Moving internationally can often be a nerve-wracking experience. Despite the inherent difficulties of relocating to a new country, there are certain steps you must follow for the move to go smoothly. Here is an overview of the complete checklist for moving internationally. After you finished reading this article, you can be sure that your transition from one home to another will run as seamlessly as possible.
1. Securing housing
Moving to a new country is an exciting adventure, but it’s also one that requires a lot of planning and preparation. One of the key considerations in any international move is finding a place to live. The most common scenario is to rent for a while, before considering buying a home in another country.
Here’s a checklist for securing housing as you plan for an international relocation:
- Set a budget before you start looking: Before embarking on your search for new digs abroad, be sure to set yourself a realistic budget. This will help narrow down your search to accommodations that are within your means. It’s also a good idea to factor in some extra funds for things like deposits, fees, and other potential surprises before you commit to any rental arrangement.
- Connect with local contacts: Whether through friends or colleagues who have lived in your new town, expat groups, or even forums specializing in international relocation, connections such as these can provide helpful advice about different areas to consider when choosing your next housing.
- Select a neighborhood: The specific neighborhood that you live in will impact your life abroad significantly, so take some time to do your research and decide which part of town is the best fit for your personal preferences. Consider factors such as noise levels, crime rate, access to transportation, nearby green spaces, and amenities like grocery stores or cafes.
- Research rental options: Once you’ve selected an area, start looking at different property types in the neighborhood to see your long-term living options. Look for things like local real estate agents, popular listings websites, and online classifieds boards as well as expat forums where other people have posted offers for rentals.
- Make your move: Don’t be afraid to take the plunge. While it can seem scary, moving abroad is an incredible adventure full of countless possibilities and experiences along the way. It may take some time to find a place that fits all of your needs, but if you stay organized and keep an open mind during your search, you’ll soon be settling into your new home with no problem in no time.
2. Obtaining necessary documents
Next on your checklist for moving internationally is getting your documents in order. The best way to make sure that all documents required when relocating abroad have been gathered and filled out correctly is by creating a moving abroad checklist for the paperwork you need. You should include items such as your passport, visa, work permit, and any other type of documents required by the destination country you will be traveling to.
Bringing your passport when traveling abroad is important because it is the main form of identification that proves you are a citizen of your home country. Without it, you can be denied entry into some countries, or subjected to harsher immigration procedures if you cannot prove that you have permission to travel there. Your passport also serves as proof of identity in an emergency and will assist in verifying your address back at home.
Make sure to bring your visa when traveling abroad, since it’s an important way to protect yourself and ensure that you comply with the laws of your destination country. The visa confirms your identity, proves you are a legal visitor, and establishes your purpose for travel to the host nation. If you do not have it on hand at all times, it can lead to potentially serious issues such as detention or deportation. Additionally, some countries may consider travelers who don’t carry their visas illegally to enter the country and are subject to fines or even imprisonment.
A work permit is required for people traveling abroad who plan to work or are looking for employment in a country where they are not nationals. It is important to bring your work permit because it is necessary to prove that you have permission from the governmental authority of the foreign country being visited and validity documentation needs to be shown during international travels. The visa serves as an official document verifying that you can legally work, earn a salary, gain access to government social security benefits, etc while staying/living outside of your home country.
By creating a thorough checklist of the necessary paperwork and ensuring all documents have been collected, filled out correctly, and taken care of in advance of your big move, you’ll make the journey much smoother with fewer hiccups along the way.
3. Making travel arrangements
Here’s an overseas move checklist for making travel arrangements. The first step is to choose your destination. Visas and customs regulations may vary significantly from country to country so make sure you have all the information about requirements before making any decisions. It also may require booking flights quite far in advance as tickets going abroad can start to get more expensive closer to the date of departure.
Next up is the packing. Decide what you want to bring overseas and ensure that all items meet any size and weight limits imposed by various airlines if applicable, this will also help with any bookings of cabins upon arrival at your destination country. Make sure you research customs duties on certain items, as there could be restrictions depending on the item and its worth.
Finally, it may be hard to plan for the unforeseen when out of your home country so make sure you have an emergency contact list and access to foreign currency in case of any difficulties while traveling abroad. Make sure you have copies of all tickets/reservations at hand, in case there are any issues with bookings on the day of departure.
4. Packing and shipping your belongings
Packing up everything you own and deciding what should come with you on your journey can take plenty of time, but having a checklist before moving abroad will make it easier. Here’s what you need to consider when packing and shipping your possessions abroad:
- Start early. Plan ahead as much as possible before beginning the packing process, to allow more time for tasks that may take you longer than expected.
- Consider how much you will need and how best it can be shipped. If you are trying to move a lot of items abroad, think about what might fit inside suitcases or boxes and whether sending them by ship or air freight would be the most cost-effective option.
- Separate your items into categories based on size, weight, fragility, and necessity, as this will help you determine what should be shipped and when.
- Check with your airline if they have restrictions on the size and weight of luggage that can be taken onboard – this will ensure all of your items are safely transported to their destination without any issues.
- Start packing. Make sure each item is properly packed in boxes or suitcases, sealed securely, and labeled appropriately so that it can easily be identified at its destination. Additionally, take pictures of both the inside and outside of the box for insurance in case something happens to your possessions during transit.
- Book a shipping agent and seek out reliable international moving/shipping companies that specialize in helping customers move abroad safely. Ask lots of questions about their services, procedures, and what paperwork is needed to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible when you arrive in your new home country.
- Once everything is packed and the paperwork is completed, pay any required taxes or fees associated with sending items abroad.
By following these steps closely when packing and shipping your belongings internationally, you’re sure to arrive at your new home safely and sound with all of your possessions intact.
5. Preparing financially
When it comes to international relocation, one of the most important aspects of your move is money. This can save you an immense amount of stress and hassle down the line as unexpected costs and taxes may arise during the process. Here is a moving overseas checklist for preparing financially to take care of this essential aspect early on in the planning stages:
- Take note of all current accounts and finances before packing up and leaving home, including checking balances, making sure that any debts have been paid off, closing unnecessary accounts, and gathering important documents such as birth certificates, passports, and bank statements.
- Research financial regulations that apply in the country you are moving to since some countries have different restrictions or extra taxes for those who bring money from abroad.
- Look into options for transferring large sums of cash safely between countries, if necessary. Banks will often provide services designed specifically for international transactions, but there are also other services available depending on what is most convenient for you.
- Start saving for any necessary moving expenses, such as airfare, pet fees and shipping costs, early on in the process. Check online to find out how much you can expect to spend so that you have a target savings goal in mind when putting money away each month.
- Set up bank accounts in both countries if possible; this way any incoming or outgoing bills won’t be held up due to exchange rate fluctuations. Also take into account whether it would be sensible to invest in local currency when you arrive, just to cover yourself for any bills or expenses.
By taking all of the above steps into consideration, your financial preparations for international relocation should be as smooth and careful as possible. You’ll know exactly how much money you need – both before and after arrival, which will make said travel becomes less stressful and more enjoyable.
6. Handling your mail and utilities
International moves involve a lot more than simply packing your bags and hopping on a plane. One of the most important aspects to consider when preparing for your move is how you will manage to transfer or cancel your mail, utilities, and other monthly bills. Here is a moving out-of-the-country checklist for handling your mail and utilities to ensure that nothing gets left behind during your transition:
- Set up forwarding at your local post office: Contact your local post office in advance of your move, as you’ll need to provide them with the address you are moving to and set up a redirection service. This will ensure any post received at your current address can be safely transferred to the new one.
- Transfer your subscriptions: If you have subscriptions that need forwarding, contact each provider to provide them with your new mailing address so they can send their correspondence or packages directly to your final destination. Don’t forget about online delivery services as well.
- Cancel utilities: Contact your existing utilities (water, electricity providers) in advance to let them know you are moving and need to terminate services. This way you can arrange a final inspection of the property and request any necessary deposits returned.
- Change your address with major institutions: Be sure to contact your bank, insurance companies, government agencies, and other pertinent organizations so they can update their records too.
In conclusion, relocating internationally is no simple task for those without solid preparation in mind. To ensure that your move goes smoothly, it is vital to have a complete and thorough checklist on hand with all of the procedures necessary for your overseas transition. If you have properly followed this comprehensive checklist, you can be certain that your international move will be as error-free and stress-free as possible.
