Easiest places to move in the Americas on visa friction
Cities in the Americas where the long-stay paperwork is rated easy and processing is short — ranked by visa friction first, then how liveable and affordable the landing is.
Methodology: Only cities with an easy-rated long-stay visa process qualify; ranked by processing time, then a blend of affordability, expat scene and safety.
1. Cuenca, Ecuador
Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $970/mo
Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $970/mo all-in.
2. Mendoza, Argentina
Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $950/mo
Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $950/mo all-in.
3. Salta, Argentina
Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $810/mo
Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $810/mo all-in.
4. Cancún, Mexico
Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $1,380/mo
Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $1,380/mo all-in.
5. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $1,640/mo
Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $1,640/mo all-in.
6. Roatán, Honduras
Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $1,540/mo
Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $1,540/mo all-in.
7. Antigua, Guatemala
Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $1,140/mo
Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $1,140/mo all-in.
8. Guadalajara, Mexico
Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $1,100/mo
Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $1,100/mo all-in.
9. Oaxaca, Mexico
Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $1,040/mo
Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $1,040/mo all-in.
10. Cusco, Peru
Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $770/mo
Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $770/mo all-in.
11. San Salvador, El Salvador
Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $1,180/mo
Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $1,180/mo all-in.
12. León, Nicaragua
Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $770/mo
Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $770/mo all-in.
Frequently asked questions
Easiest places to move in the Americas on visa friction — which city is #1?
Cuenca, Ecuador tops this list. Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $970/mo all-in. Mendoza and Salta round out the top three.
How is this ranking calculated?
Only cities with an easy-rated long-stay visa process qualify; ranked by processing time, then a blend of affordability, expat scene and safety. 57 catalog cities in the Americas qualified for this list; the top 12 are shown. Scores are catalog averages, not personalised — Jonzy re-ranks every city for your own income, passport and lifestyle when you sign in.
How much does it cost to live in the top city in the Americas?
Cuenca runs about $970/month all-in for one person — rent, food, transport, healthcare, utilities and everyday extras. See the Cuenca city guide for the full cost breakdown, visa options and FAQ.