Practical help for Americans moving abroad.

ExpatKit provides practical guidance organized around the decisions Americans face when moving abroad — visas and documents, health and insurance, banking and money, U.S. tax and administration, mail and digital access, and moving logistics.

You can also get The U.S. Expat Moving Checklist, a free PDF that puts 64 practical steps into 7 phases.

ExpatKit currently does not sell insurance, bank accounts or relocation services, rank providers, or offer a paid advisory service.

Yes. The checklist is free and includes 64 practical steps across 7 phases, from early planning through your first U.S. tax season abroad.

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The checklist is sequenced because some decisions affect what comes next:

• Start with your legal route.
• Settle your U.S. address and phone plan before updating banks and agencies.
• Protect account access before your phone number changes.
• Start long-lead items early.
• Keep records from day one.

The full checklist shows when each step should happen and why it matters.

Generally, yes. U.S. citizens living abroad usually still have U.S. federal tax filing obligations and may also have additional reporting requirements.

Depending on your situation, these can include FBAR and Form 8938. Certain taxpayers abroad also qualify for an automatic extension to file, but an extension to file does not necessarily extend the time to pay.

Phase 7 of the checklist highlights the key U.S. tax and reporting steps to review.

This is general information, not tax advice.

It depends on the institution and the country where you live. Policies for customers living abroad vary, so check directly with your banks, brokerages and retirement-account providers well before your move.

The checklist also covers related steps such as planning your U.S. address and phone setup, protecting two-factor authentication, and keeping more than one way to access your money.

Healthcare arrangements depend on your destination and your existing coverage. Original Medicare generally does not cover medical care outside the United States, except in limited circumstances.

If you’re approaching or over 65, review your Medicare Part B decision before moving because delaying enrollment can lead to a late-enrollment penalty in some situations.

This is general information, not medical or insurance advice.

Destination guides are published gradually. ExpatKit currently has a guide to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The U.S. Expat Moving Checklist is destination-neutral: it focuses on the U.S.-side preparation that applies broadly and flags the steps where you need to check destination-specific rules.

No. ExpatKit provides general educational information to help you organize your move and understand what to investigate next.

Laws, deadlines, eligibility rules and requirements vary by destination and personal circumstances. Important decisions should be verified with official sources and, when appropriate, a qualified professional.