Some countries are so beautiful, so clean, and so seemingly perfect that they appear to be a dream come true for anyone looking to retire or relocate. But underneath the postcard scenery and polished public image, a hard truth lies hidden – you may never be allowed to stay. From impossible visa rules to cultural roadblocks, these five nations have made it nearly impossible for outsiders to settle, no matter how wealthy, skilled, or respectful you are. Let’s take a closer look at the hardest countries in the world to move to.
1. Bhutan – Paradise with a Price
Tucked deep in the Himalayas, Bhutan is often seen as a spiritual escape – forests, mountains, monasteries, and silence. But behind that calm exterior is one of the strictest immigration policies in the world. There’s no permanent residency, no retirement visa, and no option to buy property. Tourists are welcome, but must pay a hefty daily fee just to enter the country. The only realistic way to stay long-term is to marry a Bhutanese citizen or work directly for the government – and even then, you’d wait decades, renounce your current citizenship, and need approval from the king. Bhutan protects its happiness by keeping outsiders at a respectful distance.
2. Switzerland – Luxury Behind Locked Gates
Switzerland may be stunning with its alpine villages, sparkling lakes, and clockwork efficiency, but it doesn’t want you moving in without jumping through hoops. Non-EU citizens face a wall of requirements, including rare skills, significant investments, and a long road to even basic residency. Gaining Swiss citizenship can take over a decade, requires fluency in a local language, and must be approved by your canton, sometimes even by your neighbors. Switzerland values harmony, wealth, and order, and it fiercely guards them. Even if you qualify, you may still be politely turned away.
3. Japan – Perfectly Ordered, Firmly Closed
Japan offers a unique mix of tradition, technology, and safety. It’s clean, efficient, and deeply respectful – but that respect doesn’t extend to making immigration easy. Japan has no retirement visa, no path to citizenship unless you’re willing to give up your existing one, and limited routes to permanent residency unless you’ve lived there for at least 10 years. Even marriage only speeds things up a little. Japan is proud of its homogeneity and is in no rush to dilute its cultural identity, even with a rapidly aging population. It would rather invent robots to fill labor gaps than open its doors to the world.
4. Saudi Arabia – Open for Business, Closed for Life
Saudi Arabia is booming with new cities, futuristic projects, and oil-backed wealth. But that doesn’t mean they want you to stay. Even though about 30% of the population is made up of migrant workers, there’s no path to citizenship or permanent residency for most people. A premium residency visa costs hundreds of thousands of dollars and still doesn’t lead to citizenship. Retirement visas don’t exist, and gated expat compounds only offer a limited version of life in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia prioritizes cultural preservation and religious identity, and long-term foreign residents are expected to leave when their work is done.
5. Liechtenstein – The Fortress of the Alps
Liechtenstein is small, rich, and nearly impenetrable. With a population under 40,000 and a GDP per capita among the highest in the world, this tiny alpine nation issues just 89 residence permits per year, mostly to EU citizens. Americans and others from outside Europe face odds close to zero. Even if you’re hired, your employer must prove no one else in the EU can do your job. Gaining citizenship requires living there for 30 years, fluency in German, renouncing your old nationality, and a community vote that could be decided by a single “no.” It’s beautiful, but only for those already on the inside.
Why Some Countries Are Saying “No”
The reasons behind these closed doors vary. Some countries like Bhutan or Saudi Arabia want to protect religious and cultural traditions. Others, like Liechtenstein and Switzerland, are safeguarding economic balance and national identity. Japan focuses on preserving societal harmony and structure, even in the face of labor shortages. In each case, the government has decided that the risks of openness outweigh the benefits of immigration.
The Price of Perfection
Many of these nations offer near-utopian public services: flawless public transit, pristine environments, low crime, and advanced health care. But that perfection comes at a cost – strict control over who gets in and who stays. Outsiders, no matter how law-abiding or successful, are often seen as a disruption to the delicate system. That’s why these places stay stable: because they refuse to open the door too wide.
When Citizenship Becomes a Fantasy
The idea of earning your way into citizenship through time, taxes, and good behavior sounds fair. But in these five countries, it’s often a fantasy. Requirements are stretched across decades, and even meeting all of them doesn’t guarantee success. In Liechtenstein or Switzerland, a local council or neighbor can block your application. In Japan, you might never be allowed dual citizenship. In Bhutan, you might never even get close to applying. What’s offered on paper rarely translates to reality.
Visiting vs. Living: A Big Difference
Each of these countries is worth visiting. Their landscapes, cultures, and safety are unmatched. But visiting is not the same as living, and anyone dreaming of retirement or relocation must confront this difference. It’s easy to be enchanted by the postcard view, but before packing up your life, it’s critical to ask: Does this country even want me here long-term?
Choose the Right Door
The world is full of beautiful destinations, but not all of them are open to you. Before you fall in love with a place, do your research. Ask more than “Is this place amazing?” – ask “Will this place let me stay?” Look for countries that offer both beauty and opportunity, openness and support. Because paradise isn’t just about what you see. It’s about whether you’re truly welcome when you arrive.
Mark grew up in the heart of Texas, where tornadoes and extreme weather were a part of life. His early experiences sparked a fascination with emergency preparedness and homesteading. A father of three, Mark is dedicated to teaching families how to be self-sufficient, with a focus on food storage, DIY projects, and energy independence. His writing empowers everyday people to take small steps toward greater self-reliance without feeling overwhelmed.