Moving abroad can be an exhilarating opportunity, but it’s also filled with unique challenges. Whether you’re relocating for work, study, or a brand-new chapter, the process involves careful planning and consideration. We put together the following international moving tips to help you learn how to become an expat and ensure a smooth transition to your new home.
Before You Leave Checklist
A comprehensive moving abroad checklist can help you stay organized and ensure nothing is overlooked.
1. Research the laws in your destination country
Take the time to research your new country to understand their culture, language, and social customs. To avoid running into legal trouble later, pay special attention to laws and rules about expats. Some things to research would be:
- Visas and work permits
- Income or property taxes
- Fees and taxes for shipping household goods
- Vaccines and documentation for pets
- Health care and health insurance requirements
2. Consider your finances
Include financial planning in your moving abroad checklist to help you keep track of everything related to money. Start by spending some time researching the cost of living so you know how much income you’ll need. For instance, the cost of living in Japan can be much less than the US. Some costs to check on include housing, food, utilities, and transportation.
Find out what jobs are available for expats. Moving to a new country might be your chance to try some of the most unique jobs in the world, but only if you’re eligible to work.
Contact your bank, too, to see if you can keep your bank account if you move abroad. Ask about their policies for account holders living internationally.
3. Collect the necessary documents
On your moving to another country checklist, write down the documents you need to live and work in your new country. These might include:
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Child custody or adoption papers
- School or university papers
- Marriage certificate and/or divorce papers
- Driver’s license or International Driver’s Permit
- Social Security card
- Work permit
- Medical records
- Prescriptions
- Insurance documents
- Legal papers, such as will, trust, or power of attorney papers
- Financial records and proof of income
4. Find a place to live
Find a suitable place to live that’s within your means and close to essential services, such as healthcare facilities, public transit stops, or the supermarket. If you have kids, living near good schools will be helpful as they continue their education.
Also consider whether you’ll buy or rent your home. If you plan to purchase property, there are ways of minimizing real estate transaction costs abroad that can save you money.
5. Apply for an international driver’s permit
Find out how to get a driver’s license if you plan to drive in your new location. Different countries have different traffic regulations and, in some cases, pricing. Some countries and rental car companies require an international driver’s permit (IDP), while others require a local language translation along with your license, which the IDP fulfills.
6. Hire a good moving company
Look for international moving companies with good reviews and experience in overseas relocations. Get multiple quotes and ask about their insurance policies to protect your belongings during transit.
7. Pack smart
Your international move checklist should also include the essential belongings you’ll need to pack, such as:
- A selection of climate-appropriate clothing and footwear
- Prescription medications
- Tech gear like your laptop, tablet, and backup storage
- Chargers and adapters
- Basic toiletries
Pack strategically and remember you’ll be able to purchase items once you arrive. This is a good time to declutter things you don’t need and ship bulkier items, like bicycles.
When You Arrive Checklist
Don’t put away your moving overseas checklist once you arrive at your new home. There are still some tasks you’ll need to take care of.
1. Get to know your surroundings
Take the time to walk around your neighborhood, visit local markets and discover nearby parks or attractions to get a feel for the area.
2. Understand local transportation
Get to know the local transportation options in your new city. Whether it’s public transit, biking, or driving, knowing how to get around will help you settle in more quickly. If you plan to use ride-sharing services like Uber, Lyft, or the local equivalent, download the app using a secure Wi-Fi connection for smooth sailing once you arrive.
3. Purchase a new phone or phone plan
Consider purchasing a new phone or phone plan that suits your needs, as this will help you stay connected and navigate your new environment more easily.
4. Find out how to sign up for healthcare
Familiarize yourself with local healthcare providers and the registration process so you’re ready before you need it. Even if your new country has a public healthcare system, you may not be eligible for it. Purchasing private insurance can help cover any gaps.
5. Sign up for Wi-Fi
Good Wi-Fi is important to stay connected with family and friends back home and to access essential online resources.
6. Learn the tax laws for expats
Your moving internationally checklist should also include learning tax requirements for expats, as you may need to pay taxes on the income you earn in your new country. Knowing the tax laws will help you manage your finances and avoid any legal complications.
7. Secure insurance for property and items
This will provide peace of mind, protecting your belongings against unforeseen events and ensuring you feel secure in your new home.
After You’re Settled
Moving into your new home can be a big transition. Your moving abroad checklist should include finding ways to adjust to expat life.
1. Join expat communities
One of the best ways to meet new people as an expat is through expat communities. These communities often host events, social gatherings, and online forums where you can connect with others who share similar experiences. This makes it easier to forge friendships and share valuable tips about living abroad.
2. Explore the culture
Immerse yourself in the culture of your new home. Engage with local customs by visiting museums or attending local events. For instance, if you wanted to learn more about traditions in India, you could attend cultural events like Kumbh Mela or the International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh.
More International Moving Tips
Here are a few more tips to keep in mind before you leave for an international move.
1. Give yourself time to prepare
Draw up a timeline for completing each task on your moving abroad checklist. Give yourself a few months for dealing with government or insurance paperwork and to secure temporary housing.
Take at least a month to button up your old life, such as arranging mail forwarding and closing or opening bank accounts. One or two weeks before you leave, confirm your travel and get everything packed. When moving day comes, you’ll be ready to go.
2. Plan for your pets
If you have a pet, make sure your moving overseas checklist includes them. Research the laws about bringing your pet with you, as some countries have strict vaccine, microchip, or quarantine requirements when bringing pets into the country. You may need a health certificate from your vet. If you plan to fly with your pet, check your airline’s pet policies, as many airlines restrict what pets are allowed in the cabin or cargo hold.
3. Stay connected with family and friends
There are many ways to stay connected with your loved ones back home, including:
- Video calls: Platforms like Zoom and FaceTime let you have regular face-to-face conversations and maintain personal connections.
- Messaging apps: WhatsApp, Telegram, or Facebook Messenger let you chat instantly, while group chats let you talk to multiple people at once.
- Social media: Facebook, Instagram, or X let you share updates and keep up with what’s happening back home.
- Mail and email: Sending notes and letters, or even care packages, lets you connect in a more personal way.
- Online games: Online games or virtual activities let you create shared experiences, even from a distance.
FAQs
Make sure you have your passport, visa, driver’s license or International Driver’s Permit, birth certificate, and marriage certificate or divorce papers. Also bring financial records, vaccine records, and prescriptions. If traveling with a pet, you may need a pet passport, vaccine records, and health certificate.
Make a moving internationally checklist that includes researching your new country, finding a place to live, collecting important documents, planning your travel, packing, and getting settled in your new home. Also include tasks like signing up for healthcare, purchasing insurance, and buying a new phone plan. Make sure you know the laws about taxes, employment, and traveling with pets so you don’t run into trouble when you arrive.
Look for moving companies with experience in the area you’re moving to. Ask friends and colleagues for recommendations, read reviews to see what the company is like to work with, and make sure the company you choose is insured.
In addition to your friends and family, add these people to your moving abroad checklist so you don’t forget to notify them: your employer, your landlord, your insurance providers, your bank, the post office, and your country’s revenue agency.
