Moving to the U.S. for retirement
Moving to the U.S. for retirement can be a rewarding new chapter, but one that involves extensive planning, paperwork and specific requirements. While the U.S. doesn’t offer a dedicated ‘retirement visa’, there are some ways you may be able retire here as a non-U.S. citizen.
Your immigration status, health, taxes, investments and foreign income can all affect your retirement options.
In this guide we will cover:
Before you move: what’s required to retire in the U.S.
Before you move: what’s required to retire in the U.S.
Legal Immigration Status
In order to retire in the U.S. you either need to be a U.S. citizen or secure legal immigration status – otherwise known as a green card. Legal immigration status for retirement is usually secured by:
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Family-based immigrant visaIf an immediate family member is already a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident, they can sponsor you to receive a green card
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EB‑5 immigrant investor visaUnder this program, investors (and their spouses and unmarried children under 21) are eligible if they make the necessary investment in a commercial enterprise in the U.S. and plan to preserve or create 10 permanent full-time jobs
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E-2 investor visaThis is a non-immigrant treaty investor visa for citizens of specific countries. It requires investing a substantial amount in a U.S. business, which you must manage
If you are unable to obtain legal immigration status, you could still consider making frequent trips to the U.S. for extended periods of your retirement with:
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An ESTAAn ESTA allows visitors to stay for a maximum of 90 days per visit in the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program. One ESTA is typically valid for two years
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B-2 visitor visaThis visa can be valid for up 180 days per visit and may be valid for several years. However, the length of stay is decided at entry. This visa is popular for people who want to own a second home in the U.S. but also have a base elsewhere
Source: uscis.gov
Financial requirements
As well as gaining legal immigration status, you’ll also need to prove that you have enough financial resource to support yourself and any spouse, without the need for government aid. This may involve:
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Proof of income and assetsYou'd need to document your pensions, social security payments or investment income
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Tax complianceYou'd need to ensure your income is subject to U.S. tax reporting rules
Private health insurance
Many of us require a higher level of health care as we get older, so this is an essential consideration when exploring retirement in the U.S. As a new retiree in the U.S., you won’t get any access to state-funded health care. Instead, you'd need comprehensive healthcare insurance which can incur a significant monthly cost depending on age, location and existing medical conditions.
Medicare is a U.S. federal health insurance program, mainly for people aged 65 and above. However, eligibility and cost depend on immigration status and work history.
Housing and background checks
You’ll need to prove you have the funds to comfortably rent or buy a property. It’s also likely you’d be subject to a full background and criminal record check.
Speak with a qualified U.S. immigration attorney to understand if any pathways are realistic for you and what evidence you’ll need to begin the paperwork.
During the move: ways to prepare for retiring in the U.S.
If you feel one of the pathways to legal immigration status could apply to you, it's a good idea to also consider the following:
Understand taxes pre-immigration
It’s important to understand how the U.S. tax system works and how it’ll affect all your finances and assets, not just your pension. Retiring in the U.S. means that you’ll become a U.S. tax resident, so you’ll be taxed on your worldwide income from your ‘residency starting date’.
Residency can start under the green card test or substantial presence test. After this point, it becomes much harder to do any pre-immigration tax planning. A personal tax adviser can explain the best options available in your circumstances.
Review your assets and investments
Some assets that work well in other countries may become less tax-efficient once you’re a U.S. tax resident. For example, certain offshore mutual funds and ETFs can face unfavourable U.S. tax treatment when you receive income or sell.
Ask your personal tax adviser to review any interests you have in non-U.S. companies and any offshore trusts you benefit from. Changes made before you relocate can also affect how assets are taxed later, including for estate planning.
Confirm how your estate would be taxed in the U.S.
Consider speaking with a qualified estate-planning professional. They can review your situation and help you put an appropriate plan in place. There may be options to manage tax liability depending on your:
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Residency status
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Domicile status
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Asset type
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Asset location
In some cases, this may involve trusts being set up before you become U.S.‑domiciled. The rules can feel complex and outcomes vary from state to state.
After the move: practical tips for non-U.S. citizens
Once you’ve successfully settled in the U.S. to begin your retirement, here are some tips to maintain a good quality of life and sense of financial well-being.
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Think about building an annual tax and reporting routineEven after retiring as a non-U.S. citizen, it’s important to regularly review your income, taxes and pension
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Get clear on the laws in place in the specific state you’ve chosen to retire inThese may involve domicile considerations, state tax exposure, beneficiaries on retirement accounts, whether your policies still work across borders
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Regularly revisit your health insurance policies and consider how long-term care would be funded if required in the future
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If you secure the B-2 Visitor Visa, be sure to set up a simple travel log of dates you enter an exit the country, along with supporting documents
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Always review your retirement plan if any of your life circumstances changeSuch as; moving state, getting married or divorced, receiving inheritance or a gifted asset, any sale of a business or property, any change in your legal immigration status (e.g. citizenship)
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Allow yourself to settle in slowly to a new pace of life and enjoy the retirement you’ve worked so hard to achieve
Moving to the U.S. for retirement can feel challenging, but with practical steps and personalized advice, you can begin this new chapter with confidence.
Explore: Retirement planning checklist
Explore more
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