They revoked his retirement visa. They made him leave

So, visa rules can change overnight and So, visa rules can change overnight and suddenly you're illegal. suddenly you're illegal. suddenly you're illegal. Let me tell you about a guy I met. I was Let me tell you about a guy I met. I was Let me tell you about a guy I met. I was traveling in Cambodia in 2019. I met an traveling in Cambodia in 2019. I met an traveling in Cambodia in 2019. I met an American there who said he had lived in American there who said he had lived in American there who said he had lived in Thailand for 5 years, Thailand for 5 years, Thailand for 5 years, but had to move to Cambodia because of a but had to move to Cambodia because of a but had to move to Cambodia because of a change in Thailand's visa rules. change in Thailand's visa rules. change in Thailand's visa rules. He said he had to leave Thailand because He said he had to leave Thailand because He said he had to leave Thailand because the US Embassy stopped notarizing sworn the US Embassy stopped notarizing sworn the US Embassy stopped notarizing sworn income affidavits required by Thailand. income affidavits required by Thailand. income affidavits required by Thailand. He told me he and other Americans had to He told me he and other Americans had to He told me he and other Americans had to leave Thailand because they could no leave Thailand because they could no leave Thailand because they could no longer provide the income proof required longer provide the income proof required longer provide the income proof required by the Thai government. by the Thai government. by the Thai government. And then one morning he woke up and And then one morning he woke up and And then one morning he woke up and checked his phone and found out he had checked his phone and found out he had checked his phone and found out he had to leave. to leave. to leave. Not because he did anything wrong, not Not because he did anything wrong, not Not because he did anything wrong, not because he missed a deadline, because he missed a deadline, because he missed a deadline, because the government changed the rules because the government changed the rules because the government changed the rules overnight without warning. overnight without warning. overnight without warning. Other Americans were able to overcome Other Americans were able to overcome Other Americans were able to overcome this problem by keeping money in a Thai this problem by keeping money in a Thai this problem by keeping money in a Thai bank. bank. bank. And that problem's been solved for many And that problem's been solved for many And that problem's been solved for many people. That happened and if you're people. That happened and if you're people. That happened and if you're living overseas right now or planning living overseas right now or planning living overseas right now or planning to, something like that can happen to to, something like that can happen to to, something like that can happen to you.

you. you. When I first went to Vietnam in 2017, When I first went to Vietnam in 2017, When I first went to Vietnam in 2017, they were issuing one-year visas to they were issuing one-year visas to they were issuing one-year visas to Americans. That meant I only needed to Americans. That meant I only needed to Americans. That meant I only needed to do a visa run once a year instead of do a visa run once a year instead of do a visa run once a year instead of every 90 days. every 90 days. every 90 days. The point is countries change their The point is countries change their The point is countries change their rules and you have to adapt. My name is rules and you have to adapt. My name is rules and you have to adapt. My name is Dan. I've lived in 78 countries over the Dan. I've lived in 78 countries over the Dan. I've lived in 78 countries over the last 19 years. I don't maintain a home last 19 years. I don't maintain a home last 19 years. I don't maintain a home anywhere in the world. anywhere in the world. anywhere in the world. I'm not telling you this to impress you. I'm not telling you this to impress you. I'm not telling you this to impress you. I'm telling you because I I've seen this I'm telling you because I I've seen this I'm telling you because I I've seen this happen. I've watched expats get happen. I've watched expats get happen. I've watched expats get blindsided by visa rule changes in blindsided by visa rule changes in blindsided by visa rule changes in Thailand, Malaysia, Mexico, and Vietnam. Thailand, Malaysia, Mexico, and Vietnam. Thailand, Malaysia, Mexico, and Vietnam. Countries roll out the welcome mat and Countries roll out the welcome mat and Countries roll out the welcome mat and then quietly, suddenly, pull it back. then quietly, suddenly, pull it back. then quietly, suddenly, pull it back. I've been in these these countries when I've been in these these countries when I've been in these these countries when it's happened. I've talked to the people it's happened. I've talked to the people it's happened. I've talked to the people it happened to. it happened to. it happened to. And I want to make sure it doesn't And I want to make sure it doesn't And I want to make sure it doesn't happen to you, or if it does, you're not happen to you, or if it does, you're not happen to you, or if it does, you're not surprised. You're prepared. Here's the surprised. You're prepared. Here's the surprised. You're prepared. Here's the thing nobody tells you when you're thing nobody tells you when you're thing nobody tells you when you're dreaming about moving overseas. You're a dreaming about moving overseas. You're a dreaming about moving overseas. You're a guest, always. Unless you get guest, always. Unless you get guest, always. Unless you get citizenship and a passport, you should citizenship and a passport, you should citizenship and a passport, you should always be prepared for things to change always be prepared for things to change always be prepared for things to change in your life without much warning.

in your life without much warning. in your life without much warning. I don't say that to be harsh. I say I don't say that to be harsh. I say I don't say that to be harsh. I say because it's true, and understanding it because it's true, and understanding it because it's true, and understanding it is the difference between building a is the difference between building a is the difference between building a life abroad and building a house of life abroad and building a house of life abroad and building a house of cards. cards. cards. Most expats pick a country, fall in love Most expats pick a country, fall in love Most expats pick a country, fall in love with it, and start putting down roots. with it, and start putting down roots. with it, and start putting down roots. They sign a lease, they join a They sign a lease, they join a They sign a lease, they join a community, they stop thinking about community, they stop thinking about community, they stop thinking about their visa status because things have their visa status because things have their visa status because things have been fine for years. Some even buy a been fine for years. Some even buy a been fine for years. Some even buy a house or a condo. house or a condo. house or a condo. And that's exactly when they get caught. And that's exactly when they get caught. And that's exactly when they get caught. Rules that were fine last year suddenly Rules that were fine last year suddenly Rules that were fine last year suddenly have some new requirements or documents have some new requirements or documents have some new requirements or documents that you don't have. Renewal processes that you don't have. Renewal processes that you don't have. Renewal processes that used to be simple become that used to be simple become that used to be simple become impossible. And the new rules don't impossible. And the new rules don't impossible. And the new rules don't always come with a grace period. always come with a grace period. always come with a grace period. Mexico, same story. For 20 plus years, Mexico, same story. For 20 plus years, Mexico, same story. For 20 plus years, Mexico allowed people to stay Mexico allowed people to stay Mexico allowed people to stay indefinitely just by doing visa runs indefinitely just by doing visa runs indefinitely just by doing visa runs every 6 months. Things are mostly back every 6 months. Things are mostly back every 6 months. Things are mostly back to normal now, but there was a period of to normal now, but there was a period of to normal now, but there was a period of time in Mexico when Mexico started time in Mexico when Mexico started time in Mexico when Mexico started giving people random entry times, 1 giving people random entry times, 1 giving people random entry times, 1 week, 3 weeks, or 1 month, 2 months. The week, 3 weeks, or 1 month, 2 months. The week, 3 weeks, or 1 month, 2 months. The digital nomad scene exploded there, and digital nomad scene exploded there, and digital nomad scene exploded there, and so did government scrutiny of foreigners so did government scrutiny of foreigners so did government scrutiny of foreigners working or living outside official visa working or living outside official visa working or living outside official visa categories.

categories. categories. The remote worker wave brought a lot of The remote worker wave brought a lot of The remote worker wave brought a lot of attention and a lot of crackdowns on attention and a lot of crackdowns on attention and a lot of crackdowns on people who'd been quietly living there people who'd been quietly living there people who'd been quietly living there on tourist visas for years. on tourist visas for years. on tourist visas for years. This isn't paranoia. This is pattern This isn't paranoia. This is pattern This isn't paranoia. This is pattern recognition. I want you to sit with this recognition. I want you to sit with this recognition. I want you to sit with this for a second. for a second. for a second. Imagine you've been living in a place Imagine you've been living in a place Imagine you've been living in a place for years. You know your neighborhood. for years. You know your neighborhood. for years. You know your neighborhood. You know where to get good coffee. You You know where to get good coffee. You You know where to get good coffee. You know your favorite dishes at your know your favorite dishes at your know your favorite dishes at your favorite restaurants. You know the favorite restaurants. You know the favorite restaurants. You know the people at the market by name. people at the market by name. people at the market by name. And then someone tells you that you have And then someone tells you that you have And then someone tells you that you have 30 days to leave. 30 days to leave. 30 days to leave. Not 30 days to sort out paperwork. Not 30 days to sort out paperwork. Not 30 days to sort out paperwork. 30 days to dismantle your life. 30 days to dismantle your life. 30 days to dismantle your life. Your apartment, your stuff, your Your apartment, your stuff, your Your apartment, your stuff, your routines, your friends, the doctor you routines, your friends, the doctor you routines, your friends, the doctor you finally found who actually understands finally found who actually understands finally found who actually understands your situation. your situation. your situation. Gone. Gone. Gone. A few years ago, we were in Iloilo City A few years ago, we were in Iloilo City A few years ago, we were in Iloilo City in the Philippines. One of our in the Philippines. One of our in the Philippines. One of our subscribers walked up to us subscribers walked up to us subscribers walked up to us uh and explained that he'd been asked to uh and explained that he'd been asked to uh and explained that he'd been asked to leave the Philippines. leave the Philippines. leave the Philippines. Historically, people could enter the Historically, people could enter the Historically, people could enter the Philippines and do visa extensions for Philippines and do visa extensions for Philippines and do visa extensions for up to 36 months before they had to do up to 36 months before they had to do up to 36 months before they had to do visa run.

visa run. visa run. But after 6 months, they told him he But after 6 months, they told him he But after 6 months, they told him he could no longer extend his visa. He had could no longer extend his visa. He had could no longer extend his visa. He had to leave within 30 days. to leave within 30 days. to leave within 30 days. Luckily, things have gotten back to Luckily, things have gotten back to Luckily, things have gotten back to normal mostly in the Philippines since normal mostly in the Philippines since normal mostly in the Philippines since then. then. then. Most of the people we talked to are able Most of the people we talked to are able Most of the people we talked to are able to get their 36-month extensions. to get their 36-month extensions. to get their 36-month extensions. Now, if you don't have a backup plan in Now, if you don't have a backup plan in Now, if you don't have a backup plan in place, things could get much worse. place, things could get much worse. place, things could get much worse. What if you can't just go home because What if you can't just go home because What if you can't just go home because home home home for a lot of expats, home isn't for a lot of expats, home isn't for a lot of expats, home isn't affordable anymore. affordable anymore. affordable anymore. That's why you left in the first place. That's why you left in the first place. That's why you left in the first place. The cost of living in the US, the UK, The cost of living in the US, the UK, The cost of living in the US, the UK, Canada, Canada, Canada, it's not it's not what it was when you it's not it's not what it was when you it's not it's not what it was when you made the decision to leave. made the decision to leave. made the decision to leave. So, you're not just suddenly illegal, So, you're not just suddenly illegal, So, you're not just suddenly illegal, you're suddenly homeless. Financially, you're suddenly homeless. Financially, you're suddenly homeless. Financially, emotionally, emotionally, emotionally, you're adrift in a way that people back you're adrift in a way that people back you're adrift in a way that people back home can't fully understand. So, you home can't fully understand. So, you home can't fully understand. So, you need a backup plan. need a backup plan. need a backup plan. Here's the good news. This is survivable Here's the good news. This is survivable Here's the good news. This is survivable if you prepare. if you prepare. if you prepare. I've spent 19 years learning how to stay I've spent 19 years learning how to stay I've spent 19 years learning how to stay ahead of this, and I'm going to give you ahead of this, and I'm going to give you ahead of this, and I'm going to give you the framework that I use.

the framework that I use. the framework that I use. Never build your life around one Never build your life around one Never build your life around one country's goodwill. country's goodwill. country's goodwill. This is a single biggest mistake that This is a single biggest mistake that This is a single biggest mistake that expats make. expats make. expats make. They find their paradise and they stop They find their paradise and they stop They find their paradise and they stop looking. I understand it. I've done it. looking. I understand it. I've done it. looking. I understand it. I've done it. But the smart move is to always have a But the smart move is to always have a But the smart move is to always have a plan B country. plan B country. plan B country. A place you've researched that you could A place you've researched that you could A place you've researched that you could move to if the carpet gets pulled out move to if the carpet gets pulled out move to if the carpet gets pulled out from under you. from under you. from under you. And here's the best way to do that. And here's the best way to do that. And here's the best way to do that. Rule number two. Don't marry the first Rule number two. Don't marry the first Rule number two. Don't marry the first country that you date. country that you date. country that you date. When you fly halfway around the world on When you fly halfway around the world on When you fly halfway around the world on a $1,500 a $1,500 a $1,500 ticket, explore the other countries in ticket, explore the other countries in ticket, explore the other countries in that region before you pick your that region before you pick your that region before you pick your favorite. favorite. favorite. In Southeast Asia and Europe, flights In Southeast Asia and Europe, flights In Southeast Asia and Europe, flights between these countries are usually between these countries are usually between these countries are usually around 100 bucks round trip. around 100 bucks round trip. around 100 bucks round trip. I call these exploratory visits. After I call these exploratory visits. After I call these exploratory visits. After you pick your favorite, you'll know your you pick your favorite, you'll know your you pick your favorite, you'll know your surrounding favorite countries. surrounding favorite countries. surrounding favorite countries. Then you won't be so worried if Then you won't be so worried if Then you won't be so worried if something goes wrong in the first something goes wrong in the first something goes wrong in the first country. Most of us already do this in country. Most of us already do this in country. Most of us already do this in our home countries.

our home countries. our home countries. We live in one city, but we also know a We live in one city, but we also know a We live in one city, but we also know a few other favorite cities few other favorite cities few other favorite cities we would move to if things get weird in we would move to if things get weird in we would move to if things get weird in our existing city. our existing city. our existing city. If you've never done these exploratory If you've never done these exploratory If you've never done these exploratory visits before moving overseas, go visit visits before moving overseas, go visit visits before moving overseas, go visit these interesting places these interesting places these interesting places on your next few vacations, wherever it on your next few vacations, wherever it on your next few vacations, wherever it is you live in the world. is you live in the world. is you live in the world. Rule number three. Rule number three. Rule number three. Keep an eye on the visa rules in your Keep an eye on the visa rules in your Keep an eye on the visa rules in your existing country and your backup existing country and your backup existing country and your backup countries. countries. countries. Most expats know their visa status, but Most expats know their visa status, but Most expats know their visa status, but set a Google alert for visa news set a Google alert for visa news set a Google alert for visa news in your existing country and in your in your existing country and in your in your existing country and in your backup country. backup country. backup country. Also, join the expat Facebook groups in Also, join the expat Facebook groups in Also, join the expat Facebook groups in your existing and backup countries. Read your existing and backup countries. Read your existing and backup countries. Read any of the news that comes out in those any of the news that comes out in those any of the news that comes out in those two forums so you're aware of any two forums so you're aware of any two forums so you're aware of any changes in visa rules. changes in visa rules. changes in visa rules. Rule number four, build relationships Rule number four, build relationships Rule number four, build relationships with people who know. with people who know. with people who know. A good immigration lawyer in your host A good immigration lawyer in your host A good immigration lawyer in your host country is worth every penny, not for country is worth every penny, not for country is worth every penny, not for emergencies, for intelligence. They hear emergencies, for intelligence. They hear emergencies, for intelligence. They hear about rule changes before the general about rule changes before the general about rule changes before the general public does.

public does. public does. One good contact like this can buy you One good contact like this can buy you One good contact like this can buy you weeks of lead time. weeks of lead time. weeks of lead time. Also, there's usually one or two geeks Also, there's usually one or two geeks Also, there's usually one or two geeks in every host country that follow all in every host country that follow all in every host country that follow all this. So, develop a relationship with this. So, develop a relationship with this. So, develop a relationship with them so you can ask questions about what them so you can ask questions about what them so you can ask questions about what they've heard lately. they've heard lately. they've heard lately. And rule number five, never let your And rule number five, never let your And rule number five, never let your roots go so deep that you can't pull up roots go so deep that you can't pull up roots go so deep that you can't pull up and move. and move. and move. This sounds hard, but it's actually This sounds hard, but it's actually This sounds hard, but it's actually liberating once you internalize it. The liberating once you internalize it. The liberating once you internalize it. The expats who suffer most when visa rules expats who suffer most when visa rules expats who suffer most when visa rules change change change are the ones who convince themselves are the ones who convince themselves are the ones who convince themselves they were permanent. Stay light, stay they were permanent. Stay light, stay they were permanent. Stay light, stay mobile, fall in love with the journey, mobile, fall in love with the journey, mobile, fall in love with the journey, not just one stop on it. not just one stop on it. not just one stop on it. This is another reason to rent instead This is another reason to rent instead This is another reason to rent instead of buy. of buy. of buy. This is another reason to rent furnished This is another reason to rent furnished This is another reason to rent furnished apartments rather than ones you have to apartments rather than ones you have to apartments rather than ones you have to furnish. This is another reason to live furnish. This is another reason to live furnish. This is another reason to live a minimalist life. a minimalist life. a minimalist life. This is another reason not to open a This is another reason not to open a This is another reason not to open a bank account in every country you live bank account in every country you live bank account in every country you live in.

in. in. And in the first few years, And in the first few years, And in the first few years, you may decide to leave a country you may decide to leave a country you may decide to leave a country even if the rules don't change. even if the rules don't change. even if the rules don't change. It's really not till the second or third It's really not till the second or third It's really not till the second or third year that you really know if a place year that you really know if a place year that you really know if a place feels the same as it did when you fell feels the same as it did when you fell feels the same as it did when you fell in love with it when you first got in love with it when you first got in love with it when you first got there. there. there. Now, I've been doing this for 19 years. Now, I've been doing this for 19 years. Now, I've been doing this for 19 years. I've made mistakes. I've been in I've made mistakes. I've been in I've made mistakes. I've been in countries where things got complicated, countries where things got complicated, countries where things got complicated, and I've watched people who didn't and I've watched people who didn't and I've watched people who didn't prepare get hurt in ways that took the prepare get hurt in ways that took the prepare get hurt in ways that took the wind out of them for a few months. But I wind out of them for a few months. But I wind out of them for a few months. But I I've also watched people who were ready, I've also watched people who were ready, I've also watched people who were ready, who had their plan B, who kept shallow who had their plan B, who kept shallow who had their plan B, who kept shallow roots, who stayed mobile. roots, who stayed mobile. roots, who stayed mobile. Walked through situations like this with Walked through situations like this with Walked through situations like this with barely a misstep. The difference wasn't barely a misstep. The difference wasn't barely a misstep. The difference wasn't luck, it was preparation. luck, it was preparation. luck, it was preparation. If you want to go deeper on this, if you If you want to go deeper on this, if you If you want to go deeper on this, if you want the full picture of what it want the full picture of what it want the full picture of what it actually costs to live overseas, what actually costs to live overseas, what actually costs to live overseas, what countries are the most visa stable right countries are the most visa stable right countries are the most visa stable right now, and how to build a life abroad that now, and how to build a life abroad that now, and how to build a life abroad that can survive surprises, that's exactly can survive surprises, that's exactly can survive surprises, that's exactly what my reports at bananabudha.com are what my reports at bananabudha.com are what my reports at bananabudha.com are for.

for. for. But let's just put one foot in front of But let's just put one foot in front of But let's just put one foot in front of the other. Start with my free ebook, How the other. Start with my free ebook, How the other. Start with my free ebook, How I Fired My Boss and Traveled the World I Fired My Boss and Traveled the World I Fired My Boss and Traveled the World for 19 Years. That will teach you the 10 for 19 Years. That will teach you the 10 for 19 Years. That will teach you the 10 things you need to think about before things you need to think about before things you need to think about before retiring overseas. retiring overseas. retiring overseas. Or watch the video in the upper Or watch the video in the upper Or watch the video in the upper right-hand corner of your screen right right-hand corner of your screen right right-hand corner of your screen right now to see all the resources we have to now to see all the resources we have to now to see all the resources we have to help you help you help you find a soft landing overseas.