Terminology & FAQ
Last updated: August 2026.
What is a visa?
A visa is permission from a foreign government to enter and stay in that country for a specific purpose. It usually comes as a stamp, sticker, or digital record linked to your passport. It tells you what you can do (work, study, retire, invest) and how long you can stay.
What is a residence permit?
A residence permit is your long-term right to live in a country. Many visas lead to a residence permit after you arrive. Some visas — like the EU Blue Card or Portugal's D7 — are a direct path to residency from day one.
What does Move Abroad do?
Move Abroad is an informational tool that matches your situation to visa and residency pathways around the world. We summarize costs, timelines, family rules, pet rules, and required documents so you can plan your move. We are not a law firm, immigration consultancy, or licensed advisor.
Is Move Abroad legal advice?
No. Nothing on this site is legal, financial, tax, or immigration advice. Visa rules change constantly, and only the issuing government can confirm your eligibility. Always verify with the official consulate or a qualified immigration professional before applying.
How current is the data?
We review and update our visa dataset at least monthly from official government and consulate sources. Because rules change frequently, every figure (cost, timeline, income threshold) is an estimate. Always confirm with the official source before you act.
What is the Visa Matcher?
The Visa Matcher asks you a few questions about your nationality, age, job, finances, family, pets, and preferences. It then scores our dataset and shows you the pathways that best fit your situation. The results are "pathways to explore," not a guarantee that you qualify.
What is the difference between a free guide and an unlocked guide?
Every visitor can see the high-level overview of any visa: what it is, who it is for, family rules, pet rules, and a rough timeline. Unlocked guides add the full cost breakdown, detailed timeline, document checklist, and official links. The Czech self-employment guide is a free sample so you can see what an unlocked guide looks like before paying.
What do Pro and Single Guide unlock?
Pro is a subscription that unlocks every full guide plus advanced matcher filters. A Single Guide unlock is a one-time purchase for the full guide on one specific visa. If you are comparing two or more countries, Pro is usually cheaper.
Can I get a refund?
Yes. We offer a 7-day no-questions refund for first-time purchases and new subscription upgrades. After 7 days, payments are non-refundable, but you can cancel your subscription anytime and keep access until the end of the current billing period. See our refund policy for details.
What if I am a dual citizen?
The matcher lets you add a second nationality. We use both passports when checking eligibility, and we may show you a visa "via your second citizenship" when that passport opens a door your primary one does not.
What if I already live in my target country?
Some visas can be applied for from inside the country (a change of status), while others must be applied for from a consulate abroad. The matcher asks where you are applying from so we can guide you toward the right process later.
Do I need a lawyer?
Not always. Many straightforward visas can be handled yourself if you are patient and detail-oriented. Consider hiring help if your case involves dependents, complex documents, an investor program, a previous refusal, or an appeal.
Who runs Move Abroad?
A small team based in Antwerp, Belgium. Payments are processed by Stripe, acting as our Merchant of Record. Contact us anytime at moveabroadwithmydog@gmail.com; the legal entity behind the site is named in our Privacy Policy.