The U.S. passport was once a skeleton key to most places in the world. Americans could travel and live abroad and expect smooth sailing. However, that has changed in 2025. Although countries aren’t outright forbidding American entries, they are tightening up restrictions that impede their touring, residency, and businesses. This can come in the form of changing visa quotas or denying renewals. So if you are a U.S. resident planning on traveling abroad for work, leisure, study, retirement, and so on, be particularly diligent when examining relevant policies in the following countries.
Japan
Japan is known for its rich culture, delicious cuisine, and stunning landscapes. Expats may move there for the employment opportunities, especially in high tech, robotics, finance, and tourism. However, new labor and long-term visa protocols involve applicants proving “independent added value”. This vague requirement has led to more visa denials, especially for Americans who work in education, media, or the arts. So some American expats who had lived in Japan for years suddenly had their visa denied and had no choice but to go abroad.
