Frequently Asked Questions: U.S. Citizens Living Abroad

Source: AARP.org | February 7, 2006

 What should I know about banking and money overseas?
 What costs should I expect from setting up a household in a foreign country?
 What can my U.S. Consulate or Embassy do for me as a citizen living abroad?
 Can I vote in the U.S. elections if I live overseas?
 How can I stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in the U.S.?
 How should I organize my legal affairs before I move?
 How do I get my mail overseas?
 What do I need to know about medical care overseas?

Answers to Your Living Abroad Questions

Q: What should I know about banking and money overseas?
A: It may be quite a challenge to open a bank account overseas as an American citizen. There are ways to make the process easier by carrying a letter of reference from your U.S.-based bank showing a solid banking history. Making a large deposit to open the account will help, as well as showing some records of accounts. Be sure to check requirements and limits for bringing cash and assets into your country of choice by contacting the respective embassy or consulate.

Q: What costs should I expect from setting up a household in a foreign country?
A: As with opening a bank account, you may be asked to prove a solid payment history when applying for utilities. Most countries will require you to have a local bank account, and may use automatic account debits as form of payment. Be aware of telephones; some countries have government operated phone systems and your U.S. equipment will not work there. Another added cost is the possible replacement of all your electrical appliances if the voltage of your country differs from U.S. standard. For additional information about voltage, television systems as well as electric and telephone plugs worldwide visit the World Electric Guide at: www.kropla.com.

Q: What can my U.S. Consulate or Embassy do for me as a citizen living abroad?
A: It is a good idea to register with the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate when moving overseas. They can provide a "life line" to U.S. citizens in foreign countries, keeping you apprised of latest developments regarding your security and well-being overseas. The U.S. State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs has a web page and links to other helpful information at: travel.state.gov or check the Searchable Database of the world's Embassies and Consulates at: http://www.escapeartist.com/embassy1/embassy1.htm

Q: Can I vote in U.S. elections if I live overseas?
A: Yes, as long as you are a U.S. citizen, you are eligible to vote in national elections, and six million Americans do. If you maintain a residency in one of the 50 states, you may also be eligible for local elections. Most absentee ballots are delivered via the postal service, but many states have online voter information and some even allow you to register to vote via the Internet.
For more information, visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website at: http://www.fvap.gov

Both of the main political parties, as well as other groups, have websites with useful information for overseas American voters. For example:

• Democrats Abroad: www.democratsabroad.org
• Republicans Abroad: http://www.republicansabroad.org
• League of Women Voters: http://www.lwv.org

Q: How can I stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in the U.S.?
A: In addition to the newsstands in most foreign cities that carry major newspapers and magazines, the Internet has made it possible to stay informed via your computer. Look for websites for major newspapers and radio stations. In addition there are now online bookstores. Also, CNN is available in most countries.
Resources:

• The NewsStand - provides exact digital reproduction of your favorite print newspapers and magazines
• World-Newspapers.com - World newspapers, magazines, and news sites in English, sorted by country and region

Q: How should I organize my legal affairs before I move?
A: Unless you are absolutely sure that you will never return to the U.S. to live, it pays to maintain a "home of record" or a residency in the state of your choice. For that reason, it is a wise idea to keep a U.S. checking account enabling you to write U.S. checks to pay any bills that may be due over the course of the year. Keep a U.S. credit card and use it every six months or so, to ensure a good credit rating with the major credit bureaus. If you own a home in the U.S., be sure that the insurance policy reflects the new status.

Q: How do I get my mail overseas?
A: You can establish a post office box in your new town, or have mail sent to your new residence. Be aware that magazines and other publications will require you to pay a higher subscription rate to receive them overseas.

Q: What do I need to know about medical care overseas?
A: It is important to check on the availability of prescription medicines in the new country as well as any regulations on carrying prescribed drugs. It will be important to get the generic name of all medicines and check out ahead of time for availability of medical facilities, pharmacies and English-speaking doctors. You will need a good copy of your medical record, complete with names and numbers of any doctors that cared for you. A good bilingual dictionary will be helpful in medical situations also. You will need to familiarize yourself with the procedure for medical emergencies in your new country of residence, remembering that "911" does not work overseas. Contact Global Emergency Medical Services at 1-800-860-1111 for a complete database on English-speaking medical providers in 180 countries.