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Student loans and PSLF when you move abroad

What happens to your federal loans

Updated November 5, 2026 · Facts checked against the sources listed below

Student loans and PSLF when you move abroad. What happens to your federal loans
Your loans move with you. Payments don't stop when you move: Plan for them in your budget. Keep your contact info current: On StudentAid.gov and with your servicer. Set up autopay before you go: So nothing slips while you settle in

YOUR LOANS

1. Your loans move with you

  • Payments don't stop when you movePlan for them in your budget
  • Keep your contact info currentOn StudentAid.gov and with your servicer
  • Set up autopay before you goSo nothing slips while you settle in
How PSLF works. 120 qualifying payments: On your Direct Loans. While working full time: An average of 30+ hours a week. They don't have to be in a row: Gaps don't erase what you've made

PSLF BASICS

2. How PSLF works

  • 120 qualifying paymentsOn your Direct Loans
  • While working full timeAn average of 30+ hours a week
  • They don't have to be in a rowGaps don't erase what you've made

Source: Federal Student Aid.

Your employer has to qualify. US-based government employers: Or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, or certain other nonprofits. You must be a direct employee: Of the qualifying employer. Many employers abroad won't qualify: Check before you sign

THE CATCH

3. Your employer has to qualify

  • US-based government employersOr a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, or certain other nonprofits
  • You must be a direct employeeOf the qualifying employer
  • Many employers abroad won't qualifyCheck before you sign

Source: Federal Student Aid.

Keep your plan active. Recertify your income every year: To stay on an income-driven plan. How foreign income counts: Is a tax question. Find a tax pro who knows expats: Before you file abroad

INCOME-DRIVEN PLANS

4. Keep your plan active

  • Recertify your income every yearTo stay on an income-driven plan
  • How foreign income countsIs a tax question
  • Find a tax pro who knows expatsBefore you file abroad

Source: Federal Student Aid.

Before you move. Check your PSLF payment count on StudentAid.gov. Run any job abroad through the PSLF employer search. Set up autopay and update your contact info. Talk to a tax pro who works with expats

YOUR PLAN

5. Before you move

  • Check your PSLF payment count on StudentAid.gov
  • Run any job abroad through the PSLF employer search
  • Set up autopay and update your contact info
  • Talk to a tax pro who works with expats

Educational only, not immigration, legal or tax advice. Rules, pay and costs change; confirm with the country's nursing regulator and immigration authority.

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