Frequently asked questions

Wazo.work is a free 18-page interactive relocation planning tool for people moving abroad to study, work, or live remotely. It covers 47 destination countries and 512 passport-destination visa combinations. The tool helps you compare destinations, understand visa requirements and timelines, build a realistic budget, track the documents you need, and prepare for the first 30 days on the ground.

No account or login is required. All your planning data stays in your browser — Wazo does not store it on a server. You can export a backup and import it on another device if needed.

Wazo is for anyone planning a cross-border move, including:

• International students comparing destinations and university options abroad
• Professionals relocating for work or on an employment visa
• Remote workers and freelancers exploring digital nomad visa routes
• People making a lifestyle move to a new country
• Anyone who wants a structured plan instead of scattered research

It is most useful 6 to 18 months before a planned move, when there is still time to act on what you find. But people also use it to check what they missed after they have already arrived.

Yes. The full 18-page tool is free and requires no account. Two paid options exist for users who want more:

• Premium layer — €15, one-time: Unlocks extra panels inside the tool including country-specific application sequencing, budget risk analysis, extended document checklists, and detailed health insurance comparison. Activated immediately after payment, no subscription.
• 1:1 planning session — €70: A one-hour call with the founder to work through your specific situation. You leave with a written action plan. Book at wazoin.com/move-planning-session.

See the full pricing breakdown for what is included in each tier.

The 18 pages cover the full relocation process from decision to arrival:

• Country comparison across 47 destinations on visa access, cost, job market, and stability
• Visa route identification for 512 passport-destination combinations across study, work, and remote paths
• Path-specific document checklists with custom item support
• Interactive cost breakdown with auto-calculated totals
• Monthly budget planner with income and expense tracking
• Health insurance requirements by destination country
• Timeline planner with overdue warnings and milestone tracking
• Arrival checklist for the first 30 days: registration, banking, SIM, healthcare
• Data export (JSON backup) and import for cross-device continuity
• PDF export of your full plan

The comparison and visa framework covers 47 destination countries. The most fully covered destinations include Portugal, Germany, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Norway, the UK, Canada, the USA, Australia, Thailand, the UAE, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Georgia, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico.

Dedicated country guides are available for popular destinations:

Yes. The country comparison tool lets you compare up to three destinations on visa access, monthly cost of living, job market conditions, and stability. For each study destination, the tool covers student visa timelines, tuition cost ranges, university application steps, student bank account requirements, and the registration steps required after arrival.

Wazo is particularly useful before you have chosen a destination — it helps you check which countries are actually accessible on your passport, what the real monthly cost looks like, and what the visa process involves, before you commit months of effort to an application.

Yes. Portugal is one of the most fully covered destinations. The tool covers the D7 passive income visa, D8 digital nomad visa (minimum income of approximately €3,480 per month), standard employment visa routes, and the student visa process. It includes monthly cost of living estimates for Lisbon (approximately €1,400 to €2,200), the NIF registration process, AIMA appointment process, local bank account setup, and Utente number for health system access.

See the dedicated Portugal destination guide for a full overview.

Yes. Germany is fully covered, including the Job Seeker Visa (6 months, no job offer required upfront), EU Blue Card for skilled workers, student visa requirements, and blocked account requirements (currently approximately €11,208 per year). Post-arrival registration includes the Anmeldung (mandatory within 14 days), tax ID (Steuer-ID), social insurance number, and GKV public health insurance enrollment.

See the dedicated Germany destination guide for a full overview.

No. Wazo does not have a job board, employer directory, or job matching service. It covers the work visa and employment permit process for destinations where you already have a job offer or are seeking one independently. It explains what documents and steps are required for work visa applications in each country, but does not connect users with employers or recruitment services.

Moving abroad in 2026 involves five main steps:

1. Choose a destination — one that matches your visa eligibility, budget, and life situation, not just one you like the idea of.
2. Identify your visa route — study, work, digital nomad, passive income, or family-based, depending on what your passport and circumstances qualify for.
3. Build a realistic budget — including visa fees, move-in costs (deposit, furniture, setup), and a 3-month living expenses buffer.
4. Gather documents — the exact list varies by destination and visa type. Most require a valid passport, proof of income or funds, health insurance, and proof of accommodation.
5. Plan the first 30 days — residence registration, bank account, SIM card, health system enrollment, and tax number, in the correct order for your country.

The Wazo move abroad planner walks through all of this in 18 pages, free, with no account required. Start your plan here.

Wazo.work is a free 18-page move abroad planning tool built from 4 real international moves. It covers:

• Country comparison across 47 destinations on visa access, cost, job market, and stability
• Visa route identification for 512 passport-destination combinations across study, work, and remote paths
• Path-specific and country-specific document checklists
• Interactive cost breakdown and monthly budget planner
• Timeline planner with deadline tracking and overdue warnings
• Arrival checklist for the first 30 days in your new country

It is free with no account required. All data stays in your browser. A one-time €15 premium layer adds country-specific application sequencing, budget risk analysis, and health insurance comparison. Start the free move abroad planner here.

Studying abroad in 2026 starts with three checks before committing to a destination:

• Can your passport get a student visa for that country?
• What is the real monthly cost of living, including rent, food, transport, and health insurance?
• Do your target universities accept international students, and what are their application requirements?

Popular study destinations for 2026 include Germany (low or no tuition at public universities, blocked account requirement of approximately €11,208 per year), the Netherlands, Canada, Ireland, and Portugal. After choosing a destination, the process involves university application, student visa application (acceptance letter, proof of funds, health insurance), and post-arrival registration steps.

The Wazo study abroad planner covers student visa timelines, document checklists, cost estimates, and the first-month registration process for all major study destinations. Use the free study abroad planner here.

A complete move abroad checklist covers three phases:

Before departure

• Valid passport (check expiry — most countries require 6 months validity beyond your intended stay)
• Visa application with all required documents
• Health insurance meeting the destination country's requirements
• Proof of funds or blocked account (for student and passive income visas)
• Accommodation proof for the first weeks
• Apostille documents if required by your destination country

On arrival

• Residence registration (mandatory within 14 days in Germany and the Netherlands, within 3 days in Spain)
• Local bank account opening
• Tax identification number registration
• SIM card on a local network
• Health system enrollment (GKV in Germany, Utente number in Portugal)

The Wazo move abroad checklist is path-specific and country-specific — it shows only the items that apply to your visa type and destination, in the correct order. Build your personalised checklist here.

Americans moving abroad carry one important obligation that most other nationalities do not: the US taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live. This does not mean you will pay double tax, but it does mean you need to file US tax returns every year and report foreign bank accounts over $10,000 via FBAR. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) lets you exclude approximately $120,000+ in foreign-earned income from US federal tax if you meet the physical presence or bona fide residence tests.

On the visa side, the US passport is strong — visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 186+ countries. Popular destinations for Americans moving abroad include:

• Portugal — D7 passive income visa or D8 digital nomad visa; IFICI/NHR tax regime for new residents (10% flat tax on foreign income for 10 years)
• Germany — Freelancer visa or skilled worker visa; strong job market
• Spain — Digital Nomad Visa or Non-Lucrative Visa; Mediterranean lifestyle
• UAE — 0% personal income tax; straightforward employment visa process
• Thailand — LTR (Long-Term Resident) visa for remote workers earning $80,000+ annually
• Mexico — Temporary Resident Visa; low cost of living with US proximity

Before leaving the US, notify the IRS of your address change, register for absentee voting in your state, and check whether your US bank allows a foreign address on the account. The Wazo move abroad planner covers visa routes, cost breakdowns, and first-30-days steps for all of the above destinations. Start planning your move abroad as an American here.

Moving abroad as an African involves navigating stricter visa requirements than holders of European or North American passports face — but the routes exist and are well-established. The main additional hurdles are:

• Proof of ties to your home country — many consulates require evidence you intend to return (property, employment, family) when you apply for a student or visit visa before your long-stay visa is approved
• Stricter financial proof — blocked account for Germany (€11,208/year deposited before your visa is approved), bank statements showing sufficient funds for Portugal and Canada
• Credential evaluation — European universities and Canadian institutions often require official evaluation of African secondary school and university certificates (WES for Canada, NARIC for UK, APS for Germany)
• Police clearance certificate — typically required and often needs to be apostilled

Popular destinations and pathways for Africans moving abroad:

• Germany — DAAD scholarships specifically for African students; free tuition at public universities; Job Seeker Visa for professionals
• Canada — Express Entry for skilled workers; SDS (Student Direct Stream) study permit for eligible nationalities; PGWP pathway to PR
• Portugal — Portuguese-speaking Africans (Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome) have language and bilateral agreement advantages
• UAE — large African expatriate community; employer-sponsored work visas; no income tax
• France — Francophone Africans have language advantage; Campus France required for many nationalities before applying

The Wazo move abroad planner covers visa routes, document requirements, and cost breakdowns for all the major destinations. The premium layer includes country-specific pitfall warnings — including the additional steps that commonly affect African applicants. Start planning your move abroad here.

To study abroad in Canada you need a Study Permit (not a student visa — Canada calls it a permit). The process involves:

1. Get an acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
2. Open a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD $10,000 at a Canadian bank — required for the Student Direct Stream (SDS) fast-track route
3. Complete an IELTS or equivalent English language test (6.0+ for SDS)
4. Apply for the Study Permit online through IRCC
5. SDS processing is approximately 20 days; standard processing is 8-12 weeks

Costs: International student tuition at Canadian public universities ranges from CAD $15,000 to $35,000 per year (engineering and business programs at the higher end). Cost of living is CAD $1,500-3,000 per month depending on city — Toronto and Vancouver are the most expensive; Montreal, Ottawa, and smaller cities are more affordable.

After graduation: The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) lets you work in Canada for up to 3 years after a program of 2+ years, which is the main pathway into Express Entry permanent residency. This is one of the most practical student-to-PR pipelines in the world.

The Wazo move abroad planner includes Canada in its country comparison and covers visa routes and cost breakdowns. See the dedicated Canada destination guide.

To study abroad in Portugal as a non-EU international student, you need a Student Visa (national D-type visa for study) from the Portuguese consulate in your country. Requirements include:

• University acceptance letter from a Portuguese institution
• Proof of financial means — approximately €760 per month (roughly €9,120 per year) or a valid scholarship
• Health insurance valid in Portugal
• Proof of accommodation for the first weeks
• Criminal record certificate (apostilled or legalized)

Tuition: Public universities charge approximately €697 to €7,000 per year for international students depending on the program — among the most affordable in Western Europe. Popular institutions include the University of Lisbon, University of Porto, University of Coimbra (founded in 1290), Nova SBE, and ISEG.

Cost of living: Lisbon runs approximately €900 to €1,400 per month as a student. Porto is somewhat cheaper at €700 to €1,100 per month. Coimbra and smaller university cities are lower still.

After arrival: Get your NIF (tax number) at a Finanças office, open a Portuguese bank account, book an AIMA appointment for your residence permit, and register for the Utente number for health system access.

Portuguese-speaking Africans and Brazilians have a significant advantage in terms of language and, in some cases, bilateral agreements that affect tuition fees. See the full Portugal destination guide.

Americans studying in Portugal apply for a Student Visa (D-type national visa) at the Portuguese consulate in the USA — either in Washington DC, New York, Boston, San Francisco, or Newark depending on your state of residence. The main requirements are:

• University acceptance letter from a Portuguese institution
• Proof of financial means of approximately €760 per month (bank statements or scholarship letter)
• Valid health insurance covering Portugal for the duration of your stay
• Proof of accommodation for the first weeks (rental contract or university housing confirmation)
• FBI criminal record certificate — this must be apostilled, which adds time to the process; order it well in advance
• Valid US passport with at least 6 months of validity beyond your intended stay

Tuition for Americans: Portugal treats American students as non-EU international students, so tuition runs from approximately €697 to €7,000 per year depending on the program and institution — far below comparable US university costs. Popular institutions include the University of Lisbon, University of Porto, Nova SBE (business), and ISEG.

US tax obligations while studying in Portugal: Americans must continue filing US federal tax returns every year regardless of where they live. While on a student visa with no income, the filing requirement still applies. If you work part-time in Portugal (permitted under student visa rules), you must report that income. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) can shelter up to approximately $120,000 of foreign-earned income from US federal tax if you meet the physical presence or bona fide residence tests. Any Portuguese bank account over $10,000 must be reported via FBAR.

After arrival in Portugal: Get your NIF (tax number) at a local Finanças office or Portuguese consulate before you leave the US. Book your AIMA appointment for your residence permit immediately after your visa is issued — wait times in Lisbon have reached 6 to 12 months. Open a Portuguese bank account (requires NIF and address proof), and register for the Utente number to access the public health system (SNS).

The Wazo move abroad planner covers the full Portugal student visa process, cost breakdown, and first-30-days arrival steps. See the full Portugal destination guide. Start your Portugal move plan here.

Germany offers free or near-free tuition at public universities for all students, including international students from outside the EU — making it one of the most in-demand study destinations in the world. To study abroad in Germany, the main requirements are:

• University acceptance letter — many universities use Uni-Assist for international applications; apply directly through the university or via hochschulstart.de for restricted programs
• Blocked account (Sperrkonto) — you must deposit approximately €11,208 into a German blocked account before your visa is approved; funds are released monthly after arrival
• Health insurance — statutory public insurance (GKV) is mandatory and costs approximately €120 per month for students enrolled at a German university
• Language requirements — German-taught programs require TestDaF or DSH; English-taught programs (common at master's level) require IELTS or TOEFL
• Credential recognition — the anabin database shows whether your school certificate is recognized; some nationalities require APS (Academic Evaluation Centre) verification

Costs: Public universities charge only semester administration fees of €100 to €400, which typically include a public transit pass. Cost of living in Berlin or Hamburg runs approximately €900 to €1,400 per month; Munich is higher at €1,200 to €1,800 per month.

After arrival: Anmeldung (address registration) is mandatory within 14 days. Then access your blocked account funds, enroll in public health insurance, obtain your Steuer-ID (tax ID), and register for your social insurance number.

DAAD scholarships are available for international students including those from African countries. See the full Germany destination guide.

Europe offers a wide range of study options with significant variation in cost, language, and visa process. Key things to know when planning to study abroad in Europe:

Cost by country (approximate annual tuition for international students):

• Germany, Austria, Norway, Finland — €0 to €400 (semester admin fees only at public universities)
• Portugal, Spain, Czech Republic, Hungary — €700 to €4,000
• France — €2,770 to €3,770 at public universities
• Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden — €2,000 to €15,000 depending on program
• United Kingdom — £9,250 to £38,000 (most expensive in Europe)

Language: Most bachelor's programs in continental Europe are taught in the local language. English-taught programs are widely available at master's level, especially in the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, and Denmark. If you want to study entirely in English in a country where English is the native language within the EU, Ireland is your primary option.

Visa: Every EU and EEA country issues its own national long-stay student visa. You apply at the consulate of your destination country in your home country. Common requirements across all European student visas: acceptance letter, proof of funds (amount varies by country), health insurance, accommodation proof, and a criminal record certificate.

Schengen: Once in the Schengen Area on a national student visa, you can travel freely between member states. Ireland and (post-Brexit) the UK are outside Schengen.

The Wazo move abroad planner covers 15 European destinations with dedicated student visa information, cost breakdowns, and arrival checklists. Start comparing European study destinations here.

Asia offers a growing number of study options ranging from globally ranked universities in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore to affordable programs in Thailand and Malaysia. Key destinations for studying abroad in Asia:

• Japan — Student visa requires a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) issued by your university in Japan before you apply at a consulate. Programs available in English at master's and PhD level. Cost of living: Tokyo approximately €1,200 to €1,800 per month. Enroll in National Health Insurance after arrival.
• South Korea — D-2 student visa; COE process through the university. Seoul costs approximately €900 to €1,400 per month. Government scholarship programs (GKS) available for international students.
• Singapore — Student Pass issued by ICA. Home to NUS (National University of Singapore, consistently top 20 globally) and NTU. High cost of living: SGD 2,000 to 4,000 per month (approximately €1,400 to €2,800).
• Thailand — Non-Immigrant ED visa for study; requires enrollment at an accredited institution. Bangkok cost of living approximately €700 to €1,100 per month — among the most affordable for its quality of life.
• UAE — Student visa sponsored directly by your university. Dubai and Abu Dhabi host branches of international universities. Higher cost of living but 0% income tax.
• Malaysia — Student Pass; more affordable than Singapore with similar climate and regional access.

The Wazo move abroad planner covers Thailand and the UAE in detail and includes comparison data for Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. Use the tool to compare Asian study destinations.

The most consistently LGBT-friendly destinations for moving abroad in 2026, based on legal protections, social acceptance, and practical daily life, include:

• Netherlands — the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage (2001); strong anti-discrimination law; Amsterdam has one of Europe's most established LGBT communities; strong legal protections for trans individuals
• Canada — same-sex marriage legal since 2005; federal Charter protections; inclusive healthcare including gender-affirming care in most provinces; high social acceptance across major cities including Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal
• Germany — same-sex marriage legal since 2017; constitutional anti-discrimination protections; Berlin has one of Europe's most visible LGBT communities; gender recognition reform passed in 2024
• Spain — same-sex marriage legal since 2005; strong legal framework; Barcelona and Madrid rank among Europe's most LGBT-welcoming cities; progressive social attitudes
• Portugal — same-sex marriage legal since 2010; strong legal protections; Lisbon has a growing LGBT scene; consistently ranks well in European LGBTQ+ rights indexes
• Ireland — same-sex marriage passed by public referendum in 2015; very socially progressive for western Europe; Dublin has a well-established LGBT community
• Sweden and Norway — consistently rank among the most progressive countries globally for LGBT rights, legal protections, and social acceptance; strong healthcare access
• New Zealand and Australia — same-sex marriage legal (2013 and 2017 respectively); strong federal protections; Auckland, Sydney, and Melbourne rank highly for LGBT inclusivity

What to look beyond the law: Legal status does not always reflect daily reality. Outside major cities, attitudes can differ significantly. For trans individuals specifically, access to gender-affirming healthcare varies considerably even within progressive countries. Canada, the Netherlands, and Germany have the most developed public healthcare pathways for trans individuals in 2026.

Countries to approach carefully: Hungary, Russia, and several countries in Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa have laws that actively criminalise or restrict LGBT expression. Research current conditions carefully before choosing a destination.

The Wazo move abroad planner covers visa routes, cost breakdowns, and arrival steps for all of the destinations listed above. Start comparing destinations here.

Moving abroad for work in 2026 follows one of three main routes depending on your situation:

• Employer-sponsored work visa — your new employer in the destination country initiates the visa process on your behalf. Common in Germany (Blue Card, skilled worker), the Netherlands (Highly Skilled Migrant permit), the UK (Skilled Worker), and Canada (employer-specific work permit)
• Skilled worker visa applied independently — you apply after receiving a job offer, without the employer initiating. This is standard for the German Job Seeker Visa (lets you enter Germany to find work), the Portuguese D3 Highly Qualified Activity Visa, and the UAE employment visa
• Digital nomad visa for remote workers — for people employed by or freelancing for companies outside the destination country. Available in Portugal (D8), Spain (Digital Nomad Visa), Germany (Freiberufler), Greece, UAE, Costa Rica, Thailand (LTR), and 40+ other countries

Key steps before moving abroad for work:

• Confirm your credentials are recognised in the destination country — regulated professions (medicine, law, engineering, nursing) require official recognition before you can practise
• Check the salary threshold for your visa route — many skilled worker visas require a minimum salary (Blue Card in Germany: approximately €44,000 per year for most fields)
• Budget for the gap between your notice period and your new start date — 4 to 8 weeks of overlap with no income is common
• Plan the first 30 days: residence registration, local bank account, tax number, and health system enrollment — all in the correct order for your destination

The Wazo move abroad planner has a dedicated stage for work relocations and covers the full document checklist, cost breakdown, and arrival sequence for 47 destinations. Start planning your work relocation here.

The Wazo.work move abroad tracker is a free 18-page interactive tool that tracks every element of an international move from initial decision through the first 30 days in your new country. It includes:

• Deadline tracker — logs visa application deadlines, housing deadlines, and admin tasks with overdue warnings and snooze functionality so your timeline stays honest as things shift
• Document checklist tracker — path-specific and country-specific, showing which documents are complete, pending, or still needed for your visa type and destination
• Application tracker — logs each active application (university, job, visa, housing) with status, priority, and next steps
• Budget tracker — monthly income and expense tracking with variance analysis against your original budget plan, plus an emergency fund runway calculator
• Arrival tracker — first-30-days checklist covering residence registration, bank account, tax number, SIM card, and health system enrollment in the correct sequence for 47 destination countries

All tracking data stays in your browser. No account is required. JSON export lets you back up your tracking data and restore it on another device. A one-time €15 premium layer adds application sequencing guides showing the exact order to complete steps for your specific country and visa type. Start using the free move abroad tracker here.

Yes — this is one of the best times to use it. Before applying, you can use Wazo to compare destination countries and their student visa requirements, estimate realistic monthly living costs in different cities, understand blocked account or proof-of-funds requirements, check which visa routes are open for your passport, and build a timeline working backwards from application deadlines.

Knowing the full picture before committing to a destination can save months of wasted effort. Many people discover their first-choice country has a visa requirement they cannot meet, or costs significantly more than they expected, only after they have already applied.

Yes. After admission the tool shifts from comparison to execution. It helps you build the visa document checklist for your specific destination and path, estimate move-in costs including deposit, furniture, and setup fees, track application deadlines, and plan the first 30 days including residence registration, bank account opening, health system enrollment, and tax number registration — all in the correct sequence for your destination country.

All planning data stays in your browser's localStorage. It is never sent to Wazo's servers. This means your data is private and does not require an account, but it also means that if you clear your browser data, your plan will be gone.

The tool includes a JSON export feature so you can back up your progress at any time. You can import the backup on another device to continue where you left off.

Yes. The tool is responsive and works on mobile browsers. For sessions involving a lot of data entry — filling in budgets, adding timeline items, building checklists — a laptop or desktop is more comfortable. But all features work on mobile and the reading and comparison pages work well on smaller screens.