Relocating to a different country can be one of the biggest decisions of your life. The big move comes with a lot of planning and executing it well is important. The better you plan your international move the more streamlined things will be. The time of the move, taking all important documents and belongings, and your living situation at your destination might only be part of your worries. You don’t want to be in an entirely new place where you don’t know anyone without knowing a bit about what to expect.
That is why many people hire international movers to help make their relocation a smooth experience. They can provide services like packing, hauling, and on-site assistance. So, you can trust them with the move and worry about sorting out other important details.
Let’s list a few important things that you need to consider before your international move.
#1: Get All Documents
Moving comes with a lot of paperwork and you have to make sure that your documents are in order. Other than the obvious passport and visa documents, you may need others as well. You are likely to move to a new country for an extended period. So, you should take all the right documents from your home country with you. Here is a list of documents that you should have:
- Marriage certificate
- Children’s birth certificates
- National identity cards
- Medical insurance cards
- Educational documents and certificates
- Accolades
- Adoption papers
- Work experience letters
- Recommendation letters
- Driving license
- Medical records
- Social security cards
This list isn’t exhaustive as you may also need additional legal documents, financial letters, or travel documents like a COVID-19 or polio vaccination proof. You never know what can be beneficial and necessary for you in the new country. So, make sure you keep all of them with you.
#2: Decide a Timeline
One of the most important things to consider before an international move is the timeline. If you are moving with your entire family you may need to align job openings, joining dates, and the start of the school session. It is vital to plan the needs and requirements of each individual in your family and then plan when they’ll be moving. All of you don’t have to travel at the same time if it doesn’t suit you. The kids may have to wait for the school year to start. While you should plan according to your job or business requirements.
#3: Moving with Pets
Many families have pets that they want to take with them but it is much more complicated than you think. There is a lot of paperwork involved and you might need special permission as well. Moreover, many countries like Australia do not allow certain invasive species in their country. So, make sure you have all the necessary documents in order no matter where you are moving overseas. You may need a health certificate, immunization records, and a pet carrier to move them to a new country.
#4: Start Saving Money
International moves are much more expensive than you think and there are many different variables of cost. There are things that you may not be able to budget for and you may come across some unexpected expenditures. So, instead of getting blindsided by the piling cost of the move, you should start saving money as soon as possible.
Your head start could be anywhere between three to six months or even a year. During that time, you should try to avoid any temporary costs in your current home. Because you won’t be staying there for long. Instead, you should save that money for future moving costs.
#5: Plan Your Finances
Even if you save some money, it likely won’t sustain you for long. So, you need to plan your finances accordingly. This can depend a lot on whether or not you have a job when you get there. You will need more money if you are going to land and look for a job afterward. Moreover, if you are traveling with family, you should factor in rent, groceries, and other living costs as well. The only way to make your move a smooth experience is to always be prepared for the worst.
#6: Research Culture and Norms
You may be moving to a country with completely different norms and culture from your homeland. Not being aware of them is negligent from your end and you don’t want to offend any locals. So, it is important to research your destination well before your move. If you are confused about something, it is always a good idea to ask a local and educate yourself. The more you know about the country, the better.
Moving is daunting no matter how much the distance. But international moving comes with some additional challenges as well. It will take you some time to adjust to the new environment so you don’t need to rush yourself. If you plan and execute your move well, there is nothing to worry about.
