Guest Blog Feature:The Ultimate Checklist For Your Move Abroad

Perhaps you are moving to another country to continue your education. Perhaps you have an internship that will begin your career or maybe you got a promotion. Perhaps you are willing to reach exotic countries such as India, Thailand or Brazil? When traveling so far far away, it’s recommended to reach locals that can provide you with all important information about the new place. Sure google will implement the most important theoretical knowledge about the country, region, and all talkable info - but try to reach for living soul (friend of a friend) before heading to the destination. 

Whatever the reason, you are moving to a different country and it will not be the life you know now.

The first thing you have to do is obtain a passport and a visa. Check with the Embassy of chosen country and find out. Do not wait because it takes time to get them. Thank check the international law, and the domicile law of the country - what is usual, normal and approved in USA, doesn’t have to be the most common thing in China (or other way around).

• You will need something to prove why you are going to the country. Your educational acceptance will do.

• Make sure you let your doctor know you are moving and give them permission to share your records if requested. Consider as a good idea taking some health insurance that covers health care costs worldwide. Follow these 8 tips to reduce your Out-of-Pocket healthcare costs.

• If you are planning on living on campus, you will have that prepared. But, if you are going for work, you will need to research the areas and rental agreements. There are plenty of options for finding a perfect place online, but more options sometimes causes more chaos - be focused, pick a place near your work or a place you have to visit daily.

• Do your paperwork for taxes before leaving the United States. Be prepared to get a tax id number in Europe/Asia/Africa/wherever as soon as you get there.

• Research the banking system in new country, they have different fees than the U.S. Do not close your accounts until you are banking in your new home. You do not want to find yourself with no bank support. Take care in advance if anything goes wrong - if you lose your money or cards, find a please where you can pick up the money that will be sent to you with your ID copy (yes, please, have a few of them).

• You will need immunization records and in some cases your medical records.

• If you take medication, take a list from your doctor of what you are to take. It is a good idea to take a print out from your pharmacy too.

• You may not have time to learn the language of where you are going, so download an app on your phone that will help bridge the barrier.

• Obtain moving insurance you may also include travel insurance.

• Cancel any memberships such as gym memberships, and subscriptions.

• Arrange to have your mail redirected. Find a person of thrust to take care of anything that can be important and can’t wait.

• Arrange for your utilities to be disconnected on a certain date.

• Make sure the bank has your new address so they do not forward important documents to your old address.

• Consider hiring a professional mover for college shipping. This may sounds funny at the beginning (few months or weeks before moving) but few days before leaving the place you will panic and breath in the paper bag. Lower the stress level as much as possible.

• Decide what you absolutely need to take with you and what you are going to send to storage and what you may want to discard of.

• Have a yard sale, get rid of your extra things and have some more moving money. This can be fun too - sometimes it can turn out into a party!

• Obtain, check and confirm travel arrangements. Do this more times that “is necessary”. Personal experience is that you always miss something (the pop up to be important).

• Make hotel reservations or make sure the place where you will be staying is available and is anticipating your arrival.

• Make sure you have all of your documents with you, original documents might be needed during travel such as marriage certificates and birth certificates, make copies just in case.

• Arrange to get your money changed to foreign currency.

• Pack your luggage, include only enough clothing and items that you will need for a week to two weeks, depending on when your packed belongings will arrive.

• Consider shopping at your new location can cut down on the things you need to pack.

• Arrange travel to the airport and if necessary any rental cars or trucks you may need.

Make a copy of everything in your wallet, front and back. If your wallet is stolen that will provide you with the correct telephone numbers and account numbers to stop use of those cards and getting replacements faster. Do not keep the copy in your wallet. Keep it in your luggage.

Finally, place a card in your wallet and in your home of family members names and phone numbers. If you get hurt this will give them the correct people to contact.

Author Bio

Wendy Dessler

Wendy is a super-connector with Outreachmama who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking. She frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing and focuses her efforts on developing customized blogger outreach plans depending on the industry and competition.