There is perhaps nothing more exciting than packing up and purchasing a one-way ticket to a foreign land. Well, maybe crazy is the most suitable word. However, the life of an expat is liberating and adventurous while it can be unbelievably stressful. To give help to anxious expats, we’ve come up with a list of 5 tips you should know before looking for international moving companies and moving abroad for work.
1. Reserve your International Removal
It’s usually recommended to arrange your household removal within a month’s notice at the very least with your preferred removal company. Overseas packers are international removalists that can help in international removals.
Also, it’s advisable to plan for a visit by the removal company to your place so they can evaluate the volume of your goods. Such a visitation allows the client and company to discuss customs requirements that need to be met during your international move.
2. Research on how it is to live in your new country
In the case you are unfamiliar with your country of destination, we advise that you carry out a thorough research on how it is like to reside there. Luckily for you, there are numerous online books and guides available. Check the areas surrounding your new home’s address for the locations of essential facilities such as banks, embassies, and hospitals, etc.
It’s also a great idea to dig more about local traditions such as festival days and public holidays. Perhaps most useful is making an effort to learn a little bit of the local language if you aren’t a native speaker. Online courses and night classes can be of great help.
3. Arrange Visas
Visas are an essential part of moving abroad, without them you can’t reside in your preferred country. Therefore, it’s imperative that you get your visa and other relevant documents ready well in advance.
Even when your employer is furnishing you and perhaps your family with visas or work permits, it’s best to consult the immigration office of your soon to be country.
Where you are making travel arrangements by yourself, you’ll need to ascertain your paperwork is accurate. You may engage an immigration lawyer; however, some agencies help in the obtaining of visas.
More importantly, understand the immigration laws, time frames such as the duration you can lawfully reside in your preferred destination, deadlines for submitting forms and requirements applying to importing items into the new country.
4. De-Clutter
Recall that the more you carry with you, the higher the shipping costs. Thus, don’t move with items that you never use or don’t need.
Make a list of all your possessions to aid in figuring all that you own. This will help in listing items that you need to take with you and those that you don’t need.
5. Sort your Finances
Check the tax policies of your destination country. We also recommend you contact your local bank to know whether you’ll access fund while overseas. Today, most banks provide online banking facilities.
