can enjoy those later years.
Retirees will have a range of housing options to choose from to suit their individual needs. Whether you’re planning ahead or you’re just thinking about the idea, here’s just a few things you should consider concerning the process.
The Benefits of Retiring in The U.S.
The U.S. is one of the most multicultural and diverse societies in the world in terms of culture, ethnicity, and worldviews. From the Grand Canyon to the Appalachian mountains, there are many natural beauties worth exploring, which opens a new world of experiences whether you are looking for new friends or adventures.
The U.S. is also well known for having quality healthcare services, which includes minimal waiting lists for procedures, making it a great place to be should you experience any health issues.
And, people who immigrate aged 65 or over may even be entitled to draw Social Security benefits like any American born in the U.S. – as long as they worked in the U.S. in their younger years and the U.S. government has an agreement with their home country to honor the sum total of work in both countries. Without such agreements, some people would not qualify for benefits in any country.
How to Get Started
If you’re seriously considering retiring in the U.S., it’s important to know that there is not a specific U.S. retirement visa that can be applied for.
What You Need to Apply For
Because of this, your specific situation will likely determine what visa you may need. For example:
- If you wish to immigrate along with your family, then you’ll need to apply for a permanent residency visa
- If you’re looking to continue any business endeavors while retired, you’ll need a business-specific visa.
Many seniors contemplate joining their children and extended family in the U.S. for many years. If it’s at all a serious consideration, it’s important to explore the requirements early on, mobilize your resources, and get your paperwork in order so that when the time comes, there are fewer hurdles to jump through.
Additionally, the country you’ll be immigrating from also has an influence on the type of visa you’ll need.
For instance, if you’re coming from Canada, you already have the option to be in the States for up to six months at a time, which may be ideal if you’re looking for a short-term solution – such as going to the U.S. only in the summer. You’d join the many ‘snowbirds,’ who travel from northern, colder states to warmer regions of the country for parts of the year.’
Moreover, a great number of elderly people prefer to move to warmer states like Florida or Texas.
Think About an Immigration Lawyer
If you’re someone who’s looking to retire out in the countryside, it’d be a smart step to seek legal representation in that area. If you’re looking for an immigration lawyer Austin would be a good place to start with as it’s one the biggest cities in Texas with highly qualified legal professionals.
Alternatives to a U.S. Retirement Visa
Some countries offer foreigners retirement visas, such as Panama, Malaysia, Greece, Portugal, the Philippines, and Nicaragua. In these countries, you’ll be required to have a pension of a certain amount or invest in local real estate.
Unfortunately, there is no U.S. retirement visa and there are no current plans to create one. However, you have different options to get into the country if you’re planning to spend your golden years there.
Sponsorship Visa
Your first option is to get a family member who’s already an American citizen to sponsor you. However, don’t expect to get a green card overnight since the process may take years to complete.
It depends on how long it will take you to gather your documents and complete the paperwork, and that usually takes months since you’ll need to coordinate with your family member to get the info that you need for the forms that you’ll be filling out.
The length of time largely depends on when various U.S. government offices can process your application since there are thousands of applicants on the sponsorship visa waiting list in any given year. Some people have had to wait as long as 10 years before getting approved. As of November 2020, data indicates that there are more than 2.1 million people on the waiting list.
EB-5 Investor Visa
If waiting for a long time is not an option, then your best bet is to get an EB-5 investor visa. However, you’ll need to prove that you have a significant amount of savings before you can be approved for it.
This type of visa grants permanent residency to those who are willing to invest $500,000 to $1 million in an American business. You’ll need to select a qualified EB-5 business or project to invest in, then file a petition.
The average processing time for this kind of visa is much shorter as it only takes about 14 months, and most petitions are approved within 60 days from the date of application.
IR-5 Visa
If your child is already a U.S. citizen and they happen to be 21 or older, you may be qualified to apply for an IR-5 visa. This type of visa will allow you to live and work in the US.
If you’re applying outside the U.S., then the local embassy or consulate will process your application. You’ll be required to attend an interview and bring a few necessary documents.
Once you’ve passed the interview, you’ll be granted a green card and will be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. After five years in the country, you’ll be able to apply for US citizenship.
Other Considerations Before Moving to the U.S.
As a senior citizen, you’ll need to consider other things beyond your visa and green card.
The American Health System
One of them is health coverage as the United States’ healthcare system operates differently from others, and health care prices are quite expensive for the average individual.
Immigrants 65 and older are allowed to buy health plans, such as Medicare. However, you won’t be allowed to buy one if you haven’t stayed in the U.S. for at least five years.
Many categories of immigrants, however, can purchase health insurance from their State’s Health Exchange program, also referred to as Health Insurance Marketplace©. The stability of these programs is often politically charged because they emerged under ‘Obamacare,’, or the Affordable Care Act. You’ll want to pay special attention to how the state you wish to live in operates their exchange.
Having Enough Money
Another thing to think about is your source of income. If you’re receiving a pension but are still thinking about making extra money, find out if your visa allows you to work or open a small business in the country.
After all, seniors have many reasons to work post-retirement besides just earning extra income – for social connections, to pursue their passions as well as staying physically active and mentally sharp.
Where Do You Want to Live?
You’ll also have to do some research on the place that you’re planning to stay in to see if it will fit your lifestyle.
How far will it be from your family? Do you love the beach or prefer the mountains? Are you drawn to the charm of small towns? If you’re used to places of outdoor recreation, then you’ll need to look into a senior-friendly city such as Rochester, Minnesota, or Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
AARP tracks age-friendly communities that have walkable neighborhoods and activities that engage older adults, have senior-friendly public transportation and housing, along with a host of other critical factors. If you want city life, culture, and diversity to be accessible, opt for the suburbs of major metropolitan areas,
Meanwhile, if you’d rather live in a small town to escape the traffic and crowds, but still have access to stores, entertainment, and healthcare options, then you may want to consider retiring in a small city. Leander, Texas is a great example of such a place since you can enjoy hiking and wine tasting in the vineyards, yet it’s also near Austin where you can enjoy city pleasures. Another small city that you may want to look into is Redmond, Washington. It has year-round moderate weather so you can enjoy cycling, hiking, walking, or fishing whenever you feel like doing so.
Final Thoughts
Retiring to the U.S. is a wonderful way to spend your later years, especially if you’d like to spend time in nature or need to be closer to quality healthcare or family members. However, depending on your situation, getting a lawyer involved can be a great way to ensure that the immigration process goes as smoothly as possible.
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