Would-be Emigrants’ First Considerations

There is increasing interest and even urgency on the part of no small number of residents of the Northern Hemisphere with respect to emigration to Latin America. As an emigrant who is now a permanent resident of Argentina, I understand many of the motives behind such thinking. My move, however, was made much easier by the fact that I am bilingual in Spanish and had lived previously for many years in Spain, the country from which I moved here in 2004.

Anyone seriously contemplating such a step must first and foremost assure him/herself that it will be possible to meet the requirements set by the nation of choice for establishing legal permanent residency. This information is more often than not available online, and if not, at the consulate of the respective nation. The process for obtaining permanent residency is time consuming and requires careful preparation in advance. If you are not able to fulfill the requirements, your search is over: you will have to stay put or seek a country whose requirements you can meet.

Ability to speak the language of the country of choice is the second major consideration, particularly if one is interested in rural areas. If you cannot speak the language and do not have a gift for learning a foreign language, it is likely that you would be best advised to cease fantasizing about emigration; Latin America does not provide to immigrants the sort of services provided to them by most Northern Hemisphere nations. Anyone considering emigration to Latin America should first take an intensive course in the language to make an honest self-assessment with respect to language skills, then, if the result is positive, continues intensive study.

No one should contemplate emigration without first having spent a reasonable length of time in the country of choice. Most Latin American nations grant tourist visas of three months, renewable for three more; a six month stay should be sufficient to determine whether or not a permanent move is advisable; three months is little time unless a particular area has already been decided upon as the result of an earlier visit; any shorter time is imprudent and likely unrealistic.

Those with very limited capital and no guaranteed income are almost certainly not going to be able to obtain legal residence, save if they have an extant contract for work in the country of choice. If a stay of six months is not financially viable, then one can be assured that emigration isn’t either. In the case of those with families, particularly if there are small children, only one parent should make the trip, though it would be preferable if both can make at least a three-week exploratory orientation journey. This journey is best made at the least attractive time of the year for the country in question, according to one’s personal preferences. Don’t go planning to see your possible future home at its best: see it at its worst.

Assuming the above considerations have been met, one should also consider strongly not burning one’s bridges behind one. There are those Northern Hemisphere emigrants to Latin America who experience “buyers’ remorse,” after living here for a year or so, but find themselves unable to return to their countries of origin owing to poor planning. Do NOT allow this possibility to occur! If you are employed and can take a leave of absence, do so, once you are strongly convinced a six month exploratory residence is worth the risk; as stated previously, a complete move without having done a short residency is very unwise.

Investigate carefully the costs, legalities and logistics of moving household effects long in advance of making a move, though of course prices are always subject to change. You will almost certainly have to employ a customs agent if you plan to move your belongings, and you must be prepared for delays in any case.

Investigate carefully the possibilities of remunerative activities in the country of choice, unless you are completely convinced that your guaranteed income from abroad will always be sufficient to cover your costs of living and those of your family in the event you have one. Those considering agricultural activities should engage expert advisory and technical help before seriously contemplating such an investment; failure to do so can be very costly. Subsistence farming, livestock included, is viable in certain areas, but it will not likely allow you legal residence based on investment.

It is my intention to develop a far more detailed—perhaps book-length report—for potential emigrants, but it will require payment, nominal though it may be. I am also open to being hired as a consultant, one-on-one, to assist those who realistically qualify as potential emigrants, though this would be on a case-by-case basis, as it would not represent my principle activity.