Moving and living abroad
How much money do you need to move abroad, and what counts as proof of funds?
Last reviewed .
Treat them as two different numbers. Proof of funds is money a visa program asks you to show; you usually keep it. Moving costs are what you spend: government fees, documents, translation, travel, a rental deposit and the first months of living costs. A sound budget shows each line, marks refundable deposits and keeps optional help, such as a lawyer, out of the required total.
Key facts
| Fact | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of funds | Set by the visa program and consulate, often tied to a local index and family size | Official source |
| US document fees | Dated federal fee table on this site | On this site |
| Exchange rates | Use a rate you choose and date it | On this site |
Why is proof of funds not a cost?
A savings or income threshold is evidence that you can support yourself. It is not a fee. Adding it to your spending budget makes a move look far more expensive than it is, and leaving it out of your cash plan can leave you short at the appointment. Keep it in its own line.
What one-time costs should you plan for?
- Government application fees for each person.
- US documents: FBI check, apostilles, certified records.
- Translation of each document and certificate.
- Health insurance if the program requires it.
- Flights and baggage for each traveler.
- Rental deposit and any agency fee.
- Optional professional help, shown separately.
How should a budget treat deposits?
A rental deposit may come back, but you still need the cash on day one. Count it in money needed, and mark it refundable so it is not confused with money spent.
What makes a moving budget trustworthy?
Every estimate should show where it came from and when. Rents and prices change, and a city average does not describe your household. Annual costs are not simply twelve times one month: travel, school terms and exchange rates move through the year. Use estimates you can replace with real quotes.
Checklist before you start
- Write the proof-of-funds amount and the evidence format separately.
- List required fees per person.
- Price each US document and translation.
- Add deposits and mark them refundable.
- Keep optional professional fees in a separate total.
- Date every estimate and its source.
- Recheck exchange rates before paying.
Common questions
Do I lose the money I show as proof of funds?
No. It is evidence you can support yourself. You keep it, though you may need to show it stays available.
Should I include a lawyer in my moving budget?
Show it as optional unless your situation requires one. Many people apply directly, and a combined total that hides optional help is misleading.
Official sources
- Find a US embassy or consulate. US Department of State.
Sources checked . Official pages change. Use the source over this summary if they differ.
Need US paperwork for your move?
We prepare FBI checks, apostilles, state records and passport paperwork for Americans abroad. Every service links to the free official route first.
Tools and data on this site
Related guides
General information from official sources, not legal advice. The receiving authority decides what it accepts. Confirm its current instructions before you order or send anything. US Expat Desk is a private company. We are not affiliated with the US government, the State Department, or the FBI.