Saving This For Later

saving this for later

Trans? Experienced or educated? Stuck in the USA?

First off, we're all rooting for you out here, muchacho.

Secondly, you can take a job abroad! And in nearly all cases you can apply to stay permanently after a few years ✨ Work visas typically allow a spouse, so 2 people can leave the USA per job. I should know, I work one of these jobs as a foreigner in Denmark and am accompanied by my American wife.

Below I've written a guide for applying in Europe, specifically, but be aware that it's not only the EU hiring Americans, most countries allow skilled/educated immigration.

Also, this is not just for trans people. Anyone who can be hired for a given job can follow the guide below.

Q&A -

Q: I don't sprechen Deutsch or anything though?

A: If you speak a given country's language that's a plus, but if not, don't worry! There are a lot of sites you can use to search for English-speaking jobs. One example is Englishjobs.com, which lists thousands of live, English-speaking jobs in mainland Europe. I would know, I found my current job on a similar site. For permanent settlement you in some cases need to have learned the language well (here that's available in Denmark, for example, after 5 years residency).

Q: Can I really bring my wife/husband?

A: In nearly all cases, yes. I'm in Denmark currently with my Californian wife. For the record I'm not trans, but a lot of my friends are (my background's in animation).

Q: Are they really hiring trans people?

A: Yes. And it's worth adding that DE&I (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives are still in full swing in many EU countries. As a result, your resume may have a particular appeal if you meet the following criteria:

Ethnic Minority: Companies are actively seeking diverse backgrounds to enhance representation.

Female: Many organisations prioritise gender diversity and aim to improve women's representation in the workforce.

LGBTQIA+: There is a growing recognition of the importance of sexual orientation and gender identity in hiring practices, with many employers implementing policies to support LGBTQIA+ employees.

Disabled: Organisations often have initiatives to promote the hiring of individuals with disabilities.

Neurodivergent: Increasing awareness of neurodivergent conditions leads to more companies welcoming neurodiverse talent. I have ADHD, for example, and my company is pushing hard for DE&I normalisation.

Q: Does it cost money to apply?

A: Usually the company you apply to will ask whether you have the right to work in the country and, if they really want you, will pay this application cost themselves. If you get the job offer and you need to then apply by yourself it costs, in most cases, $100 to $300. My application in Denmark cost $1,100, however. My wife could then apply for residency via that same application.

Q: Do I need an education in all cases?

A: Not necessarily. Varies by case. I have a degree, experience in my field, and software proficiencies that made my application stand out, but many jobs are skill or trade based.

Q: These jobs seem a little low paid for my field. Why is that?

A: Healthcare is covered, public transport is widespread, cities are walkable or cyclable, childcare is taken care of in a lot of places. You're paying less overall. Roughly 20% of the US GDP is from its batshit medical/insurance system, so you make about 10-20% more monthly in the US, give or take.

Q: If I lose my job, does my visa expire?

A: Yes, and your spouse's if you brought one. You can move jobs, so long as the salary still meets the minimum, but if there's downtime that means the visa lapses you gotta go.

Q: Does the job salary need to meet a minimum threshold for me to apply to live there?

A: Yes.

Germany: The minimum gross salary threshold for most skilled workers is around $60,000 per year. For occupations in high demand (e.g., engineers, doctors), the threshold is lower, at around $48,000 per year.

France: The minimum salary for a work visa in France typically aligns with the Smic (minimum wage), which is approximately $23,000 per year. However, for skilled positions, remuneration must usually be at least 1.5 times the Smic.

Netherlands: The minimum salary threshold for a highly skilled migrant is around $5,000 per month ($60,000 per year) for those over 30 years of age, and lower for younger applicants (around €4,000 per month).

Spain: The minimum salary threshold for work visas depends on the job but generally aligns with the national minimum wage, which is approximately $17,000 per year. However, skilled positions may require higher salaries.

Sweden: For skilled workers, the salary must be competitive and generally must meet the average salary level, which can be around SEK 26,400 per month (approximately $2,750).

Denmark: Unusually stringent laws make this 514,000dkk/$75,000 per year, or possibly less if your career is on the Positive List for Skilled Work or Higher Education. Worth mentioning that Denmark is perhaps the only EU country not seeing right wing populism in their political polls, largely due to their high bar for incoming migration.

Q: Do I need documentation?

A: Yes. Passport, certificates for education, marriage certificate if relevant. You'll also need to trade in your driver's license for a local one within a set period of time upon arrival.

Q: If I don't have a degree, skills, or experience, am I just fucked?

A: No, for example people with successful businesses can apply for entrepreneurial visas, and there are "working holiday" visas available (chiefly for people under 35) in Australia, Ireland, Singapore, New Zealand, Canada and South Korea, as these countries have an agreement with the USA (for now). Countries have a variety of ways in!

Q: What about muh rights?

A: You still gottem. Unless it's guns, and even then you can usually get a proper license in the countryside. Hate speech is not protected speech. Abortion is generally permitted within a term limit below fetal viability (e.g. 12 weeks in Germany and 12 weeks and 6 days in Italy, or 14 weeks in France and Spain). More privacy rights. More consumer protection.

Q: Is this an exhaustive list for ways a trans person can have asylum? Do I definitely need to travel far?

A: No! Read this helpful, recent guide, written in 2025: https://translash.org/articles/trans-relocation-guide-finding-trans-asylum-and-safe-havens/

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If anyone in Europe or elsewhere wants to put their hand up and say, hey I'm in X city in Y country and I'll be here to talk to you when you move, reblog and say so! That's so important!