Purpose: This systematic literature review (SLR) structures and analyzes the research on female self-initiated expatriates (FSIEs), an under-explored subgroup within expatriation studies. The study identifies key themes and developments and outlines a future research agenda. Design/methodology/approach: An SLR of 34 empirical studies was conducted, employing an inductive approach for an in-depth analysis of the articles, utilizing the Gioia methodology to code, review and organize the data systematically. Findings: FSIEs choose expatriation to overcome career stagnation and to break glass ceilings in their home countries. They face specific challenges, including gender discrimination and exclusion. Yet, they exhibit powerful coping mechanisms and utilize social, often female, support networks. FSIEs tend to repatriate at higher rates than men, driven by economic and family-related reasons. Originality/value: This SLR offers insights into FSIEs’ motivations, adjustment and careers, while calling for future research, inter alia, focusing on long-term career impacts and intersectional approaches to better capture the diverse motivations and experiences of FSIEs. Similarly, we encourage future research to conduct comparative studies between FSIEs, male SIEs and female assigned expatriates, while also utilizing other promising methodological designs, such as diary or multi-level studies.