Your real options for living outside the U.S.
Residency guides for Americans who want a Plan B — or a full exit. Clear requirements, actual costs, honest timelines. No guesswork.
Not everyone wants the same thing.
Some people want a backup plan. Some want to test the waters. Some are ready to go. SoftExits covers all three.
Plan B
Secure residency in another country while keeping your life in the U.S. intact. Options if you ever need them.
Extended Stays
Spend 3–12 months abroad on long-stay visas. Test a place before you commit to anything permanent.
Full Relocation
Permanent residency pathways for people ready to actually move — with clear steps, costs, and timelines.
Real residency pathways, compared.
A snapshot of common routes Americans use to build a Plan B, spend extended time abroad, or fully relocate. The guides break down each one step by step.
| Country | Residency Route | Minimum Income / Funds | Typical Timeline | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Digital Nomad Visa (D8) | ~$3,000/mo income | 4–6 months | Moderate |
| Mexico | Temporary Residency | ~$2,500/mo OR $43k savings | 1–2 months | Easy |
| Spain | Digital Nomad Visa | ~$2,300/mo income | 3–5 months | Moderate |
| Thailand | Long-Stay Visa | ~$1,500/mo income | 1 month | Easy |
| Panama | Friendly Nations Visa | ~$5,000 in local bank | 2–4 months | Easy |
| Croatia | Digital Nomad Permit | ~$2,300/mo income | 1–2 months | Easy |
| Caribbean | Citizenship by Investment | ~$100,000 contribution | 3–6 months | Hard |
What you get
The SoftExits Residency Guides — everything you need to understand your real options before you talk to a lawyer or make a move.
Founding Member Access
$35
Price increases as we add more countries. Early buyers get everything, forever.
Country guides for Portugal, Mexico, Spain (more coming monthly)
Visa requirements, income thresholds, and timelines in plain English
Real costs — application fees, legal help, what people actually spend
Side-by-side comparisons so you can find what fits your situation
The U.S. side: taxes, banking, and what to keep active while abroad
Updated regularly — you get every update, forever
Common questions
What founders typically want to know about us.
Are you an immigration firm?
No. SoftExits doesn't file applications or give legal advice. We're a research guide — we help you understand your options so you can talk to professionals with clarity, not confusion.
Who is this for?
Americans seriously considering life abroad — or building a Plan B — who are tired of piecing together half-answers from Reddit threads and random blogs.
What's inside?
Country-by-country breakdowns of realistic residency paths: income and savings requirements, timelines, required documents, and trade-offs. Plus comparison tables and checklists you can actually use.
How current is the information?
The guides reflect the most recent publicly available information and are updated regularly. We flag areas that change often so you know where to double-check before applying.
Will this tell me exactly what to do?
No. We give you structure — a way to narrow down options that match your income, situation, and timeline. The decision is yours.
Can this replace a lawyer or tax professional?
No. Think of it as the step before: instead of paying someone to explain the basics, you show up already oriented and with specific questions.
What if the information changes after I buy?
You get every update, forever. When we update a guide or add a new country, you'll get access automatically.
What if the information changes after I buy?
You get every update, forever. When we update a guide or add a new country, you'll get access automatically.
What countries are covered?
We're starting with Portugal, Mexico, and Spain — the most popular paths for Americans. New countries are added regularly, and your purchase includes all future guides.
Comprehensive research and strategic guidance for your next move.
Get a deep analysis of your project, a 60-minute strategy call, and a clear action plan to guide your next steps.
What's Included
Initial research report Comparable projects, a realistic valuation range, and a breakdown of your three paths forward. Delivered within 72 hours.
60-minute strategy call Work through your situation together, pressure-test your thinking, and map out practical next steps.
Custom action plan A focused roadmap with recommendations, resources, and a decision framework tailored to your situation.
Follow-up email support Post-call guidance for clarifying questions as you implement.
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Privacy & Terms
Last updated: October 02, 2025
Privacy Policy
What We Collect
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How We Use It
To deliver the service you purchased (Options Report or Strategy Session)
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We may share anonymized examples of exits and benchmarks publicly, but never with identifying information about you or your project.
Your Rights
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Terms of Service
What We Provide
Research-backed guidance and benchmark data based on comparable transactions and public information
Paid services including Options Reports ($147) and Strategy Sessions ($597)
Follow-up email support as specified in your purchased service.
What We Don't Provide
We are not a broker, marketplace, financial advisor, or legal advisor. We don't:
List or sell projects on your behalf
Negotiate deals or hold funds
Provide legal, tax, or formal financial advice
Guarantee any specific outcome or valuation
Our benchmarks and valuations are directional estimates based on comparable data - not guarantees of what your project will sell for.
Your Responsibility
Any decisions you make about your project (selling, partnering, holding, or otherwise) are entirely your own. You should consult with qualified legal, financial, and tax professionals before making significant business decisions.
Delivery & Timing
Options Reports: Delivered within 72 hours of purchase
Strategy Sessions: Initial report within 72 hours, call scheduled within 3-5 business days of report delivery
Timelines are estimates; we'll communicate if delays occur
Refunds
Because research begins immediately after purchase, all sales are final once an order is placed.
If, during intake, we determine that we cannot reasonably deliver value for your project, we will cancel the engagement and issue a full refund before starting work.
If you change your mind, refund requests must be made within 1 hour of purchase and before any work has begun, by emailing [email protected].
Limitations of Liability
SoftExits provides information to support your judgment, not replace it. We are not liable for:
Outcomes of decisions you make regarding your project
Accuracy of third-party data sources we reference
Any losses, damages, or consequences resulting from your use of our services
Our maximum liability is limited to the amount you paid for the service.Disclosure
We may occasionally share referral or affiliate links to platforms (e.g., marketplaces, tools). These will always be clearly disclosed, and we may receive compensation if you sign up or purchase through those links.Changes to Terms
We may update these terms occasionally. Continued use of SoftExits after changes means you accept the updated terms.Contact
Questions about privacy or terms? Email us at [email protected]
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Comparable projects we’ve researched
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Market patterns and timing considerations
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Step 2: Schedule Your Call After you’ve had time to review the report, we’ll reach out to schedule your 60-minute strategy session. Calls are typically booked within 3–5 business days.Step 3: Action Plan Delivery Within 72 hours after our call, you’ll receive a custom action plan with concrete next steps tailored to your situation.Step 4: Follow-up Support You’ll have post-call support for clarifying questions as you implement your plan.
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About SoftExits
SoftExits provides independent research and guidance for indie founders who’ve reached a crossroads with their projects.We're not a broker or a marketplace — we don't take a cut of sales or push you toward a specific outcome. Instead, we combine research into comparable projects with structured analysis to help you decide whether to sell, partner, or hold.SoftExits is based in NYC, backed by two decades of experience helping founders make hard calls and move forward with clarity.If you want to talk about your project, reach out anytime: [email protected]