Many of us dream of moving abroad. Whether you’re from the United States, Sweden or South Africa, this may perfectly describe you! But before you hop on a plane and leave the country you’re in, there are definitely things you’ll want to know about moving to a different nation. That’s why we’ve created this guide. In this article, you’ll learn:
- What documents you need to have on hand before you move to another country
- How to handle your finances before and during your move abroad
- How to actually and physically move your stuff with minimal risk and stress
You may be planning to leave in the next week or the next decade. Regardless of your plans, be sure you check out this ultimate guide to moving abroad.
1. Know the culture of the country you’re moving to
If you’re moving abroad, there’s a very good chance that your destination country will have a different culture than you. There are quite a few examples of this, and some are more obvious than others. Let’s look at a few examples.
First of all, your destination country may have different rules for men, women, the LGBTQ+ community and even children than your current country. Be sure you’re familiar with what’s acceptable and socially unacceptable.
But secondly, the cultural rules may be a little bit different in smaller ways. For example, what do you do if they drive on the “other” side of the road? Moving from Australia to the UK may not be a problem. But if you’re moving from the UK to Switzerland, you’re probably going to need a few driving lessons! That right hand turn becomes pretty tricky when there’s oncoming traffic!
We’ll talk more in depth about other issues throughout this guide. For now, be sure you consider the:
- Religious culture of your destination
- Gender differences and how they’re recognized
- The acceptance of “alternative” lifestyles
- The environmental culture of your destination – you may start recycling very soon!
- Legal implications of your actions – for example, littering and speeding may carry different penalties in different countries
Familiarize yourself with your new country before you show up. Better yet, visit and spend some time in your destination country before moving abroad. Get to know the culture and the people and your move will be much more smooth.
2. Get your visa and your passport
Before you even visit another country you’re going to need a passport. And to move there, there’s a very good chance you’ll need a visa. Your visa can be granted for a number of reasons, and that depends on where you’re going. Some examples of visas you may qualify for are:
- Work visas – in some countries you’ll have to have a certain skill set to move there on a work visa
- Journalism visa – if you’re in the media, you can apply for one of these
- Student visa – if you’re studying abroad, plan to apply for this type of visa
- Domestic employee visa – when you’re traveling to another country to accompany your employer
Depending on where you’re going, there will be other types of visas available to you. Be sure you’ve gotten the right one and that everything is in order before you book your travel arrangements.
3. Get your other documents in order, too
No matter where you’re headed when you’re moving abroad, you’re going to need access to the important documents you have. These documents don’t just include your passport and your visa paperwork. Especially if you plan to rent or buy a home when you’re moving abroad, you’re going to need the other stuff, too.
- Your social security card, if you have one in your country
- Your birth certificate
- Your medical records
- Your insurance information if that applies to you
- Any child custody or divorce papers you have
- Your bank statements showing your proof of income and your savings
- Your children’s school records and immunization records
- Your own immunization records
- Your pet’s immunization records
We understand that you’ll probably have online access to a lot of these, but it’s best to carry hard copies, too. Get a small safe that you can bring on the plane with you and have immediate access to any paperwork you might need to rent a car, book a hotel room, get a job or rent an apartment.
4. Get your finances in order
Moving abroad is expensive. There are costs you have probably considered, including:
- Your flight or other travel tickets
- Deposits on rentals, down payments on homes
- The fact that you’re likely going to be taking some time off work
- The cost of a new vehicle if this is applicable to you
But there are things you may actually not have considered. Here are a few things you should think about before moving abroad.
- Some countries require that you have a certain amount of money in savings before moving – or even visiting – there
- You may have to also provide proof of income to gain entry into some countries
- You may have to pay for storage for some of your items until you find permanent housing
- You will have a new set of insurance requirements in your new country – and may still be required to maintain insurance in your current country
- Taxes, taxes, taxes – you’re moving abroad, but the government still wants a chunk of your change.
It may be a good idea to talk to either a financial advisor or an attorney before moving abroad. They can help you navigate the waters if you’re unfamiliar with what you need to do to prepare.
5. Have a place to stay!
It’s quite possible that you can hop on a plane, arrive in a new country, and find a hotel near the airport for that first few nights. But why would you want to? You’re going to be tired, stressed and probably hungry, so finding a hotel or motel is going to be the last thing you’ll want to do.
At the same time you book your flight, book a hotel stay. It’s up to you how long you’ll book your stay for, but it’s essential that you have somewhere to go for, at the very least, that first night. Even if you’ve already rented or purchased a home, splurge and let someone take care of you for that first night.
There’s little more disorienting than moving abroad to a new country, then arriving at a home without the basic necessities – furniture, running water, electricity and the like. Instead, book a hotel room and relax that first night with a hot shower and maybe even cable television. Then, feel free to move on the next day.
6. Do your research on international movers
Many times, when people are moving abroad they choose to just have an estate sale and leave their things behind. Often a fresh start is what’s needed. But if you want to take your stuff with you, you’re going to need to do your research and find out about the international moving process.
Some things, simply, can not be moved. For instance if you have firearms you just simply won’t be able to bring them with you to some locations. There are other things that may be impossible or too pricey to move. Pianos are a good example of this – specialized movers are often required to move these fragile instruments. Also, you know that big screen television you want to move? Well, the plugs may not fit the outlets once you get there!
Check out movers who will ship your things internationally, then do your research. Look at reviews and interview each of them to determine whether they’re a good fit for you. Ask questions about what can and can’t be moved, the length of time it will take to ship your belongings and whether they’re insured against damage to your items.
Once you’ve found a mover you love, book them early and secure exact dates for pickup and dropoff of your belongings. Remember that sometimes things go wrong, so don’t be surprised if you’re a few days extra without your “stuff.”
7. Set up a bank account
This sort of fits under the category of getting your finances under control, but if you can, set up a bank account in your new country. When you’re moving abroad this isn’t always possible. Sometimes you’ll need an identifying number in your new country, like a social security number. Other times, banks will work with you to ensure that your finances are secure before you move.
Your job is to find out the requirements for your new country. Can you set up an account now? If so, that’s going to make your life so much easier once you arrive. There will be no currency conversion penalties or other fees you’re not expecting. For example, you can book your hotel using local currency with your new bank account rather than worry about converting your money from one denomination to another.
It may not be possible to set up a bank account in your new country, but you can still get cash. Just go to your current bank and buy currency in your new denomination. That way, you’ll have cash on hand when you arrive, at least for incidentals like food and emergencies.
8. Feeling social? Reach out to locals!
Now, this step isn’t one that everyone will take. But if you’re feeling social, you can absolutely reach out to locals before moving abroad! Especially if you speak the language of the country of destination, it can actually be quite fun to make connections in your new country before moving there.
How do you do this? Well, if you’re single you can reach out on dating apps. If you’ve got a family, try looking for “local” Facebook groups for moms or dads in your destination area. There are
“meetup” groups, too, where you can choose an interest and meet people who are into the same things as you are.
Social media is the best way to meet locals in your destination city, but do be careful. Don’t give anyone your credit card or other personal information. Instead, plan to meet for coffee or a beer when you arrive, and see where the conversation takes you!
9. Learn the language
Technically, this one should be at the top of your list, but we figured you’d already have it under control. If, for example, you’re moving abroad from the United States to Switzerland or to Japan, it’s in your best interest to learn the language of your destination country before you go there.
You don’t have to be fluent. There are a few phrases you’ll need to know before you go, though. These include:
- Hello
- Please
- Thank you
- Where is the bathroom?
- Where is the train? (Or other form of transport)
- How much does this cost?
- I would like…
- Help
- I’m sorry, or Excuse me
- I don’t speak (language)
- Where can I find…
If you’re strapped for time, you can just choose to learn the nouns or basic parts of the sentence. For instance, asking “El baño?” in Spain will certainly get you pointed in the direction of the closest restroom. But if you’re going to be a local, it’s best – and polite – to attempt to learn the local language sooner than later.
10. Have an escape route
Civil unrest, unexpected expenses, family emergencies… all of these things may be cause for you to return home after moving abroad. Say Mom gets ill and has to be admitted to the hospital. You want to go home to stay with her… what do you do?
The first thing you’ll need is travel insurance. Let’s assume you’ve booked your trip for the 4th of March, but Mom gets sick on the 3rd. You’re going to have to postpone your trip. Travel insurance will cover you so that you can either cancel your flight and your trip with a minimal cost or postpone it to a later date.
The second thing you’ll want to do is talk to your family members. Should the need arise for you to postpone your trip, you’ll need a roof over your head. You’ve already put a lot of money into your trip, so you’re not going to want to book yet another hotel. Let your friends and family know your plans so that they can give you a bed to sleep in should the need arise.
11. Make sure your brain is happy with your decision
Moving abroad is a huge step. If you’re not moving “home” to where your family is from, there’s a really good chance you could experience some mental side effects. Feelings of isolation aren’t uncommon. You will probably feel homesick. If you’re moving to a different time zone, there will be jet lag – a seemingly small thing but one that can have a huge impact on your psyche.
Make a plan to keep in touch with your tribe once you’ve landed at your destination city. Whether it be video conferencing, phone calls, emails, snail mail or even visits, it’s going to be critical for you to keep in touch with the people who you’re close with.
You’ll also want to keep some savings in place in case you simply can’t handle the change in scenery. You can keep a credit card active in the country you’re leaving – this is usually the easiest way to handle it – or you can stash a few thousand under your parents’ mattress. Whatever works for you, be sure you have a backup plan in place in case your brain rejects your plans for moving abroad.
In any case, it’s not a bad idea to schedule an appointment with a counselor when you arrive at your destination. Counselors are highly underrated – they’re not “shrinks” who are going to mess with your brain. They’re objective listeners who will serve as a sounding board should you run into any depression, sadness or mental unrest once you move.
12. Read the news
When you’re planning on moving abroad, it’s going to be very important to keep up with the local news in the country you’re moving to. There are a number of reasons you should do this, but the biggest reason is your own personal safety.
For one example, you’re going to want to pay attention to local crime in the precise area you’re moving to. Are you moving to a safe neighborhood or might you run into trouble with gangs, drugs or gun violence? This is definitely something you’ll want to know before you go.
Another example is civil unrest or nations that might be on the news in your new country. If things are looking politically charged, it may be a good idea to rethink your move for the moment. The last thing you want is to arrive in the middle of a terrible situation.
Viruses or other health outbreaks are another thing to look for on the news. In fact, in some cases you may not even be permitted to enter a country if there’s an outbreak of a virus or other health concern in that country. Once again, it’s important to know before you go.
13. Speaking of health…
It might be a good idea to line up a physician before moving abroad. If you’re able to do this, it will save you time and frustration should you get sick en route or when you arrive. You can send your medical and insurance information to the practitioner’s office prior to leaving your home country and be all ready to go once you arrive at your new home.
Many nations have social care plans, but often expats will be required to pay for their own medical care. Find this out before you leave for your new location so that you’re not caught surprised with a huge medical bill you didn’t expect.
Even if you’re healthy as a horse, getting a doctor abroad is a good idea. This is especially true if you have children who will be attending school or daycare. Their educational providers will need records of vaccines and immunizations, and your kids will likely need a checkup with a doctor before going to school.
14. Avoid this one huge no-no
How many times have you run into a person from another country, only to hear them lamenting about how much better things were “back home?” Don’t be that person. It’s rude, it’s offensive and it’s insulting to the nationals of the country you’re moving abroad to.
You’re not going to be 100% happy 100% of the time. That’s something you probably already knew before you moved; if not, we’re telling you now. There will be things you miss, and there will be some days you feel you simply can’t go on without that particular brand of cracker you could get “back home” that isn’t available here.
Keep it to yourself. These people live here, and have probably lived here all their lives. When you start complaining about how much better things were back home, you’re insulting their home and you won’t make friends very quickly.
If you feel truly unhappy, consider seeing a counselor or someone else you can vent your feelings to in a safe and non-threatening way. Depression is real, of course, and together you can figure out the best course of action.
15. Try to remain flexible
Moving abroad is rarely simple. You’re probably going to have some setbacks along the way, and it’s very likely you’ll run into some red tape during the process. Try to stay flexible and optimistic, even though this can be extremely frustrating at times.
Allow for timeline shifts, too. Maybe your visa didn’t go through yet, or the apartment you’ll be renting isn’t ready yet. This may postpone your move. In some cases you may feel pressured to leave earlier than you’d originally planned. For instance, a new job is set to begin prior to the expected start date.
Do what’s comfortable for you, and be sure you have a financial buffer to cover unexpected flight changes, hotel stays and more. Keep your chin up – moving abroad is a complicated process, and it’s perfectly normal for things to not go quite the way you expected.
16. Make new friends, but keep the old
We can’t stress enough how there will be some days where you’re going to feel super homesick. You’ll miss your old home, your friends and even specific items you can’t buy in your new country after moving abroad.
It’s going to be important to reach out to new people. Schedule a coffee date or brunch with your new coworkers, or volunteer with a local group to get to know some new faces. There are plenty of ways you can meet new people, whether they be fellow expats or people who are local to your new country.
But don’t forget about your friends at home! Before you go, host a going away party and be sure you exchange contact information with everyone you’d like to keep in touch with. Do this on paper – you don’t want to risk losing your iPhone en route to your destination. Pen and a notebook works best.
Buy some Skype credits or whatever platform you’d like to use, and schedule a few chats with your family and friends. Then stick to them!
If you’re good at writing or at least just don’t mind it, you can start a blog once you arrive at your new home. This will help keep you sane and will also help your friends keep up with what’s going on with you. Be sure to include lots of pictures – your friends will be curious about your new home!
Just because you’re moving abroad doesn’t mean the end of your friendships. Make a commitment to keep in touch with the people you love and stick with it.
17. Have fun
Most importantly, have fun! You’ve made the decision to move to a new country – moving abroad can be an awesome adventure! It’s an experience not everyone gets to have, so make the most of it.
It’s okay to be “a tourist” when you first arrive at your destination. You can go visit the famous landmarks and take a scenic Sunday drive to check out the landscape of your new home. But make it your home, too! Eat where the locals eat, learn the local culture and join the local groups. Before long, your destination country will become your home away from home.
Conclusion
Moving abroad can be quite an ordeal, and this type of move can be extremely stressful. There’s a lot of red tape and hoops to jump through, and you’ll have considerations to factor into your move ranging from civil unrest to your pet’s vaccinations.
But your move to another country can be quite an adventure! Keep your chin up and prepare for your move. Paying attention to detail and the little things will have your new home feeling every bit as comfortable as your home in your old country.
