With the increase in the number of people who want to travel around the world or different parts of the world, we’ve decided to provide guides to move abroad considering that a lot of people would be finding that difficult.
If you’re interested in traveling to other parts of the world and you are confused about how to go about it, you can browse through this article as it contains all the guides you need to travel to any part of the world.
Guides to Move Abroad
Below is a checklist of what you need to prepare for moving abroad:
- Find out the visa requirements.
- Get your documents ready.
- Make a timeline of your move.
- Prepare your pets.
- Check tax obligations.
- Prepare insurance & check the healthcare system.
- Find housing.
- Sort your previous living situation.
- Prepare flight arrangements.
- Prepare your things to be shipped.
- Prepare your finances.
- Settle your home affairs.
Here is a detailed explanation of the checklist to give you a proper guide to move to abroad
Find Out the Visa Requirements
The first thing that should come to your mind when you plan to move abroad is to check your destination’s visa requirements and immigration options. You usually need a long-stay visa to move unless you are an EEA/EU country national and you’re moving within the EEA/EU.
Some countries offer several immigration programs that usually target highly skilled workers and are work-based, points-based, or require a sponsor. So, you have to do some research and see which program suits you best.
Get Your Documents Ready
Important papers like birth certificates, marriage licenses, adoption papers, medical records, and child custody should be prepared d and ready to go with you. Always remember to go with your passport. Always ensure it’s valid and up to date.
If you don’t have a passport, you have to apply for one at the relevant authority in your country. You need to complete this step first as you cannot apply for a visa without a valid passport.
Make a Timeline of Your Move
The whole visa process, from preparing your documents to applying for the visa and getting the visa, may take several months. However, after your visa is granted, most countries allow you 30 days until you enter the country. So, make sure that you finish planning everything when you think the visa will be granted.
In addition to this, you should consider the idea that it might be easier for you to move first and then bring your family members. You should settle on a schedule that works for everyone and gives you plenty of time to sort everything out if you want to move with your family.
Prepare Your Pets
If you want to move with pets, you have to check the pet entry requirements of the country you’re going to. The regulations change from country to country, but generally, you have to follow these rules:
- Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies.
- Your pet must have a travel passport.
- Your pet must possess a health certificate.
- Your pet should be prepared for travel (carrier crate, transportation, paid airline fees).
Note: Exotic pets require different regulations than common household pets (cats, dogs, birds).
Check Tax Obligations
When you move to a new state, you may still be required to pay taxes in your home country. That is why before you leave, check with the tax authorities, and see the tax agreements between your state and destination country.
Prepare Insurance and check the Health Care System
In some countries, you may get free health care as they offer free public health care to all their citizens and residents, so you might not need health insurance when you move to such a new country. Still, expats prefer to have private health insurance just to have everything covered. You should also try to get travel insurance to cover the trip until you settle.
Find Housing
It is advised by most expatriates that you travel for a short time to find housing in person rather than online. Better still, you can find a real estate agent and have them find options and let you in on the necessary steps you have to take to secure a deposit. Keep in mind that renting or buying costs will probably be much different than what you’re used to.
Sort Your Previous Living Situation
You may consider selling your property if you own your house/apartment in your home country. Or you may have the option of renting your property and retaining the ownership just in case your new country doesn’t work out. However, you should be prepared for the many responsibilities of becoming an expat landlord.
This decision will mostly depend on your situation in your country when it comes to housing but also keep in mind that mortgage terms won’t always allow you to rent.
Prepare Flight Arrangments
Flight tickets can be pricey, especially if you have to pay fees for your pet. The price can go up to $2,000, but it all depends on the distance between your home country and your destination.
You have to do some research and find one of the cheapest airlines you can find- and if you have this option, use your traveler’s miles to get a discount. Also, call the airline a few days before your flight to confirm the date and time.
Prepare Your Things to Be Shipped
You will have to ship your belongings which you want to bring with you to the country of your destination. All you need to do is to check the customs regulations and if you are required to pay taxes on your items. Then, find the cheapest option to ship your items. Depending on where you are moving to, you can ship them by air, ship, moving truck, or train.
Prepare your Finances
Traveling abroad requires a lot of finances so for proper guides to move abroad you are advised to ensure that you have enough savings to make this move and avoid any financial hindrances. Then, you have to find banking options that work for you. First, check with your local bank whether they can help you open an account in your new country. If not, check whether international transactions are available and whether your cards will work (this option may come with high transaction costs).
When moving, the biggest hardship you may encounter is that you need a bank account to rent, but you can’t rent without a bank account. However, you can use banks that offer international accounts to non-residents and mobile banks. Generally, most expatriates prefer to use international money transfer providers that provide cheaper options than traditional banks.
Settle Your Home Affairs
Before you leave, there are a few important things you need to arrange in your home country:
- Let friends and family know where you are moving to.
- Cancel any subscriptions.
- Prepare to change your mobile provider.
- Settle any unpaid bills and debts you may have.
- Arrange to have your mail forwarded to your new address.
How to Move Abroad?
For us to give you proper guides to moving abroad we must let you know that you can move abroad if you qualify for one of the following:
- You can apply for a work visa.
- You can apply for an exchange program.
- You can move for your studies (short-term).
- You can apply for family reunification (if you have family members in another country).
- You can apply for an investor visa (if this is offered from your destination country)
- You can get citizenship by descent (if applicable).
Is Moving Abroad Difficult?
Each country regulates its immigration programs carefully to ensure there won’t be an occurrence of overpopulation and they allow entry to people who can benefit the country’s economy and development. Generally, it’s difficult to move if you don’t have a job or money but this depends on where you are from and where you are going.
How Much Does it Cost to Move Abroad?
To move abroad, you need to have at least $20,000. However, you have to know that the cost depends on which country or part of the world you are moving to, whether you are renting or buying, whether you ship your entire belongings or not, and whether you are moving on your own or with family/pets.