Guest Blog
Tips to Make an International Move
Moving abroad is one of the most exciting things you can do in life. However, it can also be among the most stressful experiences you may have. The process is often long and complex, and it requires a good amount of planning and organizing. But luckily, we have put up a list of the top seven things you should do to make your international move less stressful and more enjoyable. So, let’s dive right in.
1. Choose an International Moving Company
The first and most important step in organizing your move is to choose a reliable company that can handle your relocation from start to finish. Overseas shipments are complex and require plenty of procedures and requirements you won’t want to deal with on your own. As far as logistics are concerned, you can have your things transported in containers taking up as little or as much space as you need.
However, not all companies offer moving services to all countries in the world. This can make your choice a bit more difficult.
If you’re trying to move abroad to or from Canada, you can read more info here.
2. Check What Belongings You’re Allowed to Transport
Moving internationally also means you can only carry a limited amount of belongings. The time you’ll be away, or the distance you travel can impact the number of things you’ll bring.
However, before you even start thinking about the items you want to transport, you need to ensure you’re allowed to do so in the first place. The customs process varies from one country to another, and you’ll likely have to provide customs with a list of complete household inventory at some point. It’s important that there are no unallowed items on that list when the local officer goes over it.
Shipping a car, for example, can only be done properly when all paperwork and procedures are met before the shipment. More information is available here for anyone who plans on shipping their vehicles to or from Canada.
3. Declutter and Simplify
The worst thing you can do when moving internationally is complicate things that don’t need to get complicated. If you’re only moving away for a year or so, you need to pack wisely and transport the essentials. After all, you’ll have to think about returning all your belongings after the trip ends.
Make things simple throughout your experience abroad by not cluttering your suitcases and shipments with unnecessary items. Otherwise, you might pay for additional shipping when you don’t even need those things in the first place.
You can always use local warehouse facilities in your home country to store your things if you have nowhere to put them.
4. Save Money on Time
Moving abroad can be tough on your budget. Even the world’s most affordable moving companies can be expensive for some people. You can expect to spend thousands, or even tens of thousands, of dollars on a single relocation depending on the items you bring or your destination.
Also, the type of freight service you’ll use (air freight vs. sea freight) can play a huge role in how costly the endeavor will be.
This is why you may want to focus on finding shipping or moving loans or save up as early as possible. If you’re moving abroad for work, your company will most likely be able to cover some (if not all) relocation costs. You can always contact your HR department to see what type of assistance is possible for your specific case.
However, even if the company covers your shipping expenses, you should still save at least a few months’ worth of expenses for emergencies.
5. Gather All the Documents
Regardless of your relocation’s purpose, you must have all the documents at hand when the time comes to move.
Here’s a short overview of the papers and documents to keep in mind.
Passport
Your passport must be valid, and its expiry date shouldn’t be approaching soon. If you’re only moving for one or a few years, it’s important to have a passport that will be valid for the whole duration of your stay abroad.
If your passport expires soon, it can take up to three months to get a new one. That’s why you should think about renewing your passport well in advance.
Visa
Moving to a new country also requires you to apply for a student or work visa, depending on the nature of your trip. You may also need to apply for citizenship if you plan on becoming a permanent resident of your destination country.
You should know every detail about your visa, including how long it’s valid, whether you can renew it, what rights it gives you in the destination country, etc.
Other Documents
Other documents you may need depending on your relocation country may include:
- Marriage license
- Driver’s license
- Birth certificate
- Child custody papers
- Social security card
- Medical record
- Insurance policy
- Financial records
6. Research Your New Country
It’s important to be familiar with essential local laws, entry and exit requirements, medical care, financial system, road safety, and similar aspects of your destination country. The more you get informed about before the trip, the less stress and surprises you can expect to have abroad.
You also want to check the medical and health precautions and whether you’re supposed to get any vaccinations in order to enter the country.
Finally, it’s wise to let your banks or credit card companies know about the relocation. Their services may change depending on the country you’re relocating to.
7. Immerse in the New Culture
Becoming immersed in the new country and its culture is almost as important for having a pleasant stay as all the technical parts of moving abroad. Give yourself time to get used to the new environment and slowly start exploring your surroundings. Sign up for a language class, join a local community that shares your interests, and taste local food.
Use your time abroad wisely and don’t miss out on trying new things while you’re there!
Moving Abroad Like a Pro
International moves require plenty of planning, but they’re also full of unexpected events. To keep unpleasant surprises to a minimum, it’s important you follow the tips we shared in this article. Get informed about visa requirements, hire a moving company, pack wisely, learn as much as you can about your new country, and you’ll be good to go. Finally, there will be many ups and downs during the relocation process, but the important part is to keep moving forward and not be scared of uncertainty but embrace it!