If you are in the process of selling up and moving abroad then it can be a little bit different from moving in your own country. There may be some more paperwork and other essential things to sort out before you can hop on that plane to sunnier climes.
You may have been headhunted for work or chose to study abroad. Whatever the reason, this article will give you some ideas of what needs to be sorted out before you go.
Paperwork
There may be lots of paperwork to go through and visas to apply for before you go. You need to check if you need a visa for your chosen destination. If not, then you need to check your passport is valid and has enough time left on it to travel. If it doesn’t, then you will need to apply for a new one.
These can take up to three months to arrive, so make sure you get in early. It may also be worthwhile checking to see if you need any vaccinations before you venture off. Speaking to your GP or taking a look online will let you know about any illnesses and vaccinations to be aware of.
Purpose
Why are you moving abroad? It may be to work, study, or even both. If you are going to work or study then you usually need a visa to do this. This is a piece of paperwork that proves you are allowed to reside in that country and earn money. There is usually a time limit on these visas so you need to ensure you don’t overstay your welcome.
If you are studying then you will need to apply for a student visa, again these expire so be aware of this. If this is the case then you will need to find suitable accommodation.
Friends
Moving to a new place can be daunting so it might help if you know people in the country you are moving to, this will aid with your adjustment and settling in. If you don’t know anyone then it may benefit you to find a group of friends using online platforms or apps.
If you are moving to Spain for example then you could take a look at chat lines en espanol. This will provide a safe space for you to get to know people in your local area.
Accommodation
If you are going to be staying abroad for some time then hotels will prove to be expensive. You will need to find some other form of accommodation and have the money available for this. If you are selling your property in your home country then you may need to wait for the money from this sale.
If you are planning on renting or buying abroad then you will need to have a deposit and potentially references available upon request. Take a look at a few different places when it comes to living abroad, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area. Ideally, you need to have all local amenities nearby.
