What No One Tells You About Visas (and Why It Matters)

Visas: The Paper That Unlocks the Plan

Photo by Romain Dancre on Unsplash

When people ask me what the hardest part of moving abroad is, I can answer in one word:

Paperwork.

Not because it’s impossible. But because it’s the part no one talks about until you’re knee-deep in documents, trying to translate your dream into government language.

Before the packing lists and Pinterest boards, before the international schools and community searches, there’s always the question:

“What kind of visa do I even need?”

And the truth?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

Every Country Is Different. So Is Every Family.

When I first moved to the UK in 2015, I started on a six-month visitor visa—just to be with my (then-boyfriend, now-husband) Duane. We eventually applied for a spousal visa, and now I’m on a family visa that lasts 2.5 years at a time. In the UK, you need to be on this kind of visa for 5 full years before you can even apply for citizenship.

When we moved to Denmark, it was through Duane’s job—we had a resident work visa that came with a relocation package. There, the rules are different: you can apply for citizenship after 5 years, but only if you learn the language and pass integration requirements.

Now in Qatar, we’re on another resident work visa—and citizenship isn’t really on the table. It’s a closed process that’s incredibly rare, especially for expats.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out what visa you need…

You’re not behind. You’re just starting the real part of the journey.

So—What Type of Visa Do You Really Need?

There are visas for:

• ✅ Work

• ✅ Business and entrepreneurship

• ✅ Digital nomads

• ✅ Students

• ✅ Retirees

• ✅ Families joining a spouse

• ✅ Investors

• ✅ People with ancestral roots in a country

But here’s what no one tells you:

You don’t pick a visa first.

You start with your life.

Where do you want to go?

What do you want your life to look like once you get there?

Are you working remotely? Sending kids to school? Planning to stay long-term or just test the waters?

Once you answer those questions, you can figure out which visa supports your vision.

Let’s Break It Down—Together.

Next month, I’m hosting the Visa Summit, a one-day virtual event where real experts from Spain, Africa, Europe, Mexico, and the Middle East will break it all down.

We’ll cover the most popular visa options, talk timelines and costs, and most importantly, help you find the visa that fits your lifestyle and your family.

If you’re ready to stop Googling and start planning, join the waitlist now so you get early access when registration opens.

It’s just paper.

But that paper can change everything.