Short backstory, (21F) I have posted here before with a more detailed description if you want to read it, but I am a bilingual tattoo artist looking to move abroad from the US. Not right this minute, but within 4 years. My wife (24F) also bilingual tattoo artist adopted from Guatemala is coming along. After going down every single country with a checklist, I’ve narrowed it down to 2/3. This would be my route for each one, please let me know if I’ve gathered my info correctly or if you’re someone who has moved using these visas. I am taking notes on everyone’s advice and comments and truly they are helping me with my decision. Thank you all!
Colombia 🇨🇴- real estate investment visa (my first option) 100k (USD and I know this is an estimate and will continue to rise) in property that can be an apartment, home, storefront, studio, vacant land etc and it can be rented out as long as you reside in Colombia. Proof of purchase gives you a migrant visa which gives you the right to live and work. Long term on this visa (5years) and you can apply for citizenship. Business investment visa- not sure if I am ready to open a tattoo shop yet, but 30k in a business is what I’m seeing. Self employment visa- pretty much my last option for all of these places and pretty straight forward as an independent contractor here.
Ecuador 🇪🇨- investment visa: 50k (again USD estimate) can be real estate, bank deposit, business investment, home, and from my understanding you may work and this also covers a spouse, they just can’t work and their visa is only off of mine. I couldn’t find info about splitting this payment besides someone saying they’ve done it years ago. Why this is my second option is because I would rather save more and have equity, unless my spouse and I both do 50k each here (one rental one home to live in). Also self employment visa last option. Here I worry because cost of living is a bit higher and if tattooing isn’t stable, local jobs definitely wouldn’t pay the bills either
Mexico 🇲🇽- self employment visa, I know they are more in favor of artists and small businesses, but money wise may be hard to live if tattooing doesn’t hit off.
I’m hoping tattooing works out in any of these places, and I have tattoos on my hands and arms so also not sure about getting other jobs or how they view that. Also it seems gay rights are accepted in all these places, but it’s hard to find how local people actually view it. Really just looking for some insight, and I don’t need convinced not to move, this is my dream!!!
If your goal to achieve your dreams of moving abroad all 3 options are fine.
There is no point of overanalyzing which country is currently marginally better, because things will change.
All you can do now, is focus your news consumption to news of your destination countries, be active user of social media of those countries, practice language. Visit if you can.
After 4 years of paying close attention to political, social, economic trends of those countries you should be able to make reasonably informed decision.
Thank you!
If your good there is good trade in Mexico, the only issue would be the violence which dependant on state can be extremely dangerous. Jalisco would potentially be a good idea but it's a changeable situation nobody can guarantee that in 6 months or a year it won't deteriorate, the only advantage is it's only a cheap flight home
Fact check on Colombia: if you are interested in citizenship or permanent migration, it behooves you and your wife as separate individuals to have a consistently high level of liquid funds in the years after spending on your first visas.
First, the timeline for applying for citizenship is around 5 to 10 years after arrival on a real estate or business visa. That's because those temp visas by themselves do not allow you to apply for citizenship. Instead, you'd need to bet that Colombia will grant you permanent residency when you apply for it after five years on the temp visas. You'd then have to bet Colombia will grant you citizenship after maintaining permanent residency for at least five more years.
Both permanent residency and citizenship will require you to demonstrate financial stability at the time of each application. Owning real estate but having insufficient liquid funds and/or income that can demonstrate self-sufficiency will not favor your applications. But because your current plan involves shelling out up to $117k per applicant for your temporary visas (e.g., real estate visa option), there is substantial risk of not having enough liquid funds at the time of application.
Each of you should therefore begin this process with substantially more liquid funds than $117k and/or ensure that your tattooing work can generate enough income to support any future applications.
To that end, have you done the accounting to simulate your future financial situation?
I would strongly recommend adding Uruguay to that list.
Can you show me where you read about the self employment visa to Mexico?
To run a business in Mexico, my understanding was you need at least permanent residency. I'm not even sure you could with Temporary Residency but I'm not sure because financial solvency is the route I researched most. It sounds like you might qualify for that based on your numbers for Colombia.
Something to be aware of is that a number of countries have super niche visa categories for artists and that can include tattoo artists if they're exceptional.
I've known tattoo artists to get a US work visa for instance. I presume Einstein but I don't know the precise details.
You would need to do excellent work and find a way to demonstrate you're an exceptional artist, but there are options there that other groups don't have.
Have you looked into Canada? They seem to help out folks in the LGBTQ family. Being young and helping the Canadian economy, for a long time, is a plus as well.
Tattoo artists are not a considered occupation for skilled immigration to Canada.
Thanks.