Deciding to move abroad is a huge decision to make and although this can be a really exciting experience it can also be stressful.
There are so many things to think about and arrange before departing, and in this article we are going to help make your move easier.
Whether you are looking to relocate for a career, lifestyle choice or a seasonal job, find out everything you need to know before leaving home.
Important Things to Consider Before Departing
Timing is all important when planning a move as you have to get many things done before a deadline. The following checklist is designed to make this task easier and help prevent a nervous breakdown:
- Check that you and your family’s passports are valid. The process of applying for a visa may take several months and some countries require at least six months of passport validity to issue a visa, so be careful.
- Find out if you and/or family members need a visa and make the application as soon as possible if you do.
- Buy your flights and make any necessary reservations for your trip.
- One of the hardest choices to make is deciding what to take with you. If you have a lot of belongings hiring a respectable global removal firm is strongly advised to make the experience as stress free as possible.
- Check if you need an international driving license (remember that it is valid for only one year and it cannot be renewed, you must apply for it again).
- If you have a pet make sure you have all the vaccines required to travel abroad. It may be required to put your pet into quarantine.
- Arrange your travel insurance and your health insurance abroad; do not forget all family members.
- Check whether your contributions towards your pension are recognised in the country you are moving to.
- Make sure that you and your family get medical and dental examinations, take a copy of the results. Also take documents that prove and describe your insurance cover.
- If you are renting a flat/house, tell your landlord asap. Under many contracts you are required give notice several months in advance.
- Sell anything that you are not taking with you (cars, furniture, property, etc). Otherwise you can ask friends to take care of it or put it in a deposit.
- If you are leaving for a long period, perhaps you should give “powers of attorney” over your financial affairs to someone you trust while you are absent.
- Cancel your utilities in advance: electricity, gas, oil, water, telephone (also your mobile) and internet.
- Cancel your subscription to any clubs, associations, courses, magazines, etc.
- Close your bank accounts unless you think that you will use them.
- Inform the tax authorities that you are leaving.
- Give your new address to your friends, family and business associates.
- Redirect your mail through the Post Office.
- Pay all outstanding bills and loans before you leave the country. Give back any money you borrowed from friends.
- If an employer isn’t paying for your accommodation you will need to find somewhere to live, or reserve temporary accommodation before arriving.
Get Prepared Before Moving Overseas
Moving to another country is a huge decision to make and there are so many things to think about.
One of the hardest choices to make is deciding what to take with you for the big move. Hiring a respectable global removal firm is strongly advised as sending a lifetimes worth of stuff is a tricky business.
Just make sure you give yourself lots of time to plan the move and don’t leave everything till the last minute.