The ultimate moving abroad checklist

Start researching and planning

Start early

Preparation is paramount when it comes to moving abroad. The sooner you begin to get your plans in place, the more time you have to fine tune all the details. Unexpected things can crop up in any project and starting early means surprises don’t become setbacks.

Understand the country you want to move to

This is the first step in your planning. Getting to grips with things like visas and healthcare is a springboard to make your new life run smoothly. Rules and regulations vary from country to country and  you’ll find the information you need by contacting the embassy of the country you’re moving to. Here are the main things to look for:

• Visas and permits

• Vaccination requirements

• Taxes on shipping household items

• Restrictions on shipping household items

• Taxes for importing high- value goods

• Pet vaccination and quarantine restrictions

• Insurance for your journey, your belongings, and any medical needs

Different country systems

The embassy is a useful place to begin to understand how your new country will work. The systems that keep everything running vary from place to place and each country has its own framework for things like tax, healthcare, visas, and insurance. You can build your knowledge by checking at a local level, too. Many towns and cities have local government websites that give you an idea of how things work, as well as useful links to local providers.

International moving companies

No matter how long you’re going to be away, having your belongings with you gives a head start when it comes to feeling at home. Getting those belongings from old home to new home can feel daunting, which is why we have set research into international moving companies pretty high on your moving abroad checklist.

You may find a relocation company is your best option. This type of company offers support with all aspects of getting to your new home abroad, as well as moving your belongings safely.  It’s a good idea to make this a priority because the best companies get booked up quickly.

Searching for new homes

Searching for a new home is hard. Add in complications of language, different purchase systems, and the logistics of viewing a new home abroad, and you might be tempted to give up. Start by thinking about the things that are important to you, like size of property, location and facilities then draw up a wish list. Use resources like international property portals to help you understand the market before you move and refine your search.

If you’re moving abroad for work, your new company will have plenty of resources to help you find your perfect home. If not, consider the possibility of arranging a viewing trip before you buy. If this isn’t possible, then short-term rental might be a good idea to help you understand the location before you buy.

Calculate the different costs

As with so many things on your checklist for moving abroad, the cost of moving abroad can vary. According to Nomadic Fire, the average cost of moving abroad ranges between $1,000 and $10,000 USD. To get an accurate idea of the costs for your move, it’s important your checklist before moving abroad has a detailed cost sheet that includes the following things:

• Day-to-day living costs – you’ll still need to eat!

• Visa fees

• Legal fees

• Transport costs for you and the family

• Shipping costs for your belongings

• Packing costs

• Housing costs including short- term accommodation

• Storage costs

• Travel insurance

• Moving insurance

• Transferring money

As well as thinking about the cost of living and moving abroad, it’s a good idea to take a look at your finances before you go. Doing a mini audit of things like insurance and debts will get you off to a good start in your new home. It’s also worth exploring online banking and simple ways to send money overseas before you go, so you can easily stay in control of your cash.

Get your documents ready

Moving abroad means paperwork and paperwork means getting your documents together. A little time spent getting your personal papers in order before you begin the process of moving abroad will save you time and stress.

It goes without saying that a passport is an essential document – these can take a little time to process, so get your application in early. Likewise, visas can take several months to process and early application makes the whole process easier. Depending on the country you’re moving to, you’ll need to have various other papers to hand including:

• Birth certificate or adoption papers

• Child custody papers

• Divorce papers

• Driver’s license

• Marriage certificate

• Social security details

• Medical records

• Dental records

• School records

• References for accommodation

• Pet vaccination certificates

Prepare financially

There are lots of costs involved when you move abroad. Some are obvious, like the cost of flights and finding somewhere to live. Some may take you by surprise, such as the costs of getting hold of necessary paperwork, or finding you have to put your belongings in storage for a while. If you can, it’s worth gathering some emergency funds together. We recommend having between three and six months’ worth of living expenses saved. Use a resource like Numbeo to help you estimate how much you’ll need. Try to add a bit extra for treats!

Packing your belongings

When it comes to packing, you may be surprised how much you have to move. Before you start putting everything in boxes, it’s worth taking time to downsize. Donate or dispose of anything you don’t really need and consider selling things like furniture and white goods. A word of caution though – check the cost of replacements in the country you’re moving to. Sometimes the cost of a replacement offsets the cost of shipping.

When you know how much you have to ship, get in touch with your moving company to ask them for their guidelines about how to pack. Many companies supply professional packing materials and whilst this can feel like yet another cost, packing your belongings properly will save you money and stress      in the long run. You’ll need documents such as inventory lists and a customs declaration . Be sure to note these on your moving abroad checklist.

Notifying relevant parties

One of the final things on your checklist before moving abroad is to get in touch with all the people and institutions that need to know you’re moving. These include :

• Banks

• Postal services to redirect mail

• Subscription services

• Utilities to arrange for final settlement of bills

• Telephone companies

Whilst this is one of the final things you’ll do before moving, we recommend you start a list of who to contact early in your planning.

Moving abroad checklist once you’ve arrived

The big day is finally here and you’re ready to start your new life. It’s taken a lot of effort to reach this point so give yourself a big cheer! There’s still a lot to think about in these early days and it’s useful to have a list of things to do when you arrive in your new country. We’ve put together some of the essentials.

Open a bank account

This is one of the most important things to get organised. Some countries just need a visa and passport to open an account but others need proof of address -  something that’s difficult to acquire without funding for rent and deposits. Don’t lose heart – there are various things you can do to help you manage while you wait and one of the best contingency plans is to set up an account with a service like WorldRemit, who make it incredibly simple to transfer money abroad.

Search healthcare options

Healthcare is provided in different ways in different countries and it’s important to understand the system before you go. Local government websites or local town halls can be a good place to start. Check how you’ll pay for any healthcare – you may need to set up an insurance scheme before you can access some health services.

Learn how to get around

Being able to get around safely and simply is essential. Public transport varies from place to place. Some cities will offer excellent services, others less so. To understand transportation in your new home, test out a few journeys on planning apps such as Google Maps. You’ll be able to understand how long it takes to get from place to place and get an idea of how much each journey will cost.

Get a local phone number

One of the simplest ways to get a local phone number is to buy a new SIM card on arrival. Some countries, such as Japan, will only issue a tourist SIM, but this will be invaluable until you can organise a new phone contract. If using a new number will cause you problems, you could consider VoIP (virtual phone service) which will divert calls to your old number. You can use this service alongside a new SIM to be sure you’ll stay connected.

Connect with people

Speaking of connection, we think connecting with people is one of the most important things to do when you arrive in your new country. It’s not easy and you may find yourself feeling shy or unsure. Preparation can help and reading up on how to overcome culture shock is something that should be part of your moving abroad checklist. Understanding that what you’re feeling is normal, and that you’re not alone will help a lot. Put together a strategy to help you connect with other people to help you feel more confident and settle in more easily.

WorldRemit makes living abroad easier

We hope you’ve enjoyed this blog. We believe that creating a checklist before moving abroad is one of the most important things you can do. It will help you get all the paperwork together, organise moving your belongings and help with settling in once you finally arrive in your new home.

We also understand that being able to send money home is an important part of your new life abroad which is why it’s so easy to create an account with WorldRemit. Add in our useful blogs that give insight into things like community, finance and technology and we’re sure you’ll soon be feeling at home in your new country. Moving abroad is a brave thing to do and we’re honoured to support you.

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Sources

• Forbes.com

• Nomadic Fire

• Numbeo

The contents of this blog post do not constitute legal or financial advice and are provided for general information purposes only. If you require specific legal and / or financial advice you should contact a specialist lawyer or financial advisor. Information true at time of publishing.