Important Things to Consider Before Moving Abroad

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Moving overseas is often a great opportunity. It can open up the world of work, culture, and new experiences to you and your whole family, but it is not usually something that you should do on a whim.

If you are thinking of moving abroad in the future, whether to take a brilliant new job role or simply so that you can explore a new way of living in a different culture, here are a few things you should consider first.

Can you get a visa?

This is a really obvious point, but usually, if you are going to be staying in a new country for more than a few weeks/months/ years depending on the location, then you will need to apply for a visa.

Unfortunately, not everyone is eligible for a visa in every country in every case, so before you pack up your things and go, you need to make sure that you meet all of the eligibility requirements and that you can afford to cover the cost of entry, which can be much more expensive than you might think.

Can you find work there?

Many countries require you to have a job that enables you to earn a certain amount before you can gain entry, and even when that is not the case, chances are you will need to find a job to get by.

The thing is, your qualifications and skills in one country may not be transferable to another and it is not unusual for you to have to retrain before you can do the same job in another country that you are doing here.

So, before you take the plunge and move abroad, it is a good idea to search job roles and requirements and ensure you have the required skills and certifications to work here. It is also a really good idea to secure a job in your new country before you move as that will give you more breathing space and make it easier for you to fit into life in your new home.

What will you do with your things?

Will you take all of your possessions with you or will you need to put them in storage and buy new stuff at the location? These days, it has never been easier to move your stuff overseas, with there even being access to international auto shipping services that will enable you to take your car with you when you move. 

However, when it comes to less expensive things like furniture and books, it is often better to put them into storage until you return home if you plan to do so in the next few years, or to sell your stuff on and buy new goods in your new country with the proceeds especially if you are moving to a much cheaper country to live in.

Taking expensive goods like your car with you, though, can and does often work out cheaper, so it really makes sense to sit down and work out the financial aspects of taking stuff with you versus not doing so, as well as the work involved in doing so if you want to make your move as smooth and inexpensive as possible.

How will you bank?

If you are moving abroad, then it makes sense to have a bank account in your new country so you can get paid for the work you do overseas and make withdrawals without any additional charges for banking internationally.

However, banking in a new country is not always as simple as it should be and you will often need to jump through a lot of hoops to get a new bank account set up in a new country.

That being the case, it is sensible to start the process well before you enter the country on a permanent basis, and in order to do this, you will need to collect together lots of important documents like your passport, birth certificate, and things like that.

Alternatively, you could look at digital banking, which is often easier to adapt when you move to a new country. Set up a digital bank account now and it will probably make life a whole lot easier even if you do want to set up an international bank account eventually.

Will you bring your pets?

If you have pets, you need to think very carefully about what will happen to them if you decide to move. It is possible to take dogs and cats with you to several countries, but often they will need to spend, sometimes long, periods of time in quarantine before you can bring them home and this could be distressing for older animals. This means you may want to think about seeing if a trusted friend or family member would be willing to take on their care, or perhaps postponing your move until such time as pets are no longer a consideration.

Ione thing you cannot do is simply take your pet with you without having the proper vaccinations or quarantine periods as this could get you into a lot of trouble.

How will you fit in?

Some cultures are far different from our own, and that is no bad thing, but it can make it more difficult for you to fit in and it can lead to culture shock. That’s why it is always a good idea to visit the location multiple times as a traveler and to familiarize yourself with local customs as much as you can before you even think about moving if you are someone who needs a little time to adapt.

Of course, if you are the kind of person who embrace change, this might not be such an issue.

Moving abroad is exciting, so it is easy to get carried away and not think about the practicalities of doing so, but it is important that you do consider things very carefully if you do not want to end up regretting your decision or making your move harder than it really needed to be. Good luck!