Moving abroad, whether to study at university or to begin an exciting new career opportunity, is a complicated process with many moving parts. As a result, it is easy to become engrossed in the complexities of relocation. But don’t worry! You will have a far less stressful relocation if you divide your move into manageable activities. Use this move abroad checklist to plan your relocation to make things easier.
Are you thinking about starting a new life in another country? With The Relocator, you can put your mind at ease. You’ll be able to quickly compare your options on their user-friendly platform, receiving quotes from some of the biggest names in global relocations. With The Relocator, you can move abroad with confidence.
Investigate the laws of your new country.
Regulations and laws differ greatly between countries, so it’s critical to do your homework so you understand the differences between your current country and the one you’re moving to. For information relevant to ex-pats relocating to your new country, contact the appropriate embassy or consulate, including:
- Permits and visas
- Vaccinations for members of the family
- Shipping restrictions or taxes on household items
- import duties on high-priced items
- Insurance for pet vaccinations and quarantines
Make sure to submit all of your permit and visa applications well in advance. Check to see if any of your important certificate attestation are going to expire shortly.
Consider your financial situation.
If you’re moving abroad, you’ll need to figure out how you’ll support yourself, so one of the first things to consider is how the cost of living in your destination country compares to where you currently live. This may appear daunting, but research will go a long way:
Living costs: Check average food prices, rent rates, mortgage rates, and utility expenses. Make a note of your findings and compare them to what you are currently paying. This will show you how your outgoings will change.
Job market: If you’ll need to work in your new country, research local job markets to ensure you’re not moving somewhere where it’s difficult to find work as an ex-pat. Find out if the area has industries that value the language(s) you speak if it welcomes immigrant workers and if the unemployment rate is high.
Pensions: If you intend to retire abroad (especially if you have a flexible pension scheme, such as the British pension scheme), you must have sufficient funds to live comfortably. The ability to easily access your pension is critical to this. If you want to send your pension overseas, you should look into the most affordable option.
Prepare your paperwork
Make sure you have all of your documents in order before you leave to avoid any surprises upon arrival. To be safe, request official copies of important personal documents and allow at least several weeks for delivery. Make copies of these documents and keep a digital copy in a safe place once they arrive.
Documents to include for International Relocation :
- Passports
- Certificates of birth and marriage
- Citizenship documentation
- Medical, vaccination, and dental records
- Driver’s license
- Policies of insurance
- Diplomas and academic records
- Employment History
- Proof of residency and/or employment
- Testamentary will
Keep the following in mind as you finalize your stay at your current residence:
Make travel arrangements: It should go without saying, but moving abroad is impossible without first booking plane tickets. Consider how expensive last-minute tickets for flights, trains, and ferry rides can be. Choose a departure date that is affordable and, ideally, does not arrive in the middle of the night at your new home.
Sort through your bank accounts and credit cards: Examine your accounts and notify your banks that you are moving abroad. Discuss how to manage your assets with your bank or a financial advisor. Consider signing up for a service that makes international bank transfers easier and less expensive. Check to see if your credit cards are accepted where you’re going.
