Five Countries Tightening the Screws on Americans Trying to Live, Work, or Stay Long‑Term Abroad

In 2025, several nations are making it harder for Americans to move abroad, settle in, or work remotely due to new visa rules, stricter oversight, and tighter residency requirements. What used to be relatively flexible for many is now getting more complicated and unpredictable. If you’re considering life overseas, here are five places where Americans are feeling the impact.

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1. Brazil — Visa‑Free Gone, Back to e‑Visa

In April 2025, Brazil reinstituted visa requirements for U.S. citizens, ending years of visa‑free travel for short stays for tourism, business, or transit. Now, Americans must apply for an e‑visa in advance, fill out documentation, and may even attend a consulate meeting depending on the purpose of visit. What was once a casual destination for travelers can now feel more like planning a major move.

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2. European Union / Schengen Area — Authorization Before Arrival

European borders are tightening in their own way. A new pre‑travel authorization system called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is being introduced for many travelers who formerly didn’t need visas to enter the Schengen Area. ETIAS won’t make everyone apply for a full visa, but it does add a required registration step before travel. Americans planning frequent or multi‑country trips across Europe need to budget time for these new digital checks.

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3. Kenya — Universal eTA and Stricter Pre‑Arrival Rules

Kenya has revamped its entry rules, replacing many traditional visa categories with a universal electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system. Travelers must now apply online ahead of their arrival. In some cases, the authorities also require proof of lodging, travel itinerary, and a valid passport with certain time left. The move aims to tighten security and standardize how visitors are vetted. For Americans who once arrived on short notice or with flexible travel plans, Kenya now demands more planning and documentation.

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4. Thailand — New Digital Arrival Cards & More Paperwork

Thailand has introduced a mandatory Digital Arrival Card (often called TDAC) for all foreign visitors arriving at airports and other entry points. As of May 1, 2025, this must be filled out online before arrival. While this isn’t an outright visa restriction, it adds a layer of pre‑entry bureaucracy. Combine that with tighter checks on overstaying, proof of funds, or return ticket requirements, and what once was simple now has more moving pieces.

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5. Egypt & Some Other Popular Destinations — e‑Visas and Online Paper Trails

Countries like Egypt have increased their e‑visa requirements for U.S. citizens. Americans must now apply online in advance for many trips, upload documents, and sometimes show proof of hotel bookings or travel plans. In some destinations, proof of funds or return flight tickets are scrutinized more closely. These steps may seem small, but cumulatively they add friction to travel or relocation plans.

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Why the Shift Is Happening

Several factors are driving this trend:

• Security and Immigration Controls: Many nations are tightening entry rules due to fears of illegal overstays or political tensions.

• Overtourism & Local Pushback: Some countries are feeling strain from high volumes of tourists, rising housing costs, or job competition. That leads to new regulations to better manage who enters and how long they stay.

• Digital Oversight & Regulation: Governments are pushing toward digital pre‑authorizations, online applications, and better verification, which naturally slows the process.

• Reciprocity & Diplomatic Pressure: When one country imposes stricter rules on citizens of another, often the other side adjusts its policies in response.

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Tips for Americans Planning to Move or Live Abroad

If you’re considering relocating, working remotely, or staying abroad long-term in 2025 or beyond, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Always check visa and entry requirements well in advance—things may change between placing your airline ticket and arriving at the border.

• Be ready with documentation: proof of lodging, funds, return tickets, local registrations, or rental agreements.

• Apply for any required digital authorizations (ETAs, arrival cards, etc.) well before travel.

• Understand residency rules: some countries require you to register locally, report income, or apply for permits if working remotely.

• Keep up on local laws and policy changes—they may tighten or loosen quickly depending on politics, diplomacy, or security events.

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Bottom Line

In many places around the world, the door is no longer wide open for Americans hoping to live, travel, or work abroad on a whim. Visa waivers, casual entry, and flexible residency options are being replaced with more regulations, documentation, and restrictions. While these changes often aim to protect security, manage immigration, or balance local concerns, they mean that for Americans, moving overseas now requires more planning, more patience, and often more expense.