Questions veterans ask about living overseas

OCONUS means Outside the Continental United States. OCONUS Veterans is for U.S. veterans living overseas.

Yes. The community and its core courses are free. Optional paid tiers are Battle Buddy at $9/month or $90/year, and Next Mission at $29/month or $290/year. Yearly plans include two months free.

No paperwork is required, but stolen valor gets you removed and banned.

Every branch and era: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve. Army gets a little extra love because the founder is an Army vet.

Yes. Spouses and family have their own group, OCONUS Spouses & Family.

Join free and open Events & Meetups in the community. If nothing is listed in your city, you can host one.

No. We're an independent community. We link to official VA and government sources but don't speak for them.

OCONUS Veterans is owned and operated by One Big Media Company, LLC, a veteran-owned business. Battle Buddy and Next Mission, monthly or yearly, are billed through Stripe by One Big Media Company, LLC, so that is the name you will see on your card statement.

Sign up on the newsletter page or in the footer of any page. It's one email a month.

No. The only VA facility outside the U.S. is the VA Manila Outpatient Clinic in the Philippines. Elsewhere, VA pays for service-connected care through the Foreign Medical Program.

Medically necessary care for VA-rated service-connected conditions, anywhere outside the U.S. Non-service-connected care isn't covered.

VHA Office of Integrated Veteran Care, Foreign Medical Program, PO Box 200, Spring City, PA 19475. You can also file online. The deadline is 2 years from the date of care.

Generally no. TRICARE For Life users must still keep Medicare Part B to stay eligible.

No. Use your region's Veterans Crisis Line number. Europe +1 844-702-5495, Asia-Pacific +1 844-702-5493, Latin America +1 866-989-9599.

Yes. File online at VA.gov or by mail. The Pittsburgh Regional Office handles claims for most veterans abroad; Manila handles Philippine compensation claims.

The Pittsburgh Regional Office overseas line is +1 412-395-6272. From a U.S. number, 1-800-827-1000.

In 30 countries, yes. Call +1 918-781-7550 to set it up. Elsewhere, keep a U.S. account.

VA schedules exams near you, often through a contract examiner. If none exists, a local doctor may complete a Disability Benefits Questionnaire.

Yes. Retirees have their own channel in the community and a retirees guide covering TRICARE, base access, Space-A, CRDP and CRSC.

No. Retirees living abroad generally don't have SOFA status, which limits base privileges.

Retirees fly in Category VI, including to and between overseas locations.

With 20+ years and a 50%+ VA rating, CRDP generally lets you receive both. CRSC covers combat-related disabilities.

There is a VA outpatient clinic, not a hospital. The VA Manila Outpatient Clinic in Pasay City is the only VA facility outside the United States. Inpatient care for service-connected conditions is covered through the Foreign Medical Program.

Most use the SRRV retiree visa from the Philippine Retirement Authority, or the 13(a) visa if married to a Filipino citizen.

Yes. VA compensation is payable abroad, and the Philippines is on VA's international direct deposit list.

No. There is no VA-operated clinic anywhere in Thailand. Pattaya has private providers that work with the VA Foreign Medical Program, including Bangkok Hospital Pattaya and a private veterans clinic that opened in 2026.

30 days since September 15, 2026, reduced from 60 days. Confirm on the official Thai e-Visa site before travel.

The Non-O retirement extension (age 50+) with 800,000 THB in the bank or 65,000 THB monthly income, or the O-A, which also requires health insurance.

No. Most veterans living in Vietnam rotate 90-day e-visas or use a family visa through a Vietnamese spouse.

VA compensation can be paid abroad, and service-connected care is reimbursed through the Foreign Medical Program.

Yes. The ER retirement extension can be renewed for up to 12 months at a time, usually for those 55 and older with proof of retirement.

Yes. VFW Post 11575 (Mayaguez Memorial) meets in Phnom Penh.

90 days visa-free. You must complete the MDAC arrival card before travel.

Malaysia My Second Home, a long-stay residence program with tiered deposit and property requirements.

Yes, with a retirement KITAS, usually for those 55 and over with proof of pension and health insurance.

Pension income counts toward Mexico's economic solvency test. A DFAS retiree statement is the usual proof. Confirm the current amount with your consulate.

Yes. The Department of Latin America has posts at Lake Chapala, Ajijic, Puerto Vallarta, Banderas Bay and Mexico City.

The pensionado category requires a lifetime pension of at least USD 1,000 a month.

The VA Foreign Medical Program has an in-country toll-free number: 0800-013-0759.

Yes. Panama accepts lifetime government pensions of at least USD 1,000 a month.

In 2025 VA suspended about 50 Panama providers over Foreign Medical Program fraud. Check VA's FMP alerts before choosing a provider.

At least 3 times the Colombian monthly minimum wage, roughly USD 1,300–1,400 a month in 2026.

Yes. The jubilado visa accepts foreign pensions of at least 3 times the basic wage, about USD 1,446 a month in 2026.

A pension of at least USD 1,500 a month under Law 171-07, plus USD 250 per dependent.

Belize. Its QRP program requires USD 2,000 a month in pension or annuity income.

The figure most often cited for 2026 is USD 1,250 a month for the rentista or pensionado category, plus USD 300 per dependent. Confirm the current amount with IGM or a Guatemalan consulate.

Yes. The American Legion's Department of Latin America lists Guatemala among its countries, and a post has been reported in Antigua. Contact the department to confirm.

Yes, but the 90-day CA-4 limit covers all four countries combined, so time in El Salvador, Honduras or Nicaragua counts against it.

Yes. Most use the pensionado residency, which requires a lifetime pension of at least USD 1,500 a month. Military retired pay qualifies.

It covers routine care, but serious cases go to San Pedro Sula or the U.S. Medical evacuation insurance is strongly advised.

Yes, in declared tourism zones, with approval and size limits. Use an independent lawyer, because title fraud is a known problem.

The U.S. dollar. Bitcoin is still recognized, but businesses no longer have to accept it.

The State Department rates it Level 1, the lowest level. Know that a state of exception remains in effect, so carry ID and follow police instructions.

Guides cite roughly USD 1,100 to 1,500 a month depending on the category, and the rules changed in March 2026. Confirm with the DGME or a consulate.

The old Law 694 incentives may no longer apply. Several 2026 sources say the law was repealed in 2024. Retiree residency now runs through general temporary residency. Confirm with a Nicaraguan consulate.

The State Department rates it Level 3 and warns of arbitrary detention and entry denials. Many long-time expats have left. If you go, stay out of politics and register with STEP.

At least 5 times Argentina's minimum monthly wage. Because the wage is adjusted often, confirm the current peso amount with Migraciones or a consulate.

Yes. The Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires handles Social Security questions for Argentina and nearby countries.

Only for service-connected conditions, through the Foreign Medical Program. Most retirees also buy a local prepaid health plan.

Chile does not publish a fixed minimum. You need a regular pension or passive income that covers basic needs, documented with an apostilled certificate. Ask the consulate what they expect to see.

No. SERMIG says the retiree and rentista permit is applied for from outside Chile through its online portal.

The Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires covers Chile.

Yes. Since April 10, 2025, Americans need an e-Visa, applied for online through the official VFS portal. It costs USD 80.90 and allows stays of up to 90 days per visit.

The VITEM XIV requires proof of at least USD 2,000 a month in pension income that can be transferred to Brazil, plus a background check and health insurance.

Yes. The SUS is open to everyone in Brazil, but most expats also carry a private plan for shorter waits.

Yes, with a retiree ID and a German customs Pink Card, for non-rationed items. Rules come from the host-nation agreement.

There's no VA clinic. VA staff are at Landstuhl (Benefits Delivery at Discharge) and an Overseas Military Services Coordinator is based in Wiesbaden.

The Elective Residence Visa, which requires passive income (consulates use about EUR 31,000 a year for one person) and housing in Italy.

EUR 2,400 a month (EUR 28,800 a year) for the main applicant, plus EUR 600 a month per dependent.

At least the Portuguese minimum wage, EUR 920 a month in 2026, plus 50% for a spouse and 30% per child.

No. Americans usually move on a family visa through a British spouse or partner, or on a work visa.

Not by that name. Retirees use the Financially Independent Person (FIP) permit, which needs steady passive income and private health insurance. Income figures differ between sources, so confirm with the Greek consulate.

Retiree access depends on U.S.-Greek agreements and the installation commander. Contact NSA Souda Bay's Pass and ID office before you plan around it.

The Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Athens.

No. Ireland is in the EU but runs its own border. Time in Ireland doesn't use up your Schengen 90 days.

Ireland has used EUR 50,000 a year per person for Stamp 0, plus emergency savings and private health insurance. Confirm current figures with Irish Immigration before applying.

Yes. Ireland is on VA's international direct deposit list.

The long-stay visitor visa (VLS-TS visiteur). You show steady income, housing and health insurance, and agree not to work.

Usually after 3 months of stable residence, through PUMa. Many retirees add a mutuelle for co-pays.

Yes, usually on a long-term visa for other purposes and then a long-term residence permit. Expect to prove income, housing and private health insurance.

SSA lists the Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, Poland.

Yes, since January 2023. Your days in Croatia count toward the 90 in any 180.

Yes. U.S. citizens can buy residential property with Ministry of Justice approval, but not agricultural land.

No, not for visits of up to 90 days in any 180. For longer stays, apply for a residence permit inside Turkey through e-ikamet.

Access depends on SOFA status, ID category and base policy. Retirees living locally without a base job usually don't have routine access. Contact the base Pass and ID office.

Yes, outside military and security zones. Use a licensed lawyer and check the title deed (tapu).

Not on its own. There's no retirement visa. Americans usually move through a Dutch partner or the DAFT self-employed route.

Yes. The Netherlands is on VA's international direct deposit list.

Japan has no retirement visa. Most veterans living there have a Japanese spouse visa, a work visa or SOFA status through a base job.

U.S. citizens are exempt through December 31, 2026. Check whether the exemption is extended before traveling in 2027.

Yes. VA staff at Camp Humphreys include a Benefits Delivery at Discharge office and an Overseas Military Services Coordinator.

There's no retirement visa. Most long-stay Americans are married to a Taiwanese citizen, working, or hold an Employment Gold Card.

Up to 90 days. Complete the online Taiwan Arrival Card before you fly.

Not for new applicants. The old retirement visas are closed. Long stays usually need a partner, parent or work visa.

Yes. The Foreign Medical Program toll-free number in Australia is 1-800-354 965.

Yes. Australia is on VA's international direct deposit list.

Yes. Get it before you fly and pay the NZD 100 visitor levy at the same time.

Only through limited investor routes or as the parent of a New Zealander. There's no general retirement visa.

55 or older. You also need savings, property or income at the required level and UAE health insurance.

The State Department raised the UAE to Level 3, reconsider travel, in October 2026. Read the current advisory before deciding.

Yes. Apply on the official site before you fly. It costs NIS 25 and lasts up to 2 years.

Yes. Israel is on VA's international direct deposit list.

The Federal Benefits Unit in Jerusalem.

No, not for stays of up to 90 days.

Apply for a residence card (carte de séjour) at the local police foreigners' office. Requirements vary by city, so confirm with them.

You need an eTA, approved online before you fly. Use only the official etakenya.go.ke site.

Yes, through a Class K residence permit for people with steady pension or independent income. Confirm the income rule with Kenyan immigration.