KYC for Expats & Digital Nomads: Passing Verification Abroad
You have a US passport but live in Thailand. Your bank statements are in Portuguese but the platform wants English. Your utility bill is from a different country than your ID. Sound familiar? This guide is for you.
The Unique Challenges of International KYC
KYC systems were designed for people who live where they're from. When you're a US citizen in Bali, a German working in Singapore, or a Brazilian nomad in Portugal, these systems don't know what to do with you.
The result? Rejections, complications, and hours wasted trying to prove you are who you say you are. But with the right approach, these hurdles are entirely surmountable.
Common Scenarios and Solutions
🌍 Scenario 1: Passport Country ≠ Living Country
You're a Canadian living in Mexico, or an Australian in Vietnam. Your passport says one country, but your IP address and lifestyle say another.
✅ Solution
Use your passport for ID verification — it's universally accepted
Be ready to explain — some platforms flag location mismatches for manual review
Don't use a VPN to appear from your passport country — this often causes more problems
Consider getting local documentation if you're long-term (residence permits, local tax ID)
🏠 Scenario 2: No Local Address Proof
You're in Airbnbs, co-living spaces, or subletting. You don't have utility bills in your name. But platforms want proof of address.
✅ Solution
Bank statements often work — they show your name and an address
Use your home country address if you maintain one (parents' house, mail forwarding)
Credit card statements are sometimes accepted
Tax residency documents from your home country can work
Some platforms accept rental agreements or even notarized letters from landlords
🌐 Scenario 3: Documents in Different Languages
Your ID is in Thai script, Arabic, or Chinese characters. The platform's OCR can't read it.
✅ Solution
Use your passport — the data page has English/French regardless of issuing country
Get certified translations if using local IDs (notarized translations)
Some platforms accept multilingual documents — check requirements first
International driver's permits can supplement local licenses
🔄 Scenario 4: Recently Moved Countries
You just relocated. Your old address is on everything, but you're somewhere new. Nothing matches.
✅ Solution
Update your passport address if your country allows it
Use your old country's documents initially — establish the account first
Update address later once you have local proof
Some services allow different billing and verification addresses
🏦 Scenario 5: Banking in Multiple Countries
You have bank accounts in three countries. Which one do you use? Will having foreign accounts raise flags?
✅ Solution
Use your primary bank — the one with the most history
Match currencies when possible (USD account for US platforms)
International banks like HSBC, Revolut, or Wise are often well-recognized
Be prepared for source of funds questions on larger amounts
Document Strategy for Nomads
Having the right documents ready makes everything easier. Here's what every digital nomad should maintain:
📁 Essential Document Kit
Valid Passport — with at least 6 months validity (renew early!)
High-quality passport scan — 300+ DPI, color, no glare
Driver's license (if you have one) as backup ID
International Driver's Permit — useful in some countries
Bank statements (last 3 months) from primary bank
Proof of address from home country (utility bill, government letter)
Tax residency document or previous year's tax return
Selfie photos — neutral background, good lighting, matching ID
⚠️ VPN Warning
Many nomads use VPNs habitually. However, using a VPN during KYC verification is one of the top causes of rejection. Verification systems detect VPN usage and flag it as suspicious. Always turn off your VPN before starting any verification process.
Use your passport country for account registration
Be aware of restricted countries — some platforms don't serve certain nationalities regardless of location
Start verification before you need to move money
Consider having accounts on multiple platforms as backup
Freelance Platforms (Upwork, Fiverr)
Your tax country matters for payment processing
Consistency is key — don't change locations frequently on your profile
US platforms may require W-8BEN forms for non-US freelancers
Banking & Payments (Wise, PayPal, Revolut)
These often require proof of address — use home country documents if possible
Wise is particularly nomad-friendly and accepts documents from many countries
Build history gradually — don't try to verify for large amounts immediately
💡 Pro Tip: Maintain a Home Base
Even if you're fully nomadic, maintaining a legal address in your home country (parents' house, mail forwarding service) makes KYC dramatically easier. Many platforms specifically want your "permanent address" — not your current location.
When Things Go Wrong: Escalation Strategies
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you'll hit a wall. Here's how to escalate:
Document everything — screenshot rejections, note dates and times
Use support tickets — written records are better than phone calls
Explain your situation — "I am a [nationality] citizen currently residing in [country] for [reason]"
Request manual review — automated systems fail on edge cases; humans can apply judgment
Try alternative documents — if passport fails, try driver's license
Social media — sometimes public posts get faster responses (last resort)
Check Your Documents Before You Travel
Our AI verifies your documents work across all major platforms — no matter where you are.
Being a digital nomad or expat shouldn't mean being locked out of essential financial services. The key is preparation, consistency, and patience. Keep your documents organized, maintain a home base address, and always verify before you need to.
And remember — if a platform truly can't accommodate your situation, there's usually an alternative that can. The global financial system is slowly adapting to location-independent lifestyles. We're here to help you navigate it.
Fix Your KYC