27 questions to answer before you leave the U.S. A free honest checklist from ExpatBlueprint Co.
How to Use This Audit
Answer each question honestly, with a real number or a real answer, not a hope. Score yourself at the end.
If you score under 20, don’t move yet. If you score 20-35, you’re planning-ready but not move-ready. If you score 36+, you’re closer than most people ever get.
Section 1 — Money & Runway
1. If your primary income disappeared tomorrow, how many months could you cover basic living expenses with cash?
0-1 months (0) / 2-3 months (1) / 4-6 months (2) / 7+ months (3)
2. Do you have a separate emergency fund not tied to your move budget?
No (0) / Under $2K (1) / $2K-$10K (2) / $10K+ (3)
3. Do you have the cash to fly home in an emergency without going into debt?
No (0) / Sort of (1) / Yes, once (2) / Yes, twice with a buffer (3)
4. How much have you actually saved specifically for the move (deposits, flights, setup)?
Under $2K (0) / $2K-$5K (1) / $5K-$15K (2) / $15K+ (3)
5. Do you have any debt payments that follow you regardless of where you live?
Yes, unmanaged (0) / Yes, paid on time (1) / Yes, low balance (2) / No (3)
6. Is your income location-independent, or does it require a specific country?
Requires a location (0) / Mostly flexible (1) / Fully remote (2) / Fully remote, multiple clients (3)
7. How diversified is your income right now?
One employer (0) / Two sources (1) / 3-5 sources (2) / 5+ or true portfolio (3)
8. Do you have a backup income stream you could activate in 30 days if needed?
No (0) / Maybe (1) / Yes (2) / Yes, already tested (3)
9. Do you know what your monthly cost of living will actually be in your destination, including insurance, taxes, and irregular expenses?
No (0) / Rough guess (1) / Detailed estimate (2) / Verified with expats on the ground (3)
10. Do you have a credit card or banking option that will work in your destination without insane fees?
No (0) / Not sure (1) / Yes, researched (2) / Yes, already set up (3)
Section 2 — Documents & Legal
11. Do you have a valid passport with more than 12 months of validity remaining?
No / under 6 months (0) / 6-12 months (1) / 12+ months (2) / 5+ years (3)
12. Have you identified the specific visa/residency pathway you’ll use, not just what exists, but what applies to you?
No (0) / Researched but unclear (1) / Identified (2) / Consulted an immigration attorney (3)
13. Do you have digital and physical copies of your critical documents (birth cert, SSN card, tax returns, degrees) in a place you can access from abroad?
No (0) / Some (1) / Most (2) / Fully organized (3)
14. Do you understand your ongoing U.S. tax obligations as an American living abroad?
No (0) / Vaguely (1) / Yes (2) / Already consulted a CPA who works with expats (3)
15. Do you have a U.S. address you’ll keep for mail, banking, and government correspondence?
No plan (0) / Family member (1) / Mail service (2) / Legal domicile strategy set (3)
Section 3 — Income & Work
16. If you have a remote job, has your employer confirmed in writing that you can work from your destination?
No (0) / Assumed yes (1) / Verbal yes (2) / Written yes (3)
17. Have you factored in the tax complications of your employer paying a U.S. employee living abroad?
No (0) / Aware but no plan (1) / Have a plan (2) / Have a CPA already involved (3)
18. If you’re self-employed, do you have client contracts that don’t require U.S. presence?
No / N/A (0) / Some (1) / Most (2) / All (3)
19. If your primary income ended today, do you have specific skills you could use to earn in the destination market or online for a global market?
No (0) / Maybe (1) / Yes (2) / Yes, already tested (3)
Section 4 — Healthcare & Insurance
20. Do you have a plan for international health insurance that covers your specific health conditions?
No (0) / Researched (1) / Selected (2) / Purchased (3)
21. Do you have a plan for prescriptions and ongoing medical care?
N/A or no plan (0) / Vague plan (1) / Solid plan (2) / Verified with doctor (3)
22. Do you understand what happens with Medicare/Medicaid eligibility if you’re gone long-term?
No (0) / Vaguely (1) / Yes (2) / Written strategy (3)
Section 5 — Life, Logistics & Community
23. Have you visited your destination in person for at least 2 weeks before committing to move there?
No (0) / Short trip only (1) / 2+ weeks (2) / Multiple visits including one long stay (3)
24. Do you know at least one person in your destination you can contact when things go wrong?
No (0) / Online-only contact (1) / One person (2) / A small community (3)
25. Have you honestly considered how race, language, culture, and identity will affect your daily life there?
No (0) / Somewhat (1) / Yes (2) / Yes, and talked to people who look like you living there (3)
26. Do you have a written return plan, the specific conditions under which you’d move back and the resources to do it?
No (0) / General idea (1) / Written but vague (2) / Written with cash reserved (3)
27. If everything went wrong in month 4, job gone, homesick, unexpected bills, do you know exactly what you would do?
No (0) / Sort of (1) / Yes (2) / Yes, and documented it (3)
Scoring
Add up your points. Max score: 78.
0-19: Not yet. You’re in the dream phase. Do not move yet. Focus on building runway, diversifying income, and stress-testing the plan. Recommended next step: Strategy Session.
20-35: Planning phase. You’re serious but the plan has gaps. This is exactly when a written Blueprint saves you from expensive mistakes. Recommended next step: The Move Abroad Blueprint.
36-55: Move-ready with support. You’ve done the work. What you need now is coordination, not more information. Recommended next step: Concierge Transition Support.
56-78: Advanced-ready. You’re rare. Consider whether you actually need help, or whether you should be helping others do this.
What to Do Next
If your score surprised you, good. That’s what this audit is for.
The people who move abroad successfully aren’t the ones with the highest scores. They’re the ones who know their real score and plan around it.
When you’re ready to build the plan, we’re here.
Book Your Strategy Session, $247 -> | Learn about the Move Abroad Blueprint ->